History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 82

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 82

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Frederick N. Hokland, formerly of the firm of Tom Lomsdahl & Co., Osseo, dealers in hardware, farm implements, agricultural machinery and automobiles, was born in Nordland, Norway, Sept. 22, 1853, son of Nels O. and Mary (Frederickson) Hokland. Nels O. Hokland came to America from Norway, with his family, in 1867, and farmed in Vernon County, Wisconsin, until 1872, when he came to Trempealeau County, and located in Pigeon Township, moving a year later to a farm in the east side of Hale Township, where he remained until 1903, when he moved to Osseo, where he now lives at the good old age of 83, making his home with his son, Frederick N., his wife having died in 1884. Frederick N. Hokland was reared on his father's farm. From 1897 to 1901 he was manager of the Whitehall & Pigeon Trad- ing Association at Whitehall. In 1904, with Gilbert Lewis, he opened a hard- ware and implement store in Osseo, under the firm name of Lewis & Hok- land. Tom Lomsdahl, in 1912, purchased the Lewis interest, and the firm was consolidated in Tom Lomsdahl & Co. Aside from building up a large trade, Mr. Hokland has found time for service as a member of the village council for four years. He was clerk of the school board of his district in Hale Township for eleven years.

Bert L. Hume, blacksmith and general machinist, now conducting a plant at Osseo, was born in Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, Wis., Feb. 26, 1883, son of Alexander and Amanda (Root) Hume. Alexander Hume was born in Canada, came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1863, and lived in Eau Claire County until his death in 1902, his wife still living in Osseo. Bert L. was reared to farm pursuits by his father and remained on the home place until 1901, when he went to Augusta, and learned the black-

C. L. BOLENG AND FAMILY

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smith trade. In 1909 he came to Osseo, and purchased the shop of E. Nelson & Son, which he has since conducted. The shop was destroyed by fire on Aug. 30, 1911, and Mr. Hume then built his present plant. The building is of concrete, 40 by 40 feet, well equipped for all kinds of blacksmith and machinery work and automobile repairing. A feature of the plant is a large oxygen-acetylene welding apparatus, and the trip hammer, drill press and two lathes add to the efficiency of the work done. The shop occupied the corner of Thomas and Main streets, the site of the first house built in the village of Osseo. Mr. Hume is well liked in the community, and is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen and of the Woodmen of the World. He was married Sept. 24, 1903, to Emma M. Krienke, of Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, daughter of Fred and Bertha (Bethe) Krienke. Fred Krienke was a native of Germany, served in the German army, and was a pioneer in Eau Claire County. Mr. and Mrs. Hume have five children: Edna, Selma, Margaret, Edwin and Alice.

William Henry came to Trempealeau County in 1858 and homesteaded a farm of 160 acres in sections 21 and 22, Sumner Township, where he lived until his death, May 28, 1913. He was born in County Down, near Belfast, Ireland, Jan. 27, 1828, the son of David Henry, who was born in Scotland, and for many years was an inn keeper in Ireland. William Henry came to America in 1852, and located in Chenango County, New York, where he lived until coming to Trempealeau County. In 1859 he went back to New York for a short trip and was there married to Elizabeth Skillin, a native of Chenango County. They had two sons, Elmer H., who farms in Eau Claire County, four miles north of Osseo, and Edward J., who bought the home farm about 1898.

Edward J. Henry, proprietor of the Oakgrove Stock Farm, sections 21 and 22, Sumner Township, was born on the place where he still lives Nov. 29, 1863, son of William and Elizabeth (Skillin) Henry. He has made many improvements on the farm, has fenced it with woven wire, and main- tains his substantial home, barns and silo in the best of condition. He com- pleted in 1917 a barn 36 by 60 feet, with cement floor and steel stanchions, for stock. Carrying on general farming in all its branches, he has made a specialty of Duroc-Jersey swine, of which he has a good drove. In public life he has served as supervisor for two years, and as clerk of the school board of his district since 1900. Mr. Henry was married June 1, 1886, to Ettie L. Johnson, born in Black Earth, Wis., Aug. 18, 1865, daughter of Almond S. and Jane (Oswald) Johnson, and this union has been blessed with six children: Vina, William D., Jane E., Nina L., Frank S. and Laura L. Vina was born June 1, 1888, and married Ludwig Johnson, who farms in Eau Claire County. William D., born March 21, 1892, farms in Forsythe Mont. Jane E., born Dec. 12, 1893, graduated from the Augusta high school, and has successfully taught school in the same district for four years. Nina L. was born April 23, 1897, and is a graduate of the Augusta high school. Frank S. was born Sept. 23, 1902. Laura L. was born Oct. 10, 1905, both living at home.

