History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 78

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

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Charles F. Peterson, M. D., of Independence, a man of excellent stand- ing in his profession, was born in Pomerania, Prussia, June 5, 1871. His father, August Peterson, born in Germany in 1838, came to the United States in 1884 and for some years operated a stone quarry at Arcadia, Trempealeau County, Wis. He died Jan. 25, 1917. August married Minnie Anklam, who was born in 1842 and came with her husband and the rest of their family to this country, including the subject of this sketch. She is no longer living, having passed away in 1904. Charles F. Peterson was 13 years of age when he left Germany with his parents. He had attended school in his native land and after coming to Trempealeau County entered the Arcadia high school, where he was graduated in 1892. He taught eight years and in 1900 he was graduated from the River Falls (Wis.) normal school, and for the next two years followed the occupation of a teacher. As such he proved his ability and was principal of schools at Independence, Osceola and Galesville. In the meanwhile he entered medical college in 1902 and began the study of medicine and was graduated from the Northwestern Medical College at Chicago in 1907, while there becoming a member of the Phi Beta Pi college fraternity. On June 1 of the year of his graduation he opened an office in Independence, Wis., where he has built

DR. E. A. OLSON AND FAMILY

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IIISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

up a successful practice both in medicine and surgery. He has never allowed himself to get into a rut, but keeps in close touch with the advance of his profession, continuing his studies and subscribing for the best med- ical journals. He is a member of the county, state and national medical associations, being now secretary of the county association, of which he served as president one year. Aside from this he keeps up his interest in educational matters. He has been clerk of Independence school district since 1907, and it was he who started and kept up the agitation for the new and splendid school building, costing $32,000, which is at once an orna- ment to the town and an important factor in the training of the younger generation. This enterprise was not brought to fruition without consider- able labor on his part, for there were many who objected to the cost of the building, preferring to put off the work to some future time and to get along for the present with inferior accommodations, but Dr. Peterson and a few others looked farther ahead and finally brought a majority of the citizens to see the expediency of present and thorough action and the work was accomplished, which probably few of the original objectors are now sorry for. Dr. Peterson has also taken an active interest in the local library, having served as president of the board since 1908, in which position he has used his influence to augment the quantity and raise the qualitative standard of the books in the circulating department. He has also served as health officer of the village since 1908 and has been physician of Trem- pealeau County asylum since July 1, 1915. The State Bank of Independence numbers him among its stockholders. Dr. Peterson was first married Jan. 18, 1896, to Julia Runkel, of Independence, a daughter of J. W. and Margaret (Steiner) Runkel. She died Feb. 13, 1904, at the early age of 28 years, having been the mother of two children: Maxwell, who died when a year old, and Donald, now (1917) aged 16 years. June 5, 1906, Dr. Peterson married for his second wife Helen Runkel, who is a sister of his first wife. They have a wide circle of friends in the best society of Independence.

Ever A. Olson, M. D., has practiced medicine in Osseo for nearly forty years. Arriving here June 20, 1877, he at once opened an office, and with the exception of one year, 1889-90 spent in Sioux Falls, S. D., has since continued to live here. Aside from ministring to a constantly increasing number of patients he has been actively engaged in public life for many years. When the village of Osseo was organized he served as president of the first council, and continued in that position for four years. For thirty years he has been health officer of Osseo and Sumner Township. A conservative Republican in politics, he has been delegate to district, county and congressional conventions, and has served as a member of the Repub- lican County committee. His financial holdings include an interest in the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. In the Masonic order he has passed through the chairs of the Blue Lodge, and is a member of the Chapter and Commandery. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mem- ber of the State Medical Society and the Eau Claire County Medical Society. He was married Feb. 28, 1875, to Helen E. Valleau, of Mauston, Wis., born in Lindina Township, Juneau County, Wis., Aug. 29, 1863, daughter of Theodore and Eliza (Linderman) Valleau, pioneers, who were married in

