USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 69
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George Rall, one of the leading business men of Galesville, Wis., where he is engaged in manufacturing, also dealing in automobiles, was born in Dettingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, Oct. 10, 1849. His parents, George and Sophia (Kuehlbrei) Rall, were also born in Germany, the father in Dettingen and the mother in Bissingen. They came to the United States in 1852, locating in Erie County, N. Y. After residing there for five years, during which time Mr. Rall worked for others, they came to Trempealeau County, Wis., and settled in Gale Township. There, in the spring of 1857, he engaged in farming, and was thus occupied until 1895, when he retired and moved to Galesville, where he died in 1901. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1874.
George Rall, the younger, began his school attendance in New York State, and continued it after coming to Trempealeau County in District No.
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7. He resided on the homestead, assisting his father until about 1880, when he engaged in farming for himself on the home place. In 1895 he came to Galesville and founded the George Rall Manufacturing Company, building his present mill, and engaging in planing and general woodwork manufac- ture, adding a feed mill to his other enterprises in 1897. His two sons, William A. and Louis A., have been associated with him from the beginning. In 1910 he took up the automobile business and at present is handling the Studebaker car only. Mr. Rall was married May 26, 1872, to Katherine Frasch, who was born in Bissingen, Germany, Jan. 22, 1853. He and his wife have four children : William A., Sophia Barbara, George M. and Louis A. William A., who was born Dec. 1, 1872, is associated in business with his father. He married Lena Spors, and has four children: Glenn W., Gladys M., Edson G. and Gerald L. Sophia Barbara, born Dec. 15, 1873, is residing at home. George M., born Feb. 24, 1876, also resides at home. Louis A., born Dec. 22, 1883, is associated with his father in business. He married Anna Kienzle, of Galesville, and has two children: Kathryn L. and Lloyd L. The family are members of the German Lutheran church.
John Grover, owner of the old Grover homestead in section 26, Trem- pealeau Township, but now living practically retired in Trempealeau Village, was born on the Grover farm, Dec. 23, 1867, a son of Archelaus and Esther E. (Brandenburg) Grover. He was educated in the district school, which he attended during the winters only, after he was 11 or 12 years old, his services at other times being needed on the farm. When he was 15 his school days were ended and he gave his whole time to assisting his father. About two years later, the father having retired in 1885, he entered into a partnership with his brother, S. D. Grover, and they operated the farm together for two years and a half. The partnership was then dissolved, and for two years and a half more John lived on the homestead as a bachelor. Sept. 10, 1890, he married Anna Irvine, daughter of B. A. and Hannah (Ballis) Irvine, of Stillwater, Minn. Mr. Grover continued to carry on farming operations until March, 1914, at which time he took up his residence in the village. In 1901 he engaged in the breeding and selling of registered Shorthorn cattle, shipping them to many States and as far west as Montana. This business is now taken care of by his two sons, Harry and Albert, who live on the homestead. On this farm is the largest apple-bearing orchard in Trempealeau County, containing 17 acres and 1,800 trees. Mr. Grover is one of the directors of the Galesville Elevator Exchange, and has been a stockholder in it since its organization in 1909. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and though he has held no county offices, he has served on the school board of District No. 3, Trempealeau Township, and was one of the township supervisors one year. He and his wife have been the parents of eight children: Harry Irvine, Amy Maria, Myrtle Evelyn, Albert, Howard A., Elizabeth E., Ethel and Gertrude, whose record in brief is as follows: Harry Irvine, born Nov. 9, 1891, and now residing on the old Grover farm, married Flora Larson, daughter of Hans Larson, of Galesville, Wis., the marriage taking place March 15, 1914. He has one child, Wayne Merle, now 19 months old. Amy Maria, born June 16, 1893, is unmarried and resides at home. Myrtle Evelyn, born July 7, 1895, is unmarried and for
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three years has been engaged in teaching country schools. Albert, born March 24, 1897, who works in partnership with his brother Harry, is unmarried. Howard Anderson, born Sept. 27, 1899, resides at home and is attending high school. Elizabeth Esther, born Nov. 10, 1902, died on the old homestead, Sept. 15, 1904. Ethel, born April 10, 1904, is attending school. Gertrude, born July 3, 1906, also attends school.
