History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 71

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

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Gilbert Mikkelson has lived in this county for over 45 years, and on his present farm in Hale Township for over forty years. He was born in Biri, Norway, Jan. 2, 1834, the son of Mikkel and Annie Mikkelson. In that country he was reared and there he was married March 26, 1859, to Annie Huskelhus. They came to America and located in Mindora, in La Crosse County, where they lived about a year. About 1870 they came to this county, and three or four years later secured 260 acres in sections 15 and 21, township 23, range 7 (Hale), where they developed a good farm. There the wife died in 1908. Of the children in the family there is now living but one, Ben, born at Mindora, Oct. 2, 1869, and is married. He was reared on the home place, educated in the common schools, and has become a substan- tial man in the community. He has been supervisor for three years and school clerk for nine years. His financial holdings include stock in the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company and in the Whitehall Hospital. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. The father is still living.

David C. Tucker, whose fertile farm of 160 acres lies in sections 23 and 26. Gale Township, was born at New Anan, Nova Scotia, April 14, 1853. His parents, Alexander and Eunice (Wartman) Tucker, were both natives

MR. AND MRS. GILBERT MIKKELSON

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

of Nova Scotia, the place of their nativity being in the vicinity of Truro. The father was a farmer and carpenter by occupation. He located at North Bend, Jackson County, with his family, in 1874, and resided there for a number of years. For awhile he worked for others, but later took a farm and engaged in agriculture. He finally went to Grafton, N. D., where he died about 1910. His wife died in 1908. David C. Tucker is the oldest of five living children of his parents. He was educated at New Anan, N. S., and began industrial life when 17 years of age, working for others a part of his time, but also helping his parents at intervals for five or six years. When 26 years old he began farming at Grafton, N. D., taking a homestead there. After operating that farm for about seven years he returned to Wisconsin and for eleven winters worked in the woods cutting timber. He then came to his present farm, which he has since cultivated and im- proved, having recently built a fine barn, 100 by 36 feet, with 16-foot stud- ding. He is a stockholder in the North Bend Milling Company and in the La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Tucker was first married, April 7, 1879, to Margaret Bibby, who was born in Maryland, daughter of Richard and Mary (Faulds) Bibby. Of this union there were the following children born: William, deceased; Richard A., residing at home with his father; Alexander R., who died in California in April, 1916; Mrs. May Waller, who lives on an adjoining farm ; Eunice, wife of Ray Cram, and Florence, David W. and George R., who reside at home. The mother of these children died July 20, 1904, and on June 5, 1915, Mr. Tucker married for his second wife Mrs. Rebecca Chase, a native of Nova Scotia, and widow of Frank Chase, who was a farmer in Jackson County, Wis. Of this second marriage there are no children. Mr. Tucker is practically independent in politics, with leanings toward the Prohibition party. He has served as a member of the board of education for a number of years and is now a director on the board. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church at North Bend, of which he is an elder.

Thomas Hunter, a prosperous citizen of Galesville, where he is engaged in the hardware business, was born at Decorah Prairie, on his parents' farm, Nov. 15, 1868, son of Thomas Russell and Agnes (Grant) Hunter; a memoir of whom may be found on another page of this volume. Of their 11 children he was the fourth in order of birth. In his boyhood he attended district school at Decorah Prairie and when 15 years old began working in the woods for Michals & Co., of Onalaska, Wis. After being thus employed for the winter, in the following spring he worked on the river as a log driver. He remained at this occupation for seven years and for the next five years was employed on steamboats on the Mississippi River. Then going to Chase County, Neb., where he was engaged in farming until June, 1894, when he returned to Galesville, Wis. After residing at home for one season, or more, he was married, Jan. 19, 1897, to Blanche Cram, who was born in Galesville, Wis., daughter of Almon E. and Isabelle (Gunderson) Cram, of Gale Town- ship. In 1903 he returned to Nebraska and for one year was engaged in cattle ranching. Then selling his ranch, he drove a span of mules to Minne- apolis and worked there for a sugar factory a short time. Returning again to Galesville, he bought a farm near the village and operated it two years, at

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

the end of which time he sold it to John Dick and opened his present hard- ware store in Galesville. He carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware and his trade is constantly increasing. He also operates a threshing machine and clover puller each season and owns property in the village of Galesville. His fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers and Red Men, and he is also a member of the Galesville Fire Department. Mr. Hunter's wife died Dec. 18, 1914, leaving five children: Rose Almon, Russell, Bruce Raymond, Thomas Russell and Marion, all of whom are residing at home. In politics Mr. Hunter is a Socialist, but has taken no active part in local government. He is an enterprising and industrious citizen, successful in business, and has a wide circle of friends in this part of the county.

