History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 66

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 66

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Duncan Grant, a prosperous agriculturist operating a farm of 274 acres in section 5-32 E, Gale Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Feb. 1, 1870, son of Duncan and Elizabeth (Dick) Grant. His parents were natives of Ayrshire, Scotland, the father born March 5, 1837, and the mother about 1847. Duncan Grant, the elder, came to America in 1851, locating first in Kentucky, in which state he resided three or four years, and then came to Trempealeau County, Wis. He was married in Gale Township and settled on the farm now owned by his son and name- sake, and engaged in agriculture. Here he resided until 1913, when he took up his residence with his son-in-law, Andrew Cook, of Gale Township, where he is now living. His wife died about 1881. They were the parents of eight children.

Duncan Grant, the second of the name, was the fourth born child in his parents' family. He attended the Grant school in district No. 7, Gale Township, and was at an early age initiated into agricultural work, being set to work as soon as he could handle a team. Before he was of age he took charge of the farm and has since operated it, becoming its owner by purchase when he was 29 years old. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is doing a large and profitable business. He is a stock- holder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, the Farmers Exchange Elevator and the La Crosse Packing Company. April 25, 1906, Mr. Grant was married to Henrietta Lowner, a native of Holland and daughter of Martin

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and Helen (Bymers) Lowner. Her parents, who were both born in Hol- land, came to the United States about 1893, locating near Amsterdam, in La Crosse County, where Mr. Lowner found employment on farms, and where he died about 1902. His wife now resides at Council Bay, that county. They had seven children, Henrietta being the fourth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Grant are the parents of four children: Helen Eliza- beth, Russell Vernon, Thomas Glenn and Arvilla May. He belongs to the order of Beavers and in politics is an independent Republican.

Peter J. Pederson, who is the owner of a good dairy farm of 160 acres in section 35 west, Ettrick Township, was born in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., May 11, 1870, son of John and Agnes (Lindahl) Pederson. His parents were among the hardy Norwegian settlers of this county, and were both born in Biri, Norway, the father Feb. 2, 1848, the mother Nov. 12, 1849. The former came to America in 1859, locating in Coon Valley Wisconsin. Early in the Civil War he enlisted in Company K, 25th Wis- consin Regiment, but after serving for awhile was mustered out on account of sickness. On his recovery he re-enlisted as a substitute and served until the end of the war. He then settled in Vernon County, where he bought land and married, residing there until 1875, in which year he removed to Trempealeau County, taking the farm on which his son Peter J. now lives. Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death Aug. 22, 1914. His wife died No. 12, 1908. Their family consisted of the following chil- dren: Martha, wife of Chris Skunberg, residing at French Creek, this county ; Peter J., subject of this sketch; Carrie, deceased ; a child who died in infancy, and Anton, who is unmarried and resides with his brother Peter.

Peter J. Pederson acquired his education in the district school. He resided at home and when 18 years of age took the management of the farm, operating it until about 1910. Subsequently he bought out the heirs to the estate and now has 160 acres of valuable land, on which he has put on all improvements, and is conducting it as a first class dairy farm. Mr. Pederson is a stockholder in the creamery and in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad. He was married May 27, 1896, to Sena Husman, who was born in Biri, Norway, daughter of Olie and Marit (Forgerson) Husman. Her parents were born in Fauberg, Norway, the father Nov. 23, 1842, and the mother in Ayr, Norway, Sept. 27, 1841. They came to America in 1885 locating in Coon Valley, Vernon County, but in the same year came to Trem- pealeau County, Mr. Husman farming for many years on French Creek, where he and his wife are now living retired. They celebrated their golden wedding June 15, 1917. They were the parents of eight children, Sena being their fourth born. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have three children: Joseph, born Dec. 2, 1897; Orrin, born Sept. 6, 1900, and Arthur Miner, born March 6, 1910, all residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church. In political matters Mr. Pederson votes independently, judging of issues and men as the occasion arises and not being bound to any party. As a successful farmer and good citizen he is known and respected throughout this part of the county.

John P. Poss, a well known farmer operating 200 acres of land in section 32 E, Gale Township, was born in this township, Dec. 13, 1873, son of

JULIUS O. TAPPEN AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Peter and Barbara (Happel) Poss. Peter Poss was born in Milwaukee, Dec. 25, 1849, and came to Trempealeau County with his parents when a child of three years, they locating on a farm in Gale Township. After growing to manhood he followed farming for himself in this township until 1904, at which time he sold the farm to his sons, and is now living retired at Houston, Minn. His wife, who was born in Germany Dec. 31, 1850, died Aug. 11, 1904. They were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest.

