USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 72
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
cattle, having a herd of about 50 graded animals. He purchased a home in Pigeon Falls, to which he moved in the fall of 1916. He died Jan. 2, 1917. He was married in 1895 to Anna Skumlien, of Fuller Cooley, Pigeon Township, who was born in Vaardahl, Norway, Aug. 5, 1870, daughter of Andrew and Anna (Olson) Skumlien. Her father, a native of Norway, came to America in 1876 with his wife and children, settling in Fuller Cooley, where he bought a farm on which he resided until his death, June 9, 1882. His wife, who was born in Norway in 1848, is still residing on the homestead. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Olson: Agnes Mabel, born Oct. 15, 1895, who married Thoroald Fremstad Oct. 21, 1916; Christine Alette, born Sept. 13, 1897 ; Lila Anna, born Nov. 9, 1901, who married Benone Foss, July 8, 1916, who is working on the farm of Mrs. Olson ; Hazel Othilde, born Nov. 9, 1901, and Olger Clarence, born Dec. 22, 1904. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Roy E. James, secretary and manager of the Galesville Lumber Com- pany, was born in Alexandria, S. D., March 4, 1883, son of C. P. and Ella (Stebbins) James. C. P. James, the father, was born in the State of New York and was a farmer the greater part of his life. In 1881 he went West to South Dakota, where he resided operating a farm until 1898. He then removed to Michigan, was there two years, and next moved to Monroe, Wis., where he stayed a year. From Monroe he went to Wausau, Wis., in which city he is now residing, operating a large plant for the manufacture of potash. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, is also living. Roy E. James was the eldest son of his parents' four children. He acquired his education in the public schools in South Dakota, Michigan and Monroe, Wis., and in a business college at Wausau, Wis. At the age of 18 years he was employed as a stenographer in the office of a sawmill at Schofield, Wis., remaining there about five years, after which he was employed two and a half years in a lumber office at Dunbar, Wis. He then went to Wausau, Wis., and for a while was connected with a firm in the same line of business there, but subsequently became sales manager for a large sawmilling concern, with which he remained about 18 months. He next became connected with the W. E. Cooper Lumber Company, of Milwaukee, and has since remained with this concern, of which the Galesville Lumber Company is a branch. He was appointed to his present position as secretary and manager in Octo- ber, 1912. He is a stockholder in the company and also owns property in Galesville. Aug. 21, 1907, Mr. James was united in marriage with Ida Berger, who was born near Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wis., daughter of William and Emma (Howard) Berger. The father at different times followed the trades of house painter and cooper and was also engaged in farming. He is now practically retired and resides in Wausau, Wis., where he owns a large ginseng garden and truck farm. Mr. and Mrs. James have two children: Mary Elizabeth and Frank Berger. Mr. James is Master in the local Blue Lodge of Masons, a trustee of the Modern Woodmen of America. He attends the Presbyterian church, but is not a member. In politics he is independent.
Frank J. Hartman, now residing in La Crosse, Wis., is a native son of Trempealeau County, having been born in Arcadia Township, March 7, 1865,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
son of Henry and Augusta (Sheldon) Hartman. The father was born in Ohio, March 16, 1839, and came West with his parents in 1856, making the journey by train to Dubuque, Iowa, and from there by boat to Fountain City, Wis., and from Fountain City to "Bishop Settlement," now Arcadia, by ox team. His father, John P. Hartman, homesteaded 160 acres near Arcadia Village. It was wild land with no buildings on it, and the family had a hard time to procure the necessities of life, being often obliged to haul sup- plies from Fountain City on a hand sled. Mr. Hartman, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, worked with his sons, Philip and Henry, for the father of John Gavney, to earn foodstuffs. Henry Hartman was 17 years of age when he came to Trempealeau County, and he had to make himself useful on the farm and help his parents in various ways. In 1864, when 25 years old, he was married in Iowa to Augusta Sheldon, who was born in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., March 8, 1840, a daughter of Benjamin Sheldon. It was not until 1869, however, that Henry Hartman began farming for himself ; in the meanwhile he lived on the parents' farm, except for his trip to Iowa, where he obtained his bride. When he started in for himself he bought 160 acres of land in Wickham Valley, between Arcadia and Independence, and here