History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 67

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1318

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MR. AND MRS. ARCHELAUS GROVER

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daughter of Nels O. and Thone (Kittleson) Herreid. The parents were Nor- wegians, the father born in Hardanger and the mother in Telemarken, the latter coming to this country during the cholera epidemic. Her husband, Nels O. Herreid, came the same year and they were married in Wisconsin. He had been a miner but after coming to this county engaged in farming. Both died in Beaver Creek, Mr. Herreid being accidentally killed in 1902. 'His wife died in 1908. Their daughter Catherine was the youngest of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Dale have been the parents of nine children: Helmer N., who died at the age of three years; Josephine Tonettie, now Mrs. Louis Instenes, a jeweler at Blair, Wis., they have two children : Stan- ley Leroy and Ardyce Catherine ; Helmer N., second, who resides on a part of Mr. Dale's Galesburg farm, and who married Blanche Rehfus of Minne- apolis ; they have one child, Earline Whilhelmina; Sanford C., a farmer and mail carrier, residing at home; Hilda, also residing at home; Gilford Roy, residing on the old Gale farm, who married Mabel Schuman of Caledonia Township; they have one child, Ruth Alvira; Normal Clarence, who is a printer on the Galesville Republican; Francis, who died in infancy, and Alice Eunice, who lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Dale are members of the United Lutheran Church and of the order of Beavers.

Archelaus Grover, one of the notable pioneers of Trempealeau Village, and the first sheriff of Trempealeau County, came to the West from New England, having been born in Bethel, Maine, Nov. 19, 1832. When an infant he accompanied his parents to Chemung County, New York, they settling at a place known locally as Martin's Hill. When he was 14 the family moved to Waupun, Wis., where the subject of this sketch resided until 1849. In that year, though only 17 years of age, he left home and walked to La Crosse, Wis., then only a trading post, where he assisted in building the first frame house, the only other white man in the place being a man named Nathan Merrick. Young Grover stayed at La Crosse but a short time, going from there to Brownsville, Iowa, where he learned raft piloting from a certain William Richmand. In the same year-1849-he returned to Wisconsin and located in Trempealeau Village, which then consisted of a few houses occupied mostly by half-breed hunters and trappers with several small farmers. Here Mr. Grover engaged in buying furs from the Indians, which occupation he followed for several years. Later he assisted in the survey of northern Wisconsin. On April 13, 1855, he purchased land from the government in sections 26 and 27, Trempealeau Township. He now set to work to develop a farm, buying adjoining land from time to time until he owned 328 acres in one farm, also considerable other land. On this place he resided until 1885, at which time he removed into Trempealeau Village, which was his subsequent home until his death, Oct. 2, 1912, by accident. Nearly 80 years old, and somewhat hard of hearing, he was walking home from Winona on the Burlington Railway tracks, when he was struck by a train about two miles west of Trempealeau Village, his body being found the next morning. Mr. Grover was a man of kindly, just and generous character, though resolute, and was greatly beloved by practically all who knew him. In 1872 he joined the Baptist church of Trempealeau, of which he was a member at the time of his death. He was married in Trempealeau

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Village, July 8, 1855, to Esther Elizabeth Brandenberg, a daughter of Alpheus M. and Catherine Brandenberg of Dayton, Ohio, near which place she was born April 25, 1837, coming to Trempealeau Village with her parents and the rest of their family in 1853. She survives her husband and is still living in Trempealeau Village, being now about 80 years of age. They had nine children, four sons and five daughters. Five of the children died in infancy. One daughter, Riza, was married to John Edward Powell of La Crosse, June 26, 1896, and died in that city Feb. 5, 1904. The children living are: S. D. Grover of Galesville, Wis .; John, residing in Trempealeau Village, and Cora Kate, now Mrs. Benjamin Irvine, a resident of Everett, Wash. Mrs. Grover is a faithful member of the Baptist church, and is a lady highly respected in the community.