Lincoln S. Keith, a well-known and respected citizen, residing on the outskirts of Galesville, where he is engaged in cattle and horse raising, and who has also been closely connected with the educational interests of the county, was born in Winslow, Me., Oct. 29, 1860, son of Richard H. and Jane D. (Hiscock) Keith. His parents were natives of the same place, the father born March 1, 1820, the mother March 8, 1826. The former, who was a carpenter by trade, in 1863 enlisted in the Third Maine Battery of Artillery and fought for the Union until the close of the Civil War. Al- though never wounded, he suffered from illness, which caused blindness of one eye. On being mustered out he returned to his native State, where he resided until 1891, when he and his wife went to the Pacific coast, locating at Puyallup, near Seattle, Wash., where they resided until Mr. Keith's death, Nov. 12, 1897. His wife died April 26, 1900.
Lincoln S. Keith was the seventh-born in a family of nine children. In his youth he attended school in Waterville, Me., and in Fairfield, that State, becoming a proficient teacher. When 20 years old he came West, almost directly to Trempealeau County, and in the following year, 1882, became principal of the schools at Osseo, this county, beginning his duties in the spring and continuing them for the two following years. For one year subsequently he was school principal at Independence, later occupying the same position six years at Whitehall, six years at Galesville and one year at Blair. By this time he had become well known and had made so good a record that he was elected county superintendent of schools and held that office for six years and a half. In 1893 Mr. Keith purchased 90 acres of land just outside the city limits of Galesville, where he is now engaged in breeding thoroughbred Jersey cattle and high-grade coach horses. On account of an injury he is not able to do heavy farm work, but for some years has held the position of rural mail carrier. Aug. 16, 1887, Mr. Keith was united in marriage with Cora A. Cain, who was born in Clinton, Me., daughter of Moses R. and Ruth L. (Richardson) Cain, both natives of the same town, and the father a farmer by occupation. Her parents remained in the East and are now both deceased. Mrs. Keith, herself, has also passed away, her death occurring Jan. 21, 1916. She had been the mother of four children : Winifred Maud, Ruth Alice, Helen L. and Donald C. Winifred Maud, who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin, had charge of vocational training in the Normal School at Aberdeen, S. D., holding that position for two years. She is now instructor of methods at La Crosse Normal School. Ruth Alice, who was graduated from the Valparaiso University in music, and in science and letters from the Wisconsin University, and was formerly assistant supervisor in the city schools of Madison, and supervisor at DeForest, is now engaged during the summer months in Chatauqua circuit work for the University of Wisconsin, and is also superintendent
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of music in the La Crosse city schools. Helen M., who graduated from the Galesville High School, is now a student in the La Crosse Normal School. Donald C. is a student in the Galesville High School and resides at home. Mr. Keith is independent in politics, but has always taken an interest in good local government. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Beavers and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Philip G. Kribs, who is engaged in farming and dairying on a good 80-acre farm in section 15, Trempealeau Township, was born in Elgin, Ill., Dec. 1, 1859. His parents were Paul and Sarah (Van Buren) Kribs, the father a native of Guelph, Canada, and the mother of Pennsylvania. They were married in Guelph, and went from Canada to Elgin, Ill., at an early day, residing in the latter place until 1865, when they came to Trempealeau County, Wis., locating on what is now the Theodore Schmidt farm in section 3-W, Trempealeau Township. This was an 80-acre tract of partially im- proved land, with a log house and barn. By additional purchases Mr. Kribs enlarged the farm to 160 acres, 40 acres of his new purchase lying across the road east. Here Paul Kribs resided until his death, December 3, 1877, his wife surviving him and living with her son Philip, who carried on the farm. Their children were: David, Ludwig, Mary, Jane, Aaron, Henry, Sarah, Paul, Philip G. and one that died in infancy. Those now living in addition to the subject of this sketch are: Ludwig, who resides in Alta, Canada ; Paul, living in Aberdeen, S. D .; Sarah, who resides at Grants Pass, Ore., and Mary, residing in Medford, Ore. Philip G. Kribs acquired his education in the district school, which he attended until the age of 16 years, and then spent two winters at the La Cross Business University and one winter at Gale College, Galesville, Wis. Dec. 4, 1884, he was married at the home of his bride's parents, by the Rev. J. Irwin Smith, a Presbyterian minister, to Ella, daughter of William J. and Eliza Suttie, of Caledonia Town- ship, Trempealeau County, and after marriage took his wife to his father's old home in section 3, Trempealeau Township. He was at that time working his father's farm, on which he lived until March, 1886. He then changed his occupation by going into the grocery business in Galesville, Wis., and was thus occupied until March, 1888. He then sold out in Galesville and went into the same business in Midway, La Crosse County, Wis., and while there was appointed postmaster. Remaining in Midway until the spring of 1890, he then made up his mind to go back to farming, and accordingly purchased 80 acres of improved land in section 15, Trempealeau Township, which constitutes his home farm. On it, however, he made a number of improvements. The original buildings were poor, but in 1904 he remodeled the house, which is now a good two-story frame dwelling of eight rooms. He has also erected a number of other buildings, including a new frame barn, a granary, milk house, corn crib, poultry house and a garage. As a farmer and dairyman he is doing a profitable business, having a herd of graded cows and a good sty of Poland-China hogs, together with a sufficient number of horses for the farm work and a good equipment of tools and machinery. He and his wife have four children: Grace S., Harry W., Paul W. and Mary E. Grace S., who was born in Galesville, Wis., April 21, 1887, is the wife of George Sagen, assistant cashier of the Merchants' Bank
