History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 76

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

USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 76

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Clyde S. Van Gorden, manager of the Osseo branch of the firm of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons, was born in Hixton, Wis., Aug. 7, 1892, son of Schuyler H. and Clara (Potter) Van Gorden. He passed through the graded schools of Hixton and in 1908 was graduated from the Hixton high school. In 1909 he was graduated from the Winona Business College, and subsequently took a year's course in Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin. He assumed his present duties June 15, 1911, when the Osseo store was purchased. As manager of this store he has been very successful, and has built up a flourishing trade. He is a director in the Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo, and in the Central Wisconsin Telephone Co. For two years he has given good service as a member of the village council. His fraternal

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affiliations are with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers. In the Masonic order he is a member of the Blue Lodge at Osseo and of the Chapter at Eau Claire. Mr. Van Gorden was married Aug. 27, 1912, to Elsie Caley of Waterford, Wis., the daughter of Henry and Ellen Caley, a graduate of the Whitewater Normal school, and for several years a success- ful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorden have two children: Clara Jeanette, born Sept. 28, 1913, and Ethel Ellen, born Jan. 10, 1915.

S. H. Van Gorden, senior member and founder of the firm of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons, founder of a chain of stores in western Wisconsin, was born in Horseheads, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1852, descended from a long line of New York ancestry. He came West in 1866, and spent some seven years working on farms near Fredericksburg, Iowa. In 1873 he drove to Jackson County, this State, where he engaged in farming. Later he became traveling sales- man for the Davis, Rankin Company, manufacturers of creamery supplies. In the employ of this company he erected creameries at Whitehall, Strum and other places in this region. In 1888 he opened a general store at Hixton. This venture was successful, and he decided to enlarge the scope of his activities. He bought a store at Taylor in 1893, at Alma Center in 1906, and at Osseo in 1911. These four stores were operated under the firm name of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons, S. H. Van Gorden, himself, managing the one at Hixton ; the son, Bert L., the one at Taylor; the son, Harry H., the one at Alma Center, and Clyde S., the one at Osseo. S. H. Van Gorden is a prominent man in his community, is a director in the Hixton Bank and the Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, and is treasurer of the Central Wisconsin Telephone Company. One of the sons, Bert L., is president of the Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, vice-president of the Trem- pealeau Valley State Bank at Taylor, and president and general manager of the Central Wisconsin Telephone Company. He is serving in the Wis- consin Legislature as a member from Jackson County, S. H. Van Gorden was married July 4, 1871, at Fredericksburg, Iowa, to Clara Potter, who was born Sept. 20, 1851.

Knudt E. Runnestrand, among the prosperous merchants of the Village of Ettrick, where he is engaged in the furniture business, is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Bergen, Norway, Aug. 3, 1855. His parents were Elling and Barbara (Torgerson) Runnestrand, both natives of the same city, a noted seaport of Norway. The father was a sailor, but neither he nor his wife ever came to this country, both dying in their native land. Knudt Runnestrand resided with his parents until he was 17 years of age, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, becoming a journeyman car- penter at the age of 21. After continuing work at his trade for one year in Norway, he decided to emigrate to the United States and soon after, June 5, 1877, arrived in Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wis., where at that time there were but two or three houses. Here Sylvester Johnson gave him work in the harvest field, and after that he became acquainted with Almond Hollinger, a carpenter and contractor of Blair, who was known as the "church builder," and was then engaged in building the church at French Creek. Mr. Hollinger employed him to assist on that job and he remained with him 18 months, during which time he also helped to build Gilberson's

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store at Blair. He then began contracting on his own account, among other jobs building Swen Johnson's residence at Bear Creek. In 1880 Mr. Runnestrand returned to Norway, where, April 18, 1881, he was married in the city of Bergen to Anna Larson, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, where her father was engaged in farming. Her parents remained in their native land, but in June, 1881, about two months after their marriage, Mrs. Runnestrand accompanied her husband on his return to this country. Here he resumed his work as contractor and builder and has since continued in that line of industry, adding to it in 1907 his present furniture and under- taking business. His store is well stocked with a good line of furniture and his trade has gradually increased until it is now on a profitable basis. Mr. Runnestrand has been industrious and enterprising and is reaping the reward of his labors, having financial interests aside from those already mentioned. He owns valuable property in Ettrick and is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now in process of construction. He and his wife are the parents of six children: Bertha, wife of Maurice Casey, who is engaged in the implement business in Ettrick ; Emma, wife of Arthur Knudtson, a merchant of New England, N. D .; Clara, wife of William Truax, a farmer of Gale Township; Alfred T., who is en- gaged in assisting his father; Helen, a telephone operator in Ettrick, and Archie. Mr. Runnestrand and his family are members of the Norwegian Synod Lutheran church. In politics he is an independent Republican. He has served one term as township treasurer and is a man who occupies an honorable place in the community, which he has won by his own efforts.