John P. Poss in his boyhood attended the Grant school in Gale Town- ship and resided on a farm adjoining his father's until 1904, in which year, on January 6, he was married to Louise Wohlers. She was born at Brownville, Minn., daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Depthner) Wohlers, who were married in La Crosse County. Her parents were born in Ger- many, the father Aug. 18, 1838, and the mother Aug. 9, 1847. Mr. Wohlers came to the United States about 1868, taking a farm in Houston County, on which he and his wife are still living. They had a large family, number- ing 11 children, Mrs. Poss being the sixth in order of birth. At the time of his marriage Mr. Poss began operations of his present farm, where he has since remained, being engaged in general farming, including stock raising. He is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill. He and his wife have four children: Pearl Barbara, Le Roy Henry, Gladys Winifred and Anna Eliza- beth. Mr. Poss is independent in politics. He has taken no active part in local government and as a good citizen is interested in the advancement of the community in which he lives, and ready to support any practical movement for that purpose.

Nels Pederson, the present postmaster of Galesville, who is also inter- ested in several important business enterprises here, was born in Hede- marken, Norway, Dec. 16, 1850. His parents, Peder Nelson and Martha Halverson, never came to America, but died in their native land, Norway. Nels Pederson was obliged to support himself when he was 13 years of age. For three years he worked on the farm of one of his uncles, and then found employment in a store as clerk, being thus occupied three years. Afterwards he worked nine years in factories devoted to the woodwork- ing industry, two years in Sweden and six years in Germany. From the latter country he came in 1883 to the United States, locating at once in Winona, Minn., where he found work in a wagon factory. He continued in this occupation for nine years, and then, in 1892, became registrar of deeds for Winona county. After serving one term in this office he came to Galesville and engaged in the retail liquor business, remaining in it for 16 years. Since then he has served as village clerk, and in other offices, receiving his appointment as postmaster July 1, 1915. In politics he is a Democrat.

Julius O. Tappen, proprietor of the old Tappen homestead in section 24, Preston Township, was born in Solar, Norway, Oct. 24, 1854, son of Ole O. and Elizabeth (Embretson) Tappen. The father, who was born in Norway in 1816, came to America in the fall of 1857 and resided one year in Vernon County, Wisconsin. He then bought a farm in what is now known as

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Tappan Coulie, Preston Township, Trempealeau County, where he lived six years. At the end of that time he purchased the farm on which his son Julius O. now lives, and spent the rest of his life in its cultivation and improvement. His death took place on this farm, Jan. 3, 1905. His wife Elizabeth, who was born in 1815, died in 1910. Their family consisted of the following eight children: Ole Olson, who was killed in Kentucky in the Civil War; Evert Olson, also a soldier in the Civil War, who was killed by a desperado at New Lisbon; Karen, who died in 1857 at the age of 16 years ; Olea, who married Gunder Peterson, a farmer of Preston Township, and died in 1911; Serena, wife of Paul Strum, a farmer residing near Blair; Julius O. of Preston Township; Annie, who died at the age of three years, and Alex O., a resident of Springwater, Saskatchewan, Canada. Julius O. Tappen was brought up to farm life and labor and for a number of years when a young man worked on farms in the summer and in the pineries during the winter. In this manner he was occupied until 1884, in which year he purchased the home farm of his parents and has since been engaged in its cultivation. The property contains 100 acres and is well improved. Mr. Tappen is engaged in general farming and dairying, also in breeding Percheron horses, having two good stallions, which latter business he began in 1904. Mr. Tappen was married Nov. 11, 1881, to Mary Olson of Preston Township, who was born in Norway Sept. 22, 1852. Her parents were Ole Nelson, who was born in Greue, Solar, Norway, and Bertha Ericsdatter Vold. They came to America in 1872, settling in Trempealeau Coulie, this county, where the father died in 1888 and the mother in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Tappen are the parents of eight children: Oscar, residing at home ; Bendt, who married Esther Johnson and lives at Springwater, Saskatchewan ; Olaus, living at Courtney, N. D .; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Thurston of Courtney, N. D .; Eddie of Alma Center, Wis .; John, residing at home; Alfred of Canada and Morris at home.