Milo Albert Jones, who is engaged in agricultural operations on a farm of 126 acres in sections 25 and 36, Gale Township, was born on this farm March 22, 1870, son of John H. Jones, who was a well known and respected farmer of this community, the father born Feb. 29, 1824, and the mother June 12, 1833. Milo Jones in his boyhood attended the Glasgow school in Gale Township. He has always resided on the homestead his parents settled on, and when 19 years of age became its manager, operating it as such until 1900, at which time he purchased the property. He carries on general farming and stock raising, keeping cattle, hogs and other stock. He is also financially interested in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville. Mr. Jones is independent in politics, with Republican proclivities, and at- tends the Presbyterian church. He is unmarried. As a farmer he has been successful, and though not an office holder, he is recognized as a good, reli- able citizen, interested in the welfare of the community in which he resides.

Charles F. York, a prosperous farmer residing on a farm of 160 acres in section 26, town 23 north, range 8 west, Hale township, was born on this farm, which he now owns, Nov. 14, 1874, son of Abel and Susan (Pierce) York. The father, born in New York State, April 10, 1827, migrated to Wisconsin, residing for some 20 years in the vicinity of Whitewater. In 1868 he purchased the farm now owned by his son Charles and resided on it subsequently until his death, Nov. 11, 1912. He had been a widower for eight years, as his wife Susan, who was born in New York State in 1836, died on the homestead Sept. 11, 1904. They were the parents of two children: James, who is a carpenter at Black River Falls, Wis., and Charles F. Charles F. York, who in his youth had received a thorough training in agriculture, operated his father's farm on shares from 1895 to 1912, the year of his father's death, at which time he purchased the property, and has since continued farming on it, with remunerative results. He was married, Nov. 10, 1897, to Alice G. Heath, of Hale Township, who was born at Arcadia, Wis., in 1875, and who died Oct. 22, 1899. She was the daughter of Barney and Adella (Briggs) Heath, farming people of Hale Township, and at her death left one child, Iva Alice, who was born Aug. 4, 1898. April 26, 1903, Mr. York married for his second wife Jennie Dean, a school teacher by occupation, who was born in Chimney Rock Township, this county, May 17, 1880. Her parents, Barney and Delia (Hess) Dean, are well known farmers of Hale Township. Mr. and Mrs. York are well known and popular members of the community, having a wide circle of friends in this part of the county.

MR. AND MRS. ABEL YORK CHARLES F. YORK AND FAMILY

HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Herbert Duxbury, proprietor of Valley Belle Farm of 173 acres in sections 8 and 17, Preston Township, was born near Hixton, Jackson County, Wis., Aug. 5, 1861. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah Ann (Ashworth) Dux- bury, the former of whom was born at Hyde, Cheshire, England, in 1835, son of James and Jane Duxbury. James, who was a weaver by occupation, died in England, and about 1854 his widow, with the other members of the family, came to the United States, locating at Lonsdale, R. I., where she died, and where her son Joseph, father of the subject of this sketch, worked at the weaver's trade, which he had learned in England. In 1855 Joseph joined the tide of westward emigration, coming to Fond du Lac County, Wis., where he remained for about a year. He then went from there to Hixton, Jackson County, this State, but soon returned to Lonsdale, R. I., where he was married in 1858 to Sarah Ann Ashworth. In 1865 he located on a farm near Hixton, Jackson County, Wis., and was engaged in farming there for 35 years, or until 1900. Then removing to Blair, Trempealeau County, he engaged in the livery business there, being thus occupied for three years. In 1904 he retired to Alva Center, where he now lives with his wife. Herbert Duxbury resided at home until the age of 26 years, and gave all his earnings to his father. He learned agriculture on his father's farm and was manager of the Hugh Price farms in Price County, Wis., from 1887 to 1891. He then bought a farm in Garden Valley Township, Jackson County, operating it until 1902, at which time he purchased his present farm in Preston Township, Trempealeau County. Here he is engaged in general agricultural work, breeding graded Brown Swiss cattle, Berkshire hogs and White Orpington chickens, doing a successful business. June 1, 1888, Mr. Duxbury was united in marriage with Julia Grunlien of Northfield Township, Jackson County. She died March 30, 1901, at the age of 36 years, leaving four children: Mrs. Mary Dilworth of Campbell, Minn .; Lyle, now a barber at Blair; Glen and Robert, who reside with their father, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Duxbury married for his second wife, June 28, 1903, Mrs. Dorthea Frederickson, widow of Mathias Frederickson, a farmer of Jackson County. She was born in Norway, June 14, 1864, her family name being Shanke. By her first husband Mrs. Duxbury had eight children: Alice, who died at the age of nine years; Milton, who died at the age of one year; Christian, who resides on the farm with his mother; Reidar, now a student in the State Agricultural College; Milton (second), employed in the C. J. Gibson furniture store at Blair, Wis .; Oscar, who is learning the business of railroad agent at Blair; Gudfreid, who married Lester Sly, a farmer of Jackson County, and Helen, who lives with her mother. By her marriage with Mr. Duxbury three children have been born : Arthur and Harold, who are living on the farm with their parents, and one that died at birth. Mr. Duxbury was elected assessor of the town of Preston in 1916 and re-elected in 1917.