Christ L. Boleng, proprietor of a grocery store at Tamarac, Arcadia Township, was born in Norway, Sept. 5, 1851, son of Lars and Martha

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(Iverson) Boleng. As a youth his attention had been drawn to America as a land of opportunity and he resolved, as soon as he was able, to seek his fortune in the New World. This resolve he made good at an early age, for he was only 18 years old when, in 1870, he sailed from his native shores, landing in New York June 6, that year. In the same year he came to Wisconsin, locating first at La Crosse, where he lived for six years, in the summers working in the sawmills and at the log booms of Black River, and in the winters in the pine woods of Clark County, Wisconsin. During all this time he was looking forward to being his own master, and as a first step to this, in 1874 he bought 80 acres of wild land in Trempealeau County, four miles west of Independence. This land was situated in Traverse Val- ley, its previous owner being Abe Bugee, who had built a log house or shanty on it. During the winter of 1875-76 Mr. Boleng again worked in the Clark County pineries, living economically and saving as much as he could. In the summer of 1876 he sent to Norway for his parents, and on their arrival settled them on the Traverse Valley land, where they lived until 1882. During the years from 1876 to 1882 he went to the woods every fall and worked there until the next haying season, when he would return to the farm for the balance of the summer. Mr. Boleng's father died in Unity Township, this county, Dec. 24, 1915. His wife, surviving him, is still liv- ing in that township and is now 87 years old. June 6, 1879, the subject of this sketch was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Halvor and Melinda (Lee) Kettleson, of La Crosse County. Her brother Nels Lee was the first settler near Lee, Ill. She was born on the site of Midway, between Trem- pealeau and La Crosse Counties, Wisconsin. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boleng took up their residence on the Traverse Valley farm, where they lived until 1892. They then rented the farm and moved into Indepen- dence Village, making their home there until the summer of 1898. At that time they moved to Tamarac, half way between Centerville and Arcadia, where Mr. Boleng purchased the stock of a country grocery store, also the store building a year later, and where he has since carried on business. For eight years he was postmaster at Tamarack until the rural delivery came into operation. The first mail he received was on Oct. 10, 1898, and the last mail arrived at 12:24 Tuesday, July 31, 1906, and departed at 12:40 the same day. On Sept. 7, 1916, Mr. Boleng was assaulted and robbed in his store and left for dead, but fortunately recovered. He is a stockholder in the State Bank of Trempealeau, in Savage's factories at Minneapolis and in Savage's Electric Railway. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He and his wife have had five children: Lee H., Lilly (first), Lilly (second), Milton and Milton G., of whom the first named Lilly is deceased, and the first Milton died in infancy. Lee H., who was a graduate of Wisconsin University, went to China a's an instructor in English, and was drowned in that country while on a vacation July 3, 1910. Lilly (second) is keeping house for her father, and Milton G., who graduated from Gale College in the class of 1917, is now with the John Latsch wholesale house, Winona, Minn. Mr. Boleng and his surviving family are members of Nor- way Coulie Lutheran Congregation. He is a popular citizen in this part of the county and the brutal attack upon him last September caused great

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indignation in the neighborhood. Mrs. Boleng passed away May 19, 1902, at Galesville Hospital.

William Hunter, an early settler, was born in Clackmannanshire, Scot- land, and as a young man became a miner. He married Jane Neish, and in 1852, after three children had been born, set out for America. His wife died shortly after his arrival in the new country. Locating near Pittsburg, Penn., he followed his former occupation as a miner for eighteen years. He was determined, however, to see other environment for his family, so, in 1870, he came west and secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 5, Burnside Township, this county. Here he successfully farmed until his death, in 1897. He was the father of six children: William, who lives with his brother James N. on the home farm; Janet, wife of D. A. Hunt, of Burnside Township; James N., who owns and operates the old homestead; Annie, now Mrs. Cole, of South Dakota; Kate, the wife of Charles Hoyt, of Spokane, Wash., and Mary, wife of Fred Martin, of Trempealeau.

