USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 79
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Farmers Shipping Association and in the Farmers Co-Operative Packing Company, of La Crosse, while fraternally he belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America. He and his wife are the parents of seven children: Hazel Ann, LaVerne Eugene, Dorothy, Margaret Esther, Blanche Mary, May Ellen and Katherine Evelyn, all residing at home. Mr. Brophy and family are members of the Catholic church.
Fred W. Lowe. Among the farms of moderate size in Lincoln Town- ship there are few better improved or equipped than that of Fred W. Lowe, of section 22. The property is known as Fair Oaks Farm and contains 160 acres-a size ample for profitable handling without requiring too much outside assistance, which most farmers have found expensive. Mr. Lowe was born in Preston Township, this county, July 14, 1874. His parents were William and Mary Jane (Colwell) Lowe, the former, born in Ulster County, New York, in 1841, being a son of Wessel and Hannah (De Pew) Lowe. When a boy William accompanied his parents to Belvidere, Ill. There were two other children in the family, both of whom died there, and Wessel Lowe, with his wife and surviving son, in 1856 homesteaded a farm in section 7, Preston Township, Trempealeau County. Here they lived for a number of years or until their death. On the breaking out of the Civil War William enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, and during his absence of four years his father homesteaded a farm for him in section 7. At Hixton, Wis., in 1869, he married Mary Jane Colwell, who was born in Ulster County, New York, and who died in the hospital at Winona, Minn., Dec. 5, 1910. Fred W. Lowe was educated in the district schools and in the school at Blair, after which he taught for five years. At the age of 21 he bought his grandfather's old farm in section 7, which he operated until March, 1905, considerably improving the property. He then sold it and removed to his present farm in section 22, which he acquired by purchase, and on which he has since resided. Here also he has made some important improvements, in 1912 rebuilding the barn, which is a good frame structure, 34 by 64 by 20 feet, with concrete floors and steel stanchions, and provided with running water. His residence he built in 1916, a two-story frame building, 28 by 32 feet, containing nine rooms, and with kitchen added to the back. It is lighted with electricity, as are also the other buildings on the farm, Mr. Lowe owning his own electric plant, and is also provided with other modern conveniences, hot water heat and running water. Mr. Lowe's dairy building is also of frame construction, is 16 by 20 feet in dimensions, and was equipped with boiler, sterilizer and bottle washer, cooler and bottle filler and refrigerator. Mr. Lowe operated a retail dairy in Whitehall until he sold it Sept. 1, 1917, together with bottling equipment. He has a herd of 40 cattle and milks 30, using the "B. L. K." milking machine of two units. Aside from his farming interests he is a director in the Farmers Telephone Company and the Peoples State Bank. For eight years he has assisted in local government as a member of the township board. He served as town- ship treasurer one year and is now treasurer of the Whitehall school. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he has passed all the chairs and is a member of the Grand Lodge of that order, also of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Beavers Reserve Fund Fraternity. June 19, 1895, Mr.
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MR. AND MRS. WESSEL LOWE-WILLIAM LOWE AND FAMILY-FRED W. LOWE AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Lowe was united in marriage with Berenice Lamberson, who was born on the Lamberson farm in Lincoln Township Feb. 29, 1872, daughter of John C. and Lucene (Becker) Lamberson. Mrs. Lowe is a lady of more than average education. She was graduated from the Whitehall schools and from Soper's School of Oratory at Chicago, and was teacher of oratory for six years, one year of which time was spent at the Glendale Female College, Glendale, Ohio. She has been an efficient helpmate to her husband and by her wise manage- ment of the household has contributed in no small measure to his success. Their family now includes six children, all residing at home, who were born as follows: John W., April 19, 1897; Mirpah M., is attending La Crosse normal school, Jan. 15, 1899; Helen P., April 1, 1903; Portia E., Dec. 5, 1906; Marion B., Jan. 4, 1913, and Esther M., April 30, 1915. The son, John W., is now at the University of Wisconsin, taking a course in chemistry, while the older daughters are able to assist their mother in the work of the household.