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at Galesville, Wis. Harry W., born at Midway, Wis., July 10, 1889, is unmarried and resides at home with his father. He owns 40 acres in section 15 and 40 acres in section 22, improved land, which he farms in connection with the home place. Paul W., born in Trempealeau Township Feb. 12, 1892, is unmarried and lives on the home farm. Mary E., born in Trempea- leau Township Oct. 19, 1902, lives at home and is attending the Galesville High School. In politics Mr. Kribs is a Democrat, but is not active polit- ically beyond casting his vote. Since 1897 he has been a member of Liberty Peak Camp, No. 2813, M. W. A., having passed all the chairs. He and his wife and daughter Grace are affiliated with the Centerville Methodist Episco- pal church.
Ludwig O. Goplin. Among the farmers of Gale Township who are recognized as successful men in their branch of industry is the subject of this sketch, whose farm of 220 acres is situated in sections 3, 14, 23 and 24, town 23 north, range 7 west. Here Mr. Goplin was born Jan. 27, 1883, son of Olaus E. and Mathia (Benrud) Goplin, the homestead having been in the family since the time of the grandfather, who settled on it in 1869. Olaus E. Goplin, who was born in Norway in 1861, purchased 80 acres of the farm and lived on it many years, dying in December, 1901. He added to his land until the farm comprised 220 acres. His wife, also a native of Norway, survived him about a year and four months, passing away in April, 1903. Ludwig O. Goplin worked on the old home farm for his parents from his boyhood until his father's death, and afterwards for his mother until she, too, died. He then rented the farm from the heirs for five years, buying it in April, 1915. Here he is carrying on general farming and dairying, keeping graded Durham and Holstein cattle, of which he has 35 head, milking 20. The residence on the farm is a good two-story and base- ment frame house of 10 rooms. A man of progressive nature, in 1902 Mr. Goplin built a round barn, 64 feet in diameter, and 26 feet to the eaves, and in 1915 he erected a stave silo, 14 by 34 feet. He is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company and also in the Whitehall Hospital. Since 1913 he has served as treasurer of the school board. His religious affilia- tions are with the United Norwegian Lutheran church, of Pigeon Falls, of which he is a member, and of which his father was secretary from the time of its organization until his death. Dec. 10, 1910, Mr. Goplin was united in marriage with Ruth Mortenson, of Whitehall, Wis., who was born in Pigeon Township, this county, Sept. 15, 1887. Her father, Hans H. Mortenson, who was born near Hammerfest, Norway, Sept. 15, 1836, is now residing in Whitehall. Her mother was born in Norway, Jan. 11, 1847, and is now living in Whitehall. Mr. and Mrs. Goplin have two children: Margaret Alverne, born Oct. 15, 1911, and Obert Harvey, born Oct. 27, 1913.
Sigvald N. Hegge, cashier of the People's State Bank, of Whitehall, has had an important part in the upbuilding of that institution, and is one of the energetic young men of the village. A native of this county, and de- scended from a pioneer family, he had considerable experience in business before assuming the duties of his present position, and his well-merited success is built upon a firm foundation. He was born in Pigeon Township,
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May 18, 1887, the son of Nels F. and Lena (Nelson) Hegge, and there grew to manhood, receiving his early education in the district school of his neighborhood, and in the graded schools of Whitehall. In 1905 he gradu- ated from the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse, and soon there- after became interested in the lumber business. Entering the employ of the St. Anthony & Dakota Elevator Co., he first took charge of their lumber yard at Hatton, N. D., and so thoroughly demonstrated his ability there, that he was employed for the next few years in opening and establishing yards at various points in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. Sept. 29, 1913, he returned to his native county to become assistant cashier of the People's State Bank, of Whitehall. Jan. 1, 1914, he was promoted to his present position. Fraternally Mr. Hegge is a former secretary of the local Masonic lodge, and past Noble Grand of the local Odd Fellows' lodge. He is also connected with other clubs and organizations. Mr. Hegge was married Dec. 29, 1915, to Emelia Bensen, of Whitehall, who was born in that village Aug. 13, 1888, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Frederickson) Bensen, the former of whom is a mail carrier and the latter of whom died in 1911. Before her marriage, Mrs. Hegge was a teacher in the kindergarten department of the Whitehall public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Hegge have one child, Harriet Elizabeth, born Oct. 8, 1916.
