USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 65
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in La Crosse County, where Mr. McCormick engaged in farming. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crogan are the parents of six children : Joseph, who is a railroad man and resides in Reedsburg, Wis .; Lucy, who was educated in the schools of Trempealeau County and La Crosse, also at the Winona Normal School, and is now a teacher in Ettrick; Peter Bene- dick, who was drowned April 10, 1916, opposite Winona while automobile riding on a flooded roadway; Winnie, a stenographer at Grafton, N. D .; Clement, who resides with his father, and one who died in infancy. The death of Peter Benedick during the flood of 1916 was a very sad event, his wife and two children perishing with him. It occurred at a spot where sev- eral others were drowned the same season. He was at the time operating his father's farm, the latter having retired and taken up his residence in Winona. Owing to this accident Peter Crogan, having no other tenant, returned to the farm, where he has since remained. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. In politics he is independent.
William Henry Conrad, proprietor of a fine farm of 280 acres, 225 of which is in section 26, Gale Township and the balance across Black River in La Crosse County, was born on this farm Sept. 26, 1886, son of Frank and Allemania (Genske) Conrad. The father, a native of this town- ship, was always a farmer, and moved onto this farm with his parents when about six or seven years of age. When he grew up it came into his possession and he developed it and made many improvements on it. Though not now operating the farm, he resides on it and is still very active. For five years he was a member of the township board, and also served some time as school director. His wife, who was born on shipboard while on the passage from Germany to the United States, is also living. Their only child was the subject of this skech.
William Henry Conrad was educated in the district school of his neigh- borhood. He worked for his father until he was 21 years old and then rented the farm and has since operated it on his own account, having done a profitable business. He was married Dec. 18, 1908, to Julia Ravnum, who was born in Gale Township, this county, daughter of Anton and Martha (Gilboe) Ravnum, both of whom were natives of Norway. Her father, who was a farmer, is now deceased, but her mother still resides on the old homestead in Gale Township. Anton Ravnum was born in Biri, Norway, and his wife in Gubrendal, that country, the former coming to this country when a young man and working out in this township until he settled on his own farm, which he developed and improved. He and his wife were married in Hardie's Creek Valley, Trempealeau County. He was a prominent man in the township, both he and his wife being highly esteemed. His death occurred Nov. 6, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have been the parents of five children: Laura Irene, Harvey William, Helen Margaret, Hazel Marie and Francis Alfred, Harvey W, and Helen M. being twins. Hazel M. died in infancy, but the others are still living and are residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Conrad is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than for the party. He is now serving in his sixth year as clerk of the school board of his district, and he served three years as township treasurer.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Hans Christianson, proprietor of a shocmaking and repairing estab- lishment, and also a dealer in saddlery and harness, in Ettrick, Wis., was born in Ringsaker, Haedmarken, Norway, Oct. 17, 1843, son of Christian Hanson and Roufe (Johnson) Hanson. His parents were natives of the same place or province, where they lived many years, the mother dying in her native land. In 1866 Christian Hanson came to the United States, and locating at North Bend, Jackson County, there engaged in farming, which he carried on industriously up to his later years, his death taking place about 1892.
Hans Christianson was his parents' only child. He had somewhat limited opportunities for attending school, but acquired the rudiments of knowledge, and at the age of 14 years began an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade, at which he became an expert workman. In 1868 he followed his father to America, and on arriving here at first settled on a farm at South Beaver Creek, about four miles from Ettrick. Until the fall of 1871 he worked out for others, and then, deciding to return to his trade, he came to Ettrick, and, opening a shop, engaged in shoemaking and repair work, in which business he has since continued, having also added a complete line of harness and saddlery supplies. When Mr. Chris- tianson first came to Ettrick there were only four buildings in the village and he has since witnessed its growth to a flourishing village of 300 people or more. He built his present store about 1905, a substantial building, conveniently located, and giving him plenty of room.
