History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 86

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 86

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Edward S. Englesby, assistant postmaster at Eleva, is a native of this State, born in Modena, Buffalo County, March 7, 1862, son of Harrison and Roxanna (Hammond) Englesby. Harrison W. Englesby was born in Vermont, and settled in Buffalo County, this State, in 1860. In 1868 he opened a hotel at Coral City, not far from what is now Whitehall, in Trem- pealeau County. Subsequently he farmed in Preston Township, this county, for a while. Then he lived successively in Black River Falls, Eau Claire and Mondovi. In 1876 he settled in Albion Township, and there remained until his death. Edward S. Englesby followed the fortunes of his family and spent his young manhood on the Albion Township farm. For a time he was employed as a lumberman, on the rivers and in the pine forests. In 1892 he engaged in lumbering at Hayward, Wis., and three years later he came to Eleva and entered the postoffice. From 1903 to 1915 he was a rural mail carrier, and since that date has occupied his present position, his wife being the postmistress. In addition to his services for the Government, Mr. Englesby has for some years operated a farm of 80 acres in Albion Town- ship. For three years he did good work on the village board. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons, the Woodmen and the Beavers. Mr. Englesby was married Oct. 9, 1892, to Ida Gibson, daughter of Milo B. and Mary (Harvey) Gibson, of Eleva, and they have one child, Marguerite, born May 3, 1910.

James Maloney, a well-known farmer of Hale Township, and one of the large land owners of Trempealeau County, was born in Adams County, Wis., Aug. 30, 1857, son of David and Margaret (Warner) Maloney. The father, David Maloney, was born in Cork, Ireland, Jan. 18, 1830, and came to America with his parents in 1852, they settling in Hadley, Mass. His marriage to Margaret Warner took place in the same, on Nov. 1. She also

JAMES MALONEY AND FAMILY MR. AND MRS. DAVID MALONEY

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was a native of Cork, Ireland, the date of her birth being Aug. 29, 1832. It was in 1867 that David Maloney and his family settled in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Mr. Maloney buying land which, with subse- quent additions, constitutes the present farm of the subject of this sketch. The estate now contains 1,000 acres, lying in section 28 and other sections, town 23 north, ranges 7 and 8 west, Hale Township. David Maloney spent many years of his life in enlarging and improving his property, the present large estate being in a great measure the result of his industry, thrift and far-sighted judgment. He died in 1898 and his wife on June 2, 1912. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Katherine, Mary, James, Esther, Margaret, David and Nellie. James Maloney was a boy of 10 years when he arrived with his father's family in Trempealeau County. He was reared on the home farm and was associated with his father in its oper- ation until 1896. He then purchased the farm and has since conducted it on his own account, raising varied crops, and keeping a flock of 600 Shrop- shire sheep, besides 40 head of cattle, of which he milks 20. In 1915 Mr. Maloney erected a fine barn, 36 by 126 by 14 feet above stone basement, and equipped with steel stanchions. In the same year he built a glazed block silo, reinforced with steel, 14 by 35 feet in dimensions. His buildings are all substantial and his equipment adequate to all the purposes of modern farming and stock raising, and he has taken place among the successful and well-to-do farmers of his township. Dec. 25, 1893, Mr. Maloney was united in marriage with Lavinia Dissmore, daughter of George and Mary E. (Rogers) Dissmore, the date of her nativity being Feb. 17, 1862. He and his wife are the parents of four children: George, born Nov. 20, 1894, and now a student at Bethel Academy, Arpin, Wis .; David, born Jan. 6, 1897, now residing on the home farm, who married Sarah Getts and has one child, Esther, born Oct. 5, 1916 ; James, born June 14, 1898, and Archie, born Nov. 29, 1900, both living at home. Mr. Maloney has taken part to some extent in local government affairs, having served three years as treasurer of the school board. He and his family have a wide circle of friends in Hale Town- ship and the vicinity and are among the representative members of the agricultural community.