Nels F. Hegge, a pioneer, from whom is named Hegge Valley, in Pigeon Township, was born at Biri, Norway, came to America as a young man, lived in La Crosse for a while, came to Trempealeau County in 1872, lived in Pigeon Township until 1900, and then moved to Whitehall, where he died in 1912 at the age of 73 years. His widow, Lena Nelson, still makes her home in that village. She and her husband have been actively affiliated with the United Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hegge was a strong Democrat in politics and had considerable influence in local affairs.
David R. Dissmore, well known to the inhabitants of Pigeon Township as proprietor of the old Dissmore homestead, consisting of 200 acres in section 8, was born in Viroqua, Wis., Sept. 16, 1863, son of George P. and Mary E. (Rogers) Dissmore. His father was one of the well-known and respected citizens of the township, of which he was a resident for many years. Born in Marblehead, Mass., in 1835, George P. Dissmore, while still a young man, emigrated to the great Northwest. He was married in Mauston, Juneau County, Wis., in 1859, to Mary E. Rogers, who was born in 1841, and for some time he resided in Vernon County, coming to Trempea- leau County in 1863. In the spring of the following year he homesteaded the farm on which his son David now resides, and here he made his home until 1895. As a minister affiliated with the Baptist denomination, he served the church at Whitehall for several years, and also preached three years in Polk County and two years in Barron County. He died at White- hall in 1908, his wife passing away in 1914 at Whitehall. They were the parents of a family numbering 14 children, of whom four are now deceased. The record of the living is as follows: Mary, wife of Forest Van Sickle, a retired farmer of Ryder, N. D .; Lyvenia, wife of James Maloney, a farmer of Hale Township, Trempealeau County; David R., of Pigeon Township; Jessie, wife of Archie Wood, a contractor of Whitehall; Sarah, now Mrs. Ole
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REV. AND MRS. GEORGE DISSMORE DAVID R. DISSMORE AND FAMILY
OLE C. SKUMLIEN AND FAMILY
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Knosberg, her husband being a farmer and gardener of Barron, Wis .; Emma, wife of Louis Dowd, a farmer of Weston, Ore .; Martha, wife of Gotlieb Nogossek, a farmer of Hale Township, this county; George, who is farming in Oregon; Ruth, now Mrs. Fred Wallace, of Osceola, Wis., and Rheuamy, wife of Oscar J. Olson, of Saginaw, Ore.
David R. Dissmore was reared on his parents' farm in section 8, Pigeon Township, and in the year 1900 became its manager. It became his prop- erty by purchase in 1914 and as owner he is continuing the work of improve- ment which he began as manager. Besides general farming, he is a consid- erable producer of honey, keeping 130 colonies of Italian bees. In these enterprises he has achieved success and now takes rank among the pros- perous citizens of his township. He was married, May 18, 1892, to Alice Breed, of old Whitehall, daughter of Calvin and Anna (Crane) Breed, her parents being now residents of Whitehall. He and his wife are the parents of eight children: Elbert, Clinton, Sidney, Reuben, Lily, Florence, George and Lulu. The family are affiliated religiously with the Baptist church.