Frank A. Uhl, proprietor of Spring Glenn farm, located in section 36, Gale Township, is one of the leading stockmen in this part of Trempealeau County, his farm being one of the largest and best equipped. He was born here July 26, 1871, son of George and Christina (Harth) Uhl. The father was a native of Germany, born near Frankfort on the Rhine, Oct. 6, 1833.

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

He came to the United States when 17 years old and for three years resided in the vicinity of Milwaukee. Later he came to Trempealeau County and in 1853 settled on the farm now owned by his son, Frank A., which had been homesteaded by his father, Michael Uhl. Both the grandfather and father of the subject of this sketch died on the farm, as did also the grandmother, Mrs. Michael Uhl. The mother of Frank A., who was born near Milwaukee, Wis., July 2, 1844, is still living, being now a resident of Galesville. When the family first settled here there were no improvements whatever on the place. Michael Uhl homesteaded 160 acres and started the improvements, which were continued by his son and successor George Uhl, who added to the size of the farm until it contained 400 acres. The latter gave his whole attention to this work, taking no part in public affairs. He and his wife had five children, Frank A. being the third born. Frank A. Uhl acquired his education in district school No. 4, Gale Township, and learned agricul- ture on his home farm under his father's tuition. When he was 21 years old he became manager of the farm, it coming into his possession four years later on the death of his father. Since then he has cleared more of the land and added to the improvements, enlarging the buildings, or erecting new ones, as circumstances required. The farm still contains 400 acres and is a fine piece of agricultural property. Mr. Uhl makes a specialty of breeding Hereford cattle and Percheron horses, of the former keeping about 60 head and of the latter 12. He is also a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery Company and in the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill. His fraternal affiliations include membership in the Beavers, Yeomen and Red Men. May 25, 1898, Mr. Uhl was united in marriage with Sophia O'Neill, who was born in Gale Township, about one mile from the Uhl farm, daughter of James and Mary (Coleman) O'Neill. Her father was born in Ireland in 1812 and her mother in Belfast, Maine, in 1835, they being married near Milwaukee, Wis. Mr. O'Neill came to Trempealeau County about a year before the Uhls, taking a homestead of 160 acres, where he farmed and raised stock until his death. Their daughter, Sophia, who was the eighth born in a family of ten children, was in girlhood a schoolmate of her future husband. Mr. and Mrs. Uhl have one child, Helen Grace, who is now attending the high school at Galesville. Mr. Uhl is a Republican in politics and has served six years as a member of the school board. He and his family attend the Catholic church.

Ole F. Lovlien. One of the best-improved farms of Pigeon Township is that known as Pine Grove Stock Farm, of which Ole F. Lovlien is the pro- prietor. Mr. Lovlien is a native of this township, having been born on his parents' farm in the southwest quarter of section 33, April 23, 1873. His father, Fred Lovlien, was born in Norway in 1840, and married Guri Nilson. They came to this country and for a number of years made their home on the farm above mentioned, in section 33, where Fred Lovlien died in 1913. His wife is still living on the homestead. Ole F. Lovlien was reared on his parents' farm, on which he resided until reaching the age of 23 years. Then deciding to start in for himself, he purchased his present farm and has since been actively engaged in its cultivation and improvement. It con- tains 120 acres, two "forties" lying in section 28 and one "forty" in section