William H. Dick, one of the leading and most progressive farmers in Gale Township and a large land owner, is a native of the township, having been born at Decorah Prairie, April 21, 1864. He is a son of William and Rosana (Neil) Dick, natives of Scotland, who were married in that country and came to the United States about 1846, first settling in Maryland. There for a few years Mr. Dick, the elder, was engaged in mining. It was not long, however, before he heard of better opportunities in the great Northwest, and soon after he was found among the pioneers of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, taking land in section 36, Gale Township, which now constitutes . the farm of his son, William H. He became an extensive land owner and for a number of years was actively engaged in the stock business. His death occurred in 1907. His wife, who survives him, is now living with her son John in Gale Township.

William H. Dick was the youngest member of his parents' family, which numbered eight children. He acquired the elements of knowledge in the district school at Decorah Prairie and learned agriculture on the home farm under his father. When he was 21 years old he became the owner of the farm, consisting of 248 acres of land, and has since been engaged in general farming. He has made some valuable improvements on the place, the more substantial buildings having been erected by him. In addition to this place he owns 200 acres in Black River bottoms and 60 acres of timberland. He keeps a large amount of stock and his business is steadily growing. Mr. Dick is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Pack- ing Company, the Galesville Creamery, the Independent Harvester Com- pany of Plano, Ill., and the farmers' Warehouse Elevator at Galesville. In politics he is a Republican, but has taken no active part in local govern- ment. Feb. 22, 1888, Mr. Dick was united in marriage with Alice Brown, who was born at Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, daughter of George and Ellen (Irvine) Brown. Her father was born in Vermont April 23, 1831, and her mother in Scotland, Aug. 8, 1840, their marriage taking place in America. George Brown came when a lad of 14 years to Wisconsin. He was a pioneer of Gale Township and did his share in developing its agricultural resources, breaking in and improving a considerable quantity of land during his active career. His death took place in 1902. His wife is still living and resides with her son and daughter half a mile east of her daughter Mrs. Dick, the three children mentioned constituting their entire

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family. Mr. and Mrs. Dick's family also consists of three children: Lester William, who married Laura Agnes Stellpflug, and is a farmer in Gale Town- ship, having one child, Armond Leo; Rose Ellen and Hazel Leila, who reside at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Dick both belong to the two fraternal orders of Beavers and Yeomen, and Mr. Dick also to the Red Men. They are among the most prosperous residents in this part of the country and have a wide acquaintance.

Ole T. Johnson, who is engaged in operating a stock and dairy farm in section 10 E, Ettrick Township, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 1, 1854. His parents, Torger and Bergetal Johnson, were natives of the same province. In 1860 they set out for America, but on the voyage over the mother died and was buried at sea. The father with his motherless chil- dren on landing in this country came west as far as Dane County, Wisconsin, but resided there only a short time, removing to Coon Valley, Vernon County, and one season later to Trempealeau County. Here he homesteaded 140 acres in section 14, Ettrick Township, also buying an additional 50 acres. After making that farm his home for a number of years, he con- tracted a second marriage and moved to another farm in the neighborhood. This latter farm he later sold to his daughter, Rosa, with whom he resided also for a number of years, or practically until the end of his life. He died in January, 1898, while on a visit to his son Ole T. He was a quiet, indus- trious man, respected by his neighbors and confined his attention to his farm, taking no part in public affairs. By his first wife he had four children, Ole T. being the second born. Ole T. Johnson was six years old when he was deprived of a mother's care, and at the same time found himself in a new world and amid strange surroundings, but like most young children he soon began to feel at home and it was not long before he picked up an ele- mentary knowledge of the English tongue. He attended the Hegg school- house, and when a mere lad began to make himself useful on the farm, working for his father for a number of years. Before he was 18, how- ever, he began working in the woods during the winter season and con- tinued to do so for six or seven years. Then, thinking it time to start life on his own account, he purchased his present farm of 179 acres, con- sisting of well improved land, with good substantial buildings, on which he carries on general farming, making a specialty, however, of breeding Shorthorn cattle, and keeping from 30 to 35 on hand constantly. He is also engaged in dairying and is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Com- pany, the La Crosse Packing Company, the Farmers Exchange of Blair and the Ettrick Telephone Company. Mr. Johnson assumed the responsi- bilities of married life in his twenty-second year, on Sept. 1, 1876, when he was united to Catherine Knudtson, daughter of Uriason and Bretta (Severson) Knudtson. Both she and her parents were born in Hardanger, Norway, the father July 6, 1823, and the mother Dec. 13, 1830. The family came to the United States in 1869, locating on the farm on which Mr. John- son now resides and where Mr. Knudtson lived until his death, Feb. 15, 1901. His wife is still living and resides on the Johnson farm with her daughter and son-in-law. Mrs. Johnson was the second born of nine chil- dren. She only attended an English school for two weeks, being a pupil