Halvor J. Halvorson, expert buttermaker at the Eleva Co-Operative Creamery, has been connected with the creamery industry in this village for 18 years, and is thoroughly familiar with all departments of his business. He was born in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Oct. 6, 1874, son of John and Mary (Haganess) Halvorson, who operate a farm in Eau Claire County. Halvor J. Halvorson spent his boyhood on a farm, and came to this county in 1899 as a helper in the old Eleva creamery. Desiring to further perfect himself, he studied in the Dairy School of the Agricultural College of the University of Wisconsin. Completing his course there March 1, 1903, he took his present position, and here he has since remained. In addition to this, he operates a farm of 75 acres in section 10, Albion Township, where he carries on general agricultural operations. He holds the agency for the Wonder Milking Machines for Eau Claire, Trempealeau and Buffalo counties, and has installed several on Trempealeau County farms. Busy as he is, he has found time for public service, and has been a member of the village council

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three years. Mr. Halvorson was married July 1, 1902, to Louisa Serum, who was born in Buffalo County, Wis., Feb. 23, 1877, and died Oct. 1, 1907, daughter of Ole and Mary Serum. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson had two chil- dren : Josephine, born April 1, 1903, and Obert, born June 14, 1906.

Byron L. Hutchins, who is engaged in the real estate business at Inde- pendence, Wis., was born in Burnside Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Sept. 22, 1865, son of James L. and Elizabeth (Tubbs) Hutchins. The father, James, took a homestead in this county about 1860, and died in 1876 at the age of 37 years. His widow resides in Independence at the age of 72 years. Byron L. Hutchins was reared in Independence and for a number of years after his father's death was occupied in the management of his mother's business affairs. In 1900 he engaged in the real estate business in Independence and has since continued in it, handling city and farm property and rentals. He has been a member of the village council eight years and is a stockholder in the State Bank of Independence. In the order of the Knights of Pythias he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Hutchins was married in February, 1899, to Bertha Arnold, of Arcadia Township, this county. Her father, William D. Arnold, who was a pioneer farmer here, is now living retired at the age of 85 years in Winona, Minn .; his wife, Mrs. Hutchins' mother, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have two children : Lee J., aged 16 years, and Earl B., aged 10 years.

Clarence P. Larson, president and cashier of the Bank of Eleva, is one of the leading citizens of the village, and has business and financial interests and connections which extend far beyond the boundaries of the State. He was born in Independence, this county, June 6, 1885, son of Ole P. and Lina (Waller) Larson. He was reared in Whitehall and received his early education in the Whitehall schools. For a time he was a student in the Toland Business College, at Winona. With this preparation he entered the John O. Melby & Co. Bank, at Whitehall, as accountant. . For one year, 1908, he engaged in the general mercantile business at Aneta, N. D. In 1909 he came to Eleva as cashier of the Bank of Eleva, and the following year was made president as well. In these capacities he is still serving. His engaging personality and sound business ability have been the most important factors in the success with which the institution has met. Since 1911, Mr. Larson has been president of the Eleva Mercantile Company. He is president of the Larson-Stevning Company, of Stephen, Minn., secretary of the Central Trading Association of Whitehall, and a stockholder in the United States National Bank of Superior, Wis., and the John O. Melby Co. Bank, of Whitehall. Mr. Larson is a member of the county board, serving his third year. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and also a member of the Commandery, the Shrine and the Eastern Star. His Elk affiliation is with the lodge at Eau Claire. Mr. Larson was married Aug. 21, 1909, to Louise Steig, born in Pigeon Township, this county, Sept. 8, 1883, daughter of Gilbert F. and Gelena (Lewis) Steig, now living in Whitehall. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have had four children: Charles Philip, born Aug. 15, 1900; Oliver Philip, born March 2, 1912, and died Feb. 5, 1913, and Mary Jane, born March 2, 1914, and Betty Louise, born Aug. 20, 1917. The family faith is that of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church, at Whitehall.

CLARENCE P. LARSON

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Ralph W. Wood, whose farm of 240 acres in section 15, Lincoln Town- ship, is a well-cultivated and productive piece of agricultural property, was born in this township, Jan. 19, 1879, son of David and Mary (Parsons) Wood, the others in the family being Archie, now a contractor and builder of White- hall; James, also residing there and engaged in the same business; Kippy, who died at the age of 7 years; Alta, who died at the age of 2 years, and Ralph W. Ralph W. Wood has resided on his present farm since his father purchased it about the year 1900, and has been operating the plow since 1913. The farm is nicely improved, the 12-room frame house being equipped with water and lights. The barn measures 50 by 80 feet, and the cement block silo, built in 1912, 16 by 33 feet. Mr. Wood milks 15 cows, feeding one carload of cattle a year for the market and half a carload of hogs. He also raises Plymouth Rock chickens. Sept. 27, 1906, he was mar- ried to Martha Johnson, of Osseo, Wis., who was born near that village, Feb. 20, 1886, daughter of Charles and Anna (Granlin) Johnson, her father being a farmer of Hale Township. Her parents' children were as follows: Helen, wife of Charles Christianson, a farmer of Hale Township; Karen, wife of Swen Swenson, also of Hale Township; Charlotte, now Mrs. Martin Engen, her husband being a farmer of Rusk County, Wis .; John, who is engaged in farming near the home place; Louise, wife of Fred Steig, a farmer of Bowman, N. D .; Augusta, wife of Olaf Peterson, a farmer of Sumner Township; Hilmer, who resides on the home farm; Martha, wife of Ralph W. Wood, and Louise (first), who was born after John and died at the age of 2 years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Wood are: Helen B., born Dec. 17, 1908, and Harold C., born Feb. 24, 1910. The family are among the prosperous members of the agricultural community of Lincoln Township and are widely known and respected.

