USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 84
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Henry Anderson was born in Trondhjem, Norway, and as a young man came to America. He married Cassandra Everson, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., and together they came to Trempealeau County. For a time they lived on a farm near Independence. In the late '80s they moved to Superior, Wis., where Henry Anderson was employed as a structural iron worker. While engaged in this occupation in November, 1891, he was severely in- jured, from the effects of which he died on the 27th of the following month. His wife still lives in Superior. In the family there were six children: Ida, Alice, Sebert J., Clarence, Oscar and Cornell H. Ida married Carl Sorem, an electrical engineer of Minneapolis. Alice is a teacher in the eighth grade of the Superior public schools. Sebert J. is a violin player, and makes his home in Chicago. Clarence is the chief clerk of the Minne- apolis Board of Education. Cornell H., twin of Clarence, is State insurance inspector and adjustor for the Home Fire Insurance Company of New York, and is located at Milwaukee. Oscar was killed while deer hunting near Superior, Nov. 27, 1904.
Cornell H. Anderson, a prominent insurance man of the State of Wis- consin, now living in Milwaukee, claims Trempealeau County as his place of nativity, his birth having taken place in Independence, Aug. 8, 1885. His
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parents, Henry and Cassandra (Everson) Anderson, took him to Superior, Wis., as a child, and there he passed through the graded and high schools. Entering the insurance business at the age of 17, he became clerk in the office of an agency at Superior, and there thoroughly learned the business. In 1910 he assumed the duties of his present position as special State agent, inspector and adjustor for the Home Fire Insurance Company of New York. With an office at Milwaukee, he covers the entire State. He is a "hustler," and is widely known for his business ability and his good fellowship.
Seth S. Speestra, proprietor of one of the best farms in Hale Township, known as Hillside Stock Farm, was born in Holland, Europe, Jan. 16, 1884, son of Samuel F. and Ruth (Bronz) Speerstra. The parents came to America with their family in 1890, locating first in La Crosse County, Wis., where they made their home until 1898. Removing to Trempealeau County, they purchased the farm in Hale which is now known as Hillside Stock Farm, where they resided until the spring of 1911, when they moved to their present place of residence near Whitehall, Seth S. Speerstra then taking possession of the farm. It was in the spring of that year, also, on June 7, that the latter was united in marriage with Sophy Johnson, who was born in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov. 1, 1886, her parents, Peter L. and Eldri (Nelson) Johnson, being well-known and prosperous farming people. Mr. Speerstra's farm contains 380 acres and is a fine piece of agricultural property, being well improved and adapted to all the requirements of the most scientific farming. The residence is a commodious frame dwelling of nine rooms conveniently arranged ; the barn, also a frame structure, measures 58 by 60 by 16 feet, and is provided with a good cement floor ; while among the other buildings, all substantially built, are a hog house, 28 by 80 feet, with cement floor, and a frame silo, 161/2 by 37 feet in size. The entire farm is well fenced around with woven wire fencing. Besides raising the usual crops, Mr. Speerstra is quite extensively engaged in stock breeding and dairying, in which branches of the farming industry he has achieved a pronounced success. He has now 100 head of Shorthorn cattle, milking 30 cows, and having in connection with his dairy a Hinman machine of four units, with gasoline engine. Each year he feeds one car of cattle for the market. He also has a large herd of Poland-China hogs, numbering at the present time about 200 head, of which he sells about 100 head a year, and also sells 20 head of hogs for breeders. Of pure-bred Shropshire sheep he keeps about 55 head, his sheep being registered animals ; and in addition to the above-mentioned stock he keeps a flock of Mammoth Bronze turkeys. The management of so large a farm naturally requires an expert knowledge of every branch of agriculture, together with a more than ordinary amount of good business judgment, but Mr. Speerstra has shown himself thoroughly capable of handling his large interests and making his farm pay a handsome profit. He has taken rank among the leading farmers of his township, and he and his wife are well- to-do and popular members of the community in which they reside.