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for that length of time at the Hegg school. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of two children: Theodore Irvin, born March 19, 1891, and Bertha Theolena, born June 4, 1895, who was married April 29, 1917, to Helmer Sexie. They reside with his father, Lars Sexie. The family are members of the United Lutheran Church. Mr. Johnson usually supports the Repub- lican party, but is not active in politics. As an energetic, prosperous citizen he commands the respect of his neighbors.

John S. Johnson, who is engaged in operating a valuable farm of 120 acres in section 21, Gale Township, was born in Norway, Feb. 11, 1868, son of Simon and Agnet (Smenstuen) Johnson. The parents, both natives of Norway, emigrated to America in 1871, locating in Gale Township, this county, on a farm from which they subsequently moved to the one now owned by their son, John S., with whom the father now resides. He is now advanced in years and a widower, his wife having passed away on this farm in 1900. They had a family of nine children, of whom, however, the subject of this sketch is the only one now living. John S. Johnson has always resided on the old family homestead. For many years he was associated with his father in its operation and later became its owner. He carries on general farming successfully, his land being valuable and his buildings and equipment of good style and quality. He was educated in the school at South Beaver Creek and later in that of the Glasgow district, Gale Township, and has in these later years served one term as a director of the school board. Religiously he is affiliated with the Lutheran church and in politics is independent. As a farmer and loyal citizen he has estab- lished a good record and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Johnson has never married.

Simon Jegi, a pioneer, was born in Switzerland, in 1832, and was there reared. His father, a stone worker, was killed in the quarries when Simon was still a boy, and it became necessary for him to eke out the family income by herding cattle in the Alps and doing such other duties as fell to his lot. At the age of 20 years he came to America and secured employ- ment as a farm hand in Sauk County, Wisconsin. By hard work and fru- gality he managed to save enough money to make the first payment on a farm. Accordingly he secured a place in Buffalo County. Shortly after- ward he came over the line into Trempealeau County and purchased a farm near Arcadia. There he successfully conducted general farming for many years. His latter days were spent in retirement in the village of Arcadia. His widow, who was born in Switzerland, and was brought to this country as a child of 12 years, still makes her home in Arcadia. Mr. and Mrs. Jegi were the parents of four children: John I., George F., Mary and Henry A. John I., now deceased, was a man of considerable distinction. He was reared on the farm, attended school in Arcadia, taught for a while, and received his B. A. and M. A. degrees from the University of Chicago. The remainder of his life was spent as professor of physiology and psychology in the Mil- waukee Normal School. In this connection he was also a frequent lecturer in the Milwaukee Medical College. George F. was graduated from the Northwestern College at Naperville, Ill., with the degree of B. A., but ill health forced his return to Trempealeau County, and he died near Gales-

MR. AND MRS. ROBERT GRANT

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ville. Mary is the wife of Jacob Hotz, who farms on the old fair grounds at Arcadia. Henry A. is a prominent physician and practices at Galesville.