James N. Hunter, farmer, township chairman, member of the county board, bank director, and man of many interests, was born in Clackman- nanshire, Scotland, June 21, 1852, son of William and Jane (Neish) Hunter, with whom he came to America in 1852. He grew to young manhood near Pittsburg, Penn., and in 1870, with his father, brother and sisters, came to Trempealeau County, and located in section 5, Burnside Township, where he has since resided. Coming here as a youth, he has led his life day by day, uprightly and honorably, and has won the respect and esteem of the entire county. Since 1898 he has been chairman of the township board and a member of the county board, having served as president of the latter body for four years. He has served as justice of the peace for many years, and as health officer of the township he has looked after the physical wel- fare of the community. His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Independence, in which he is a director. His broad interest in the county and its affairs is shown by his work as president of the Trempealeau County Historical Society. Fraternally his associations are with the Masonic lodge at Arcadia. He is unmarried.

Alfred Hagen, buttermaker for the Unity Co-operative Creamery at Strum, is one of the popular young men of the village, and is thoroughly proficient in his chosen line of work. He was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Oct. 10, 1882, son of Segvart A. and Karen (Olson) Hagen. Segvart A. Hagen was born in Norway, came to Trempealeau County in the nineties, settled on a farm in section 12, Albion Township, and there lived until his death in 1906, since which time the widow has continued to make her home there. Alfred Hagen remained with his parents until 15 years old. Then he was employed as a farm hand for several years. In 1911 he entered the Unity Creamery as a helper, and gradually perfecetd himself as a buttermaker until he was promoted to his present position in the spring of 1916. Mr. Hagen was married April 7, 1915, to Clara Engen, of Eleva, daughter of Ole and Mathia Engen, for many years residents of section 22, Albion Town- ship, where the father died in 1908 and where the mother still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Hagen have a daughter, Myrtle Kathrine, born March 12, 1916.

Olaf C. Gullord, contractor and builder of Osseo, was born on a farm

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four miles south of the village Sept. 4, 1881, son of Christ and Paulina Gullord. Christ Gullord, a mason by trade, was born in Norway, came to America in June, 1880, bought a farm in Sumner Township, this county, farmed here until 1911, and then went to Billings, Mont., where he died in 1914, his wife dying in 1905. Olaf C. Gullord started to learn the trade of mason from his father at the age of 14 years, and after following this trade for a number of years, gradually worked into his present business. He has been successful in his undertakings, and is regarded as a substantial and well-to-do man. He is a holder of business property in the village, having in 1915 erected a garage, 50 by 60 feet, of solid concrete, with two stories and a basement, fully equipped in every way. This garage he now operates in connection with the sale of Overland automobiles. Mr. Gullord was mar- ried April 14, 1905, to Emma Stensby, daughter of Berndt Stensby, who was born in Norway, and has farmed in Hale Township since 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Gullord have two children, Franzel and Lester.

George Gjuul has lived in this county as manager of the Midland Lum- ber & Coal Company at Osseo since Jan. 4, 1912. In advocating better farm buildings he has assisted in the development of the surrounding rural region, while his work for the progress of Osseo has included his efforts toward the organization of the Farmers Exchange Bank, of which he is now one of the directors. His fraternal affiliations are with the A. F. & A. M. Mr. Gjuul was born in Mankato, Minn., May 13, 1874, the youngest in a family of three children. As a youth he worked with his father. At the age of twenty-four he secured employment in a hardware store at Erskine, Minn. A year and a half later he took up his present line of work as manager for the Stenerson Brothers Lumber Yard at Menton, Minn. Six years later he became manager for the Lamper Lumber Company at Ruthton, Minn. Subsequently he occupied a similar position for the H. W. Ross Lumber Company at Hancock, Minn., for the Glattley Lumber Com- pany at Hot Springs, S. D., and for the John J. Queal Lumber Company at Leeds, Sioux City, Iowa. With this experience he came to Osseo. Mr. Gjuul was married April 25, 1906, to Elva Williams, of Amboy, Minn., daughter of Cyrus and Mary Nixon, the former of whom died in 1914 at the age of 72 and the latter of whom died in 1916 at the age of 70. Torris F. Gjuul, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Trondjem, Nor- way, came to America, and after living at Stevens Point, Wis., a year, located in Mankato, where he became a successful contractor and builder. In later years carried on farming at Mankato, Minn., and died Feb. 26, 1906. He married Randi Dahl, who lives in Texarkana, Tex., with her son Frank.

