History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 77

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 77

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Henry Russell, proprietor of the Russell farm of 190 acres in section 4, Burnside Township, was born on this farm Oct. 4, 1874, son of William and Christina (Cooper) Russell, who were married in Scotland, their native land. William Russell was born in 1834 and his wife Christina Nov. 26, 1840, the former's birthplace being Edinburgh. In 1863 William, with his wife, four children, and his wife's parents, Henry and Isabelle (Mckay) Russell, emigrated to the United States, locating first in Pennsylvania, where William Russell found employment in the coal mines. In the spring of the following year all the other members of the family came to Trempealeau County, Wis., he joining them in the fall. Here he bought the farm now owned by his son Henry, the subject of this sketch. At the time he did so he had neither team nor tools for agricultural purposes and the family was destitute of furniture. How they managed to get along and achieve final prosperity might well puzzle anyone brought up under modern condi- tions, but they accomplished this seemingly impossible task, after enduring many severe privations. Obtaining a few tools, perhaps by borrowing from his neighbors, who were always ready to help newcomers, Mr. Russell erected a small log house, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, having a puncheon floor and slab roof, which was the family home for some years; and by some arrangement he obtained the use of an ox team for breaking the land. His subsequent labors were similar to those of other pioneers, which may be found often described in this volume. Here William Russell lived and toiled for 22 years, or until his death in 1886. He had made good progress with his farm and its subsequent development has since been taken care of by his son Henry, now the owner of the property, with whom resides the latter's mother, and other members of the family. One of the most recent improvements is a good barn, built in 1916, which measures 38 by 70 by 20 feet. It is of frame construction, except for the lower four feet, which is of concrete blocks, and has cement floors all through, being also provided with steel stanchions, litter carriers and other modern conven- iences. Mr. Russell has a herd of 35 Durham cattle, of which he milks 15, all being high-grade animals, while he raises the various crops indigenous to this region. For fifteen years he has served as clerk of the school board. He was married June 7, 1899, to Allie Back, of Chimney Rock Township, daugh- ter of George and Charlotte (Branch) Back, her father being a well-known farmer of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have two children: Russell

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IIISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU ( )UNTY

A., born in September, 1900, and Christina, born in December, 1908. The following is a brief record of the children of William and Christina (Cooper) Russell : Alexander, who died in 1891; Mary, wife of A. W. Liver, a mer- chant of Independence, Wis .; Isabelle, who married William Koepke, of Racine, Wis., and died in 1910; Christina, who died in 1892; Henry, proprie- tor of the old homestead ; William, now a farmer at Portland, Ore .; and Tona, wife of Albert Olson, a farmer of Preston Township, this county.

Peter C. Skroch, a well-known business man of Independence, agent for the G. Heileman Brewing Company, of La Crosse, was born in German Poland Aug. 12, 1864, a son of John and Mary (Sobota) Skroch. The father, John Skroch, a native of German Poland, came to the United States in 1882 and, settling in Trempealeau County, Wis., bought a farm in Lincoln Town- ship, where he resided until 1900, when he retired to Independence. He died Jan. 14, 1916, aged 84 years. His wife Mary died Dec. 25, 1911, at the age of 63. Peter C. Skroch was reared on the home farm in Lincoln Township and lived there until his marriage. He then engaged in mason work in Independence. In 1889 he accepted his present position as agent for the G. Heileman Brewing Company, of La Crosse. Since 1892 he has held the office of assessor in Independence. He is a stockholder and was one of the organizers of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Independence. A member of the Catholic church, he has been secretary of the Congregation Sts. Peter and Paul for five years. He is president and was one of the organizers of Sts. Peter and Paul Society, having held the office of president seven years. This society is a branch (No. 14) of the Polish Union of America. In politics Mr. Skroch is a Democrat. Mr. Skroch was first married, Sept. 8, 1892, to Mary Sygula, of Burnside Township, who died in 1900 at the early age of 28 years. She left two children : Mary, now Mrs. John Klink, of Independence; and Rosa, a clerk in Garthus' store in this village, who resides at home. June 6, 1904, Mr. Skroch married for his second wife Rosa Firlus, of St. Paul. Of this union there are six children: Aloysius, Clara, Martha, Alphonse, Helen and Clarence.

