History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 61

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 61

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Emile Francar was educated in the schools at Green Bay and subse- quently took a course in pharmacy, receiving his degree in May, 1898. He resided at home until 1901, when he came to Galesville and associated him- self in the drug business with Dr. Edson Rhodes in the Rhodes building. In 1903 he purchased from F. H. Fiedler the Galesville pharmacy, which store he now conducts. This store is one of the Rexall stores. Mr. Francar is one of the successful business men of Galesville. Since coming to this village Mr. Francar has identified himself with the interests of the village and county, taking an active part in different local organizations. He served as trustee on the village board of Galesville, and is at present secretary of the Business Men's Association, and president of the Trempealeau County Fair Association. Mr. Francar was married Nov. 7, 1902, to Clara Lan- genohl, who was born in Winona, Minn., daughter of Fred and Mary (Webber) Langenohl. Her father, who was a shoe manufacturer, is now deceased. His wife, surviving him, resides in Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. Francar have one child, Genevieve Delphine.

Ole B. Borsheim, president and cashier of "The Home Bank" of Blair, Wis., was born in Mitchell County, Iowa, May 5, 1869, son of Thorkel N. and Brita (Hylden) Borsheim. The father, born in Norway, came to America in 1865, locating in Mitchell County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming and where he died Feb. 6, 1915. He was nearly 81 years old, hav- ing been born in April, 1834. His wife Brita still resides on the old farm, having passed her 77th birthday. Ole B. Borsheim was the sixth born of his parents' seven children. After acquiring the elements of knowledge in the local schools, he became clerk in a store at Cresco, Iowa, where he worked four years-from March 3, 1891 to 1895. He then went to Dubuque, where he was employed in the office of John T. Hancock & Sons until Sep- tember, 1899. At that time he came to Blair and, with H. C. Hjerleid of Decorah, Iowa, started the Home Bank of Blair. Of this institution he was the cashier till July 27, 1912; then president till the fall of 1915, since which time he has been both cashier and president. He is also president of the Trempealeau Valley State Bank of Taylor, Wis., a director of the State Bank of Bowman, N. D., and a director in the Home Lumber Company of Bowman. All these are flourishing concerns conducted by enterprising business men, with whom Mr. Borsheim is pleasantly and profitably asso- ciated. Mr. Borsheim has been active in local affairs, having served as vil-

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lage treasurer eight years and school clerk three years. He is a member of several fraternal orders, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter in the Masons, having passed all the chairs in the Blue Lodge; the Independent Order of Foresters; the Modern Woodmen of America, and the B. R. F. F. He was married, Feb. 22, 1905, to Delilah Johnson of Anamosa, Iowa, who was born in Kansas, a daughter of R. W. and Sarah (Burwell) Johnson. Her father followed the mercantile business in Anamosa for many years. Her mother died in 1910 at the age of 56. Mr. and Mrs. Borsheim have no children. They are social people and have many friends in Blair and the vicinity.

Ole J. Anderson, proprietor of the Nordingen farm of 240 acres in section 15, town 23, range 7, Hale Township, was born in Biri, Norway, Oct. 9, 1862, son of John and Pernella (Kalverud) Anderson, who came to America in 1885, the former now making his home with his children, and the latter of whom died in 1911. Ole J. Anderson came to America in 1882 and started work on his present farm for Ole Faring, who then owned the place, and who had assisted in paying his passage. In 1896 Mr. Anderson bought 80 acres of his present farm. In 1903 he bought the portion of which his home is located. Here he carries on general farming, and raises a good grade of Holstein cattle and Poland-China swine. Taking, as he does, an interest in public affairs, he has served as treasurer of the school board for the past twelve years. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Mr. Anderson was married Dec. 27, 1890, to Anna Hanvold, born in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., Oct. 17, 1872, daughter of Andrew and Aganetta Hanvold. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have two children : Adolph, who is at home ; and Palma, who was graduated from the Red Wing Seminary, Red Wing, Minn., Class of 1917.