Bert Thompson, for several years proprietor of Maple Lawn Farm of 176 acres, in section 31, Preston Township, but now living in Whitehall, was born in section 6, this township, July 4, 1877, son of William and Laura E. (Hine) Thompson. He resided at home, assisting his father and brothers until the spring of 1914, at which time he bought the above mentioned farm from his father. There he was engaged in raising the usual crops and in breeding Shorthorn graded cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Partridge Wyan- dotte chickens, doing a successful and increasing business. He had a good eight-room house, with a substantial barn, 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, and

MR. AND MRS. EDWARD D. WEEKS MR. AND MRS. BERT THOMPSON

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a glazed-tile silo of ample capacity. In the spring of 1917 he disposed of the farm and moved to the village of Whitehall, where he erected a com- fortable residence, which is now the home of himself and wife. Mr. Thomp- son was first married Jan. 1, 1900, to Jennie B. Ecker, who was born Aug. 17, 1881, daughter of Charles A. and Margaret (McKimm) Ecker. Her father, who was a pioneer railroad agent for the G. B. & W. R. R. at Whitehall, Wis., died in 1915, aged 65 years, and is survived by his wife, who is now living in Whitehall at the age of 67. Mrs. Jennie B. Thompson died Nov. 18, 1902, and after remaining a widow nearly 12 years Mr. Thompson mar- ried for his second wife Cecil M. Weeks, Sept. 30, 1914. She was born Dec. 6, 1882, daughter of Edward and Minnie (Hodgdon) Weeks. Mr. Thompson is secretary and treasurer of the Whitehall Presbyterian Church. He is recognized as one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists and stock breeders of his township and has a wide circle of friends. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church and he is also a member of the Sons of Veterans and for several years was commander of the camp.

Edward D. Weeks, a retired farmer now residing at Coral City, Pigeon Township, Trempealeau County, was born at Cooperstown, Otsego County, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1840, son of Stephen and Selina (Lyon) Weeks. The father was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1812. When a young man he went to New York City, where he was engaged in the butcher's trade until 1855. In 1833 he married Selina Lyon, and they had a family of seven children: Elmira, who married Floyd Washburn, and died at Black River Falls, Wis., in 1864 ; George, who died at Watertown, S. D .; Luzerne, who died at White- hall, Wis., in June, 1916; Edward D., subject of this sketch ; Marcus L., now living at Beaver Dam, Wis., and two who died in infancy. The mother died at Beaver Dam in 1894, and her husband at Neillsville about 1886. The latter was a Civil war veteran, having served three years in Company I, Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry, his son Marcus serving four years in the same regiment, and Luzerne three years in the Tenth Wisconsin Infantry. The aggregate service of the family in the army amounted to 13 years, the other three years being served by the subject of this sketch, Edward D., who enlisted at La Crosse in Company B, Second Wisconsin Infantry. Edward was shot in the shoulder at the battle of Gettysburg and taken prisoner, and was in a parole camp at West Chester, Pa. He took part in 11 important battles, including, besides Gettysburg, the second battle of Bull Run, and the battles of Antietam, South Mountain and the Wilder- ness. At the last mentioned battle he was shot through the leg and was subsequently confined to the hospital for four months. After his discharge from the army he came to Trempealeau County and in 1865 took a home- stead in Chimney Rock Coolie, Hale Township, where he lived for 15 years, engaged in agriculture. In 1880 he removed to Coral City, where he worked as a laborer for some years, but is now retired. June 29, 1870, Mr. Weeks was married to Minnie Hodgdon, who was born at Epping, N. H., Oct. 13, 1851, daughter of Charles and Lamira (Cummings) Hodgdon. Her father also a native of New Hampshire, served four years in the Civil war. He died in his native state. The wife, with her children, came to Wisconsin, locating at Lake Geneva in 1852. There in 1862 she was married to George Follett,

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and they afterwards came to Trempealeau County, Mr. Follett conducting a store at old Whitehall for a year. They then removed to Coral City, where . he conducted a store and hotel until 1880. He died at Wadena, Minn., about 1901, which was the year of his wife's death, she being aged 73 years. Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Weeks have been the parents of four children: Ruby, wife of Alfred Taintor, a retired farmer of Meadow, S. D., and the mother of four children : Myrtle, Edward, Lyle and Perry (Mrs. Taintor died Aug. 8, 1916) ; Lewis E., employed in the Crosby Lumber Yard at Crosby, N. D., who married Kate Martin and has had six children: Norma, Edward W. (died 1906), William H., Howard, Ervin and Robert; Jennie, who died at the age of one year, and Cecile, wife of Bert Thompson, of Whitehall Vil- lage. Mr. Weeks is a member of Winfield Scott Post, No. 104, of Whitehall, Wis., and is well known and respected in Coral City and vicinity.