Simon Skroch, a business man of Independence, of which village he is now postmaster, was born in Burnside Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Oct. 28, 1885. His parents were Frank and Agnes (Sobota) Skroch. The father, who was born in German Poland, came to America in 1880, settling in Burnside Township, this county, where he died in 1892 at the age of 58 years. His wife survived him a number of years, dying in 1903 at the age of 52. They had 10 children, of whom Simon was the ninth in order of birth. He received his education in the parochial school and the Independence High School, graduating from the latter in 1903. Simon Skroch in his youth acquired a knowledge of farming, and from 1904 to 1908 worked at that occupation for his brother Michael. From 1910 to 1914 he earned a good living as painter and paper-hanger, following that occupation at Inde- pendence. Dec. 22, 1913, he was appointed postmaster at Independence by President Wilson, and has since retained that office. In politics he is a strong Democrat. Aside from his immediate occupation, he is a stock- holder in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Independence. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus in Arcadia and is a member of the Catholic

MR. AND MRS. OLE J. ROMUNDSTAD-MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL J. ROMUNDSTAD

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

church. Oct. 13, 1914, Mr. Skroch was united in marriage with Lucy Zilla, of Independence, who was born Dec. 11, 1892, daughter of John F. and Agnes (Motszko) Zilla. Her father, who was a plumber by trade, died in 1907 at the age of 39 years. Her mother is still living and resides in Inde- pendence, being now 44 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Skroch have one child, Florence, who was born May 8, 1916.

Edwin C. Hanson, of the firm of Hanson & Johnson, hardware and implement dealers of Blair, is a native of the village where he now lives, having been born April 9, 1881, son of Christ C. and Bertha (Peterson) Blair, the former of whom, a retired merchant now living in Blair, came to America in 1869, and found his way directly to Trempealeau County. Edwin C. Hanson remained at home until 20 years of age, and then became timekeeper in an iron mine at Ely, Minn. Returning to Blair, he clerked for a number of years in the store of G. L. Solberg. Sept. 12, 1912, he purchased the hardware stock of F. L. Immel, and on Jan. 1, 1913, the implement stock of A. B. Peterson, carrying on the joint business under his own name until Jan. 20, 1915, when he took Oscar B. Johnson as a partner under the firm name of Hanson & Johnson. May 1, 1916, they purchased the building on the corner of Broadway and Gilbert Street, and have since carried on business there. The structure is a brick-veneered building, 28 by 64 feet, two-story with a basement, steam heated and modern throughout, and the firm carries a complete line of goods, being known far and wide for its reasonable prices and honest dealings. Mr. Hanson has done good service on the village council for six years. His fraternal rela- tions are with the Modern Woodmen, the Sons of Norway and the Beavers. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hanson was married Oct. 30, 1907, to Helga Olson, born in Hale Township, Aug. 8, 1880, daughter of Ole C. and Martha (Paulson) Hanson, the former of whom came from Norway in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson had three chil- dren: Bessie, who died in infancy ; Corinne, born Nov. 20, 1910, and Helen E., born Oct. 20, 1914.

Michael J. Romundstad, proprietor of Valley View Farm, Unity Town- ship, a highly improved piece of agricultural property, was born on this farm, Jan. 27, 1874, son of Ole J. and Gertrude O. Romundstad. The father was one of the early settlers in this locality. Born in Rindalen, near Trond- jem, Norway, Sept. 3, 1840, he came to the United States in the spring of 1869 and homesteaded the farm on which his son Michael J. now lives. This farm now consists of 280 acres, of which 200 lie in section 4 and the other 80 in section 33. Here Ole J. Romundstad spent some 37 years, adding to the size of his farm and improving it by cultivation and the erection of buildings as needed until it became a valuable piece of property. His labori- ous career was brought to a close by death, Sept. 10, 1906. His wife Gertrude, who was born in the same part of Norway as himself, Oct. 23, 1847, came to this country in the spring of 1870, their marriage taking place Nov. 7, that year. She is still living and resides with her son, Michael J. Their family numbered nine children: John, a farmer at Fergus, Mont .; Odin, who is engaged in ranching at that place; Michael J., subject of this sketch ; Ellen, wife of John Karo, a farmer of Fergus, Mont .; Mollie,