Knut K. Hagestad. One of the most important industries of Trem- pealeau County is that of stock raising, of which the subject of this sketch was for many years a leading representative. He was born at Ulvic Hardanger, Bergenstift, Norway, June 26, 1846, his parents, Knut and Cathrina (Richolsen) Hagestad, being natives of the same place. The father, who in Norway was a boat builder, emigrated to America with his family in 1854, settling in Columbia County, Wis. There he remained until 1860, in which year he came to Trempealeau County, taking land which now constitutes the farm lately owned by his son, Knut K., and which he cultivated and developed, residing on it until his death, Aug. 22, 1872. He became a man of influence in the community, serving as treasurer of the school board and in other offices. His wife survived him a few years, dying in May, 1875. Their family consisted of four children, Knut being the first in order of birth. Knut K. Hagestad had but limited educational opportunities, attending school in Columbia County, Wis., for a part of three or four terms only. He accompanied his parents to Trem- pealeau County, being then 14 years old, and resided at home until he was 18. He then returned to the old home in Columbia County and worked for farmers in that vicinity for about 18 months. Returning to this county in the month of January, he spent the next three months lumbering in the woods, after which he worked at grubbing for his father. By this time he

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had saved some money and with this he bought two pairs of oxen, and hiring another pair from his father and one from his brother, he engaged in breaking land, among other jobs of this kind turning the first furrow in Lakes Coolie for Lars Jahr, on the farm now owned by H. K. Solberg and John Hogden. After one season at breaking he sold his oxen and engaged in threshing one summer, working in the woods the next fall and winter. From that time until 1872 he followed the carpenter's trade in the summer. In this year his marriage occurred and he then rented his father's farm and operated it on that basis for about a year after his father's death, the estate being as yet unsettled. It subsequently came into his possession and he took up his residence in the original house built of logs, but which was so skillfully constructed by himself that today it appears like a modern dwelling, the logs not being visible. Mr. Hagestad also erected the main part of the present barn, another excellent piece of work, the building measuring 124 by 32 feet, with a nine-foot basement and 16-foot stockboards, the rock used for the foundations being quarried by him. Starting with 160 acres of land, Mr. Hagestad increased the size of the farm to 228 acres of highly improved land, and his buildings and equip- ment were and are adequate to the fullest demands of modern farming and stock raising. It was to the latter branch of his business that he devoted his chief attention. When he began agricultural work for himself it was with the desire to raise pure-bred cattle, and in the early eighties he com- menced with Shorthorns, purchasing two full-blooded sires. About 1886 he decided that breed of cattle was more suited to beef purposes and con- sequently would not produce the maximum amount of milk, also that he could not breed them as profitably as he desired. He then bought two full- blooded Holstein heifers and a bull and continued with this breed until his herd had become one of pure-blooded Holstein-Friesian cattle exclu- sively, which experiment he found highly satisfactory. His original stock was obtained at Libertyville, Ill., and while there attending a sale he met Mons Anderson, a merchant of La Crosse, who purchased 12 head, and these, with Mr. Hagestad's three head, were shipped together to La Crosse, Mr. Hagestad taking charge of the car. Upon arriving in La Crosse they paraded their stock through the streets, attracting considerable attention, as these were the first Holstein cattle seen in the county or anywhere in the vicinity. Mr. Hagestad became the owner of about 50 head of these cattle, all fine specimens of the breed. He frequently shipped stock to Texas, Old Mexico and various states of the Union, and in 1903 shipped six head to Japan for breeding purposes. He and his son, Andrew C., for the last 25 years were engaged in breeding pure-blooded Berkshire hogs and S. C. White Leghorn chickens, which he continued to do until his death, April 18, 1917.

Mr. Hagestad was a member and vice-president of the Western Wis- consin's Holstein-Friesian Breeders' Association, and had been a director in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company from its organization. In addition to the interests mentioned, he was a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company and a stockholder and director in the Home Bank at Blair. Other interests that he had in the Bank of Ettrick he turned over