Hans H. Mortenson, a pioneer of Pigeon Township, now living in retire- ment at Whitehall, has seen the Pigeon Valley develop from a wild, unculti- vated area, with only a few scattering houses, into one of the richest regions in Western Wisconsin, and by building up a fine farm, he himself took an important part in the wonderful progress and improvement. Born in Tromso, Norway, Sept. 15, 1836, the son of Morten Peterson and Helena Christopherson, he received such meager education as the church schools of the vicinity afforded, and then, like all the other boys of his neighborhood, he embarked in a seafaring life, devoting the years of his young manhood to fishing with various fleets along the Norwegian coast. But the wages were small and life was hard, so he determined to transfer the scene of his work to America. Accordingly, in July, 1862, he arrived in the United States and found his way to La Crosse County, where for six years he was engaged at various work, laboring for farmers during the agricultural seasons, and securing employment in the pineries and on the river in the winter. It was in 1868 that he came to Trempealeau County and took a homestead of 160 acres of wild land in section 32, township 23, range 7. Starting on a small scale and amid primitive conditions, he broke the land, erected the necessary buildings, and for many years successfully carried on general farming. Prosperity came with the years, and in 1909 he was enabled to sell his property at a good figure and retire to the village of Whitehall, where

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he has a pleasant home, and where after a life of hard work, he is enjoying the fruits of his success. Mr. Mortenson has seen considerable public life. For nine years he was town assessor, for two years town treasurer, and for two years town supervisor. For sixteen years he was clerk of his school district. His work as census enumerator for the town of Pigeon in 1880 and 1890 won high commendation from his superiors. While on the farm he was a stockholder in the Whitehall Creamery. Mr. Mortenson was mar- ried Oct. 26, 1867, to Romang Mathea Mathiason, who was born in Norway in 1845. This union has been blessed with sixchildren : Augusta, Clara (second), Anna, Ida, Ruth and Esther, living, and Martin, Emelia, Isaac, Clara (first) and Maria, deceased. Augusta is now Mrs. Richard Mattison, of White- hall. Clara (second) is now Mrs. Even A. Hegge, of Pigeon Township. Anna is now Mrs. Claude Everson, of Lincoln Township. Ida is now Mrs. Ludwig Berg, of Hale Township. Ruth is now Mrs. L. O. Goplin, of Hale Township. Esther, a teacher, lives at home.

Ray H. Larson, who is successfully conducting an up-to-date garage in the village of Independence, was born near this village, Nov. 25, 1888, son of Ed and Belle (Amundson) Larson. His parents are both living in White- hall, the father being a retired farmer now 65 years old, and the mother aged 63. They had three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth. Ray H. Larson was reared on his parents' farm. When a young man he worked one year in Milwaukee and was also employed for some time in a hardware store in Independence. With his brother, Louis C., he opened a hay and straw business in Independence in 1911 and has since conducted it, the brother withdrawing in the fall of 1915. In the spring of the year last mentioned Mr. Larson bought the auto sales agency of Steiner & Larson and started his present garage, located in a frame building, two stories in height and 30 by 90 feet in dimensions. He handles Studebaker and Ford cars, together with the usual supplies and accessories and his business is gradually increasing. Mr. Larson is a mem- ber of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.

