History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 80

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 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Richard Mattson, president of the Whitehall Mill & Power Company, was born in Soler, Norway, Nov. 11, 1869, son of Martinus and Dorothy (Lund) Mattson. The father, a farmer by occupation, was also a native of Norway and came to the United States in 1872, and after reaching Blair, Wis., bought a farm in Pigeon Township, which was his home until 1908. He then retired and moved to Whitehall, where he died Nov. 22, 1916, at the age of 82 years. His wife, who is also living, is 77 years old. Richard Mattson, who accompanied his parents to America when a young child, at the age of 18 years began working in the woods at the lumber industry, and was thus occupied for six years during the winters, being employed on his father's farm in the summers. He subsequently learned the car- penter's trade and followed the business of carpenter and contractor in Whitehall until 1910. He then bought an interest in the Whitehall Mill & Power Company, with which concern he has since been connected. While a contracting carpenter he built the schoolhouse in Blair and another in Taylor, also a bank in Hixton, additions to the schoolhouse and jail in Whitehall, and the residences of E. A. Sorenson and C. B. Melby, besides doing other important work. The Whitehall Mill & Power Company, with which, as above stated, he became connected in 1910, was incorporated in the spring of that year with a capital stock of $10,000, Mr. Mattson becoming president and John Wagstad secretary and treasurer. The con- cern occupies a substantial frame building, and besides furnishing electric light and power for the village, has a capacity of 25 barrels of flour per day. It was originally started and the building erected in 1880 by Earl, Gates & Scott, and was purchased in 1893 by John Larson, who sold out Nov. 1, 1908, to T. E. Thompson. With Mr. Thompson as president, John Wagstad as vice-president, and M. S. Olson as secretary and treasurer, it was operated until its incorporation in 1910, as above recorded. Mr. Mattson is an up-to- date business man, and aside from his personal interests has served eight years as a member of the village council. He is a member of the church,

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belonging to the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. He was married in Pigeon Township, Sept. 5, 1896, to Augusta Mortenson, who was born in that township Aug. 3, 1876, daughter of Hans H. and Mathia (Evenson) Mor- tenson. Her father, now 81 years old, is a retired farmer living in White- hall with his wife, who is now 70. Mr. and Mrs. Mattson have nine children : Hilman, who enlisted in Company I, Eleventh United States Infantry, April 24, 1917 ; Adelia, Agnes, Rudolph. Anna, Edwin, Alfred, Elsie and Helen, all of whom reside at home with their parents.

Christian O. Dahl, president of the Farmers' Exchange Bank, of Osseo, Wis., and proprietor of Hillsdale Farm of 160 acres, the northeast quarter of section 2, Unity Township, was born at Coon Prairie, Vernon County, Wis., July 8, 1868. He is a son of Ole Dahl, who was born in Ringsaker, Norway, Feb. 4, 1837, and who came to America in 1865, residing for two years in New York City, where he was married in 1867 to Ane Bue. She was born in Foaberg, Norway, Sept. 24, 1846. Soon after their marriage Ole Dahl and wife came West to Wisconsin, locating first in Vernon County, in the village of Westby, where for two years Mr. Dahl followed the black- smith's trade. In 1870 they came with their family to Unity Township, Trempealeau County, and homesteaded the farm now known as Hillsdale Farm, as above described. Here Ole Dahl spent the rest of his life, his death occurring June 14, 1916. He was a highly-respected citizen, serving on the township board for several years, also on the school board, and for a long period being one of the officials of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church. He was also an esteemed member of the Trempealeau County Historical Society, taking a keen interest in the growth and development of the county and in the preservation of its historical records. His wife is still living and resides on the farm with her son Christian. Eight of their children are now living: Christian O., subject of this sketch; Marie, wife of Charles P. Holman, a farmer of Humbird, Wis .; Andrew, who is engaged in the ranching business at Saratoga, Wyo .; Hannah, who is house- keeper for her brothers, Olans and Thorvald, at Price, Wis .; Caroline, who married Nils Indstefjord, a farmer of Price, Wis .; Olans and Thorvald, farmers at Price, Wis., and Tilda, who resides with her brother Christian. Christian O. Dahl has resided on his present farm since his parents moved onto it in 1870, and since 1896 has been its manager. Besides planting the usual crops, he raises cattle, sheep and horses, usually milking 25 cows, for which purpose he uses a three-unit milking machine. The farm is well improved and yields good returns for the labor spent upon it. Mr. Dahl gives his chief attention to this property, but is also interested financially in other business enterprises. On July 10, 1916, he aided in organizing the Farmers' Exchange Bank, of Osseo, of which he has since been presi- dent. He is a director in the Inter-County Co-Operative Packing Company, of New Richmond, Wis., and helped to organize the Osseo Farmers' Produce Company, of which he is treasurer. For a number of years Mr. Dahl has taken an active part in official life, having served as township treasurer for a period of three years, township supervisor one year, township clerk four years, school clerk 20 years, and as chairman of the township board and a member of the county board since 1908. He is a member and