Ole O. Thomasgaard. Among the well-developed agricultural proper- ties in Unity Township is that known as Oak Grove Farm, in sections 20 and 29, of which Ole O. Thomasgaard is proprietor. Mr. Thomasgaard was born in Tolgen, Norway, June 3, 1848. His father, Ole L. Thomasgaard, died in Norway, as did also his mother, whose maiden name was Petronelle Hanson. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1870, locating first in Hesper, Iowa, where he worked on farms for two years. He then came to Trempealeau County, Wis., and worked two years on farms in Sumner Township, at the end of which time he bought 40 acres of his present farm in Unity Township, having since added to it the other 80 acres. In 1877 he assisted in the organization of Unity Township and served as its first assessor, two years later being chairman of the township board, which office he held for 20 years, and, by virtue of that office, a member also of the county board. He also served as justice of the peace for 20 years, and has been school clerk, serving three years, and school treasurer nine years. He helped to organize Unity Co-Operative Creamery at Strum, of which he has been a director for your years, and he is also a stockholder of the First State Bank of Strum. In these various positions, both business and official, Mr. Thomasgaard has shown capacity and a conscientious regard for duty which have given him a high place among the citizens of his township. As a farmer he has been prosperous, his land being productive and his place well improved. Mr. Thomasgaard was married Aug. 4, 1872, to Marit E. Kleven, who was born in Vingelen, Norway, Feb. 9, 1847, and who came to the United States on the same vessel with him. Her father, Esten O.

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Kleven, who was a farmer, died in Norway, as did also her mother, whose maiden name was Johanna Roesplaece. Mr. and Mrs. Thomasgaard have had a family of eight children, but only three are now living. Their record in brief is as follows: Pauline, who is the wife of O. C. Olson, and has five children-Colonel Oscar Olson, Edwin, Mabel, Melvin and Julia; Josephine, who died at the age of four years; Emelia, who died when 2 years old ; Josephine (second), who is the wife of Gilbert Svendby, of Strum, and has three children-Mabel, Odin and Clifford; Edward, who died at the age of 1 year; Edward (second), who resides on his father's farm, which he is managing; Oscar, who died at the age of 4 years, and Paulina, who died at the age of 3 years. The surviving members of the family belong to the United Norwegian Lutheran church, which Mr. Thomasgaard has served six years as trustee and six years as treasurer.

C. O. Thomas, who conducts an ice cream parlor and variety store in Osseo, was born in Lodi, Wis., Oct. 14, 1879, son of Charles Edmond and Adeline (Odell) Thomas, and grandson of James and Polly (Lyman) Thomas. Charles Edmond Thomas was born in Canada, and was a pioneer in Lodi, Wis., where he farmed and worked in hardware stores. He died Nov. 11, 1915, and his wife died May 30, 1903. C. O. Thomas was reared in his native place, and learned the trade of buttermaker there. Thus prepared he worked in creameries in Loyal, Wis., Osseo, and Poynette, Wis. In 1907 he came back to Osseo and entered the employ of John Carson, merchant. March 4, 1912, he purchased the variety store of A. B. Arvidson, and this he has since successfully conducted. He has a lunch counter and ice cream parlor, and handles soft drinks, cigars, pipes, tobacco, bakery goods, fancy groceries, candy and nuts, fruits and vegetables, sporting goods, kodaks and kodak supplies, books and magazines, 5- and 10-cent goods, toys, jewelry and post cards. He also has a clothing department, taking orders for custom-made clothes. Mr. Thomas' financial holdings include stock in the Farmers' Exchange Bank and in the Farmers' Elevator, both of Osseo. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order and Modern Woodmen, and he is a member of the Osseo Band. Mr. Thomas was married Aug. 15, 1906, to Emma Nelson, daughter of Eric and Betsy (Roberts) Nelson.