John Raichle, a well-known resident of Ettrick, Wis., where he is engaged in business as a general contractor and bridge builder, and is also a land owner, was born in Winona, Minn., Oct. 18, 1868, son of William
MR. AND MRS. HANS A. FREMSTAD ALBERT H. FREMSTAD AND FAMILY
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and Emma (Medsker) Raichle. His early education was acquired in the public school of Frenchville, Wis., and he resided at home until he was 18 years of age. He then went to South Dakota, where he worked out for others, and in the winters was engaged in cutting timber in the woods. When about 22 years old, having returned to Trempealeau County, he rented land in Ettrick Township and engaged in farming, continuing to rent for four years. At the end of that time he purchased the John Cance farm, which he operated until the winter of 1908-09. He then rented it out and moved into the village of Ettrick, in the meanwhile having begun the con- struction of his present residence, which was completed in 1913, after which he took up his residence in it. He has sold 160 acres of the land he formerly owned, but still has 101 acres left, which he rents out. For some time past Mr. Raichle has been engaged in contracting in masonry and construction work, including bridge building, and at present has contracts for the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now building. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick and in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Ettrick Hall Company, and in a lumber company, organized Jan. 18, 1917. Mr. Raichle was married May 28, 1895, to Nettie Benrud, who was born at Frenchville, this county, daughter of Marcus and Carrie (Hegge) Benrud, who were born in Biri, Norway, the father Jan. 17, 1846, and the mother Dec. 13, 1845. The parents of Mrs. Raichle were married at La Crosse, Wis. Marcus Benrud came to the United States when a lad of 18 years, locating at French Creek, this county, where he made his home with Mr. Gilbertson, working out for two years. He then went back to Norway, and when he returned to this country he brought with him his young wife. Then settling in La Crosse, he engaged there in the liquor business, but continued in it but a short time, coming to Frenchville not long after and starting a hotel here, which he conducted for about six or seven years. In the meanwhile he acquired some land and when he gave up the hotel business he engaged in farming, and in this latter occupation he continued until his death, which took place Aug. 23, 1910. His wife survived him less than a year, dying May 6, 1911. For a number of years Mr. Benrud held the office of assessor in Gale Township. He and his wife had six children, of whom their daughter Nettie (Mrs. John Raichle) was the second-born. Mr. and Mrs. Raichle are the parents of four children: Elmer Oscar, Albert William, Robert Theodore and Antoinette, all residing at home. Mr. Raichle belongs to the orders of Royal Neighbors and Beavers at Ettrick. For a number of years he has served on the township board and as president of the Ettrick Creamery Company.
Albert H. Fremstad, an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist, pro- prietor of the Fremstad Farm of 160 acres in sections 3 and 4, Pigeon Town- ship, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Vernon County, Nov. 27, 1871. His father, Hans A. Fremstad, was born in Nordland, Norway, in 1838, and came to the United States in 1857, residing for some years in Vernon County, this State. In December, 1871, he came to Pigeon Township, this County, taking the farm on which his son Albert H. now lives, and which he cultivated for many years, or until his retirement from active labor. He still, however, makes it his place of residence. His wife, whose maiden
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name was Andrena Nilson, was born in Norway in 1834, and died Oct. 1, 1916. Albert H. Fremstad was an infant scarcely a month old when his parents came to Trempealeau County and took the land since known as the Fremstad Farm. Here he was reared, attending the local schools in boy- hood and also beginning at an early age to acquire a knowledge of agricul- ture. This knowledge was of a most practical kind and at times involved considerable labor, but in performing it he was laying the foundation of his present prosperity. In this work he was associated with his father until 1898, when, with his brother Anton, he purchased the farm and it was carried on by them under the name of Fremstad Bros. until the spring of 1915, since which time