C. O. DAHL

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

treasurer of the Synod Congregation of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America at Strum, having served in the latter office since 1904.

Thomas J. Myhers, D. V. M., Osseo, was born in Eau Claire, July 23, 1885, passed through the public schools, came to this county when he was 15, graduated from the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Veterinary College in 1911, located at Strum, where he remained for five months, and has since practiced in Osseo. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic order. July 20, 1912, he married Julia Nysven, of Strum, daughter of Ole and Ida Nysven, the former of whom is postmaster at Strum, as he has been for the past 30 years. Dr. and Mrs. Myhers have two daughters: Irma, born April 2, 1915, and Marion, born Sept. 2, 1917. The parents of Dr. Myhers are Jacob and Inga (Johnson) Myhers. Jacob Myhers was born in Norway, was foreman of the Valley Lumber Company, of Eau Claire, Wis., for 20 years, and since 1900 has farmed in Unity Township, in this county.

Anton A. Myhre, the well-known proprietor of Fair Pines Farm of 159 acres, in sections 12 and 13, Sumner Township, was born at Biri, Norway, Feb. 2, 1851. His parents were both of Norwegian birth, the father, Even Anderson Myhre, born in 1807, and his mother, whose maiden name was Martha Olson, born in 1820. They came to the United States in 1861, accompanied by their four children, and settled in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., where they resided until 1868, moving in that year to Tamarac Valley, Arcadia Township, where the parents spent the rest of their lives, Even A. Myhre dying in 1889 and his wife Martha in 1902. They had six children, of whom two died in infancy. Anton A. was the first-born. Then came Ole, who is a farmer in Arcadia Township; Pauline, who is keeping house for her brother Ole, and Mary. The last mentioned married Olaus Johnson, who died in Osseo in 1909, where she now resides. Anton A. Myhre when a young man worked out on farms in Vernon County, and in Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, until 1872. He was now 21 years old, and, thinking it time to start in for himself, he homesteaded a farm in Chimney Rock Township, section 25, and until 1893 was engaged in its cultivation and development, in which he made good progress. He then sold it and bought his present farm, which his son Theodore now rents and operates. It is well provided with good buildings and everything necessary for modern farming. Mr. Myhre was township supervisor for one year in Chimney Rock Township, and assessor for four years in the same township. The latter office he has held also for two years in Sumner Township, in addition to which he has served for 15 years as school clerk. He is a stock- holder in the Farmers' Telephone Company and the Osseo Produce Company. March 9, 1878, Anton A. Myhre was married to Helena Anderson, who was born at Faaberg, Norway, Feb. 2, 1851, daughter of Andreas and Margaret (Leir) Faaberg, both of whom died in Norway. Mrs. Myhre died Jan. 25, 1895, having been the mother of six children: Emil, now a farmer at Spiritwood, N. D .; Andreas, a carpenter residing in Seattle ; Anna, born Oct. 10, who died Aug. 24, 1898; Mina, who married Lauritz Oftedahl, of Osseo; Theodore, manager of his father's farm, and Benjamin, a farmer at Allen, Mont. Theodore Myhre, who was born on his parents' farm in Chimney

HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Rock Township, July 23, 1888, was married, June 14, 1913, to Minnie Sever- son, of Jackson County, Garfield Township, her birth taking place in that township, Jan. 2, 1889. Her parents, Sever and Marit (Hattren) Severson, were farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Myhre have two children: Marion Helen, born April 10, 1914, and Samuel Arnold, born Sept. 11, 1915. Theodore has rented his father's farm since 1909 and is cultivating it suc- cessfully. The family are affiliated religiously with the Norwegian Luth- eran church, of which Anton A. Myhre has been a trustee for 16 years.

Jakob T. Myhers, who is engaged in farming on a tract of 240 acres in section 23, Unity Township, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Dec. 18, 1857. His father, Thor G. Myrum, who was also a farmer, was born in Norway in 1826 and died in that country in 1910. The mother of our subject, Mary Grothe, died in Norway in 1868. In the spring of 1877 Jakob T. Myhers sailed from Christiania for Quebec, and from the latter port proceeded to Chicago. Finding himself without money, he shipped as a railroad hand to Marquette County, Mich., where he worked in the iron mines for two years and a half. At this time his future wife, Inga Johnson, was working in Eau Claire, Wis., and Mr. Myhers went there and found employment with the Valley Lumber Company at $1.25 a day, boarding himself. He remained with this firm for 18 years, the first three years of this period as yard and barn man. During the last 15 he was salesman and foreman of the lumber yard and wood yard. While here he was married, May 5, 1880, to Inga Johnson, whose parents, Joseph and Mary (Lee) Johnson, had remained in Norway, where the mother is now living at the advanced age of 90 years. He and his wife began housekeeping at Shaw- town, in Eau Claire, their residence being an old cow barn, which they cleaned up, and here they lived for two years. In 1882 occurred the great flood which swept away nearly the entire city of Eau Claire, and Mr. and Mrs. Myhers lost all that they had. They continued working in Eau Claire, however, until 1900, by which time, having been industrious and frugal, they had succeeded in saving some money. This they made a good use of in the purchase of their present farm from Gilbert Brown, on which they have since resided, and which Mr. Myhers has brought into a good state of culti- vation. When it came into his possession it had hardly any improvements on it, but there is now a good two-story house, a large modern horse barn, a good cattle barn, with numerous sheds and a large silo, all evidences of a well-deserved prosperity. Mr. Myhers has served as school director for nine years. Since childhood he has been a member of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. He and his wife are the parents of nine children: Thomas J., who is a veterinary surgeon at Osseo; John, a member of the mercantile firm of Robbe & Myhers, at Strum; Mary, wife of Thomas Rice, a carpenter residing at Strum ; Martin, who lives at home with his parents; Jacob T., a veterinary surgeon of Eleva, and Ole, Ingwald, Caroline and Rena, all of whom reside with their parents. Mr. Myhers left home when 11 years old and started life for himself, first herding cattle and sheep for his uncle, remaining in this position until 14 years old; then engaged on a stock farm, remaining there until 21 years old, giving to his parents, who were poor and old, all his savings, and after coming to America sent his

JOHN H. CALL AND FAMILY

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father $400 to pay off all his indebtedness in order that he might remain · on the farm.