D. L. Remington, secretary and manager of the Osseo Telephone Com- pany, is one of the active men of Osseo Village. In 1902, two years after the company was organized, he became secretary, served a year, was then made president, and held that office until 1912, when he assumed the duties of his present position. In public life he has served several years as town- ship chairman and town clerk, and in 1911 he was supervisor of assess- ments for Trempealeau County. He was vice-president of the Citizens State Bank from 1906 until it was absorbed by the Osseo State Bank late in 1907. In the Congregational church, of which he is an active member, he has been trustee since 1894. Mr. Remington was born in Otsego County New York, March 28, 1851, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Grumley) Rem- ington. Charles Remington was born in New York in 1815, came to Reeds- burg, Wis., in 1852, farmed there until 1860, and then moved to Mower County, Minnesota, where he died in 1886. His wife died in Wisconsin in 1853, and in 1858 he married Elizabeth Olp, who died Nov. 10, 1915. The subject of this sketch, having lost his mother, was reared by his uncle, D. L. Remington, who came from Washington County, New York, to Wal- worth County, Wisconsin, in 1858, and farmed there until 1869, when he came to Trempealeau County and homesteaded a tract of land two miles east of Osseo, where he lived until his death in 1870. The nephew, D. L. Reming- ton, operated the place until 1911, when he moved to Osseo. Mr. Remington was married in 1873 to Ella Zhe, who died in 1884, leaving two children, Ernest, chairman of the town board of Sumner, who farms near the village; and Jessie, who married James W. Rorabeck, a grain man of Franklin, Mont. In 1891 Mr. Remington married Mrs. Emily (Shores) Chamberlain, who was the mother of two children: Harvey, drowned in 1896, and Perry, who operates the home farm.
Nicholas M. Rognlien, a well known and respected citizen of Unity Township, proprietor of a farm of 320 acres, forming the east half of sec- tion 30, was born in Hurdalen, Norway, Jan. 31, 1862. His parents were Martin E. and Annie (Enerson) Rognlien, the father born in Norway, Jan. 13, 1826, and the mother in 1823. The family came to America in 1870, taking a homestead in the northwest quarter of section 30, Unity Town-
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IIISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ship, this county, where Martin E. Rognlien died March 21, 1911, his wife having passed away in 1900. Their family numbered eight children: Even, now deceased, whose widow and children now reside on the farm of the subject of this sketch; Bertha, who married John M. Rice, a farmer of Johnson Valley, and died in 1882; Georgia, who died at the age of 22 years ; Nicholina, wife of Louis Dahl, a farmer of Unity Township; Anton, who is farming in Albion Township, this county; Martin, a farmer of Unity Township; Nicholas M., also of Unity Township, and Otto, who is a farmer in Griggs County, North Dakota. Nicholas M. Rognlien, like most farmers' sons, was early trained to agricultural work, and when quite young was able . to be of some assistance to his father. When he got large and strong he began working out in the pineries, but after being thus occupied for a while he bought 120 acres of land in section 17, Unity Township, which he sold later to Even Holte for $1,500, Mr. Holte paying $5.00 down and the balance at the rate of $100 a year for 15 years. After selling this farm Mr. Rognlien rented the home farm from his father and operated it on that basis for 14 years. Subsequently he bought a 200-acre farm in Albion Township, but sold it five years later. Feb. 5, 1896, he purchased his present farm, moving onto it the same year, and here he has since remained, with the exception of three years which he spent in Europe. As a farmer Mr. Rognlien has had a prosperous career, due to his industry and sound practical knowledge of the business. His farm is well handled and presents a thriving appearance, showing the guiding hand of a good manager. Mr. Rognlien is a stock- holder in the Osseo Creamery and in the First State Bank of Strum. He is affiliated religiously with the Beef River Synod church, and in 1916 gave $1,000 to help build the church edifice of that denomination in Strum. Few men in this vicinity have been more successful and perhaps it may be said that none have been more liberal in supporting enterprises for the religious, moral or material advancement of the community.
Martin M. Rognlien, who is engaged in farming 170 acres of land in section 20, Unity Township, was born in Hurdalen, Norway, Feb. 17, 1859, son of Martin E. and Annie (Enerson) Rognlien. The father came to America in 1868, homesteading a farm in section 30, Unity Township, this county, his wife and the children, including the subject of this sketch, fol- lowing him in 1870. Martin M., on arriving in Wisconsin, spent three weeks in Sparta, after which he proceeded to his father's homestead, on which he resided until reaching the age of 21 years. He then rented a farm on Big Creek, Albion Township, operating it for four years. Then building a house on his father's farm, he lived there for the next six years while work- ing out by the day with a team. In the spring of 1889 he bought his present farm of Sam Hoag, and has been occupied in its cultivation and improve- ment, owning besides his farm of 160 acres on Big Creek, Albion Township. On the farm where he makes his home he has a barn 36 by 56 by 16 feet above basement, equipped with steel stanchions and with cement floors, and all his buildings are good and suitable for up-to-date farming. Mr. Rognlien was married Nov. 22, 1879, to Matilda Dahl, who was born in Norway, April 26, 1860, daughter of Johannes and Mary (Hanson) Dahl. Both her parents died in Unity Township, they having settled in section
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
27 in 1876, six years after coming to this country, the intervening period having been spent in Vernon County. Mr. and Mrs. Rognlien have had a family of 12 children: Mary, who died at the age of 15 years; Josephine, who died at the age of 12 years; Annie (born after Mary and before Josephine), who is residing at home; Martin, now living in Calgary, Canada ; John, a farmer in Unity Township, who married Johanna Flaten and has one child, Abraham; Louis, who is engaged in operating his father's farm in Albion Township; two who died in infancy, and William, who died June 26, 1917; Anton, Emma and Margaret, who are residing at home.