Henry A. Jegi, physician and prominent citizen, conducting an exten- sive practice at Galesville, was born in Arcadia, Wis., April 16, 1873, son of Simon and Agnes (Dascher) Jegi. As a boy he applied himself to his studies with great diligence, and at the age of 16 years became a teacher. From that time he was self-supporting, working his way by teaching and doing other work. For a time he attended the River Falls Normal School. In 1896 he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Illinois. For one year he perfected his knowledge by practice with lead- ing physicians in Winona, Arcadia and Fountain City, after which, in 1897, he located in Galesville, where he has since continued in practice. His standing in his profession is shown by the fact that he is local surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, but subject to calls outside of his immediate vicinity, also a member of the American Medical Association, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the Seventh Congressional Dis- trict Medical Society, as well as of the State Medical Council. He was the first secretary of the Trempealeau, Jackson and Buffalo Counties Medical Society. For many years he has done excellent work for local sanitation as a member of the Board of Health. A man of thorough education and wide reading himself, he has taken a deep interest in the training of the younger generation, and is doing active service on the Trempealeau County Board of Education, of which he was the first president. For fifteen years he has been president of the local Board of Education. In the Masonic order he is affiliated with the Blue Lodge and the Chapter ; he is a member of the Beavers and the Modern Woodmen, and examining physician of the Foresters and Mystic Workers. His financial holdings include business and residence property in Galesville, and stock in the Bank of Galesville. Dr. Jegi was married Nov. 23, 1898, to Alice Brown, born in Canada, daughter of Mathews and Mary Brown, who came to the United States when their daughter was a mere child, and located near Rochester, Minn., where both died of typhoid fever in a single week. Dr. and Mrs. Jegi have two children : Henry A. and Charlotte Mae.

Robert Grant, a retired farmer now living in Gale Township, Wisconsin, where he is well known and respected, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, Aug. 11, 1845. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Gibb) Grant, who were natives of the same locality. The father in early life was a coal miner. In 1851 he came to this country with his family, locating at Peach Orchard, Lawrence County, Ky., on the Big Sandy River. There he resided for three or four years at the end of which time he moved to Ohio. A year later he made another removal, this time to West Columbia, W. Va., where he spent six or eight months. He then came to Trempealeau County, locat- ing on the farm where his son Robert now lives, and here he was engaged in agriculture until his death in 1869. He and his family were among the earliest settlers in this locality. The mother survived her husband 20 years, passing away in 1889.

Robert Grant was the third born in a family of four children. In his boyhood he attended the Grant school in the seventh district, which was

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named for the family, his attendance, however, being short. He resided with his parents until he was 21 years old, at which time he went to Rock Island, Ill., where he engaged in mining, being thus occupied, however, for but a short time, and at intervals spending the summers on the home farm. He thus continued until his marriage, at which time he bought a part of his present farm. Later he became full owner of the homestead and engaged in general farming, from time to time making necessary improve- ments, most of those now standing having been put up by him. About 1912 Mr. Grant turned over the farm to his son-in-law, but still resides on it. He is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery Company, the Farmers Exchange Elevator and the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill.

Nov. 3, 1868, Mr. Grant was married to Jane Dick, who was born in Scotland, daughter of William and Rosana (Neil) Dick, her parents coming to the United States in 1846. He and his wife have seven children : Thomas, who is a farmer, single, and resides with his parents; Rose Ann, widow of Louis Bornitz, residing in Winona, Minn., who has three children: Laura Marie, Robert LeRoy and Arvilla May; Elizabeth Margaret, wife of Joseph Stellpflug; William D .; Mae Hazel, wife of William Byrne, a farmer, who has three children: Maud Eleanor, Edna Mae and Rose Bernice; Maud Eleanor, now deceased, who was the wife of Alexander Schwartzhoff of Gale Township, and William, who died in infancy.

William D. Grant of Gale Township was born at Decorah Prairie, Gale Township, April 4, 1876, son of Robert and Jane (Dick) Grant. He was educated in the Grant school on Decorah Prairie, and resided at home until his marriage in February, 1902, to Matilda Larson. She was born at Hardie's Creek Valley, Gale Township, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mat Larson, her parents being natives of Norway, who were early settlers in Trempealeau County, Mr. Larson being a farmer. He died about 1902; his wife, Mrs. Grant's mother, is still living and resides at Hardie's Creek, of which place she is a well known and respected resident. Her husband also was well known and esteemed for his industry and good neighborly qualities. At the time of his marriage Mr. Grant rented the farm on which he now lives, which contains 238 acres and which is a part of the old Grant estate and which he now owns. He carries on general farming and is doing a successful business. Mr. and Mrs. Grant have two children: William Guy, born Nov. 9, 1908, and Gladys Marie, born in 1910.