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

wife of Dan Moltzau, a farmer of Fergus, Mont .; Marit, wife of Harry Haanstad, a sawyer of Medford, Wis .; Louisa, now Mrs. Anton Clementson, her husband being a merchant at Mondovi, Wis .; Annie, wife of H. P. Frodal, of Shevlin, Minn., her husband being a farmer; and Olga, wife of Harry Oquist, a farmer of Roy, Mont. Michael J. Romundstad has resided on his present farm-the old parental homestead-all his life, becoming its man- ager in 1905 and its owner in 1906, after his father's death, he purchasing the property. The improvements are very extensive, and include a barn, 20 by 52 by 18 feet, for horses ; another barn, 30 by 50 by 16 feet, with an ell, 24 by 52 by 18 feet, having cement floors and equipped with steel stanchions ; also a residence of frame construction, two stories and basement, and con- taining ten rooms. Among his other buildings are a skimming house, 10 by 12 feet ; a granary, 20 by 32 by 14, and a machine shed, 32 by 22 by 8 feet, these three being frame buildings, together with a concrete silo, 14 by 33 feet. Mr. Romundstad keeps a herd of 32 Shorthorn cattle, graded, and also raises Plymouth Rock chickens. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Ex- change Bank, of Osseo, and the Unity Co-Operative Creamery, of Strum. As one of the responsible citizens of Unity Township, he has been called upon several times to aid in local government affairs, having been a member of the township board four years, school clerk four years and assessor one year. June 2, 1909, Mr. Romundstad was united in marriage with Marie Fossum, of Eau Claire, Wis., who was born in that city Dec. 26, 1886, daughter of Anton and Mathia (Johnsgaard) Fossum, her father being a carpenter by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Romundstad are the parents of four children born as follows: Olive, July 6, 1910; Muriel, Dec. 9, 1911; Astrid, Sept. 23, 1914, and Gjermund, Feb. 25, 1916. The family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.

Claud Harrison Hare, proprietor of a dairy and stock farm of 160 acres in section 12, Gale Township, was born in Trempealeau Township, this county, Oct. 6, 1888, son of William and Aurilla (Hovell) Hare. His parents were natives of Wisconsin, the father born in La Crosse County, Sept. 4, 1860, and the mother in Trempealeau County, Oct. 31, 1870. William Hare became a land owner in this county in 1887 and has always been a farmer. He still resides on his old homestead of 180 acres and is one of the active agriculturalists of his township. He and his wife have been the parents of four children. Claud H. was the first born. Claud H. Hare in his boy- hood attended District School No. 13, which was located on his father's farm. He learned agriculture under his father's tuition and lived at home until he was 20 years of age. He then worked on a dairy farm for two years, afterward moving to Galesville, where he resided for five months, during this period being engaged in operating a threshing outfit. At the end of that time-in December-he rented the Harris farm in Big Tamarac and operated it until December, 1913, when he purchased his present farm of 160 acres of improved land. This he is operating as a general dairy farm and stock farm, giving particular attention to the breeding of Durham cattle. He is not active in politics, preferring to give his entire attention to his business, which is growing larger each year. June 30, 1909, Mr. Hare was united in marriage with Mabel Harnslein, who was born at French-

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

ville, Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Andrew and Julia (Sagen) Harnslein. Her father, who also was born at Frenchville, this county, and raised there, was a traveling salesman up to the time of his death, Nov. 4, 1911. His wife, Mrs. Hare's mother, who is a sister of Ole Sagen, of Galesville, was born in Norway, Sept. 6, 1862. Mrs. Hare was educated in Trempealeau County, attending the Galesville High School and also Gale College. She and her husband are the parents of two children: Lyle Fern and Ruth Mae. Mr. Hare's fraternal society affiliations are with the Yeo- men and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family stand high in the community and have a wide circle of friends.

Walter Hunter, a well-known farmer in section 35, Gale Township, was born on his parents' farm at Decorah Prairie, this township, Aug. 12, 1863. His parents were Thomas and Agnes (Grant) Hunter. He was educated in the district school and remained at home until he was 20 years old. He then went to Cheyenne, Wyo., under contract and for one summer was employed in cutting wood for the soldiers at old Fort Laramie. He then went to southwestern Nebraska, where he homesteaded Government land, residing there until the spring of 1902, and during this time being engaged in farm- ing and stock raising on a tract of 320 acres, which he sold in 1906, four years after his return home. In 1902 he purchased his present farm of 120 acres of valley land, which adjoins his father's farm in section 35, and here he has since carried on general farming, devoting his entire time to the business. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in the Independent Harvester Company at Plano, Ill. Mr. Hunter was married April 28, 1892, to Jeanette Oliver, daughter of Robert and Mary (Scott) Oliver. Her parents, who were natives of Lanarkshire, Scotland, were early settlers in Trempealeau County, Mr. Oliver becoming an extensive land owner here. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have a family of eight children: John, Lucian, William, Agnes, Mamie, Ollie, Norman and Donald, all of whom reside at home.