John H. Call has been a resident of Sumner Township since 1877, and assisted by his good wife has reared a large family of children, developed a good farm and established himself as one of the substantial men of the community. He is doing the township good service as supervisor, to which position he was first elected in 1915. Born near Bergen, in Norway, June 9, 1851, he is the oldest of the eight children born to Henry and Sophia (Eirum) Call. The father, born April 21, 1824, and the mother, born Dec. 23, 1835, brought their children to America in 1853, reached Dane County, Wis., June 9, of that year, after a trip of six months, fourteen weeks of which were spent aboard a sailing vessel, and the next year located at West Prairie, Vernon County, Wis., where the father died in 1890 and the mother in 1910. John H. Call was reared to farm pursuits and for a number of years was employed on various farms. After his marriage in 1877 he purchased his present farm of 121 acres in section 27, Sumner township. From a wilderness he brought the farm to its present high degree of culti- vation. On this place he now successfully carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of breeding Holstein cattle, of which he has a good-sized herd. In this connection he has purchased a two-unit milking machine, which is proving a great saving of labor. The farm throughout is equipped with the best of machinery and tools, and is fenced with woven wire. The buildings are especially sightly. The first house, a frame building, 12 by 18 feet, was erected in 1877. The present home, a two-story frame struc- ture of eight pleasant rooms, was erected in 1899. The barn was con- structed in 1912. It is 40 by 64 by 14 feet, with a stone basement and cement floors. Steel stanchions and other improvements add to the com- fort of the stock. The silo, 12 by 39 feet, is built of substantial cement blocks. Mr. Call was married July 1, 1877, to Caroline Prestegaarden, born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 4, 1855, daughter of Andrew and Martha (Eirum) Prestegaarden, who came to America in 1869, located in Dane County, Wis., and in 1871 took up their residence in Sumner Township, Trempealeau County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Call are the parents of ten children: Sophia, born Feb. 22, 1878; Albert, born Aug. 12, 1880; Helmer, born March 1, 1882; Charles, born April 24, 1884; Martha, who died in infancy; Julia, born Oct. 12, 1888; Martha, born July 29, 1890; Clara, born Dec. 2, 1892; James, born June 2, 1895, and Bernhard, born Feb. 6, 1897. Albert and Helmer farm in Jackson County, Wis. Julia graduated from the La Crosse State Normal School and taught three years. She married, Nov. 27, 1916, Edwin Anderson, a farmer living in Unity Township. The other members of the family are at home. The family faith is that of the Hauge Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Call is the treasurer.

Paul H. Moltzau. Among the many successful agriculturists and business men of Trempealeau County no small number are of Norwegian birth or ancestry, that class of settlers possessing in a large degree the qualities, perseverance and thrift, without which little can be accomplished. Few of the Norwegians of Trempealeau County, however, have been more

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successful than the subject of this sketch, who is one of the best known, as he is also one of the most prosperous citizens residing in Unity Town- ship, being proprietor of two good farms in section 18-the Carter Valley Dairy Farm of 200 acres, and the Fairview Farm of 160 acres, besides own- ing other valuable property elsewhere. Paul H. Moltzau was born in Hur- dalen, Norway, May 25, 1862, son of Hans Moltzau and his wife, Mathia Roserud. The father, Hans, who was born Sept. 20, 1835, emigrated to the United States with his family, in 1867, locating in La Crosse County, Wis., and for three years residing in Bostwick Valley, that county. From there he came in 1870 to Unity Township, Trempealeau County, buying 160 acres of land in section 31, which became the family homestead, as he lived on that farm for 24 years, only leaving it to take up his residence with his son, Paul H., on the latter's Carter Valley Dairy Farm in 1894. This place was his subsequent home until his death, Jan. 14, 1909. His wife Mathia died in 1877, at the age of about 42 years. Of their family six children are now living: Mary, wife of Gilbert Halvorson, a farmer of Farmington, Minn .; Martha, wife of Hans Hanson, a barber of Eau Claire; Paul H., of Unity Township; Annie, wife of Peter Frodahl, of Wilton, Minn .; Emma, who married Nels Nelson, her husband being a hotel keeper at Seattle, Wash., and Daniel, who resides at Fergus, Mont. Paul H. Moltzau in his youth acquired a good knowledge of agriculture and when old enough began work- ing out on farms and in the pineries, in which manner he was occupied until he was 21 years old. He then started out on an independent career by purchasing the old homestead of his parents, which he operated for a number of years, or until 1894. He then bought the Carter Valley Dairy Farm and resided on it until July, 1915, on which date he moved to the Fairview Farm, a mile and a quarter northwest of Strum, where he is now living. This farm is situated on a high ridge, from which a fine view of the country may be had for ten miles around. In the year in which he moved here Mr. Moltzau built his present residence, a two-story brick veneer dwelling, with basement, and containing ten rooms and bathroom. A hot- water heating system is installed and there is hot and cold running water in the house, which is lighted by electricity from a plant on the premises. The floors are all maple, the first floor is finished in quarter-sawed oak and the second in pine, great pains being taken in the construction of the house and in its modern equipment. Besides operating these two farms, Mr. Moltzau is president of the Unity Co-Operative Creamery Company, of which he has been a director for ten years, and is a director in the First State Bank of Strum. He has also rendered service in township affairs, his official career covering eight years as township supervisor and 12 years as treasurer of the school board. A member of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church, he has served that organization 15 years as treasurer. Mr. Moltzau was married May 30, 1885, to Severene Frodahl, of Albion Township, who was born in Toten, Norway, Sept. 3, 1863, a daughter of John and Helena (Christianson) Frodahl. The father was born in Norway in 1831, the mother in 1827. They were married in their native land and came to America in 1869, settling in La Crosse County, Wis., whence they came to Albion Township, Trempealeau County, in the spring of 1878. John