Mr. Christianson was married in November, 1868, to Caroline Olson, who was born in his own native province in Norway, and who came to America at the same time that he did. Her parents, who died in Norway, were Ole Larson and Margaret Gunderson. Mr. and Mrs. Christianson are the parents of nine children: Helena, now Mrs. L. M. Larson, an attorney residing in Regina, Canada, where he is collection man for the International Harvester Company ; Ole (deceased), at the time of his death he was inter- ested in a large creamery at Long Prairie, Minn .; Robert (deceased), who was a prominent young lawyer of the county; in the spring of 1914 he was appointed by Governor LaFollette as district attorney of Trempealeau County and in August that year he died, leaving a wife and two children; Martha, now Mrs. Andrew C. Hagestad of Ettrick Township; Clara, wife of Rev. P. A. Hendrickson of Roanwood, Mont .; Melvin (deceased), who was assisting his father in business; Helmer, who is now associated with his father in business at Ettrick ; Octavia, a stenographer at Fargo, N. D .; Anna Amelia, a graduate nurse from the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, is now Mrs. E. J. Burke. They reside at LaSalle, Ill., where Mr. Burke is a practicing physician. Mr. Christianson has built up a good trade and is one of the prosperous citizens of the village of Ettrick. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church.
James O. Halderson, president of the Halderson-Plummer Company, Incorporated, of Galesville, of which place he is one of the leading busi- ness men, was born in Harmony, Vernon County, Wis., Feb. 18, 1871, son of Albert and Mary (Gaarder) Halderson. He was educated in the com- mon schools of Vernon County and remained at home until he was 20 years
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J. O. HALDERSON AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of age, when he became clerk in the furniture store of Joseph Polver at Viroqua, Wis. There he remained for three years, during the last year of which period he had full charge of the business, having mastered it in every detail. In 1894 Mr. Halderson came to Galesville and here estab- lished an up-to-date furniture and undertaking business, with Thomas Call as an equal partner, the style of the firm being Halderson & Call. Two years later their establishment was burned out, entailing a complete loss, but, undaunted, Mr. Halderson made a new start, this time alone and on a small scale, his place of business being located in the Dutton building. By hard work and upright dealing he built up a flourishing business, which increased steadily year by year. He now owns a fine store building, com- plete in every branch of the business, located on the corner of Ridge and Allen streets. This location he purchased from M. B. Parker and son Ervin in 1898. He has just built a tasteful modern residence north of his business block facing on Ridge street. In July, 1915, Mr. Halderson sold a half interest in the business to W. F. Plummer, and it was then incorporated as the Halderson-Plummer Company, with J. O. Halderson, president; Mrs. J. O. Halderson, vice-president ; W. F. Plummer, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Halderson is a graduate of the Clark Embalming School of Chicago and of the Williams Embalming School of Oshkosh, Wis., and holds a state . certificate as a thoroughly qualified funeral director. As a business man he has gained a reputation for honesty and reliability that is one of his most valuable assets. Aside from their furniture and undertaking depart- ments, the Halderson-Plummer Company deal in pianos, organs, talking machines and other similar goods, keeping articles of standard merit. Mr. Halderson was married June 24, 1896, to Ellen Cook, who was born at Decorah Prairie, this county, July 25, 1870, daughter of David and Agnes (Henderson) Cook. Mrs. Halderson was graduated from the Galesville schools in 1888. For several terms she was a proficient teacher in the rural schools, and for a long period a clerk in the department store of Gilbertson & Myhre at Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. Halderson have two children: James Haskell, born June 2, 1899, who was graduated from Galesville high school in 1917, and Theresa Grace, born March 8, 1902, who is now a student in the high school. Mr. Halderson is a member of Decorah Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen.
Hans F. Claussen, one of the most prominent business men in the southeastern part of Trempealeau County, and a resident of the village of Ettrick, was born in Heide, Germany, Dec. 1, 1865, son of Peter H. and Anna (Messer) Claussen. His parents came to the United States with their family when he was five years old, in 1870, first locating in Chicago, where Peter H. Claussen worked one summer. Desiring better opportunities for advancement than he could find at once in the crowded city, he then came to Trempealeau County, Wis., and located on a farm near Frenchville, which is still known as the Claussen homestead and which is one of the best farms to be found in this part of the county, its development and improvement having been effected by him. There he and his wife are still living, though he is now retired from active work. Of their
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
eight children, the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth.