Ador G. Peterson, manager of the electric light plant at Blair, was born in Norway, Nov. 12, 1866, son of Guttorm Rognrud and Karen Braskerud, who spent the span of their years in the old country, the father dying in 1890 at the age of 66 and the mother in 1878 at the age of 50 years. He was educated in the schools of his native land, and in 1888 came to this country and located in Blair. For a considerable period he divided his time between working in the pineries winters and on farms summers. As miller for W. G. Hyslop, at Blair, he did most efficient work for some seven years. For eight months Mr. Peterson was marshal at Blair. His fraternal affili- ations are with the Independent Foresters and the Beavers. Mr. Peterson was married Aug. 21, 1898, to Lottie Kvenmon, of Blair, the daughter of Christ and Peunellie (Braskerud) Kvenmon, and this union has been blessed with seven children: Goldie, Alf, Alden, Gladys, Orrie, Robert and Pearl. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.

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Donald M. Phillips, D. D. S., of Galesville, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., July 30, 1891, a son of H. M. and Lillie (Mckenzie) Phillips. The father was born in West Salem, Wis., April 5, 1868, and in early manhood was a farmer. He is now residing in Galesville, where he is in business as a bridge builder and contractor. His wife, the Doctor's mother, was born near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dr. Phillips, who was the eldest of a family of six children, attended school in Galesville and subsequently took a preliminary college course from instructors connected with the University of Northern Indiana. His degree of D. D. S. was obtained later, after the usual course of study, from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. In 1914 he began practicing his profession in Galesville and has since remained here. He has already gained a good reputation for skill and the number of his patrons has steadily increased, so that he is kept busy most of the time. He owns some valuable property in Galesville. Dr. Phillips' fraternal affiliations are with the local Masonic lodge, of which he is now junior deacon, the Red Men, Beavers, Modern Woodmen of America and Yeomen. He is also a member of the Galesville Fire Department. Dec. 26, 1914, Dr. Phillips was married to Florence Song, of Evanston, Ill., daughter of A. F. and Adeline (Ryerson) Song, both natives and present residents of Chicago, where her father is connected with the printing business. Dr. and Mrs. Phillips have two children: Donald M., Jr., who was born Jan. 7, 1916, and Robert Milton, born April 26, 1917.

Adolph C. Olson, harness manufacturer and dealer, now located at Blair, was born in Preston Township, this county, March 11, 1873, son of Carlos and Caroline (Christenson) Olson, and grandson of Andrew and Olea Chris- tenson, all of whom were born in Norway, and immigrated to the United States, Andrew Christenson and his family coming first and Carlos Olson coming in 1871. Left fatherless when but little more than a year old, Adolph C. Olson. was reared by his mother and grandparents until he was 10 years of age, at which time he was adopted by Andrew Shelly, a farmer of Springfield Township, Jackson County, Wis. At the age of 24 he started out for himself, and for several years was employed as a farm hand. In 1900 he began to learn the trade of harnessmaking under Ed. Arneson, of Taylor, this State. He came to Blair in 1904 and purchased a half interest in the shop of A. H. Boe. For several years the business was conducted under the firm name of Boe & Olson. Then, in 1907, Mr. Olson bought out his partner, and has since been the sole owner and proprietor. He manu- factures and repairs leather goods and horse supplies. A substantial man in the community, he has been especially prominent in the local lodge of the Sons of Norway, in which he has been vice-president since 1912. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. His religious affiliations are with the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson was married Nov. 2, 1904, to Olive Peterson, daughter of Ole and Lena Peterson, formerly of Jackson County, this State, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have had three children: Lillian (died at the age of 4 years), Agnes and Lloyd.