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Illinois, and settled in Juneau County in 1855, the former dying in 1913 at the age of 89 years. Mrs. Valleau died in Juneau County, July 8, 1917, aged 89. Dr. and Mrs. Olson have a daughter, Blanche Louise, who was born Oct. 18, 1882, was married Nov. 27, 1909, to Dr. Roy C. Ferguson, a dentist of Osseo, and has two children, Marlen Neville and Virginia. Dr. Olson was born near Christiania, Norway, Oct. 18, 1850, was brought to Wis- consin as an infant, passed through the schools of Mauston, in that state, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa. His parents, Ole T. and Sarah (Everson) Olson, were born in Norway, came to America in 1853, and after living in Milwaukee, Wis., for a time went to Mauston, where the father engaged in the show business and where he still lives at the age of 92, the mother having died in 1894 at the age of 75 years. Dr. Olson in 1900 spent four months in Europe, traveling extensively through Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, Ireland and Scotland. He attended the Paris Exposition and visited land of the midnight sun. He had the pleasure of viewing the midnight sun.

John A. Rumpel, formerly a member of the firm of Rumpel & Coy, but now sole owner, having purchased the interest of Mr. Coy Jan. 15, 1917, engaged in the meat market and grocery business in Independence, was born Jan. 11, 1892, in this village, son of Nicholas and Josephine (Filla) Rumpel. The father, a native of Poland, was formerly proprietor of the old Welcome House, which for many years was a well known landmark in this locality. He died in 1903 at the age of 42 years. His wife, now 50 years old, is living in Independence. John A. Rumpel after leaving school learned the butcher's trade in Independence and worked for others until the firm of Rumpel & Coy was organized, April 1, 1916. Then with George A. Coy he bought the business and fixtures of the Peter Filla Market, renting the building, which is a two-story brick structure with basement. He does his own killing and handles a full line of fresh and cured meats, groceries, canned goods and bakery goods. Though so recently started he has made good progress and his establishment is favorably known throughout this part of the county, enjoying a good and increasing patronage. Mr. Rumpel was married Nov. 3, 1914, to Anna Smick, of Independence, daughter of Julius and Hattie (Blacha) Smick, her father being a retired farmer now residing at Elk Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Rumpel have one child, Marion Lucile, born Jan. 7, 1916. The family are members of the Catholic church.

John B. Corcoran, a well known and popular citizen of Ettrick Village, engaged in the mail service as carrier, has lived in Trempealeau County all his life, having been born a quarter of a mile from the site of Ettrick, May 15, 1858. His parents were James and Hannah (Callahan) Corcoran. James Corcoran was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1830, and his wife in Ireland in 1831. The former was a young man when he came to the United States, settling in New York State. For two years he was employed as clerk in the old Van Dusen Hotel at Elmira, N. Y., and then, about 1855, came west to Wisconsin, locating in Galesville, Trempealeau County. Here he entered the employ of Judge Gale, his wife-for he had married in New York State-boarding the men who were engaged in building the judge's residence, which now stands on the Gale farm. After being thus occupied

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

for awhile James Corcoran, anxious to become independent, availed himself of the opportunity to homestead a farm on the East Branch, near Ettrick, and having secured this property, settled down to develop and improve it. There he resided until his death, which occurred about 1890. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1913. They had a family of seven chil- dren, of whom John B. was the first born. John B. Corcoran first attended school in the Ettrick district and distinctly remembers the small log shanty in which he mastered his A, B, C. Afterwards he went to school at French- ville, where he gained some further knowledge. He had to make himself useful at an early age, however, especially as being the eldest child and son he was the best able to assist his father. At that time he frequently drove cows over the site of the present village of Ettrick. Wild game was abundant and he has counted as many as 15 or 20 deer at one time, while there were also many beaver. When 12 years old he often used to haul wheat from Ettrick to Trempealeau with an ox team. Later he became a regular farm hand and also tried other industrial lines, working some four or five years as a machinist in Ettrick, following the same trade for awhile in Galesville and later at Eau Claire, in which place he continued at it three years. Then returning to Ettrick he built a hotel and feed barn, and has continued in that business since, being now engaged in erecting a new hotel of 16 sleeping rooms, office, dining room, parlor and kitchen. The building is of brick veneer two full stories, with ground dimensions of 65 by 34 feet, and will be operated as a commercial hotel. Mr. Corcoran is now serving in his thirteenth year as railroad mail carrier from the Ettrick office and will continue in that occupation, his son, Edwin J., operating the hotel. He is also the owner of a farm of 160 acres, situated a mile and a quarter east of Ettrick on the south branch of Beaver Creek, and is a stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad. At times he has held office as a member of the township and school boards, his political principles being those of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Catholic church at Ettrick. June, 1884, Mr. Corcoran was married to Margaret Lane, who was born in La Crescent, Minn., daughter of Timothy and Mary (Buckley) Lane, her parents, like his own father, being natives of County Kerry, Ireland, though coming to America seven years later. They settled six miles east of Ettrick, on the Willie Mack farm, where they resided practically for the rest of their lives, though they finally retired and removed to Ettrick Village, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Corcoran are the parents of three children : Edwin J., who resides in Ettrick and has charge of his father's hotel and barn; Florence, wife of Ray Trunbar, proprietor of a European hotel in Sioux City, Iowa, and Perry, who lives with his parents. Mr. Corcoran's fraternal affiliations are with the Order of Beavers. He is noted through- out this region as a skillful hunter, never missing a season of deer hunting in the north woods. Among his trophies of the chase are a jacket, gloves and mittens of buckskin, made from the hides of deer which he killed.