Hans F. Claussen was educated in the district school at Frenchville, Gale Township, and at Gale University, now known as Gale College. He resided on his parents' farm until he was 22 years old and then became a clerk in the general store of Gilbertson & Myhre at Galesville, remaining in their employ for three years. At the end of that time, resolving to go into business for himself, he selected Elk Creek, in this county, as a suit- able location and there conducted a store for four years. An opportunity then occurred for him to purchase the business of John Gilbertson at French- ville, and he accordingly did so, improving the store by the erection of new buildings, his store building being 42 by 60 feet, two stories in height, with basement. A house for residence is connected with it. Here Mr. Claussen is doing a good business as general merchant, keeping a large and varied stock of goods to suit both village and country trade and ensuring a gradual increase of patronage by prompt service and honest dealing. This enter- prise, however, prosperous though it is, is but one of those with which he is connected. He was one of the founders of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Galesville and its first vice-president. In 1911 he organized the Bank of Ettrick, of which he is at the present time president, devoting to this institution the greater part of his time; and he is besides secretary and treasurer and a director of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now building ; acting treasurer of the Ettrick Creamery Company and treasurer of the Ettrick Telephone Company, also secretary and treasurer of the Ettrick Lumber Company, organized in 1917. Aside from his interests in these various enterprises he is the owner of real estate in Frenchville and land in Ettrick Township close to the corporation line of Ettrick Village. An independent Republican in politics, Mr. Claussen, while having no political aspirations, has at different times responded when called upon to serve in local office, and thus has served four years as treasurer of Gale Town- ship and a similar length of time as chairman of the township board. He was married in June, 1892, to Anna Olson, who was born in Trempealeau County, daughter of Louis and Mary (Olson) Olson. Her parents, who are now deceased, were early settlers in Trempealeau County, coming here from Coon Valley, La Crosse County, where they lived for a short time. Mr. Olson's occupation was that of farmer, and he and his wife were worthy, reliable people, much respected in their vicinity. They had four children, their daughter Anna, now Mrs. Claussen, being the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Claussen's family circle has been enlarged by the birth of five children: Lucile P., who was educated in the local schools and at Red Wing Seminary and is now assistant cashier in the Bank of Ettrick; Vesta M., Freda M., Peter H. and Ruth M., all of whom are residing at home. The Claussen family are members of the Lutheran church. They stand high in the community as people of sterling character and their circle of friends and acquaintances is a wide one.
James E. Cance. One of the prosperous merchants of the village of Ettrick is James E. Cance, who was born in Ettrick Township, Dec. 22, 1864, son of Robert and Christine (Edmond) Cance. Scotland was the
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IIISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
later served three terms as chairman of the board. At the age of twenty- two he was elected town clerk, a position in which he served for eleven years. In 1894 he was elected county treasurer, and in this capacity did such excellent service that he was re-elected in the fall of 1896. From 1882, the time of its organization, until 1894, he was secretary of the Pigeon Mutual Fire Insurance Company and was one of the important factors in its success. Upon retiring from public office he made his home in Whitehall until his lamented death March 5, 1901. Mr. Larson was married May 28, 1887, to Marie Skorstad, who was born near Vardahl, Christiania, Norway, Aug. 7, 1863, daughter of Christian and Ellen (Brostad) Skorstad, born in 1819 and 1821 respectively, came to America in 1868, and homesteaded a farm in section 27, town 23, range 7, Pigeon Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are the parents of three children: Chester Ernest, who was born April 15, 1894, and died April 30, of the same year; Mabel, who was born Aug. 20, 1896, and is now a student in domestic science in the Stout Insti- tute at Menominee, Wis .; and Owen Elmer, who was born April 13, 1899, and is now attending the Whitehall high school. Mr. Larson was one of two children. His brother Lars was born in 1852, married Ellen Johnson in 1876, and has three children: Edwin, a farmer of Jackson County, this state; Emma, the wife of Knut Haugen, a farmer of Jackson County, and Lena, now Mrs. Severson, who lives near Neillsville, Wis. Mrs. Larson is the fifth of six children, the others being: Andrew (deceased), who mar- ried Petra Tennseth (deceased), and has one son, Casper; Olive, who mar- ried Andrew Rye, a farmer of Taconite, Minn .; Peter of Whitehall; Carrie, who lives with her brother Anton; and Anton, who is a merchant in York, Wisconsin.