Olaus and Carl Thompson, proprietors of 187 acres of land in section

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16, Unity Township, are the sons of Klemet and Cecil (Sletto) Tandlokken, and were born on the family homestead in Unity Township-Olaus, Feb. 8, 1883, and Carl, Feb. 6, 1885. The original family name of Tandlokken has been Americanized to Thompson. The father, Klemet, who was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, came to America in 1865, settling first in Vernon County, Wis., where he remained until 1870. He then purchased the farm in Unity Township now owned by his sons Olaus and Carl and spent the rest of his life in its improvement. His death took place January 16, 1909. His wife Cecil was born in Norway, June 26, 1854, and died Aug. 8, 1916. There were seven children in their family, of whom the two brothers above mentioned are the only ones now living. Carl Thompson was married June 21, 1911, to Nettie Nelson, of Unity Township, who was born in this town- ship Sept. 4, 1876, daughter of Peder and Karen (Anderson) Nelson. Her father. a farmer by occupation, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 22, 1843, son of Nels Peterson and Christina, his wife, and came to America in 1866, settling in Vernon County, Wis., where he remained two years. In 1869 he located on his present farm of 160 acres in section 19, Unity Town- ship, Trempealeau County, where he has since remained, having well improved the farm. He was married, April 26, 1868, to Karen Anderson, of Vernon County, Wis., who was born in Norway, Oct. 21, 1841, and whose father, Andrew, died in Norway. Peder Nelson and wife were the parents of six children: Nels, who died at the age of 6 years ; Marcus and Matilda, residing at home; Nettie, who is now Mrs. Carl Thompson; Albert, who married Selma Johnson, resides in Minneapolis and has had one child, Lincoln, who died at the age of 9 years ; and Palma, who married Gust Peter- son, of St. Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thompson have one child, Mabel Sylvia, who was born Dec. 13, 1912. Both Carl and Olaus Thompson are stock- holders in the Farmers' Bank of Osseo. They are members of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church, of Strum. Carl has served two years as township supervisor.

Louis J. Schansberg, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits as proprie- tor of Meadow Lake Farm of 155 acres, situated in section 24, Lincoln town- ship, was born in Vernon County, Wis., near Chaseburg, Oct. 16, 1881. He is a son of John Schansberg, who was born in Norway in October, 1841, and who came to the United States in 1860, locating in Vernon County, Wis., where he resided until 1897. In that year John Schansberg removed to Trempealeau County, settling on the farm where his son Louis J. now resides, and which he cultivated until 1907. He then sold it to the latter and retired to a small farm near Whitehall, where he is now living. His wife, whose maiden name was Berget Steenberg, is still living, being now 69 years old. Louis J. Schansberg resided at home working with his father until 1907, in which year he bought the home farm with his brother, Henry J., and they operated it together in partnership until 1912, when Louis purchased his brother's interest in the place and has since remained sole proprietor. The buildings include a two-story, seven-room house, with full basement, and provided with furnace, bath, toilet and all necessary con- veniences. In 1916 Mr. Schansberg built an ell-shaped, frame barn, the main part being 32 by 60 feet, and the ell 34 by 44, with concrete blocks four

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feet from the bottom, and 17 feet above the blocks. It is furnished with 25 Louden stanchions and litter carrier, and has concrete floors, concrete mangers and individual drinking fountains. He has also two silos-one a stave silo, 14 by 29 feet, the other of cement blocks, 12 by 29. Mr. Schansberg keeps graded Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of 45 head, of which he milks 20; he also feeds 100 Duroc-Jersey hogs a year. Aside from his direct farming interests, he is a director and vice-president of the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company. Since 1909 he has been treasurer of joint district No. 1, of Lincoln and Pigeon Townships, has served on the township board two years and as township treasurer two years. April 7, 1907, Mr. Schansberg was married to Clara Simonson, who was born in Pigeon Town- ship, this county, Dec. 18, 1878, and whose father, Peter Simonson, now a retired farmer of that township, came to America from Norway in 1870. Her mother, whose maiden name was Helena Weverstad, is now 78 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Schansberg have five children: Selma V., born Jan. 28, 1908; Odell N., born June 19, 1909; Helen, born March 13, 1912; Lawrence, born Dec. 31, 1914, and Ralph H., born Jan. 8, 1917. The family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Schansberg has been secretary since 1911.

Paul Sura, a well-known real estate dealer and business man of Inde- pendence, was born in this village, June 11, 1880, a son of Peter and Agatha (Lucasek) Sura. The father, who was born in Germany, came to America in 1857, was the first Polish settler in Burnside and died May 11, 1879, at the age of 79 years. The mother of the subject of this sketch, who was his father's second wife, is still living in the village, being now 60 years of age. Peter Sura had a large family numbering 18 children, nine by each wife, all of those by the first wife being now dead. Paul Sura, who was the second-born child of the second marriage, after beginning industrial life worked out for others for some seven years. He then, in 1904, bought the saloon of lgnaatz Jelen in Independence and has since carried on business here, occupying a modern brick building of two stories with basement, 46 by 28 feet in dimensions. He deals in real estate and has recently built a modern garage, a brick building of two stories and basement, with concrete floors, 30 by 60 feet, with machine shop, washing rack and all necessary fixtures. He deals in Oldsmobiles (8's and 4's) and Dodge Bros. cars, together with all supplies and accessories. He is also a stockholder and was a promoter of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence. Mr. Sura was married Nov. 16, 1904, to Annie Woychik, of Independence, a daughter of Thomas and Frances (Gierok) Woychik, her father being a farmer. He and his wife have three children: Benedict, Lucy and Clar- ence. Mr. Sura is a member of the Catholic church. Active and enter- prising, he takes a keen interest not only in the advancement of his own fortunes, but also in the general prosperity of the village and is prompt to lend his aid to a worthy cause.