he remained for 14 years, engaged in developing his farm, transforming it in time into a good piece of agricultural property. In 1883 he rented the farm to Wilber Wickham and moved to East Arcadia, where he and his family lived for 10 years. Selling the above-mentioned farm in 1892, he bought one near Alma Center in the fol- lowing year, which he lived on and worked for ten years. He then sold this. farm and retired to a home that he built in Alma Center, where he and his wife resided till 1914, in which year they sold the residence and moved to Spokane, Wash., where they are now living with their son Howard. Their children were: Myrtle, born May 31, 1866, who was married in 1889 to Claud Higbee and is now residing with her husband at Whitepine, Mont .; Cora, born Feb. 13, 1868, who died unmarried at Alma Center, June 13, 1913 ; Howard, born May 2, 1873, now living in Spokane, Wash., where he is en- gaged in railroading ; Bert, born March 7, 1881, who is a druggist at Eleva, Wis., and Frank J., of La Crosse. All the children were born in Trempealeau County. Frank J. Hartman in his youth attended the common schools and the Arcadia High School, from which he was graduated in 1887, subse- quently teaching one winter in Sieger district, Trempealeau County. In the year of his graduation he entered the employ of the Holway Lumber Company, of North La Crosse, and remained with them as time keeper and clerk for three and a half years, being in the mill during the summers and in the woods during the winters. From October, 1890, to April, 1898, he held the position of hardware clerk with the W. P. Massuere Company. On July 4, 1892, the day on which the wagon bridge across the Mississippi River at Winona was dedicated, Mr. Hartman was married in that city to Cora A., daughter of John and Nancy (Frey) Danuser, of Fountain City, the Rev. Mr. Higbee, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. They began house- keeping in Arcadia Village, where they lived until 1898, in which year Mr. Hartman went to Eleva and engaged in the hardware business, being thus occupied until 1913. He and his family then moved to Onalaska, where his
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son Cecil was attending the high school. In the following year, 1914, he moved to La Crosse and entered the employ of the Tausch Hardware Com- pany, with which concern he is still connected. He and his wife have had three children, of whom two daughters died in infancy. The son, Cecil, was born in Arcadia, Aug. 5, 1895, and after passing through the graded school of Eleva, attended the Onalaska High School. Mr. Hartman is not active in politics, but votes the Republican ticket. He is a prosperous business man and has not lost his interest in his old home in Trempealeau County.
Iver A. Berg, garage owner at Blair, Trempealeau County, Wis., was born in Preston Township, this county, Aug. 24, 1886, son of Arne I. and Eli (Arneson) Berg. He attended the district schools, was reared to farm pursuits by his father, and remained at home until February, 1916, when he engaged in his present business. His garage occupies a suitable two- story building, 44 by 72 feet, on the corner of Broadway and Dover streets. He has a well-equipped plant, including a machine shop, with a steam vulcan- izer and tools suitable for all kinds of repairing. A full line of supplies are always on hand. He has the agency for the Studebaker cars and does livery work at reasonable prices. He was married, July 29, 1916, to Emma Briggs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Briggs.
Joachim Schmidt, a pioneer of Gale Township, Trempealeau County, now deceased, was born in Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany, in 1827, and was there educated and reared to manhood. There also he was married to Sophia Engel, who was born in the same province in 1825. Seeking a wider field of opportunity, with better prospects of success, in November, 1866, they said good-bye to their native land and came to the United States, locat- ing in Gale Township, this county. In March, 1868, Mr. Schmidt took a homestead in section 19, and he and his wife set to work at once to improve the land and better their condition; a task involving persevering industry continued through a long period of years, but which was finally accom- plished. Mr. Schmidt's honesty and activity were supplemented by the energy and womanly qualities of his wife, and they won the esteem of the neighbors, which they retained to the end of their lives. Mr. Schmidt died on the homestead in 1896, his wife surviving him until 1907, when she, too, passed away. They were the parents of three children: Joachim J., who after living on the home farm for nearly 50 years is now retired and resid- ing in Galesville ; Sophia, now the wife of Christ Kroger, a prominent farmer of Tipton, Iowa, and Henry who is a representative agriculturist of Geneva, Nebraska.