Peter J. Uhl, a retired farmer now residing in Galesville, where he is largely interested in several important industries, is a native son of the township, the date of his nativity being Nov. 28, 1864. His parents were Peter and Abbie Uhl, both born in Germany. Both also came to the United States before marriage, accompanying their respective parents. The Uhls first settled in Milwaukee, Wis., but came to Trempealeau Conuty with the pioneers, and Mr. Uhl spent the rest of his life here, being engaged in agriculture. He served for some time on the school board and was a useful and industrious citizen, widely respected. His wife is now living in Gales- ville.

Peter J. Uhl was the fourth born in a family of nine children. He attended school in Crystal Valley and afterward was a student at Gale

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University. Reared on the home farm, on which he lived until his mar- riage, he acquired a good knowledge of agriculture. When 24 years of age he purchased a farm from his father, continuing to live on his parents' homestead for about two years longer. Oct. 9, 1890, he was married to Sophia Becker, who was born in La Crosse, Wis., daughter of Phillip and Sophia Becker. Her father was born in Germany in 1830 and her mother in Alsace, France, in 1843. Phillip Becker in early life was a carpenter and butcher. He came to the United States with his parents' family when 16 years old, locating in Washington County, Wisconsin. Later the family moved to La Crosse, where, after residing on a farm for some years, he engaged in carpenter work, afterward taking up his other trade of butcher for a short time. He then took a farm near Glasgow, Trempealeau County, and was engaged in agriculture there for a period of about 40 years, when he sold out and retired. His death took place 11 years after, in 1913. Dur- ing his active career he held a number of local offices. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom Sophia was the eldest.

After his marriage Peter J. Uhl moved onto the farm in Gale township, which he had bought two years previously from his father, and which con- tained 320 acres. Here he lived until 1913, when he sold the property and moved to Galesville, where he has since lived retired from active work. As a farmer he was enterprising and successful, making money at the business, so that he is now well to do. He is one of the largest stockholders in the Galesville Realty & Improvement Company, a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants Bank and in the Arctic Springs Creamery, and he also holds the maximum amount of stock permitted in the Farmers Elevator Company, the Farmers Co-operative Company and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. In politics he is a Republican. He has never sought to be active in governmental affairs, but for some time rendered good service on the school board of Gale Township. He attends the Presbyterian church, although not a member. His fraternal affiliations are with the order of Beavers, while his wife is an active member of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union. They are the parents of two children: Elsie Adelle and Forest Gladson.

Philip Uhl, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, where he is now living retired after an active career as an agriculturist, was born on the farm in Gale Township, which afterwards became his property, June 9, 1870. His parents were Peter and Abbie Uhl, further mention of whom may be found in the biography of Peter Uhl, elsewhere published in this volume. The subject of this sketch acquired the elements of knowledge in the district school of his neighborhood and afterward became a student of Gale University, now Gale College. In his youth he worked on the home farm, taking charge of it when 22 years old, and when 25 he became its owner. Later, however, he moved to another farm in Gale Township, on which he lived for five years, cultivating and improving it. He then sold it and returned to the old homestead, where he continued at farming until September, 1916, when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville, in order that his children might have better school advantages. Mr. Uhl still owns 480 acres of land, which it is his intention to rent out to others.

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He is a stockholder in the creamery at Galesville, in the La Crosse Packing Company, the Farmers Exchange, the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill., and the Northwestern Telephone Company. In politics he is practically independent, though with Republican proclivities, and rendered good service for many years as a member of the Board of Education, serv- ing in his uncle's stead when only 18 years of age ; he also served four years on the township board, of which for awhile he was chairman. Mr. Uhl was married, July 1, 1896, to Sadie Hoyt, who was born at Decorah Prairie, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Gordon) Hoyt. Her parents were natives of the state of New Hampshire, the father being a farmer. They came to Trempealeau County at an early date, Mr. Hoyt homesteading land on Decorah Prairie, where he was engaged in farming until his death in 1902. He served as township assessor for a number of years and also did good work as a member of the school board, taking a warm interest in the cause of education. His wife died Dec. 24, 1904. Of their six children Mrs. Uhl was the youngest. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Uhl has been enlarged and brightened by the birth of four children: Allan Philip, now a student at the State University at Madison ; Arthur Hoyt, who is in his fourth year at Galesville high school; Anna Lucile, also attending the high school, and Isabelle Rose. Mr. Uhl is just completing a fine new residence, modern in every way.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 67

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