Paul Nordhus, one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Ettrick Township, is, like many other successful agriculturists of this part of the county, of Norwegian birth, having been born in Hardanger, Nor- way, Oct. 28, 1859, son of Ole and Ingeborg (Tolafson) Nordhus, his parents being natives of the same locality. The father was a farmer and also post- master of his town. He and his wife both died in Norway, never coming to this country.
Paul Nordhus, who was the seventh born in a family of nine children, attended school in his native land. At the age of 16 years he became a sailor and followed that vocation until 1882, in which year he came to the United States, locating in Beaver Creek Valley, Trempealeau County, Wis. Here he found employment in a sawmill and was thus occupied for six years. At the end of that time he went west, visiting Spokane, Wash., and other places and working as a stone mason for about 18 months. In the mean- while he had saved money and now returned to Norway, desiring to see his native place once more. The United States possessed too strong an attrac- tion for him to remain there long, however, and in 1891 he came back to this country and located on his present farm in section 12 East, Ettrick Township, the farm containing 280 acres of valuable land, on which he raises good crops, besides keeping a fair amount of stock. He is also financially interested as a stockholder in the Farmers Exchange of Blair,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Ettrick Telephone Company and the Bank of Ettrick. Mr. Nordhus was married Feb. 6, 1894, to Betsey David- son, who was born in Beaver Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, daughter of Rasmus and Anna (Johnson) Davidson. Her parents were natives of Hardanger, Norway, who came to America about 1875, settling on a farm in Jackson County, just across the line from Trempealeau County, where Mr. Davidson died in 1908. His wife is still residing on the old farm. They were among the earliest settlers in that locality. Mrs. Nordhus, who was the third born of their six children, when a girl attended the Hegg school- house in Ettrick Township, this county. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nordhus are six in number: Oscar Raymond, who is employed in the office of the St. L. & M. Railroad Company at Minneapolis ; Alina Ingeborg, now residing in Minneapolis, and Esther Josephine, Norma Jeanette, Emil James and Basil Philip, who are residing at home. Mr. Nordhus and his family are affiliated by membership with the United Lutheran Church, while his political principles are those of the Republican party. As a suc- cessful farmer and loyal citizen he is known and respected throughout this part of the county.
Thomas P. Nelsestuen, a successful farmer of section 34 W., Ettrick Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Jan. 8, 1876, son of Peter and Christiana (Hagestuen) Nelsestuen. His parents were natives of Norway. The father was born in Syndreland, that country, Oct. 3, 1838; his wife in Biri, Feb. 6, 1845. About 1860 they came to the United States, settling in Trempealeau County, and soon after on the farm where the sub- ject of this sketch now lives, which Peter Nelsestuen cleared and improved and on which he resided until his death Feb. 6, 1914. His wife now resides in Beaver Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, with her daughter, Mrs. Sever Twesme. They had a family of eight children, of whom Thomas P. was the sixth born. The latter, after acquiring his education in the district school, was a student for awhile at Gale College, and for one year attended public school at Superior, Wis. He resided at home until he was 23 years old and then went to Westby, Vernon County, where he spent the winter. From there he went to North Dakota and then to Canada, locating in the province of Saskatchewan, where he proved up 160 acres of land, residing on it three years. He then went to Ross, N. D., and proved up a claim there, his residence being continued for 18 months. At the end of that time he returned home and bought the old homestead of his parents, con- sisting of 1331/2 acres, located at the mouth of French's Creek. Mr. Nelsestuen has added to the improvements on the farm, having put up a good barn and silo and done other work increasing the value of the prop- erty. He has disposed of his Canadian and North Dakota holdings, but is a stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company, the Scandinavian Insurance Company and the Ettrick Farmers' Telephone Company.