Eric Hagen, manager and partner in the firm of Hagen & Waller, gen- eral merchants, Osseo, was born in Sondreland, Norway, April 23, 1863, son of Hans E. and Anne (Lunde) Hagen, the former of whom came to America in 1869, farmed in Arcadia Township for many years, and now lives a retired life in Whitehall, the latter having died in 1875. Eric Hagen was reared to farm pursuits, and attended the country schools. His atten- tion, however, was early turned to mercantile lines, and while still a youth he secured employment as a clerk in a store at Elk Creek. Further experi- ence in the same line was secured in St. Paul and in Independence. In 1895 he came to Osseo and organized with Oliver Waller the firm of Hagen & Waller. This firm succeeded Larson, Getts & Co. in the general mercantile business. It has a large trade, and well deserves the esteem and confidence in which it is held by its numerous patrons. From 1897 to 1907 the firm owned a creamery at Osseo, and from 1904 until it was destroyed by fire in the winter of 1915, owned and operated the elevator there. Mr. Hagen is also interested in the State Bank of Osseo, in which he is the assistant cashier and one of the directors. Busy though he is with his financial interests, Mr. Hagen has found time for some excellent public service. Since the spring of 1914 he has been a member of the county board, and he has also been a member of the school and village boards. His fraternal relations are with the A. F. & A. M., while his religious affiliations are with the Congregational church, in which he is one of the trustees. Mr. Hagen was married March 17, 1891, to Mary Reid, of Burnside Township, daughter of James and Margaret (Lange) Reid. Mr. and Mrs. Hagen have five children : Mabel A., who graduated from the La Crosse normal school and was teacher in the Osseo schools. She was married to E. A. Nelson, a banker of Maddox, N. D., July, 1917. Henry, a farmer in Steele, N. D .; and Ralph E., Margaret and Alice, who are at home.
Henry N. Robbe, cashier of the First National Bank of Strum, has been an important factor in the business and financial life of the community for several years. He was born at Elk Mound, Wis., March 3, 1868, son of Gunder and Marie (Nelson) Robbe. Gunder Robbe was born in Roldal, Christiansand, Norway, in 1838, came to America in 1856, lived in Waupon, Wis., for a while, and then located at Elk Mound, Wis., where he has since resided, his wife, who was born in Norway in 1838, having died in April, 1913. Henry N. Robbe passed through the public schools and took special courses in the Curtiss Commercial College at Minneapolis. Thus prepared he taught in the schools of Dunn County, Wisconsin, for seven years. In 1899 he came to Strum as a teacher. Deciding to locate here he purchased
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a half interest in the store of O. M. Solberg. Later he resold his interest to Mr. Solberg, erected a building and opened a store of his own. After con- ducting this alone he formed a partnership with his brother, Nils H., under the firm name of Robbe Brothers. Later admitting O. J. Dahl to partner- ship, and changing the firm name to Robbe Bros. & Dahl, they bought the store of H. Williamson and added his business to their own. In the mean- time, in 1905, the subject of this sketch had assisted in organizing the State Bank of Strum, of which he became director and examiner. Jan. 4, 1912, he was elected president, a position he held until May 1, 1916, when he became cashier and assumed the active management, as at present. About the same time he disposed of his mercantile interests. He is also president and manager of the Strum Telephone Company and for a time was treas- urer and manager of the Unity Co-operative Creamery Company. In pub- lic life he has done good service as clerk of the school board since 1912. Mr. Robbe was married Jan. 28, 1900, to Malena Albertson, born in Strum, May 7, 1884, daughter of Reinhard and Marie (Teveand) Albertson, the former of whom died in 1909, and the latter of whom lives in La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Robbe have three children: Gordon, born Sept. 13, 1905; Harvey, born Aug. 8, 1907, and Ethel, born June 1, 1909.