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Frodahl died in January, 1898, and his wife in March the following year. Mr. and Mrs. Moltzau have had ten children: Alfred, who died at the age of 5 years; Andor, who married Selma Tronson and is now farming at Shevlin, Minn .; Marshall, a farmer at Shevlin, Minn., who married Tillie Martinson and has one child, Muriel; Herman, assistant cashier of the Bank of Eleva, who married Goldie Knutson and has one child, Hewitt; Doris, wife of Dr. J. J. Myhres, a veterinary surgeon of Eleva; Margaret, who married Alfred Borgen, of Eau Claire, Wis., chief of the Bell Telephone Com- pany, of Chippewa Falls; Valborg, who graduated from the Mondovi High School and is now a teacher, and Esther, Theodore and Paul LeRoy, who reside at home.

Albert J. Lamberson, V. S., proprietor of "The Lamberson Farm" of 200 acres in sections 22 and 27, Lincoln Township, was born on this farm May 2, 1870, a son of John C. Lamberson. John C. was a son of Orson S. and Jane (Hoskins) Lamberson, the former of whom died on this place Jan. 30, 1904, at the age of 82 years. Orson's wife Jane died in Sauk County, Wis., about 1848, when a young woman. John C. Lamberson was born in Bradford County, Pa., June 13, 1840, and came to Sauk County, Wis., with his parents in 1850. He then removed to Rochester, Minn. In Octo- ber, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Third Minnesota Infantry, with which regiment he served four years, taking part in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. In 1867 he bought a part of the farm now owned by his son Alfred-that part of the farm in section 22, which place he made his home till 1892. Aug. 8, 1867 he married Lucena Woolsey (nee Becker), whose first husband, James Woolsey, died in the army, she being then a resident of Adams County. By him she had one child, Ella, who is now the wife of A. R. Warren, of Lincoln Township. John C. Lamberson and wife had four children: Alfred J., subject of this memoir; Berenice, wife of Fred W. Lowe, a farmer of Lincoln Township; George W., also a farmer of Lincoln Township, and Lloyd H., who is an acountant in the employ of the Studebaker Company at South Bend, Ind. Mr. J. C. Lamberson died June 20, 1917. Alfred J. Lamberson was reared on his parents' farm, and to more fully qualify himself for his intended voca- tion as a farmer, he attended for two years the State Agricultural College. He then spent two years at the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, being graduated from that institution in the spring of 1891. Going to Winona, Minn., he practiced as a veterinary there for 12 years, after which, in the spring of 1902, he bought the old home farm from his father and has since been engaged in its operation. He has made some important improvements on the place, in 1916 rebuilding the barn, which is a T-shaped structure, 116 feet long, the cross section being 82 feet long. In part the barn is 42 feet wide, and stands on 20-foot posts, with full base- ment. It is provided with concrete floors, swinging stanchions and litter carriers and has room for 50 cows, besides 75 young stock and 10 horses. There are two silos ; one 16 by 42 feet, of solid concrete, the other of cement blocks, 14 by 42. The house, which he rebuilt in 1904, is an 8-room build- ing, two-story and basement, thoroughly modern in its fittings, and tasteful in design and appearance. Dr. Lamberson raises Holstein cattle, having a