Marcus Olson, who is conducting a farm of 78 acres in sections 10 and 15, Gale Township, was born in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Dec. 28, 1873, son of Samuel and Bertha (Larson) Olson. The parents were natives of Berey, Norway, in which country they were mar-

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ried. On coming to this country they settled near Sparta, Wis., from which place they later removed to Ettrick Township, where Samuel Olson engaged in farming. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted early in the Fif- teenth Wisconsin Volunteers, Company B, and served until the close of the war, escaping death, wounds and imprisonment. He is now a resident of Gale Township, and is a widower, his wife having died in February, 1900. Their family was large, numbering 12 children, Marcus being the fourth in order of birth. Marcus Olson was obliged to support himself at the early age of 10 years, working for his clothing and board. Besides doing farm work, he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it for a number of years at intervals. Later he engaged in hauling cream to the creamery at Galesville and was thus occupied for 12 years. In 1907 he bought his present farm and has since resided on it, carrying on general farming and dairying. He has made extensive improvements on the place and now has good modern buildings with an adequate supply of tools and implements and all the accessories needed for modern agriculture. Besides operating his farm he still hauls cream to the creamery. Mr. Olson was married, June 15, 1899, to Julia Jurgensen, who was born at French Creek, Ettrick Township, daughter of Simon and Agnes (Johnson) Jurgensen. Her parents were natives of Norway, the father born June 15, 1830, the mother in 1834. Simon Jurgensen, who died in August, 1916, was a Civil War veteran, having enlisted in the same company and regiment as Samuel Olson, the father of the subject of this sketch. Receiving a gunshot wound in battle, he was sent home disabled, but recovering sufficiently, he returned to the army and served until the close of the war. The greater part of his life was spent in farming. His wife died in 1908. Their daughter Julia, who was the ninth born in a family of 12 children, was educated in the schools of Ettrick Township. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of six children: Aslang Lelma, Bert Selinar, Mabel Josephine, Lester Vilas, Clar- ence Richard and Hazel Irene, all of whom are residing at home. The Olson family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Olson gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, but is not active in politics, devoting his entire attention to his farm, his cream route and his home.

Louis Crawford Olson, manager of the Arctic Springs Creamery at Galesville, was born at Wild Rose, Waushara County, Wis., May 13, 1885. His parents were Louis and Ida (Nelson) Olson. The father, who was born in Norway, June 5, 1849, was brought to the United States when a child of four years and was reared in Wisconsin, becoming a farmer and land owner near Wild Rose. He has held various local offices and is still in active life. His parents reside in that vicinity. His wife Ida was born in Sheboygan, Wis., April 10, 1855. Louis Crawford Olson was the youngest of four children, of whom three are still living. He attended the grammar and high school at Wild Rose, also business college in Grand Rapids, Wis., subsequently taking a course in dairying at the University of Wisconsin. When about 18 years of age he was given the practical management of his parents' farm and remained at home until about 1911, when he entered the employ of the Wild Rose Creamery Company, with whom he remained two years. It was immediately after this that he took the dairy course at the

WILLIAM RUSSELL- HENRY RUSSELL AND FAMILY -MRS, WILLIAM RUSSELL

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

university. He then spent a year in Peshtigo, Wis., at the end of which time he came to Galesville to assume the duties of his present position. He is also a stockholder in the Wild Rose Creamery Company, but devotes his entire time to the creamery in Galesville. Mr. Olson was married June 5, 1913, to Jane Ramsdale, who was born in Madison, Wis., daughter of Frank and Mary (Jones) Ramsdale. Her parents were natives, respectively of Madison and Cambria, Wis. The father, who was a printer in early life, about the year 1900 became connected with the State Fish Commission, and is at present in its employ. He and his wife reside at Wild Rose, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of a daughter, Lorraine Clara. Mr. Olson belongs to the Masonic lodge at Wild Rose, No. 274, and to the Eastern Star in Galesville. In politics he is a Republican.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 76

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