Andrew K. Skumlien, who in former days was an active and successful farmer of Pigeon Township, was born in Vardal, Norway, in 1833. Coming to the United States in 1876, at the age of 43 years, he settled in Trempea- leau County, Wis., working the first summer on the farm of Olaus Knutson in Moe Couley. He then bought 160 acres of land in section 28, it being the southwest quarter of town 23 north, range 7 west, Pigeon Township, the locality being known as Fuller Cooley. This farm was purchased from the estate of Peter Anderson, who homesteaded it. Here Andrew K. Skumlien spent the rest of his life, which lasted but ten years longer, his death taking place June 6, 1886. He was an industrious man, working hard to improve his property, and was well liked and respected by his neighbors. He was married in his native land, in 1860, to Anna Olson, who was born in Norway, Dec. 24, 1830, and who now lives with her children on the old homestead. There were eight children in their family: Ole C., who owns the old farm in company with his brother Anton; Anton, above mentioned; Mary, who married Ludwig Thompson, a farmer, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Carl, a farmer of Pigeon Township; Anna, who is the wife of L. C. Olson, who was a farmer in section 34, Pigeon Township; Maren, wife of Albert Kaas, a farmer of Jackson County, Wis .; Tillie, wife of Bent Myren, a farmer of Pigeon Township, and one that died in infancy.
Ole C. Skumlien, who, with his brother Anton, owns and operates the old Skumlien farm in section 28, Pigeon Township, was born in Vardahl, Norway, July 25, 1861, son of Andrew K. and Anna (Olson) Skumlien. After residing in his native land until he was 14 years of age, in 1875 he accompanied his grandparents, Knute and Anna (Thorson) Skumlien, to the United States, they taking up their residence on the farm of Olaus Knutson, a relation, who lived in Moe Couley, Pigeon Township. There the grand- parents spent the rest of their lives. Andrew K. Skumlien came to the county in 1876 and worked that summer on Mr. Knutson's farm, the family being thus united. He soon, however, purchased a farm of his own, con- sisting of 160 acres in section 28, Pigeon Township, the exact location being
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defined as the southwest quarter of town 23 north, range 7 west, and here he resided until his death, June 6, 1886. Ole C. Skumlien was reared on his father's farm and trained to agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed on the old homestead, he and his brother Anton buying it in 1899. Since it came into their possession they have made a number of improve- ments on it, including the erection of new buildings. In 1903 they built a barn, 34 by 64 by 18 feet, with an 8-foot basement, cement floors and run- ning water, and lighted by acetylene lights. A house was built in 1912, and is a cement block building 32 by 38 feet, two stories and basement, and containing 10 rooms. It is installed with hot water heat, acetylene lights, hot and cold running water, bath and toilet, and is a fine and attractive resi- dence. Mr. Skumlien has served as township supervisor six years and as school clerk 15 years. He is also a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company, the People's State Bank at Whitehall and the Whitehall Hospital. April 6, 1901, Mr. Skumlien was united in marriage with Clara Larson, of Fitch Cooley, where she was born Jan. 6, 1884. Her parents were Anton and Gertrude (Blegen) Larson, who have resided in Fitch Cooley since 1875, the former being now 75 and the latter 67 years old. They came to America from Norway, the mother in 1877, the father in 1866, and were married in this country, he locating first in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Ole C. Skumlien are the parents of seven children, born as follows: George Arthur, March 20, 1903; Oscar Clarence, Sept. 10, 1905; Laura Amanda, Jan. 29, 1907; Carl Albert, Nov. 11, 1908; Agnes Mabel, April 14, 1911; Inga Thealine, April 18, 1913, and Jennie Matilda, March 9, 1915. Mr. Skumlien and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Anton Vold, D. D. S., of Whitehall, Wis., was born in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Feb. 20, 1879, son of John J. and Martha (An- derson) Vold. The father, born in Norway, came to America in 1872 and settled in Trempealeau County, where he followed farming and blacksmith- ing for some years, was a merchant in Whitehall, but is now retired. His wife is also living, both of them having reached the age of 70 years. Anton Vold was graduated from the Whitehall High School in 1899. He then applied himself to the study of dentistry and was graduated from the Chi- cago College of Dental Surgery in 1902. July 1 the same year he located in Whitehall, where he has fine offices in the Model Building. Since begin- ning his professional labors here he has built up a good practice and gained a reputation for skilled dentistry which extends throughout the northern part of the county. As a citizen interested in good local government, he has served on the village board for three years, supporting the' cause of progress and efficiency. He retains his membership in the college frater- nity of Psi Omega, has advanced in the Masonic order as far as the Com- mandery, being a Knight Templar, and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America. Dr. Vold was married, Feb. 4, 1909, to Verne F. Ingalls, of Whitehall, whose father, John M. Ingalls, who came to Trempealeau County in 1856, is a farmer and agent for the Standard Oil Company. Mrs. Ingalls was in maidenhood Carrie Gage. Dr. and Mrs. Vold have had three children, the second-born of whom died at birth. The others, Evangeline
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