Maurice Casey, Sr., in former years a well known farmer and stock dealer in Ettrick Township, but now deceased, was born at Fort Covington, N. Y., near the Canadian line, and was in early business life a stock dealer exclusively. He resided in the state of New York until 21 years of age,

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

coming to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, in 1858, to take advantage of the opportunity for buying cheap land in this section, then but partially developed. Homesteading land in Ettrick Township, he farmed there for many years, also at times dealing in stock. Finally he retired to Ettrick Village, where, after for some time in quiet and easy circumstances, he died July 29, 1909. While not particularly active in public affairs, in early days he served as constable and was a member of the school board for a number of years. Mr. Casey married Helena Daley, a native of New York City, their marriage taking place in La Crosse, Wis. They were the parents of six children. Mrs. Helena Casey died in Ettrick some 18 months previous to her husband, on Dec. 4, 1907. They were highly respected people and had a multitude of friends.

Maurice Casey, a prominent resident of Ettrick Village, where he is profitably engaged in the implement and automobile business, was born in Ettrick, this county, April 14, 1880, son of Maurice, Sr., and Helena (Daley) Casey. He attended school in Ettrick and at an early age was obliged to make himself useful on the home farm, speedily acquiring a knowledge of agricultural methods, stock raising, dairying and all branches of farming science. Up to the age of 19 years he assisted his father and then rented the latter's farm, which he operated for two years with his brother William as partner. At the end of that time he entered the employ of J. E. Cance, of Ettrick, in whose store he learned the tinsmith and plumbing business, continuing with Mr. Cance until 1912, at which time he engaged in his present business. He has a thoroughly up-to-date establishment, enjoys a good patronage, and his trade is steadily increasing. Mr. Casey is the owner of a good residence in Ettrick, besides three village lots, and is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Com- pany, and in Ettrick Hall. His fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers and the Modern Woodmen of America, he having been secretary of his camp in the latter order for the last 12 years. On March 16, 1911, Mr. Casey was united in marriage with Bertha Runnestrand, who was born in Ettrick, Wis., daughter of Knudt E. and Anna (Larson) Runnestrand, natives of Norway, her father coming to Ettrick in 1877. Further mention of the family may be found in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have one child, Helen Anna. In politics Mr. Casey is practically independent, though usually voting the Democratic ticket. He reserves the right, however, to judge of the fitness of candidates for public office, not being bound by strict party ties. As a citizen of Ettrick he has the interests of the general community at heart, and is quick to support any practical measure with that end in view. He and his family are well known and popular residents of the village.

Andrew J. Beirne, who has a good farm of 160 acres in section 13, Gale Township, was born in the neighboring town of Ettrick, this county, Feb. 2, 1869, son of Thomas and Catherine (Smith) Beirne. Both parents were natives of Ireland, the father born in County Roscommon, Dec. 22, 1821, and the mother in County Cavan, April 1, 1831. Coming to America in 1847, Thomas Beirne spent several years in the eastern states, and then, in the fifties, came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, homesteading a