Mike Pinorsky, proprietor of a first class meat market in Trempealeau -the only one in the village, was born in Posen, Germany, Nov. 19, 1888, . son of Walter and Frances (Grossman) Pinorsky, who were married in Germany. The father was born in Russia and the mother in Posen, Germany. Walter Pinorsky died when the subject of this sketch was but two years old, and his widow subsequently married Martin Borroski. Both her first and second husbands were meat cutters.

Mike Pinorsky learned the meat cutter's trade with his stepfather. In May, 1906, he left his native land for America, and coming directly to Trempealeau county, took up his residence in the home of an uncle, Frank Grossman, his mother's brother. Here he remained, working on his uncle's farm, for one year, during which time he applied himself to learning the English language, which task he accomplished fairly well. He then took a position as cutter in a meat shop in Arcadia, remaining there until the fall of 1911. At that time he came to Trempealeau Village and began work as cutter in a meat market here. In the fall of 1914 he bought the old Graves & Atwood store building on the corner of West Second street and Main street, Trempealeau Village, and fitted it up as a first class market, beginning business for himself. He has since built up a large patronage,

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

and though he has no competition in the village he keeps the best stock and aims to give perfect satisfaction to his customers. Besides working hard to advance his own prosperity, he takes a keen interest in the general well-being of the community and is always ready to join with his neighbors in promoting any worthy enterprise. He has no relations in this country except a cousin at Arcadia and a step-brother, Anton Pinorsky, who is a farmer at Waumandee, Wis. He was married Jan. 24, 1917, to Hedwig Kup- ferschnidt, who was born in Germany Feb. 21, 1889, and came to America in 1909.

Abraham Pittenger, a pioneer, was born near Mansfield, in Richland County, Ohio, May 24, 1802, descended from sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. He was reared to farm pursuits and as a young man learned the blacksmith trade, to which two occupations he devoted his time in his native state until 1854. In that year he came west to Wisconsin and located at Onalaska, in La Crosse County. For a while he did various work at his trade, including the installing of the machinery in the historic Nicholas mill at the mouth of the Black River. In 1857 he settled on a homestead on Brice's Prairie, on the Black River, and began its improvement by erect- ing a seven-room house, consisting of an upright and a wing, a very good house for those days. By pre-empting an adjoining tract, and purchasing other land, he added to his holdings until he owned 420 acres. He sold 120 of this, and of the remainder developed 220 acres, leaving 80 acres in timber. In 1875 he came to Trempealeau County and purchased a farm two miles north of Trempealeau Village. There he lived in peace and contentment until his death Sept. 1, 1888. He will long be remembered for his activity in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a class leader and a member of the official board, gave land from his La Crosse County farm for a church and a cemetery, and was liberal in its support. He was also prominent in the affairs of the church at Trempealeau. Mr. Pittenger was married at Mansfield, Ohio, in 1821, to Eleanor Ferguson, who died in 1845, leaving ten children. He was married April 24, 1849, to Lucy Rand Barnes of Mansfield, Ohio, who died March 12, 1906, and to this union were born five children. Three were born in Mansfield, Ohio, Thomas J., July 27, 1850; Joseph Benson, April 18, 1852, and Lucy E., Sept. 3, 1853. Benjamin F. was born Nov. 16, 1855, at Onalaska, Wis; Luther M. was born March 7, 1859, on Brice's Prairie, La Crosse County, Wis. Luther M. is the only one living, the others, except Thomas J., having died in childhood.

Luther Melville Pittenger, newspaperman and real estate agent, was born on a homestead on Brice's Prairie, on the Black River, in La Crosse County, this state, March 7, 1859, son of Abraham and Lucy Rand (Barnes) Pittenger. He was reared in his native county, and there attended school until he was sixteen years of age. Then he was brought to Trempealeau County by his parents, and studied two years in the Trempealeau high school. For many years he devoted his life to farm pursuits. Prominent in public affairs, he was chairman of the election board in his township for a long period, and was a delegate at various times to different Repub- lican committees, also serving on various committees. He helped to organize school district 13, and was an active factor in the building of the new