Joachim J. Schmidt, now living retired in the city of Galesville, was born in Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany, Dec. 1, 1865, son of Joachim and Sophia (Engel) Schmidt. In 1866 he was brought to America by his parents, who located at once in Trempealeau County. He was educated in the district schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining on the home farm and working for and with his father until his marriage in 1889, at which time he became proprietor and manager of the homestead. To him are due some of the most modern improvements on it, including a good and substantial set of buildings, with all subsidiary equipment. His operations included general farming and stock raising, which he carried
MR. AND MRS. JOACHIM SCHMIDT, SR. JOACHIM SCHMIDT, JR., AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
on with satisfactory results, becoming one of the leading and substantial agriculturists of Trempealeau County. His business interests also identify him as a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery at Galesville. In the spring of 1917, after living for nearly 50 successive years on the old home- stead, he sold out and retired to Galesville, where he and his wife are now living, surrounded by the comforts gained by years of hard labor on the farm. Their farm was beautifully located in section 19, Gale Township, and consisted of 230 acres. Mr. Schmidt was married, April 17, 1889, to Sophia Wangelin, who was born near Princeton, Ill., Jan. 11, 1870, daughter of John and Wilhelmina (Schmidt) Wangelin, her parents being natives of Mecklenberg, Germany. John Wangelin came to the United States in 1863, locating in Illinois. In 1868 Wilhelmina Schmidt came, and they were married in Illinois in 1869. Three years later, in 1872, Mr. Wangelin moved to Nebraska, taking a homestead in Fillmore County, where he engaged in general farming, becoming a representative and influential citizen. He died there in 1910, and his wife now resides in Geneva, Neb. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt became the parents of two children: Emma, born in 1890, who died in infancy, and Bertha W., born in 1892, who is living at home with her parents. The family are attendants of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Schmidt is an independent Republican.
Fred Hagen, who is aiding in developing the agricultural resources of Gale Township on his farm of 104 acres in section 5, was born at Lilleham- mer, Norway, July 11, 1870, son of Simon and Ingeborg Hagen. The father was a mechanic and neither he nor his wife ever left their native land. Both are now deceased. Fred Hagen was the fifth born in a family of six chil- dren. He attended school in Norway and began regular industrial life at the age of 17 years. In 1893 he joined the tide of westward emigration and, landing in the United States, proceeded to Iowa, where he worked as a farmer in Ward County for about three years. He then spent a winter in Trempealeau County, Wis., but at the time did not settle here permanently, going instead to Dodge County, Minn., where he worked as a farm hand for about seven years. Then returning to Trempealeau County, he rented a farm in Gale Township, having previously rented one for three years in Minnesota, and went to farming for himself here. Eight years later, having saved money, he bought his present farm of 104 acres, on which he has since been engaged in general farming and stock raising. His property is well improved and he is enjoying a well-earned prosperity, being also a stock- holder in the Farmers' Telephone Company. Mr. Hagen was married, Oct. 10, 1902, to Clara Dahl, who was born in Gale Township, daughter of Gustave and Len Dahl. Her parents, both now living in this township, are natives of Norway, the father being a retired farmer. Mrs. Hagen died Oct. 26, 1911, leaving three children: Stanley, born Sept. 14, 1903; Lester, born July 20, 1905, and Norman, born Nov. 8, 1908. The family are members of the Lutheran church at French Creek, and in politics Mr. Hagen is a Republican. When he first came to this country he was entirely ignorant of the English language, but acquired it quickly, considering his opportuni- ties, and has since carved his way to a position of comparative prosperity, with good prospects for the future.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Johanas N. Brenengen, who is engaged in farming a tract of 40 acres in section 33 west. Ettrick Township, was born near Christiania, Norway, July 12, 1864, son of Nels C. and Nettie (Johnson) Brenengen. The family came to Trempealeau County in June, 1880, locating in Gale Township and in Ettrick Township. Nels C. Brenengen worked for awhile at the car- penter's trade, which he had learned in his native land. Afterwards he engaged in farming and was thus occupied for the most part until his death in October. 1904. His wife survived him only ten days. They had a family of seven children. Johanas N. Brenengen attended school in Norway and also the Smith school in Gale Township, being 13 years of age when he came to this country. He began industrial life as a farm hand in Abraham's Cooley. Trempealeau County, and worked for others until 20 years of age. For ten years longer he resided with his father on the homestead, and then, when 30 years old, bought the farm, which then contained 160 acres, of which he has since sold 120 acres. He carries on general farming and is a stockholder in the Ettrick Telephone Company. June 14, 1902, Mr. Brenengen was married to Anna Nelson, who was born in Preston Town- ship. Trempealeau County, Wis., at Plumb Creek Cooley, daughter of Knut Field and Mattie (Learing) Field. Her parents, born in Biri, Norway, came to America about 1884, locating in Preston Township, this county, where her father at first worked out for others, but afterwards bought a farm in that township, on which he still resides. He and his wife had nine children, of whom their daughter Anna was the fifth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Brenengen have a family of two children: Clarence Norman, born Feb. 1. 1906, and Alfred Meier, born June 25, 1910. The family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Brenengen is an independent voter and is not politically active, preferring to devote his attention to his private business. He is in good circumstances and is counted among the reliable citizens of his neighborhood.