Albert H. has been the sole proprietor. The improvements are extensive and up-to-date, and include a barn, 32 by 60 feet, with basement, and shed on the north side; a solid concrete silo, 14 by 36, built in 1913; a tobacco shed, 40 by 144, and a good two-story house of 12 rooms. Mr. Fremstad has four acres planted in tobacco. His herd of cattle numbers 40 head, of which he milks 20. Mr. Fremstad was mar- ried March 27, 1901, to Clara Hougen, who was born in Osseo, Trempealeau County, Wis., April 4, 1875, daughter of Mat and Gurina (Prestegaarder) Hougen. He and his wife have six children, born as follows: Hazel, Jan. 4, 1903 ; Clifford, Nov. 9, 1904 ; Palmer, March 15, 1908; Glen, March 6, 1910; Maynard, Oct. 31, 1913, and Ernest Milton, June 30, 1917. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Omer F. Immell, hustling agent for the New York Life Insurance Company, was born on a farm three miles east of Blair, April 22, 1872, son of Francis M. and Anna (Storley) Immell. Francis M. Immell was born in Ohio, came to Wisconsin in 1851, lived at Black River Falls four years, came to Trempealeau County in 1856, located three miles east of Blair, and there lived until he moved to the village, where he died in 1913, his good wife having passed away the previous year. Omer F. Immell started out for himself while a boy in his early teens. As a youth he did farm work. For several years he was a clerk in the Farmers' Trading Association store at Blair. For one year he traveled for the Ramer Candy Company, of Winona, and for six years for the Winona Candy Company, of that city. Later he traveled seven years for the Kratchwil Candy Com- pany, of La Crosse. In 1913, he established at Blair, the Immell Bait Com- pany for the manufacture of the "Chippewa Bait." Jan. 25, 1915, he accepted his present agency. In this capacity he has several times led the State organization in number of applications obtained, and in February and March, 1915, he led the district comprising Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and a part of Canada. The enclosed extract, taken from a journal- istic source, is a well-merited tribute to his ability in the line of industry he follows: "O. F. Immell, agent for the New York Life Insurance Company, has the honor of being one of seven to win a vice-presidency in what is termed by the company the $100,000 class. To be in this class an agent must sell over $100,000 worth of insurance. Mr. Immell came close to doubling this figure, selling a total of $183,000 worth of insurance for the year (1917). By so doing he automatically elected himself a delegate from this district to the convention of that company at Atlantic City, which
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is held Thursday and Friday of this week. Mr. Immell has worked hard for this honor and only a close attention to this business, couplied with the fact that he is well posted on insurance matters and represents one of the best companies, enabled him to win. The company has this to say of him: 'He has the honor of having a larger volume, $183,000, than any other official in the club. He is so close to the $200,000 club that we shall expect to see him there without fail one year from now.'" Mr. Immell was married Jan. 1, 1895, to Margaret McKivergin, a native of Trempealeau County, daughter of James McKivergin. This union has resulted in two children: Orrie and Florence.
Algernon P. Tallman, proprietor of a blacksmith and wagon shop in Whitehall, was born in the southeastern part of Hale Township, Trempea- lean County, Wis., May 31, 1879. His parents were Humphrey G. and Esther (Boyd) Tallman. The father, a native of the State of New York, fought for the Union in the Civil War, as a member of Company A, Sixteenth New York Cavalry, serving 18 months. After the war he came to Trempea- leau County, homesteading land in Hale Township, and engaged in farming. In 1904 he retired to Whitehall. Algernon P. Tallman began learning the blacksmith's trade at York, Jackson County, Wis., where he remained two years. March 5, 1901, he purchased his present business from Louis Brenom and has since remained here, enjoying a good patronage. He is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company, and as a business man and good citizen is interested in everything connected with the wel- fare of the village. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Order of Beavers. Mr. Tallman was married, June 25, 1900, to Pearl Bursell, daughter of William and Melissa (Creighton) Bursell. He and his wife have one child, Nina, who was born Nov. 18, 1901.