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to his son before his death, and was then living practically retired, the son having taken over the management of the farm. Mr. Hagestad was a Republican in politics and during his long and active career took a more or less prominent part in public affairs, serving on the township board, as chairman of the county board, and as representative to the State Assembly during the session of 1889. On June 3, 1872, Mr. Hagestad was united in marriage with Astri Knutson, who was born in Hallingdahl, Norway, daughter of Andres and Astri (Johnson) Knutson. Her parents, who were natives of the same province, came to America in 1860, locating in Trem- pealeau County, Wis., on land adjoining the Hagestad farm, where Mr. Knutson followed farming and stock raising. He died June 7, 1891, and his wife May 12, 1895. Mrs. Hagestad was the second born of seven chil- dren. In her girlhood she attended school in this county, her attendance, however, being limited to about two months each summer, as her services were needed in the household. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hagestad are as follows: Knut Martimus, who is a professor in the city schools of Santa Cruz, Calif .; Andrew C., residing on the home farm; Albert J., deceased; Kathrina, also deceased, who was the wife of C. L. Grinde, her husband now residing in Blair, Wis .; Esther, deceased, who was the wife of Hans Twesme of Galesville; Cora, deceased; Almina, wife of Ove Vet- terhaus, residing in South Dakota; Albert, deceased; Clara, wife of John Fillner of Ettrick; William, a graduate of Gale College and of the State Agricultural School at Madison, who is now a farmer near Camp Douglas, Wis .; Anna, wife of Irving Swenson, a farmer of Ettrick Township; Cora (second), a nurse in the Lutheran Hospital at La Crosse; Hilda, who resides at home, and a child who died in infancy. Mr. Hagestad was a member of the Lutheran church, to which his family also belong. One of the lead- ing men in his line of business in Trempealeau County, he was widely known and highly esteemed. The example he set more than 30 years ago in the breeding of Holstein cattle has since been followed successfully by many other farmers in this region and is now an important branch of the stock raising industry of the county, adding to the sum total of wealth and the general prosperity ; and in this way he was a public benefactor. His activ- ities along this and other lines also conduced to his own benefit, and he was recognized as one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of the com- munity in which he lived. His wife, an estimable lady, who was to him a worthy helpmate, still resides on the old homestead. Mr. Hagestad for many years took a warm interest in Gale College, becoming president of its board of directors at the time it passed into Lutheran hands.

John Erickson, proprietor of a profitable 200-acre farm located partly in Gale and partly in Ettrick Township, his residence being in section 2, Gale Township, was born at Dramen, Norway, Jan. 9, 1873, son of John and Catherine (Amundson) Erickson, both natives of that locality. Mr. Erickson's parents never came to the United States. The father worked in the woods at lumbering until his death, which occurred when the subject of this sketch was only four months old. The mother is still living in Norway. John Erickson was the only child of his parents and when young was adopted by a family named Berg, whom he accompanied to America

A. T. TWESME

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when about seven years old. He began working for others at the age of ten, his residence being then in La Crosse, where the Bergs had settled. His usual occupations at this time were herding cows, carrying wood and other easy work, but at the age of 12 he began working for farmers in Lewis Valley, and as he got older and stronger the work became more strenuous, including timber cutting in the north woods and lumber rafting on the river. June 6, 1900, he was married to Rose Dick, who was born at Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Brant) Dick, her father now residing on a farm near Galesville. For one year after his marriage Mr. Erickson lived with his wife's father in Silver Creek Valley, and at the end of that time took a farm situated not far from his present residence. He was then on the Hewitt farm for five years, after which he purchased his present farm of 200 acres, where he is carrying on general farming and dairying, with profitable results. He is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville and the La Crosse Packing Company, and is counted as one of the substantial and well-to-do citizens of his township. He and his wife are the parents of six children: Alice Elizabeth, Ellen Catherine, Winnie, John Glenn, Ralph William and Donald Victor. At the present time Mr. Erickson is serving in his sixth year as school clerk. In politics he is an independent Republican, while his fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers and Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Erickson's career is a good example of the value of self-help. Practically self-supporting from an early age, he has worked his way up by courage and resolution, coupled with plenty of hard work, to an honorable position in the community, and is able to give his children much better advantages than he himself received. As he is now in the prime of life he may be expected to enjoy the fruits of his labors for many years to come.