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

farm in Ettrick Township, on which he lived for half a century. Finally retiring, he took up his residence in the village of Ettrick, where he died Nov. 22, 1905. His wife did not long survive him, passing from this life in 1907. Their family numbered nine children, of whom Andrew J. was the eighth born. Andrew J. Beirne was educated in the district school of his neighborhood and while still young picked up a good knowledge of agri- culture on his father's farm, of which he had the practical charge after reaching the age of 16 years. He was married to Alice Crogan, who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Monahan) Crogan. Mrs. Beirne's father, Hugh Crogan, was born in County Roscommon, Ire- land, June 27, 1829, and had a somewhat adventurous career. When a young man he went to California, then the Mecca of gold seekers from all parts of the world, where men of every station in life mingled together in a wild scramble for sudden wealth, most of them, however, meeting only with disappointment, and not a few with speedy death, accidental or other- wise. Mr. Crogan was a man well able to take care of himself, and he remained in the state for a number of years, engaged in mining with mod- erate success. In 1866 he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and purchased land, becoming a farmer in Ettrick Township, in which occupa- tion he continued until he was killed in a runaway accident on his farm in 1876. His wife, Mary, who was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, May 18, 1839, died Feb. 15, 1913, having survived him 36 years or more. Their daughter Alice was the fourth born in a family of five children. Mr. Beirne after his marriage continued on his father's farm for four years longer, and then settled on his present property, on which he has made all the improvements. He is engaged in general farming and is a stockholder in the Farmers Exchange of Galesville, the creamery at Galesville and the La Crosse Packing Company. He and his wife have seven children, born as follows: Lester Stephen, Dec. 7, 1895; Gerald Francis, April 19, 1900; Edward Joseph, Aug. 15, 1902; Myrtle Elizabeth, Aug. 7, 1904; Donald Andrew, April 12, 1906; Mary Katherine, May 31, 1907; and Smith Ray- mond, Jan. 17, 1914. The family are members of the Catholic church, and in politics Mr. Beirne is a Democrat, voting generally his party's ticket, but taking no active part in local government.

George A. Markham, who from 1887 to 1909 was proprietor of the Independence News, was born in Independence, Trempealeau County, Wis., May 7, 1865, a son of George H. and Fannie (Bishop) Markham. His parents are still living in Independence, the father, a retired farmer, being now 80 years old and the mother 76. George A. Markham acquired a good educa- tion, attending Gale College at Galesville, and afterwards the Winona nor- mal school. He learned the newspaper business in Galesville while attend- ing school, but subsequently remained on his parents' farm, raising fancy poultry, until the spring of 1887, when he branched out into newspaper work for himself, buying the Independence News, which he edited and published until his death, July 16, 1909. His premature demise, for he was only 44 years old, caused widespread regret, for he was a man of many friends, and in his journalistic work he never neglected any opportunity of advancing the interests of the community of which he was a prominent

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citizen, and where he had been born and passed so many years of his life. Mr. Markham was married Oct. 11, 1891, to Ada E. Rogers, who was born Dec. 26, 1867, in Burnside Township, this county, daughter of Alfred H. and Abby A. (Buzzell) Rogers. After Mr. Markham's death Mrs. Markham took charge of the office and has since continued the publication of the News. She is secretary of the library board and is active in a number of ways in promoting the general interests of the village. Religiously she is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Ernest H. Remington, who is carrying on agricultural operations in section 11, Sumner Township, his farm of 120 acres being known as Clover- hill Farm, was born in this township, May 16, 1874, son of D. L. and Ella (Zhe) Remington. After residing at home until reaching the age of 26 years, he bought a farm in Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, which he operated from the year 1900 until the spring of 1907. He then pur- chased his present farm from Frank Svobada and has since remained here. The property has good buildings on it, the house being a frame structure of two stories and basement, with eight rooms. There is also a frame barn 30 by 56 by 20 feet above stone basement, with cement floors, and a stave silo, 14 by 36 feet. The farm is well fenced with woven wire. Mr. Rem- ington, besides raising the usual crops, keeps graded Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs. He was first married Thanksgiving Day, 1903, to Ethel Ferguson, of Eau Claire County, daughter of Charles and Jane Fer- guson, her father being a farmer and logger, who is now deceased. Mrs. Eethel Remington died Feb. 15, 1907, at the age of 33 years, leaving one child, Vyan Keith, who was born April 24, 1905. On June 29, 1909, Mr. Remington contracted a second marriage, to Cornelia Campbell, who was born Feb. 9, 1877, daughter of Charles R. and Martha Jane (Rosebrook) Campbell. Graduated from Stevens Point normal school in 1898, she fol- lowed the vocation of a teacher for 18 years, and was elected county super- intendent in the fall of 1905, being re-elected in the fall of 1907, and thus serving four years in that position. Her father, Charles R. Campbell, who was born in Illinois, came to Wisconsin in boyhood. He died in August, 1912, at the age of 72 years. His wife, Martha Jane, died in February, 1913, at the age of 65 years. Of Mr. Remington's second marriage three children were born: Owen, who died at the age of three days; Lucile, born June 27, 1911, and Winnifred Janet, born Sept. 25, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Remington are members of the Congregational church at Osseo, and he belongs also to the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has served as township supervisor three years, has been chairman of the township board and a member of the county board since 1916, and while a resident of Eau Claire County served as clerk of the school board one year. In addi- tion to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Osseo Telephone Company and the Osseo Farmers Elevator.