Nils H. Robbe, of the firm of Robbe & Myhers, general merchants at Strum, is a native of Wisconsin, born at Elk Mound, Dunn County, May 10, 1865, son of Gunder and Marie (Nelson) Robbe. He remained with his parents until 1900, when he came to Strum, and with his brother, Henry N. Robbe, engaged in the line of business with which he is now connected. In public life, Mr. Robbe has been a supervisor of the township a year. His financial holdings include stock in the First State Bank of Strum. In the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church he has been especially active, having been secretary of the building committee when the new church was erected in 1915 and 1916. Mr. Robbe was married Jan. 11, 1903, to Clara Peterson, of Strum, daughter of Ole and Clara Peterson, and they have six children: Marshall, Gladys, Nobel, Alice, Helen and Francis.
H. George Peterson, organizer, president and manager of the Strum Automobile Company, was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Jan. 4, 1890, son of Hans Peterson Stai and Hannah Halvorson. Hans Peterson Stai was born in Norway in 1853, and now farms in Unity Township, having come to this country in the '90s. H. George Peterson was reared to farm pursuits by his father. His mechanical experience was received in automobile shops in Minneapolis and St. Paul. For a time he was foreman of engines for the Hackney Land & Credit Company, McLeod, N. D. In Hill County, Mont., he proved up on a homestead. But in 1915 he determined to cast his lot in Strum. Accordingly he erected a building 26 by 50 feet, and opened a garage. His friends became interested in the project and in September, 1915, his firm was incorporated as the Strum Automobile Company with a capital of $2,500, by Melvin P. Skogstad, Joseph Mathison, Olof J. Dahl and H. George Peterson. The officers are: President and manager, H. George Peterson; vice president and treasurer, Olof J. Dahl; secretary, Joseph Mathison. The firm handles the Dodge, Ford and Reo cars, carries a full line of supplies and accessories, and does all kinds of repairing. Under
C. K. EDISON AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the personal supervision of Mr. Peterson the business is constantly growing and is one of the important assets in the general prosperity of the com- munity. In April, 1917, Mr. Peterson purchased the interest of the other stockholders and now conducts the business alone under the name of H. George Peterson, the corporation having been dissolved. On Aug. 7, 1917, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Hannah Amundson, daughter of Christ Amundson, a prosperous farmer of Bruce Valley, in Gale Township.
C. K. Edison was born on his father's farm near Vassevangen, Norway, Nov. 5, 1854, a son of Knud Aadson and Cecelia Sjursdatta Gjelle, who were natives of Vass, Norway, where they were numbered among the most dis- tinguished and representative farmers of their community. Both died in their native land, he in 1859, and his wife in 1883. C. K. Edison attended the public and high school of Norway and at the age of 16 set out for the new country across the seas. In April, 1870, we find him and his sister embarking in a sail ship bound for America. They had to furnish their own board while on the ship. It took them seven weeks from the time of leaving the port of Bergen, Norway, until they arrived at Quebec, Canada, and then they spent about three weeks traveling on steamboats and rail- roads before they reached their destination near Decorah, Iowa, in which place they arrived in July. They stopped there during summer and in the fall the same year they, in company with their cousin, started for Dodge County, Minnesota, going in a so-called prairie schooner pulled by a yoke of oxen. Mr. Edison spent about three years at that place working in the harvest fields in summer and working for his board and attending school in winter. In 1874 he returned on a trip to his native land to pay a visit to his mother and brother, returning to his adopted country the next year. In 1880 he came to Trempealeau County, Wis. July 30, 1881, he was united in holy bonds of matrimony to Mary Herbjornson, who was born in Iowa County, Wis., Aug. 8, 1862, a daughter of Hans and Guri Herbjornson, both now deceased, the father dying in 1898 and the mother in 1903. In 1884 he purchased part of his present farm in section 7, Chimney Rock Township. He has resided on this place continuously since, with the exception of three years spent in Eleva and two years in Superior, Wis. Mr. Edison on his arrival in Trempealeau County did valuable service as pioneer school teacher for about ten years. He now owns a good dairy farm of 333 acres, on which he keeps on an average about 30 milch cows, with young stock and a lot of horses. The farm is under a good state of cultivation. He has erected modern and substantial buildings. The neatness in appearance of the entire place bespeaks thrift, coupled with good judgment, in behalf of its owner. Mr. Edison has always acted as a leader in his community. As such he was a member of a committee who built the new church and the brick school house, also in laying out a good road in Bennett Valley, etc. He has served as town supervisor, justice of the peace, clerk of his school district for 12 years, and for 23 years he has done efficient service as town clerk. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Edison has been blessed with the birth of nine children: Ed, Cecelia, Gertie, Hilma, Charles, George, Gertie Bertina, Horace, Kemel and Marvin. Ed married Lizzie Holten and is associated with his father on the home farm. Cecelia became the wife of John Killnes,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a farmer of Dover Township, Buffalo County, Wis. George married Jose- phina Austen, and is farming. Horace is clerking in a store at Mondovi, Wis. Marvin is attending high school at the same place. Charles and Kemel are farming at home. Gertie Helma died at the age of 4 years. Gertie Bertina keeps house for her father, the mother having died Aug. 23, 1917. In the death of Mrs. Edison the family are deprived of a most accom- plished woman, who through all her years was a loyal wife and loving mother. The family are members of the Bennett Valley Norwegian Luth- eran church, Mr. Edison being one of the organizers, and of which he has ever been a beneficent supporter.