Albert T. Twesme, who is engaged in the general practice of law in Galesville, of which village he is the president, was born in Ettrick Town- ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., Aug. 7, 1879, son of Lars and Begga (Tvedt) Twesme. The parents were both born in Norway, the father Oct. 5, 1843, and the mother Nov. 21, 1841. They were married in their native land and soon afterwards came to the United States, settling in Trempealeau County. Lars Twesme homesteaded a farm in Ettrick Town- ship, which he improved and developed, and on which he resided until 1908, when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville. His wife died here in 1914.

Albert T. Twesme was the sixth born in a family of eight children. He acquired his elementary education in the graded school in Ettrick Town- ship and at the age of 15 years was assisting on his father's farm, which he operated for three years, subsequently continuing his education at Gale College. He then went to Madison, where he took one year preparatory work in the Wisconsin Academy and six years in the University of Wis- consin at Madison, taking the course in law. He was graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1906 and from the law department in 1908, and then began the practice of his profession in Galesville, where he has since remained. He has gained a good reputation as a reliable lawyer and is a stockholder in

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several business enterprises, besides being the owner of a number of farms, all of which are rented except one. In 1908 Mr. Twesme served as a mem- ber of the state assembly ; he was elected president of the village of Gales- ville in 1915-16-17. In politics he is a stalwart Republican.

Mr. Twesme was married, Nov. 4, 1909, to Miss Lulu Burns, who was born in Trempealeau County, daughter of Delbert C. and Lunetta (French) Burns. She is of Scotch-English descent. Her father, who was born in Trempealeau County, and was a farmer in the county for many years, died in 1908. He was a prominent citizen and at various times held local office. His widow is now living in Winona, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Twesme have one child: Albert Luverne, who was born May 4, 1914. Mr. Twesme keeps up his membership in his college fraternity of Alpha Tau Omega, and is a Chapter Mason and a member of the fraternal orders of the Elks and Beavers.

Nels J. Twesme, who is living practically retired on a small farm in section 15 E, Ettrick Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Nov. 7, 1847, son of Jone Larson and Anna (Matson) Larson. His parents, who were natives of the same province in Norway, emigrated to the United States in 1869, but the father died on the voyage and was buried at sea. His wife, with her daughter, continued on to Trempealeau County, Wis., settling on Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township, where she lived many years, passing away in 1905. She and her husband had five children, of whom Nels J. was the fourth born.

Nels J. Twesme was educated in his native land and was only ten years old when he began to earn money by tending goats, subsequently working on farms for six or seven years. He then took to the sea, mak- ing coastwise voyages as a sailor for some five years. In 1869 he came to this country, locating on Beaver Creek and for two years thereafter worked as a farm hand. At the end of that time he bought a farm, which was located near his present farm in Ettrick Township and began its cul- tivation, with the aid of an ox team, using oxen on his farm for many years subsequently. He was unable at first to speak English, but gradually acquired a knowledge of the language by associating with English-speaking people. After spending some 36 or 37 years on that farm, Mr. Twesme sold it to his children and bought his present small farm of 20 acres, where he is keeping a few cows, pigs and chickens, which he can take care of with- out too much work. This rural life he prefers to living in town, where he would have nothing to do. He is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and in the Telephone Company.

April 12, 1869, Mr. Twesme was united in marriage with Ranveig Larson, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of Lars and Ranveig Longesetter Larson, natives of that place, where the father was engaged in farming. Her parents remained in their native land and are now deceased. Mrs. Twesme, who was one of two children born to her parents, was educated in Norway, where also she and her husband were married while he was on a visit to his native land. Mr. and Mrs. Twesme are the parents of five children: John, unmarried and a carpenter by trade, who resides with his parents ; Randena, wife of Thomas Halven, residing on a

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farm in Jackson County, their home being only two miles from the Twesme residence; Louis, engaged in the real estate business in Chicago, who married Miss Charlotte Kravick of Dane County, Wis .; Edward, who lives on a part of the old farm in Ettrick Township, and Thea, wife of Cornelius Davis. Mr. Twesme and family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church. In politics he is an independent Republican, but has not been active in public affairs.