John Ring, postmaster at Osseo, is one of the leading men in this part of the county. As chairman of Sumner Township he did most efficient service on the county board for fourteen years, and as a member of the school board of his district for a considerable period he also did good work. In 1916 he was candidate for county treasurer. For many years he has

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

been a leading Democrat, and as such has been a member of numerous com- mittees, and a delegate to several conventions. His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. His fraternal affilia- tions are with the A. F. & A. M. and the M. W. A. Mr. Ring was born in Milwaukee, March 1, 1857, son of Robert and Sarah (Murphy) Ring, natives of Ireland, who went down with the ill-fated Lady Elgin, on Lake Michigan, Sept. 8, 1860, leaving, besides John, two sons, one of whom, James, worked his way up until he was a successful railroad conductor, and was killed at Hawthorne, Wis., and the other of whom, Michael, became a prominent citizen of Kansas City, Kan., and died a short time ago. Young John, left an orphan by the Lady Elgin catastrophe, was taken into the home of his uncle, Michael Ring, of Cleveland, Ohio, by whom he was reared. As a young man he became interested in farm pursuits. It was in 1879 that he came to Trempealean County, and secured a farm in section 2, Sumner Township. There he successfully farmed until November, 1915, when he moved to Osseo, to fulfill the duties of the postmastership to which he had been appointed July 2 of that year. Mr. Ring was married April 11, 1877, to Bertha Dighton, daughter of Francis and Dolly Ann (Gillett) Dighton, the former of whom was a Methodist clergyman. Mr. and Mrs. Ring have had eight children: Robert, of Plentywood, Mont .; Jessie, wife of Alva Isom, a farmer of Sumner Township; Julia, wife of Mr. Sever Semmingson, a farmer of Crosby, N. D .; Laura C., wife of Bert Zee, a farmer of Sumner Township ; Glen, a farmer of Whitetail, Mont .; Francis, who died at the age of seven years ; and Pearl and James, who are at home.

Richard Brophy, who is conducting a farm of 108 acres in section 31, Gale Township, Trempealeau County, was born in this township in October, 1865, son of John and Honora (Colliday) Brophy. His parents were both natives of Ireland, but were married in this country, the father coming here when a lad under 20 years of age. After working for others for a number of years John Brophy became a land owner and engaged in farming for himself, continuing in this occupation until his death in March, 1913. His farm consisted of 100 acres of good land in Gale Township, a part of which is still owned by the subject of this sketch, the latter's mother living with him. Richard Brophy was the eldest in a family of six children. He attended school at Galesville and resided on the homestead with his parents until he was married, except during the winters for eight years, when he worked in the timber woods. Jan. 23, 1893, he married Margaret Cantlin, who was born in Ettrick, this county, daughter of Owen and Margaret (Shay) Cantlin, her parents being natives of Ireland, who came to this country and were married in La Crosse. Owen Cantlin was a farmer, set- tling at an early date in Ettrick Township, where he resided until his death in 1886. His wife died in June, 1896. Richard Brophy at the time of his marriage rented the farm and operated it on his own account for several years until he finally became its owner, and, as already mentioned, he still owns a part of it. He carries on general farming, raising grain, keeping hogs and cattle, some of the latter being pure-bred Durham, to which breed he is devoting special attention, with the view of raising them almost exclu- sively. Aside from these immediate interests he is a stockholder in the

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 78

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