William S. Gilpin, editor and proprietor of the Osseo News, was born in Alexandria, Minn., Nov. 19, 1872, son of Joseph and Sarah (Walker) Gilpin, the former of whom is a retired newspaper man. Of the four chil- dren in the family there are now living three: William S., the subject of this sketch; Mary T., an accomplished musician, a graduate of Carleton College at Northfield, Minn., and principal of the public schools of Hopkins, Minn., and Nellie, wife of Walter B. von Fredenburg, a traveling salesman living in Minneapolis. William S. Gilpin attended the public schools of Alexandria, and learned the printing and newspaper business in the office of the Douglas County News, then owned by his father. In 1891 he bought the Eagle Bend (Minn.) Pilot, and later the Browerville (Minn.) Citizen. In 1893 he moved the Citizen to Alexandria, and there published it until 1896. For two years he conducted Gilpin's X Rays at Hamilton, N. D. It was in 1898 that he came to Osseo, and purchased the Osseo Weekly Recorder. In 1911 he sold out. The next year he established the Osseo News, which on Jan. 1, 1915, absorbed the Recorder. From 1903 to 1915 he was postmaster at Osseo. For one term he served on the village council. He has also done good service on the library board. By helping to organize the Osseo Telephone Company he assisted in making possible a valuable modern improvement. Mr. Gilpin was married Oct. 3, 1893, to Evelyn M. Abbott, of Eagle Bend, Minn., the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Crich- ton) Abbott, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin have three children : Myle de Vere, born March 3, 1897 ; Selby A., born June 4, 1898, now in United States navy, and Beatrice, born Aug. 7, 1901.

Ole Gilbertson, proprietor of a 240-acre farm in section 22, Unity Town- ship, and also of 188 acres in section 28, the same township, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Oct. 9, 1860, his father being Gilbert Olson, and his mother, before marriage, Thorild Nilson. Gilbert Olson was born in Norway in 1825 and passed the greater part of his life in his native land, coming to this country in 1898, when he was about 73 years old. He and his wife resided in Bruce Valley for six years and then removed to Hale Township, where Mr. Olson died in the spring of 1914. His wife now lives with her daughter, Mrs. John Lee, of Hale Township. Ole Gilbertson was a young man 20 years old when he came to the United States in 1880. He located in Arcadia, this county, and for about a year worked in the pineries and on

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farms. Then for six years he was engaged in farming in Bruce Valley, afterwards farming a place near Pleasanton one year. The next 20 years were spent by him on a farm in section 28, United Township, and at the end: of that time he bought his present farm in section 22, moving onto it in the spring of 1914. This farm has good buildings, the house being a two- story frame structure with basement, and containing 12 rooms, lighted with gasoline and furnished with hot water heat and running water. The barn measures 48 by 105 by 16 feet above stone basement, and there are two solid cement silos, each 16 by 36 feet. Mr. Gilbertson is conducting a suc- cessful farming business and has already attained a considerable degree of prosperity. His present farm was purchased from Samuel R. Anderson and is a fine property. He is also a stockholder in the First State Bank of Strum. In June, 1890, Mr. Gilbertson was married to Tina Christopherson, who was born on the farm he owns in section 28, Unity Township, July 8, 1870, daughter of Paul and Anna (Olson) Christopherson, a memoir of whom may be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson have seven children: Paul, Oscar, Theodore, Amanda, Melvin, Joseph and Ida, all residing at home.

Ernest E. French, D. D. S., has practiced his profession in Osseo since 1909, and has established an admirable reputation. His office is equipped with the most modern appliances, and his standing is shown by his mem- bership in the Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn County Dental Society, the Wisconsin State Dental Society and the National Association, as well as in the dental college fraternity, the Gamma Epsilon. Dr. French was born in Eau Claire, Wis., March 18, 1876, son of Dr. Edmund C. and Esther (Edward) French. After passing through the public schools of his native city he entered the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Penn., with which preparation he studied three years in Hamline University in St. Paul, and Macalester College in Minneapolis. His dental training was received in the offices of his father in Eau Claire of Dr. Frank Brooks, in Charleston, Ill., and of Dr. Jason Lyons in New York City. For four years he had charge of the Chicago Dental Laboratories at Chicago, and in 1905 established the Reliable Dental Laboratories in the same city, which he conducted for some two years. Then he practiced in Eau Claire for a while before coming to Osseo. Dr. French was married Aug. 8, 1906, to Lillian K. Spencer, who was born in Genesee County, New York, June 10, 1871, daughter of Alanson and Mary (Thorp) Spencer. Dr. French has one daughter, Mignon.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 82

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