· Frederick A. Smith, senior member of the firm of Smith Brothers, hard- ware and implement dealers of Osseo, was born at Bedford, near Cleveland, Ohio. Sept. 25, 1853, son of Matthias M. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Smith. The family moved to Richland County, Wis., when Frederick A. was an infant, and there he was reared. In the spring of 1877 he came to Trempea- leau County, and entered the employ of C. H. Shores & Co., general mer- chants. In 1888, with his brother, James W., he established his present business, and has since been successfully engaged therein. His standing as a citizen is shown by the fact that he has served as president of the vil- lage for 13 years. He has also been treasurer of the village, a member of the school board, and an assessor in the township of Sumner. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic order. :. Mr. Smith was married Nov. 4, 1874, to Mary E. Jaquish, daughter of Joseph and Antoinette Jaquish, of Rich- land County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Charles G., who works in his father's store ; Frank M., who farms near Osseo ; and Julia, the wife of Leslie H. Field, also a farmer near Osseo. Mrs. Smith died Feb. 17, 1917. The firm of Smith Brothers, which does a large business, and which by fair dealing and sound business integrity has built up a large

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

trade, had its origin in 1888, when Frederick A. and James W. Smith bought the business of A. G. Cox, established in 1876, and continued it on an en- larged scale. The original structure was burned in 1891, and the firm erected a new building, 24 by 60 feet, brick veneered, fully equipped for its purpose in every way. The firm handles hardware, implements, paints, leather goods and the like.

James W. Smith, junior member of the firm of Smith Brothers, hard- ware and implement dealers, of Osseo, was born in Richland County, Wis., March 30, 1857, son of Matthias M. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Smith. He received his education in the public schools, and as a young man taught school in various Wisconsin districts. For a time he was merchant and postmaster at Neptune, Wis. In 1888 he came to Osseo, and established his present business. With the exception of the year 1900, he has been clerk of the village of Osseo since its organization in 1893, and in this capacity has done most excellent service. The Congregational church has found in him an active worker, and he has served that organization as treas- urer since 1889 and as superintendent of the Sunday school since 1894. Mr. Smith was married Dec. 25, 1882, to Della M. Warner, who was born in Rich- land County, Wis., and died at Osseo, June 17, 1891.

Sivert Rekstad. Among the leading farmers and business men of Unity Township is the subject of this sketch, who was born near Trondjem, Norway, July 8, 1852, son of John E. and Kari Rekstad. Both parents died in Norway, the father, who was a farmer, in 1863, and the mother in 1893. Sivert Rekstad came to America in June, 1873, locating first in Ish- peming, Mich., where he worked as a carpenter for one year. Then going to Eau Claire, he found employment in the sawmill and pineries, spending one year in these closely related occupations. Subsequently until 1883 he worked as a carpenter and on farms in Unity Township, and at the end of that time purchased the farm he now owns in section 19, Unity Township, and which contains 172 acres and is known as Pine Grove Farm. This property is highly improved, the buildings, which are fine in appearance and substantially constructed, consisting of the following: A barn, 32 by 60 by 18 feet ; horse barn, 20 by 42 by 16, with an addition of 16 by 16 feet ; sheep barn, 24 by 32, with an ell 12 by 22 feet; granary, 20 by 32 feet, and a good frame residence of one and a half stories. Besides carrying on this farm Mr. Rekstad has been actively interested for a number of years in other important business enterprises. For 14 years he was manager of the N. C. Foster Lumber Company, of Strum, and then for two years he held the same position for their successors, the Wilson-Weber Lumber Company, and during the two following years was manager for the North Star Lumber Company, successors to the Wilson-Weber Lumber Company. In 1908 he assisted in organizing the First State Bank of Strum, of which he has since been a director. He was its vice-president for two years and since Jan. 1, 1916, has held the office of president. Jan. 1, 1911, he became treasurer of the Unity Co-Operative Creamery and still holds that position. He was treasurer of the town of Unity for five years, town clerk two years and treasurer of the school district 33 years, has been identified with the Mutual Insurance Company of Ettrick for 35 years. Mr. Rekstad was married,

SIVERT REKSTAD AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

June 23, 1882, to Annie Knutson, who was born in Brown County, Kan., Aug. 17, 1859. He and his wife have been the parents of six children: Christo- phine, who is residing at home ; Mary, residing at home, and a teacher in the parochial school; Martha, a nurse in the Lutheran Hospital at Eau Claire; Joseph, who died when 31/2 years of age; Clara, a music teacher living at home; and Katrine, who is a student at St. Olaf's College at Northfield, Minn. Mr. Rekstad and his family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church, of which he has been secretary since 1880. Both as a farmer and business man he has made an excellent record and is highly respected throughout Unity and neighboring townships.