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schoolhouse. In 1907, Mr. Pittenger moved to Trempealeau Village and has since been engaged in his present line of work. His duties take him all over the county, and he has made many friends. He has also largely increased the circulation of the La Crosse Daily Tribune, which he repre- sents as solicitor and collector. His financial holdings include stock in the Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau. His fraternal affiliation is with the Blue Lodge of the Masons. Mr. Pittenger was married Nov. 25, 1880, by the Rev. David Wing, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Trem- pealeau, to Adaline Harris, born at La Crosse, Nov. 1, 1862, daughter of Peter Harris of Trempealeau. This union has been blessed with five chil- dren : Clinton H., Hattie E., Glenna May, Robert Lee and Jennie A. Clinton H. was born Sept. 1, 1881, and is a stationary engineer, living at Trem- pealeau. He married Edith Hess and has four children: Martha, Wil- helmina, Luther and Virginia. Hattie E. was born May 14, 1883, and mar- ried William Crosen, a barber of Trempealeau. Glenna May was born March 7, 1885, and married Lemuel Hare, Jr., who in 1915 purchased the old Pit- tenger homestead. They have three children: Minerva, Lynn and Edna. Robert Lee, born June 30, 1887, died July 19, 1901, at the age of 14 years ; Jennie A. was born April 28, 1892, and is now Mrs. Abner Hess. They live on a farm in Trempealeau County and have two children: Norman and Clyde.

James Saurin Pierson, who for many years has conducted a drug busi- ness in Trempealeau Village, and has been successful as a business man, was born in Kingston, Canada, July 25, 1852. His parents were Jacob and Marian (Thompson) Pierson, the father born in Belfast, Ireland, Sept. 10, 1824. Mrs. Jacob Pierson was of Irish parentage, but was born in the southern part of France, in 1821. The subject of this sketch came to Wisconsin with his parents from Port Hope, arriving in Trempealeau, April 20, 1861. The journey was made by train to Dunleith, Ill. (now East Dubuque), and from there by boat to Trempealeau. On arriving in this county Jacob Pierson settled in Caledonia Township, on a farm at McGil- vray's Ferry, on Black River, the location being about a mile from the old ferry. He remained on this farm until the spring of 1871 and then moved to the George Miller place, one mile west of Trempealeau, which was a small tract of six acres, to which he added by purchase 165 acres adjoining.

James S. Pierson in his boyhood attended the common schools, and subsequently spent six months at Galesville University, taking as far as he went, what corresponded to a high school course, during the winter of 1867 and the spring of '68. He then spent about a year in logging on the river at Onalaska, but during the winter of 1869-70 attended school in Barnard district, Caledonia. In the spring of 1870 he went back on the river and was engaged in lumbering for about two years, spending the summers on the river and the winters in scaling logs in northern Wisconsin. During the winter of 1873-74 he taught school in Trempealeau County. This summer-1874-he was married in Trempealeau Village, July 9, by the pastor of the M. E. Church, to Clara I. Carleton, daughter of Martin and Sarah (Owen) Carleton of Wayne County, Michigan, and having bought his father's farm, took his wife to live there, the father entering the employ

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH DALE MR. AND MRS. G. B. CHRISTOPHERSON-IVAN G. DALE MR. AND MRS. BENJAMIN DALE

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of King & Gray, druggists in Trempealeau Village. He and his wife resided on the farm until about the fall of 1877 and then moved into the village, where Mr. Pierson worked at the carpenter's trade for two or three years. In the meanwhile Jacob Pierson, the father, had become owner of the drug business on Front street, and in 1882 the subject of this sketch bought him out and engaged in the drug business himself, conducting the store on Front street until April 13, 1887, when the business section of Trempealeau was wiped out by fire. Then in July he moved into the Ed Elkins block on Main street, where he has since been located, having built up a prosperous business. He has been a member of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Associa- tion almost from its organization. Aside from his immediate business inter- ests he is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank. Succeeding Judge A. W. Newman as president of the school board, Mr. Pierson served in that posi- tion for 11 years following, by appointment, and has also served three terms by election. For 30 years he has acted as village treasurer. Otherwise he has held no public office, but in politics is a stalwart Republican. He and his wife have had two children, the elder of whom, Grace, born July 9, 1876, died at the age of five years, Oct. 9, 1881. The other, Charles R., born March 7, 1882, is married and resides at Watertown, S. D., where he is district manager for the American Tobacco Company. He has four chil- dren: William Irvin, born March 28, 1904; Hugh, born May 28, 1906 ; James, born March 3, 1909, and Kathleen, born May 14, 1912. James S. Pierson has been a member of the Masonic order for 35 years, and is a Knight Templar, belonging to the Commandery at La Crosse. For 15 years he has been treasurer of his lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., at Trempealeau, and for three years has served as master. He also belongs to Court Lotus, No. 3346, I. O. O. F. of Trempealeau. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church, but since his marriage has affiliated with and supported the Congregational church. Both as a citizen and as one of the leading business men of Trempealeau he is highly respected. He has always had the welfare of the village at heart and has taken a prominent part in every progressive movement calculated to advance its interests.