Tobias M. Olson, who has extensive mercantile and farming interests in the village of Strum and Unity Township, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, March 2, 1869. His father, Michael, who was born in Norway in 1834, married Kari Tandlokken, who was born in that county Nov. 14, 1836. In 1872 the family, which then included eight children, left their native land for the United States, and settled in Monroe county, Wis. Here they remained five years, and then, in 1877, came to Unity Township, Trempea- leau County, where the father bought 80 acres of land in section 9, on which he spent the rest of his life, engaged in farming .. His death occurred Sept. 12, 1885. His wife, who survives him, resides with her son, the subject of this sketch. Tobias M. Olson, who was brought up to agricultural work, operated the home farm from the time of his father's death until 1910, and is still the owner of the property. On March 1, 1897, he purchased 160 acres constituting the northeast quarter of section 22, where he now lives. Here he has built at a cost of $10,000 a fine three-story and base- ment solid brick house, 34 by 36 feet in ground dimensions, and containing 12 rooms. The furnishings are strictly modern, including quarter-sawed oak finish and floors, with electric lights and other conveniences. He has also very large barns and out-buildings, electrically lighted, and in addition owns several other farms, both in Unity and Sumner Townships. In 1897 Mr. Olson bought an interest in a hardware and implement business at Strum, with John A. Call, and was engaged in business there for two years. In 1899 the firm was dissolved, since which time Mr. Olson has carried on the implement business alone. His brick store at Strum, 30 by 70 feet, two stories and basement, which he uses for implements and automobiles, was erected in 1913. In 1898 he built a large grain elevator at Strum, and in 1916, another at Eleva, and both of these he operates at the present time. His business interests have grown with good management until he is now recognized as the most prominent business man in the community, his transactions being the most extensive. Dec. 25, 1900, Mr. Olson was married to Mary Romundstad, of Unity Township, who was born in this township Jan. 15, 1877, and whose father, Ole O. Romundstad, is a farmer in Eau Claire County. Seven children have been born of this marriage: Milton (who died at the age of 7 months), Myrtle, Edwin, Ruth, Helen, Olga and Harriet Thelma. Mr. Olson is a member of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church. His example should be an inspiring one to all young men just starting in life, proving, as it does, that industry and perseverance, guided by intelligence, still meets with due reward.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Dell Nicols, who is engaged in operating a farm of 160 acres in section 11, Burnside Township, was born on his present farm Feb. 29, 1880, a son of William and Emma J. (Cripps) Nicols. The father, William, was born in Scotland in 1836 and came to America with his parents in 1850. In 1866 he bought the farm on which his son Dell now lives and was engaged in its operation and improvement until 1904, a period of 38 years. He then took up his residence in Independence, this county, in which place he died May 17, 1916. His wife is still living in Independence, being now 60 years old. Dell Nicols, who received a good agricultural training on the parental homestead, assisted his father until the year 1900, and then rented the farm until 1916, in which year he bought it. It is well improved and furnished with good buildings and adequate equipment for profitable farm- ing. Mr. Nicols was married July 3, 1900, to Annie Olson, of Independence, this county, who was born at Traverse Valley, this county, April 17, 1881, daughter of Mat and Martha Olson. Her mother now resides at Inde- pendence; her father died April 22, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Nicols have three children: Edith May, born Oct. 11, 1900 ; Lester A., born Jan. 30, 1904, and Giles W., born Oct. 30, 1908.
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