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herd of 60 head, of which he milks 40, furnishing whipping cream to the Hardwick Dairy, of Winona. He also raises Poland-China hogs, selling one carload per year. Feb. 5, 1893, he was married to Birdie L. Johnson, of Pigeon Township, who was born March 20, 1873, daughter of Seneca B. and Lydia (Bangs) Johnson. Her father was a merchant at Coral City, of which place he was a pioneer. He died there in 1881, and his widow subsequently became the wife of David Flack, who is also now deceased. She is still living and resides in Whitehall. Dr. and Mrs. Lamberson have had three children: Raymond, who was graduated from the Department of Agriculture of the University of Wisconsin, in 1916, with the degree of Bachelor of Science of Agriculture, and who is now with his father; Win- nifred, residing at home, and Sidney, who died at the age of 1 year. Dr. Lamberson and family are members of the Baptist church, and he belongs to the Masonic order. His father, John C. Lamberson, was a stockholder in the Melby Bank, and for a number of years was chairman of the township board.

Jacob Pederson, an early settler in Hale Township, now deceased, but who will be long remembered, was born in Norway, Feb. 6, 1848, son of Peder and Mangnil (Pederson) Pederson. He was educated in his native land and came to America in 1867 with his parents, the family locating at La Crosse, Wis. In 1870 they came to Trempealeau County, taking a home- stead of 80 acres in section 4, Hale Township. Jacob remained at home until 1875, and then began life's battle for himself, buying 120 acres of wild railroad land in section 9, in the same township. Moving onto it, he threw himself with all his energy, of which he had an abundance, into the hard pioneer work of delevoping a farm. Success finally crowned his efforts, in time he increased his holdings, and at last found himself in possession of a good farm of 240 acres, of which 80 acres lay in section 10, 80 in section 4, 40 in section 3, and 80 in section .9. He was engaged in diversified farming, and became a prosperous and highly-respected citizen of the town- ship, also serving as school clerk for three years. His father and mother both died on the farm, after doing their part in helping to make the wilder- ness a fertile area of production. Jacob Pederson died June 14, 1903, his loss being much regretted by all his friends and acquaintances, which included practically the entire population of the township. Mr. Pederson was married, Jan. 5, 1876, to Anne Marie Granrud, who was born in Norway, Jan. 7, 1857, daughter of Ole and Karen (Anderson) Granrud. He and his wife were the parents of a large family, numbering 10 children, whose names, respectively, were: Peter, Olaf, Martha, Edward, Julia, Sigvart, Anna, Emil and Karen. Peter, who married Cora Saxrud, lives in Bow- man County, N. D., and has two children, Signa and Viola. Olaf married Augusta Johnson and resides in Sumner Township, Trempealeau County. He has two children, Edward and Florence. Martha, now Mrs. Sim Lee, resides at Osseo, this county, and has two children, Adrienne and Abner. Edward died at the age of 18 months, and George at that of 26 years. Julia is the wife of William Wagner and lives in Bowman County, N. D. Sigvart, who married Lila Swaim, is living on the home farm and has one child, Arline Loretta. Anna, now Mrs. Louis Christianson, lives in Hale Town-

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 80

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