Christian Amundson was born in Norway May 25, 1862, and has lived in Hale Township since 1869, when he was brought here from Norway by his parents, Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. He was reared on the Lars Eide farm, and in 1889 purchased a farm of 160 acres located in sections 4, 8 and 9. Later he purchased 40 more, making 200 acres, to which he has since devoted his attention. His present home, a frame structure of ten rooms, with two stories and a basement, was erected in 1900, while in 1915 the barn was rebuilt, 50 by 60 feet, with cement floors, and a frame silo 26 by 14 feet. The herd on the farm consists of grade Holstein cattle. Mr. Amundson was married May 30, 1885, to Caroline Eide, who was born in Norway, April 28, 1866, daughter of John and Ellen (Gurilokken) Eide, and this union has been blessed with twelve children. Almer married Clara Fransen, a farmer of Hale Township. They have two children : Frederick and Luella. Thea married Ellert Kleven, a farmer of Unity Township; one child Evelyn was born. Louise married Ole Gullicks- rud, a clerk in the store of Robbe & Myhre, at Strum; one child Leonard was born. Joseph married Myrtle Bradison and farms in Saskatchewan, Canada; they have one son. Clara died at the age of 12 years; Hannah, who was a teacher, is now Mrs. H. George Peterson of Wyoming ; William, Tillie, Ludwig, Martin, Leona and Viola are at home.

Lars Eide, who is engaged in agricultural operation of a farm of 275 acres in section 4-8, Hale Township, was born in Rumsdale, Norway, April 8, 1869. His parents were John and Ellen (Larson) Eide, both natives of Norway. John Eide, who was born in 1843, came to America with his wife and family in 1882, locating on 160 acres of land, constituting the northeast quarter of section 5, Hale Township, this county, where he fol- lowed farming until his death in 1908. His wife, who was born in 1835, died in the spring of 1910. Lars Eide arrived in the United States in 1883 and from that time to 1886 lived on the farm with his father. He then went to Glasgow, Mont., where for three years he was engaged in the cattle business. Then, returning home, he worked out four years for others. Resolving to engage in agriculture on his own account, he rented his present farm from A. Amundson and began operations. In 1890 he bought that part of the farm lying in section 4, and in 1893 purchased the remainder, which is located in section 8, and has since resided here engaged in general farming. He has made a number of improvements on the place, thereby increasing its value and is doing a successful and profitable busi- ness. In 1909 Mr. Eide built a good house of 10 rooms, consisting of two stories and basement; and in 1915 he erected a barn and silo, the former measuring 36 by 94 by 16 feet, with a basement 60 feet long, provided with cement floors and 40 steel stanchions. His silo is 12 by 32 feet. His herd

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of cattle numbers 40 head, of which he milks 20. For two years he has served as township supervisor. Mr. Eide was married May 22, 1896, to Clara Amundson, who was born on Mr. Eide's present farm May 9, 1873, a daughter of Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. Her father, who was a pioneer of Bruce Valley, died on this farm in 1912 at the age of 881/2 years, his wife having passed away in the spring of 1897 at the age of 62. They were worthy people, who during their long career in this negihbor- hood had made many friends and were universally respected. Mr. and Mrs. Eide are the parents of five children: Theodore, Emma, Jennie, Arnold and Lillie, all of whom are living at home with their parents. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which Mr. Eide was treasurer for three years.

Cullen A. Thomas, proprietor of Evergreen Park Farm, in section 8, Gale Township, was born at Mineral Point, Wis., July 11, 1876, son of Peter and Leah (Ayer) Thomas. The father, who was born in Germany, came to the United States with his parents when a small boy and was reared in southern Wisconsin. In early manhood he was engaged in mining, but later took up farming. In 1881 his family came to Trempealeau County, having previously resided for a year at Onalaska, La Crosse County, and Peter Thomas engaged in farming near Galesville, and continued in that occupa- tion at the same location for a number of years, dying in Galesville in 1914. His wife Leah, who was a native of the state of Maine, died in Galesville in 1909. They had nine children, Cullen A. being the fourth born.

Cullen A. Thomas was educated in Gale Township, attending school first at Decorah Prairie and afterwards at Frenchville. He resided at home with his parents until he was 22 years old, working on the home farm, and then going to Whitehall engaged in the livery business. After being thus occupied for two years he returned to the farm and has since remained on it, it having come into his possession. It contain 80 acres on which he raises the usual crops cultivated in this region, carrying on general farm- ing. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 61

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