Andrew F. and Oluf Lovlien, joint proprietors of the Lovlien Farms in Pigeon Township, were born in this township, Andrew on May 23, 1878, and Oluf July 2, 1891. Their parents were Fred O. and Guri Lovlien, natives of Norway, who were married in Wisconsin, both having come to this country in the '60s. Fred O. was the first to arrive, settling in Vernon County, this State, where he and his wife were married. Coming to Trem- pealeau County, he first worked out in Trempealeau to earn enough money with which to buy land, which he finally purchased in Pigeon Township, where his sons are now located. Beginning with 160 acres, he also bought another homestead of 80 acres. He had very little capital to start with and there were no buildings on his place, so pioneer work had to be done. and continued for a number of years. Like nearly all the pioneer settlers, he made use of an ox team, and during the early days sometimes walked to La Crosse for supplies. He erected a frame house which was the family residence for many years, being replaced in 1914 by the present substantial brick dwelling. The barns now standing were built by members of the family. Religiously Fred. O. Lovlien was affiliated with the Norwegian Lutheran church. After a long and active life, during which he accom- plished a large amount of useful work, he died in 1913 at the age of 72 years. His wife is still living, being now 69 years old. They were the parents of 10 children, of whom three died when young. Those living are :
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Ole, Anna, Andrew, Hans, Christine, Nina and Oluf. Nina's husband died in 1911 and she and her son have since made their home with her brothers. On their father's death, or in 1913, the two sons, Andrew and Oluf, took charge of the home farm, which they are now operating, raising the usual crops and keeping good stock. They are shareholders in the Whitehall Creamery, as was also their father, and also hold shares in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company. Their enterprising efforts have met with well- deserved success and as general farmers they are doing a profitable business. Both are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Lars J. Dahl, who for over 40 years has been engaged in operating an 80-acre farm in section 21, Unity Township, was born in Tolgen, Norway, April 8, 1850, the son of John and Birit Hulbakdahl, both of whom died in Norway. Lars J., while in Norway, used his father's surname of Hul- bakdahl, shortening it to Dahl after coming to America, which he did in 1870, making the voyage on the same ship with Ole Thomasgaard, and landing at Quebec, Canada, May 1. From there he made his way to Lan- sing, Iowa, where he found employment and worked at various jobs for some two years. He then removed to Menominie, Wis., where for three years he was employed in the woods and on the river by the Napp-Stout Lumber Company. In the meanwhile he had been saving his money and was now in a position to start life for himself. Accordingly, coming to Trempealeau County, he purchased his present farm from the railway company and has since remained here, having been the only owner of the farm, and the only man on his road who had stayed on his original pur- chase. In so doing he has probably prospered as well as he might have done elsewhere, as his property is now very finely improved and is one of the most valuable farms of its size in the county. He operates it on the four-year rotation plan, whereby the land produces twice as much as it would without rotation, in 1915 his yield of corn being 66 bushels to the acre. In 1900 Mr. Dahl erected a barn 36 by 52 by 12 feet with a stone basement, the latter having cement floors. His residence was built in 1907 and is a brick veneer structure of two stories and basement, measur- ing 28 by 30 feet, the basement having cement floor and the house con- taining eight rooms, heated by furnace. Mr. Dahl's sound judgment and business ability have been recognized by his fellow citizens and he has served longer in public office of one kind or another than any man in his township, his activities in this direction having extended over a period of 26 years. For four years he was supervisor in Sumner Township, and he has served in Unity Township eight years as township treasurer, 11 years as assessor, and three years as chairman of the township board and consequently as a member of the county board. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Mr. Dahl was married April 3, 1878, to Nikoline Rognlien, who was born in Hurdalen, Norway, Sept. 21, 1854, daughter of Martin E. and Annie (Enerson) Rognlien, of whom a memoir may be found on another page of this volume. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dahl: John, Anna, Bertha, Mary, Julia, Louisa, Martin, Alfred and Inga. John, who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1913, was for some
FRANK A. GEORGE
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time a school teacher, being principal of the high school at Thorp for two years and of that at Shell Lake one year, Cashton one year and Algoma four years. He was also superintendent of city schools at Bloomington Prairie, Minn., three years. His training for the profession of teacher was obtained at the River Falls normal school, where he was graduated in 1904. While engaged in this work he studied law by the correspondence method and applied himself to it so thoroughly that he qualified for the bar, during the same period earning $5,500 in his regular vocation. He is now a practicing attorney at Rice Lake, Wis. Anna graduated from the Dixon Business College at Dixon, Ill., and resides in St. Paul, where she is cashier in a store. Bertha, who graduated from the River Falls normal school and was a teacher for ten years, is now the wife of Grover Pace, a druggist of Adams, Wis. Mary, who graduated in domestic science from the University of Chicago, is engaged in teaching domestic science at Hammond, Ind. Julia, who graduated from River Falls normal school, is now a teacher at Mason City, Iowa. Louisa, a graduate of the same normal school, is teaching at Carthage, S. D. Martin is residing on the home farm and assisting his father in its cultivation. He has the distinction of being the youngest town treasurer to serve in the county, being elected at the age of 22, and serving three years. At the age of 26 he was elected to his present office as chairman. Alfred graduated from a business college at Minneapolis in June, 1916, and is now bookkeeper in a bank at Seattle, Wash. Inga, who graduated from the La Crosse normal school, is now a teacher at Brandon, Wis. It will thus be seen that Mr. Dahl has educated his children for responsible positions in life, and that all, both sons and daughters, are making their own way in the world, and, it may be added, reflecting credit on the family name.