Olaf M. Myhre, of the firm of Berg & Myhre, garage owners of Blair, was born in Preston Township, this county, June 7, 1882, son of Ole H. and Caroline (Berg) Myhre, natives of Norway, the former of whom died in 1908. and the latter of whom now lives in Northfield, Wis. He attended the district schools, was reared to farm pursuits, and remained at home until 1912. Then he farmed for himself in Ettrick Township. In February, 1916. he engaged in his present business. He is an energetic and public spirited man, and is building up a successful business. Mr. Myhre was married Nov. 18. 1912, to Mabel Mow of Preston Township, and they have three children: Verna, Erwin and Edna.
Rev. Christian Brandt Bestul, pastor of several Lutheran congregations in Trempealeau County, and a member of the official board of Gale College, was born near Morrisville, Wis., Nov. 13, 1870. His parents were John E. and Ingeborg (Brandt) Bestul. both natives of Norway, the father born in Telemarken in 1828. and the mother.in Valders in 1826. They were married in Wisconsin in 1855, John E. Bestul coming to the United States in 1844, in which year came also his father, Ellef J. Bestul. Later John located in the Rock River settlement near Milwaukee, the father also locat- ing in that vicinity, and was there for several years engaged in farming.
A
REV. AND MRS. CHRISTIAN B. BESTUL
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
In 1853 John T. Bestul, father of Ellef J. and great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this memoir, came to America. He was then an aged man of 90 years and died in the same year. In 1860 John E. Bestul removed to Columbia County, Wisconsin, and there continued his agricultural opera- tions until his death, which occurred in 1878, when the subject of this sketch was eight years old. His widow, after living there a year longer, removed with her family to Shawano County, Wisconsin, which place was her home for six years. The last thirty-seven years of her life she lived with her children in this and adjoining states. She died May 20, 1917, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rev. E. Berrum, Holmen, Wis.
Christian Brandt Bestul was the youngest and the only boy of his parents' eight children. He attended school at Wittenberg, Wis., and sub- sequently became a student at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, being gradu- ated from that institution with the class in 1893. His theological education was obtained at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., where he spent three years, finishing there in 1896. After graduating in theology he became pastor of a Lutheran church at Marshfield, Wis., where he remained one year. His next charge was at Viroqua, as assistant to the president of the Eastern District of the Norwegian Synod, and covered a period of four years. In 1901 he became pastor of the Lutheran congregation at French Creek, Trempealeau County, and has since held that position, also serving the congregations at Hardie's Creek, South Branch of Beaver Creek, Tamarac and Fagerness. There are 130 families in the French Creek con- gregation, and in that of Hardie's Creek, which is the smallest, 44 families. Since the transfer of Gale College to the Lutherans, Mr. Bestul has served as secretary of the board and assisted in establishing the college on a Lutheran basis. He was secretary of the Church Extension Board nine years and for a similar period of time was a member of the Board of Home Missions. His whole time is devoted to church and educational work, in which he has shown an ability that has made him a power for good in his denomination. On June 27, 1900, Mr. Bestul was united in marriage with Harriet Halvorsen, who was born at Westby, Vernon County, Wis., daughter of Halvor and Marie (Olson) Halvorsen. Her parents were both born in Norway, the father in Stavanger in 1845, and the mother in Christiania in 1846. Married in their native land in 1871, they came to the United States in the following year, locating at Westby, Wis., where Mr. Halvor- sen became pastor of the Lutheran Synod Church, a position which he still retains. The entire period of his residence in this country has been spent in church work. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen consisted of eight children, of whom Harriet was the fourth in order of birth. She was educated at the Ladies' Lutheran Seminary at Red Wing, Minn., and the high school at Viroqua, Wis., and is a lady of culture and refinement and an able assistant to her husband in parish work. Mr. and Mrs. Bestul are the parents of eight children: Marie Ingeborg, Harold Brandt, Valborg Elizabeth, Erling Johan, Harriet Ragna, Christian Wilhelm, Signe Emelie and Anna Matilda. The family residence is in section 27, Ettrick Township.