MR. AND MRS. FRED O. LOVLIEN AND CHILDREN

OLE F. LOVLIEN AND FAMILY

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IHISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

27, town 23 north, range 7 west. In the work of improving this farm Mr. Lovlien has been highly successful, and his barn and houses are, in par- ticular, excellent buildings. The former, erected in 1905, measures 34 by 64 by 16 feet, with basement, and an addition 22 by 20 feet. The house was built in 1913, and is a brick veneer structure, two stories and basement, containing eight rooms, with oak finish and maple floors downstairs and finished in fir upstairs. It is installed with hot water heat, with hot and cold running water, bath and toilet, and is located in Fuller Cooley in a nice grove of pines, whence it derives its name of "Pine Grove" stock farm. On a hill near the house is a cistern, 10 by 11 feet in diameter, which is filled by a windmill. Mr. Lovlien is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital. For nine years he has been a director of the school board of his district. He was married to Lena Lindberg, who was born in Norway Aug. 11, 1879, daughter of Martin and Johanna (Tosak- til) Lindberg. Her father, born in Norway, April 1, 1847, came to this country in 1883, locating at the head of Fly Creek, on the north side of Preston Township, where he resided until he was killed at Ingram, Wis., Feb. 20, 1906. He had homesteaded his farm and for 18 winters worked in the woods. His wife Johanna, who was born in Norway in 1854, is still living at Fly Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Lovlien have had four children: Os- wald, who died when only 6 days old; Mabel, born Sept. 27, 1901, who died July 13, 1915; Oscar, born April 9, 1908, and Gerhard, born Nov. 29, 1911. The family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.

William A. Wyman, manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Galesville, was born in Groton Township, Tompkins County, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1852. His parents were Allan R. and Esther (Stron) Wyman, the latter born in the State of New York, Sept. 3, 1831. Allan R. Wyman, who was 5 years older than his wife, was a native of the State of Maine. In 1856 he came to Galesville, Wis., with his family and subsequently became one of the prominent men of the village and the vicinity. He was connected with a machinery business here for a number of years and also carried on farming. A man of unusual energy and determination, he made a strong impress on the community, being a leader or strong supporter of all worthy public enterprises, besides helping to promote the industrial resources of the village. For a long period he was chairman of the village board and township clerk and treasurer; he was for 13 years and up to the time of his death in 1880 county clerk of Trempealeau County, and for a number of years he was treasurer of Gale University.

William A. Wyman was the younger of his parents' two children, and is the only survivor. In his youth he attended school in Galesville, then was a student at Gale College, and later spent a year at La Crosse Business College. When only 16 years old he was given charge of his father's farm and when 24 took a homestead near Madison, S. D., where he resided three years. He soon after went to Baldwin, Wis., in which place also he remained three years, having charge of a sawmill and lumber yard. For the next seven years he was a resident of Amherst, S. D., holding the position of wheat buyer for a large elevator company. The scene of his next industrial efforts was Austin, Minn., where he spent three years. Five

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years were subsequently spent in Winnebago, Minn., three as grain buyer for the Peary Elevator Company and two for the Winnebago Milling Com- pany, and while living there he bought grain in Canada for some four years. He then had charge of a Farmers' Elevator in Grenada for 18 months, after which he came to Galesville as manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company. Mr. Wyman has spent the greater part of his life as a grain buyer and thoroughly understands the business. He has never held local office, but in politics is an independent Republican. Mr. Wyman was married Dec. 29, 1880, to Julia Pace, who was born at Beaver Dam, Wis., daughter of William and Lavina (Castle) Pace. Her father, who was born in England, there learned the trade of miller. Coming to the United States, he followed his trade in New York and later at Beaver Dam, Wis., where he lived for a number of years. Thence he went to Oakland, Minn., where he engaged in the milling business. About 1858 he opened the first mill at Austin, Minn., and continued in business there until he was too old to work. Both he and his wife died in Minnesota. They had a family of five children, of whom their daughter Julia was the youngest and is one of the two survivors, the other being Mrs. J. R. Ogden, of Black River Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Wyman have two children: Myrtle G. and Allan W. Myrtle G. is the wife of Thomas Loft and resides in Winnebago, Minn. She has two children: Allan Thomas and Irwin. Allan W. Wyman, who is single, is a resident of Blue Earth, Minn., where he has charge of the grocery department in a general mercantile store. William A. Wyman has been a member of the Masonic order since he was 24 years old and is now a member of Decorah Lodge No. 77. In this he follows the footsteps of his father, who was Master of the Masonic Lodge for a number of years, besides being a member of the Orders of Odd Fellows, Good Templars and the Grange, of Patrons of Husbandry. The latter's wife is living, and resides with her son, the subject of this sketch.