Peter J. Callahan, a prosperous farmer in section 5 South, Ettrick Township, was born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 9, 1859, son of James and Katherine (O'Keefe) Callahan. His parents were born in County Kerry, Ireland, the father in March, 1825, and the mother in 1839, their marriage taking place in Boston. James Callahan was 30 years old when he came to the United States. He was a carpenter and wheelwright by trade and was thus employed in Boston for a number of years. In 1864 he came from that city to Wisconsin and homesteaded land in section 32, this township, which place he has since developed into a good farm with substantial build- ings, and is still active in agricultural work. During his early years in this vicinity he followed at times his trade of carpenter, and many of the old residences here were built by him. His wife is also living. Peter J. Callahan was the second born in a family of four children. He was educated in the district school and remained at home until 20 years of age. He then began working in the northern woods, and continued working for others until he was 25, when he bought his present farm. He had some previous experi- ence in farming, starting when a lad of eight or nine years, when he used to lead the oxen his father used in plowing and subsequently assisted his father in other branches of farm work. After buying his farm Mr. Callahan resided on it for two and a half years and then went to La Crosse, where he entered the employ of a firm for whom he traveled for eight or nine years. He then returned to his farm, which consists of 80 acres of valu- able land. He is carrying on general farming with some stock raising, breeding Duroc-Jersey hogs, and is also a stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company. Mr. Callahan was married June 25, 1892, to Catherine Corcoran, who was born at Ettrick, this county, daughter of John and Catherine (McKay) Corcoran. Her father, who was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1825, was a farmer all his active life, coming to Trempealeau County in 1864, and residing here until his death in 1875. Mrs. Callahan's mother was born at Horseheads, Pa., Jan. 15, 1833, and in her younger days was a cook on the Erie canal, having 40 cooks under her supervision, her husband being employed on the canal at the same time. They were thrifty and industrious people and a valuable addition to the farming community of their township. Mr. and Mrs. Callahan are the parents of two children: Catherine Mae and Arnold James. Catherine Mae, who was born Aug. 27, 1893, is the wife of William Bishop, of Canadian birth, and they reside on the Callahan farm. They have two children: William Stanley and Catherine Fay. Arnold James Callahan was born

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Aug. 2, 1896. After graduating from the local schools he attended the La Crosse normal school and has taught school for four terms, making a creditable record. Mr. Callahan is a member of the Catholic Order of For- esters, he and his family being members of the Catholic church, in which he is serving as a trustee. In politics he is independent, though usually voting the Democratic ticket.

Melvin P. Skogstad, the energetic cashier of the Farmers Exchange Bank, of Osseo, of which he is one of the organizers, was born in Chimney Rock Township, Aug. 18, 1886, son of Peter J. and Mary (Hanson) Skogstad. Peter J. Skogstad was born in Norway, came to America in 1865 with his parents, lived in Dane County, this state, a number of years, came to Trem- pealeau County in 1868, and for several years has been associated with his son-in-law, Harvey Havenor, at Eleva, Wis., in the hardware and imple- ment business. In the family there were six children: Clara died at the age of ten months; Cora is the wife of Harvey Havenor, a hardware man in Eleva ; Melvin P. is the subject of this sketch; Luella is the wife of Ben Bergerson, a farmer of Albion Township; Henry is at home; Palmer served as clerk for a time in the First State Bank of Strum, and now making his home at Eleva. Melvin P. Skogstad remained on the farm until twenty years of age. Then he entered the State Bank of Strum, where he was bookkeeper until the spring of 1911, when he became cashier. May 1, 1916, he organized the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo, and has since been its cashier. Fraternally Mr. Skogstad is a member of the Masonic order and of the Modern Woodmen. He was married May 10, 1913, to Goldie Cardinal, of Sumner Township, born Sept. 9, 1894, daughter of Samuel and Emma (Olson) Cardinal, both of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Skogstad have two children : Marjorie Eleanor, born Feb. 22, 1914, and Stanford Pierre, born March 19, 1916. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America at Osseo.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 77

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