Sever Instenes, who was for many years a well known and successful farmer of Ettrick Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Oct. 23,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
1848, son of Johanes and Anna (Brovald) Instenes. Johanes and his family came from Norway in 1861, and first located in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he remained one year. As he was born March 20, 1824, he was then a man of about 37 years, and in the prime of life. Coming from Dane to Trempealeau County, he settled on a farm in Ettrick Township, where nearly 20 years later his wife Anna died, on Jan. 7, 1882. There he con- tinued to reside for 28 years longer, or until his death, which occurred March 21, 1910. He was a sturdy pioneer farmer, who accepted condi- tions as he found them and did his share in developing the agricultural resources of his township. Sever Instenes was a youth of 14 years when he came to this country. He was reared on the home farm, acquiring a good knowledge of agriculture from practical experience, and following it when young under pioneer conditions. In time he succeeded to the posses- sion of the farm which his father had homesteaded, and which he stll further improved, operating it successfully until his death, Jan. 14, 1906. On Oct. 22, 1872, he was united in marriage at Roche a Cri, Adams County, Wis., to Anna Instenes, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, Nov. 26, 1854. She is still living on the old farm, making her home with her son John S., who is its present owner. Sever and Anna Instenes were the parents of three children: Anna, John S. and Lewis O. Anna, who was born Nov. 13, 1873, was married June 4, 1898, to Albert Saed, a resident of Ettrick Township, this county, and has two children: Althord Sulliven, born June 29, 1904, and Adella (Corinthia), born July 23, 1906. John S., born June 20, 1876, is now, as previously mentioned, operating the old homestead. Lewis O., born Nov. 25, 1880, is a jeweler, residing in Blair.
John S. Instenes, who is successfully operating the old Instenes farm of 200 acres in Ettrick Township, was born on this farm June 20, 1876, son of Sever and Anna (Instenes) Instenes. In his boyhood he attended the Beach school in Ettrick Township. Brought up on the home farm, he assisted his father in its operation, but at intervals was away from home, working elsewhere. On his father's death in 1906 he came into possession of the farm, on which he has made a number of valuable improvements, and now has very good buildings, including a nice modern residence. Besides carrying on general farming on a profitable basis, he is interested financially as a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, the Ettrick Telephone Company and the Farmers Exchange of Blair. On May 28, 1908, Mr. Instenes was united in marriage with Anna Herreid, daughter of Tosten G. and Ragnhild (Bue) Herreid, prosperous farming people of section 17, Ettrick Township. He and his wife are the parents of two children: Evelyn Jeanette, born Aug. 29, 1912, and Spencer Thomas, born Jan. 2, 1916. They have also an adopted daughter, Clara Olive, born May. 11, 1906, who is attending school. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Instenes is independent in politics. He is a mem- ber of the order of Beavers, and is an enterprising agriculturist, widely known and respected.
Lewis O. Instenes, who is prosperously engaged in the jewelry business in Blair, Trempealeau County, is a native of this county, having been born in Ettrick Township, Nov. 25, 1880, son of Sever and Anna (Instenes)
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Instenes. He was educated in the district schools and spent his early life on his parents' farm. Graduating from the Minneapolis School of Watchmaking in 1905, he acquired experience by working in various shops until he came to Blair in 1907. Here he bought out the jewelry stock of Ed. Bersing and established his present business. He handles a general line of jewelry, does expert watch repairing, and also deals in clocks, silver- ware, Edison phonographs and similar goods. He has built up a good trade and won the confidence of his patrons by honest dealing and cour- teous attention to their wants. Thus established on a firm basis, his future prospects are as favorable as his present prosperity is gratifying. Mr. Instenes was married Oct. 5, 1910, to Nettie Dale, who was born in Ettrick Township, Jan. 12, 1885, daughter of Sam and Catherine (Herreid) Dale. Her father, a native of Norway, was a pioneer of Ettrick Township, and is now carrying on business. as a stock buyer in Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. Instenes have two children: Stanley LeRoy, born Sept. 2, 1911, and Ardyce Catherine, born March 22, 1916.
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