Mattinus J. Skogstad, who is engaged in agriculture on a farm of 185 acres in section 12, Preston Township, was born in Norway, Jan. 20, 1861, son of John B. and Gurie (Peterson) Skogstad. The father was born in Norway May 28, 1827, and emigrated to the United States in 1864, settling in Dane County, Wis., where he remained until 1869. He then homesteaded a farm at Lake's Cooley, in Preston Township, Trempealeau County, where he resided until his death in January, 1913. His wife died in 1904 at the age of 72. Mattinus J. Skogstad was reared on his parents' farm, which he operated for a number of years, afterward farming nine years in Albion Township. Then, in 1906, he bought his present farm, which is a well- improved piece of property, and has since been successfully engaged in its cultivation. Mr. Skogstad was married Feb. 1, 1891, to Josephine Scow, of Arcadia Township, daughter of Matt and Ingeborg Scow, her father being one of the pioneer farmers of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Skogstad are the parents of six children: Margaret, who graduated from the Blair High School in 1912 and later from the La Crosse Business College, and has been a teacher for two years ; Maurice and Bennie, residing at home; Laura, who graduated from Arcadia High School in 1916 and is now a teacher, and Irwin and John Lloyd, residing with their parents.

LUDWIG C. OLSON AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Lemuel H. Waller, a resident of Gale Township, who is operating a farm of 235 acres in section 24, was born at Glasgow, this township, June 24, 1870. His father was Hans Waller, and his mother's name before marriage was Martha Maria Braatsvein. Both parents were born in Norway, the father on March 16, 1841, and the mother on June 8, 1831. They were married in Norway, Hans Waller coming first to the United States in 1868, and his wife coming in the following year. They settled in Hardie's Creek Valley, but resided there only a short time, moving to the farm on which their son Lemuel now lives, where Hans Waller died in 1899. His wife died Dec. 21, 1914. They were among the pioneer settlers of their neighborhood. Lemuel H. Walker was the seventh born in a family of eight children. He ac- quired his elementary education in the school at Glasgow, Gale Township, and afterward attended two winter terms at Gale College. Remaining on the homestead, he followed agriculture, assisting his father until the latter's death, when he became the owner of the property. Here he is engaged in general farming, including dairying and stock raising, and is doing a profit- able business. He is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, the North Bend Creamery, the Independent Harvester Company, of Plano, Ill., and the Farmers' Elevator Company at Galesville. Mr. Waller has always been a member of the Lutheran church of Hardie's Creek and is much interested in church work. He has served as trustee for the congregation for six years and has been appointed to serve on different committees. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Waller was married Feb. 24, 1904, to Mary Alice Tucker, daughter of David C. and Margaret (Bibby) Tucker, of Gale Township. He and his wife have six children: Goodwin Edward, Roy Orvald, Sanford Milton, Alice Emeline, Martha Helen and Victoria Maria, all residing at home.

Ludwig C. Olson, who was actively connected with the farming industry of Pigeon Township, as proprietor of Maple Dale Stock Farm, in section 34, town 23 north, range 7 west, was born in Ulensager, Norway, Oct. 24, 1858. His father was Christopher Olson, who was born in Norway in 1829 and who came to the United States in 1870, settling in Dane County, Wis. In 1873 Christopher located in Trempealeau County, homesteading the farm owned and operated by his son Ludwig until the latter's death. He obtained it by buying the relinquishment of the widow of Hans Harralsrud. Here he spent many years in improving the property, tilling the land and erecting buildings, and here he died at an advanced age in January, 1916. His first wife, mother of Ludwig, whose maiden name was Inga Marie Larson, was born in Norway in 1824. She died many years before her husband, passing away in May, 1874. In January of the following year Christopher Olson married for his second wife Mrs. Karen Harralsrud, widow of Hans Harrals- rud, from whom he had obtained his farm. She is now living near White- hall. Ludwig C. Olson at an early age became acquainted with all the various duties of farm life. At the age of 18 he began working out for others and was thus occupied until 1888. He then bought a farm-then containing 160 acres-from his father, he and his brother, Ole C. Harralsrud dividing it between them. In its present condition it is a well-improved piece of property, having a good house and barns. Mr. Olson bred Holstein

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 71

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