Ivan George Dale operates the farm owned and developed by his parents. His father, Benjamin Thomas Dale, was born July 29, 1853, on the site of the present city of La Crosse. Five years later this place was sold and the family settled on a farm in the town of Caledonia, and this, in turn, was traded to Elder Wing (thus locally acquiring the name, "The Wing Place"), for a farm located in a valley two miles west of Galesville. Various parcels of land were added to the original farm, and a more con- venient building site was chosen.

Benjamin, familiarly called Ben, attended public school, Galesville University, and completed a course at the La Crosse Business College. His marriage to Elizabeth Marianne Hougstad took place April 23, 1884, and their home was established on land adjoining that of his father. Two chil- dren were born to them : Ivan George, born July 20, 1886, and Addie Albina, Feb. 6, 1888. Her husband, Gerhard B. Christophersen, formerly of Pigeon Falls, this county, is employed as a claim manager by the Twohy-Eimon Mercantile Company, wholesale grocers, Superior, Wis. Mr. Dale bought

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land adjoining his original farm, finally possessing 280 acres. Former owners had conducted a lime stone quarry and lime kiln, abundant quan- tities of material being found in the hills. Ben continued and extended these industries, later adding brick making, the farm including deep beds of clay suitable for the soft-mud brick variety. Lime and brick kilns required wood for fuel, so 100 acres of timber land was purchased in the low lands of Black River. Mr. Dale was ably assisted by his noble wife in the management of his extensive business. Finally their health broke under the strain of constant toil and the place was sold April 1, 1901, the family removing to Trempealeau, where the children continued their work in the grade schools. When Gale College was taken over by the Norwegian Lutherans in 1901 Ben Dale was made treasurer, continuing in that office until his death, April 4, 1902. He never aspired to public office, though he took a warm interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the community. His social life, through preference, was confined to home and church. His family sold out in Trempealeau soon after his death, and returned to Galesville, purchasing a small home near Gale College, which school both children attended. Ivan at the age of eighteen operated a part of the Gale College farm. He became manager of the old homestead upon its return into the hands of the family in 1908. Ivan conducted the stone quarry in addition to the farm, discontinuing the lime and brick business. He became sole owner of the place in 1912, later closing the quarries, as the farm with its many substantial buildings required his whole time. His mother resides with him.

Svend H. Dale, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, for- merly engaged in farming, but now otherwise occupied, was born in Bergen- stift, Norway, May 5, 1857, son of Hendrick Swenson by his wife Jorond Knutson. His parents, both natives of Norway, came to the United States in 1867, locating in Ettrick Township, Beaver Creek Valley. Mr. Swenson, who had been a sailor, here engaged in farming. He continued to reside in Ettrick Township until his death, which took place Jan. 12, 1896 ; his wife died in September, 1897. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Svend H. was the eldest. The latter changed his name to Dale for the sake of conveninece.

Svend H. Dale was ten years old when he accompanied his parents to this country. He completed his schooling in Beaver Creek Valley and remained at home until he was 24 years old. He then bought land on Beaver Creek and engaged in farming there until 1913, when he turned over the farm to his sons to operate it for him and removed to his present location, which is a tract of 230 acres adjoining the city limits of Gales- ville. Here he has erected a modern brick residence situated on a high bluff overlooking the business part of the city. His farm on Beaver Creek, known as the Dale farm, contains 200 acres. Mr. Dale has personally retired from general farming, but is engaged in the stock business and has served as manager of the Farmers' Shipping Association of Galesville. He is a Republican in politics and served as clerk of the school district at Beaver Creek for about 15 years. Mr. Dale was married June 7, 1882, to Catherine Herreid, who was born in Beaver Creek Valley, Gale Township,

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 66

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