Frank A. George, secretary of the Auto Sales Company of Whitehall, and president of the Trempealeau County School Committee, is one of the best known men in the county. Of a genial temperament and quiet dis- position, he has been actively interested in public affairs for many years, has mingled considerably in politics, has served in numerous local offices, has represented the Republican party at numerous conventions, and for a time occupied an official position in the House of Representatives at Washington. Of ancient New England ancestry, he was born in Haver- hill, Mass., July 26, 1861, son of Lucien and Harriett (Morrison) George. He received his early education in the public schools of his native place, graduated from the high school there, and passed the examinations admit- ting him to Harvard University. Determining, however, to embark upon a business rather than a scholastic career, he became cashier and accountant for the Gale Brothers' Manufacturing Company at Haverhill. In 1883 he decided to become an agriculturist in the middle west, and with this object in view came to Hale Township in Trempealeau County and secured 400 acres in sections 19 and 20, Township 23, range 7, 240 acres being bought from the railroad, and 160 acres from a previous owner. Of this, four years later, he sold 160 acres, leaving a good farm of 240 acres, which he still owns. Mr. George was the pioneer dairyman of the county. Others had raised cows for dairy purposes, but it was he who first understood it
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as the principal business of his farm. For a time he had the biggest dairy business in the county. Of this herd of 100 cows 23 were full blooded Jerseys, and there were seasons when he milked as high as 60 cows. In 1911 he turned the farm over to his son-in-law, S. B. Scott, and in 1913 he moved to Whitehall and purchased an interest in the Auto Sales Com- pany, of which he became the secretary. His popularity and personality have been important factors in the success with which the concern has met. Mr. George's public life would in itself make a most interesting chapter. In his township he was an excellent justice of the peace for about twenty years, and for a similar period did most efficient service on the school board, part of the time as clerk and part of the time as treasurer. His experience in this line was an important factor in securing him the appoint- ment at the head of the county school board in 1915. A staunch Republican in politics, he has been chairman of the County Republican Committee for the past eight years, and in the old convention days he was the center of many a hot political fight at county and state gatherings. In recognition of his activities and worth he was given an appointment on the staff of employees of the House of Representatives at Washington, serving in 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901. For ten years he was chairman of the town of Hale and in this capacity gave most excellent service as a member of the county board. All in all he is a most useful citizen. Unostentatious in his ways, his voice and influence are always raised in behalf of the things that are for the betterment and progress of the community, and any good cause finds in him an active supporter. Mr. George was married at Shawano, Wis., October, 1877, to Mary J. Gibson, and this union was blessed with one daughter, Edith, wife of S. B. Scott, who conducts her father's farm. Mrs. George died Dec. 6, 1911.
Peter O. Skulhus, proprietor of a general merchandise and confec- tionery business at Eleva, was born in Biri, Norway, June 23, 1878, son of Ole P. and Louise (Bratberg) Skulhus. The father died in Norway and his wife subsequently came to America in 1908 and married S. H. Ander- son, a retired farmer now living in Eleva. Peter O. Skulhus came to this country in June, 1900, locating in Eleva, Wis., where he worked one year and nine months for the Larson-Melby Company. He then bought the confectionery business of Sever Severson, and subsequently purchased of Andrew Tweit the building in which he is now located. He is carrying on a successful business and his prospects are good for further advancement. In 1911 he made a visit to Norway, and in 1914 he again visited his native land, attending the world's fair at Christiania, and making the voyage on the first vessel which sailed after war was declared. Mr. Skulhus was married May 2, 1903, to Molly Semmingson of Eau Claire County, Wis- consin, who was born in that county May 8, 1883, her parents, Matt and Gina (Hagen) Semmingson, being farming people there. Mr. and Mrs. Skulhus have had two children: Oliver Millard, born Nov. 18, 1904, who died October 3, the same year, and Gordie Louise, born Dec. 6, 1905. The family belong to the United Lutheran Church and Mr. Skulhus has served five years as a member of the village board, being ever ready to do his part as a responsible citizen.
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