June 23, 1909, Mr. Nelsestuen was united in marriage with Julia Ofsdahl, who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Peter and Inge- borg (Holmen) Ofsdahl, whose parents were Norwegians, her father being born in Biri, Norway, Oct. 27, 1835, and her mother Feb. 1, 1835. Peter Ofsdahl had been previously married. He came to this country before
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IIISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the Civil War, in which he served as a soldier. His death took place Oct. 10, 1905, his wife surviving him a little over a year, passed away May 13, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Nelsestuen are members of the Lutheran Church; in politics he is a Republican. The children of Peter Nelsestuen and wife are: Ole of Thief River Falls, Minn .; Tillie, widow of Siver Twesme ; Minnie, now Mrs. H. Gangnon of Superior, Wis .; Clara, now Mrs. Lewis Twesme of Superior, Wis .; Peter of South Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township; Thomas P., subject of this sketch, and John and Otto of Minneapolis.
Mathias T. Pederson. Among the foreign born citizens of Trem- pealeau County the Norwegians take a prominent place for their industry and enterprise and the large measure of success which has accompanied their efforts to establish a home and improve their fortunes in this, the land of their adoption. An excellent type of this class is the subject of this sketch, Mathias T. Pederson, who was born in Rinsager, Norway, Sept. 9, 1864. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Larson) Pederson, natives of the same province, emigrated to the United States with their family in 1873, settling on a farm about three miles and a half from Ettrick, Trem- pealeau County, Wis., where they remained about 18 months. Thomas Pederson was then about 35 years old, and his wife some six or seven years younger. Following their residence on the farm, Mr. Pederson, the father, engaged in the shoemaking business in Ettrick, taking as a partner Hans Christianson, the firm both manufacturing and repairing boots and shoes. In this work he continued until his death, Jan. 12, 1884 which took place at the Wisconsin House in La Crosse, where he was taking treatment for a physical ailment. His wife died Oct. 15, 1909.
Mathias T. Pederson was the eldest of his parents' nine children. He attended district school in Ettrick Township and when a lad of from 10 to 12 years old began working out during the summers, and continued to do so, living at home in the winter, until he was 20 years of age. His father then died and he subsequently helped his mother to support the family until his own marriage, being then employed with a team in gather- ing cream for the Ettrick Creamery. He had previously purchased a lot on which he later erected a barn, and not long after that, or about a year after his marriage, he purchased a residence property. After hauling cream for about five years Mr. Pederson engaged in the pump and windmill business in Ettrick, doing contract work and sinking all kinds of wells. This work was interrupted by intervals of service in public office as sheriff, during which time he rented his equipment to his brother and brother-in- law. He served as township treasurer in 1897-98, as under sheriff in 1905-06, and as sheriff in 1907-08, also acting as constable for a number of years until he declined any longer to serve. He has also for a number of years been a member of the board of education, of which body he is at the present time the treasurer. Besides pumps and windmills he deals in gasoline engines, U. S. cream separators and steam and hot water heat- ing plants, doing an extensive and profitable business. Mr. Pederson built his present commodious residence in 1910 and also owns other real estate, both within and without the village limits. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick and a member of the examining board, a stockholder in
DUNCAN GRANT AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Ettrick Hall, in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, of which he is vice-presi- dent; also a stockholder in the Ettrick Telephone Company and in the Ettrick Lumber Company, of which latter concern he was one of the incorporators. These various interests make large demands on his time, the greater part of which, however, is given to his pump and windmill business.
June 27, 1891, Mr. Pederson was united in marriage with Agnes Erickson, who was born in Biri, Norway, daughter of Evan and Frederica (Olson) Erickson, both natives of the same district in Norway. The Erickson family came to this country in 1871, settling in Ettrick Town- ship, near the Gale Township line, where Mr. Erickson engaged in farm- ing. He is still living there, but is now 83 years old and retired. His wife died on the home farm about 1901 or 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have a family of eight children: Thomas E., a farmer at Mobridge, S. D .; Fred M., who resides at home and is assisting his father ; Myrtle, a teacher in the schools of Trempealeau County; Agnes, who is attending the Gales- ville high school; Palmer L., a graduate of Galesville high school, class of 1917; Silas Clarence, Thelma L. and Otis K., residing at home. Mr. Peder- son and his family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church at Ettrick. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, being banker for his lodge, and is a member of the board of managers of the Beaver lodge. As a good citizen, progressive and public spirited, he has at heart the general interests of the community in which he lives and has taken part in many practical measures for its advancement. He has attained a comfortable position in life through his own energy and business acumen, and is one of the substantial and respected citizens of his village and township.
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