William E. Harlow, one of the proprietors of the Harlow & Herrell garage, at Whitehall, Wis., was born in Pigeon Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Dec. 6, 1872, son of O. F. and Lucy (Kidder, nee Scott) Harlow. He made his home with his father until he was 24 years old and then learned the painter's trade, at which he worked in Whitehall until 1916. He then became a member of the firm of Harlow & Herrell, and in June they opened their present garage, a one-story frame building, 28 by 86 feet, on Scranton Street. Here they do all kinds of repairing and handle all supplies and accessories. With the increasing popularity of the automobile, their busi- · ness is bound to grow, and they have already made an auspicious start. Mr. Harlow also has a knowledge of electrical work, which is likely to be of use to him in the future. He is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. June 10, 1896, he was married to Florence M. Breed, of Whitehall, who was born Oct. 25, 1876, daughter of Calvin E. and Anna (Crane) Breed. Her father, now a retired farmer, is a military veteran. Mr. and Mrs. Harlow have one child, Eugene Scott, who was born Oct. 14, 1907.

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William White, one of the prosperous farmers of Albion Township, whose fertile farm of 160 acres, known as "Natural Spring Dairy Farm," lies in section 6, was born in Ohio, Jan. 10, 1854. He is a son of David and Mary (Ettel) White, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1827. In 1860 David White with his family came to Wisconsin, settling in Pepin County. After a residence there of five years he removed to what is now Buffalo County, where he made his home for the rest of his life. His wife Mary, who was born in Germany in 1834, came to the United States in 1841, their marriage taking place in Pennsylvania. She was the first to pass away, dying in 1904, while his death took place July 18, 1911. William White resided with his parents until March 20, 1877, that being the date on which he bought his present farm. The land was first entered by Sylvanus Moore, Oct. 8, 1858, and was sold by him to James McDermott, the latter selling to Mr. White. The property is now well improved and Mr. White is profitably engaged in farming and stock raising, keeping Holstein cattle, Poland-China hogs and Belgian horses-all grades. Mr. White was mar- ried, May 6, 1875, to Emma Walker, who was born in La Crosse County, Jan. 14, 1855, daughter of Silas and Mary J. (McEldowney) Walker. Her father was a farmer, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1818 and died in 1880. Her mother, who was born in 1829, now resides in Mondovi, Wis. Mrs. White was given a good education, being graduated from Gale College, of Gales- ville, in 1872. She and her husband have been the parents of seven chil- dren: Nora, Maynie, Earl, Winnifred, Gladys, Vilas and Velma, of whom Earl, the third-born, died at the age of 2 years. Nora is the wife of Isaac Perry, of Albion Township, and has three children-Floy, Evelyn and Con- stance. Maynie, who married Earl Davis, a farmer of Eau Claire County, Wis., has eight children-Pierre, Claire, Glen, Helen, Howard, Margaret, Dean and Max. Winnifred, who is the wife of Eugene Rosman, has two children-Lloyd and Delbert. Mr. White is affiliated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has devoted some part of his time to the public service, having been township supervisor three years and school clerk six years. He and his family are well known and respected in this part of the county.

Christ Torgerson, who is engaged in the hardware business in Inde- pendence as a member of the firm of Liver & Torgerson, was born in Ringebo, Gulbrandsdahlen, Norway, Dec. 8, 1855. His father was Torger Tulibakken, a farmer, who died in 1877 at the age of 65 years. Torger married Ragnil Tulin, who survived him until 1912, when she passed away at the advanced age of 90. Christ Torgerson in 1876, having attained his majority, left his native land for the United States, knowing that here he should find wider opportunities for self-advancement. He first located at Black River Falls, where he found employment and remained until 1882. Then coming to Independence, he entered into business for himself, and so continued till 1894, when he bought the interest of L. E. Danuser in the hardware and implement firm of Danuser & Liver. The business has since been conducted under the style of Liver & Torgerson and is in a flourishing condition. Mr. Torgerson is also a stockholder in the Central Trading Association of White- hall and the State Bank of Independence. For three years he was a member

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of the village council. He belongs to the United Norwegian Lutheran church and to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Torgerson was mar- ried, May 20, 1883, to Martha Nelson Bidney, of Buffalo County, Wis., whose father, Ole Nelson Bidney, born in Norway, settled in Dane County, Wis., afterward becoming a pioneer of Buffalo County, where he followed farming, and died in June, 1916, at the age of 84 years. Mrs. Torgerson's mother, who now lives in Independence, is 75 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson are the parents of nine children: Theodore, Edward, Wren, Myron, Albert, Ella, Marion, Ida and Norman. Theodore is a prominent citizen of Alma Cen- ter. Edward has just completed a term as sheriff of Trempealeau County. Wren and Albert are employed in their father's store. Myron, a hero. of the Great War, enlisted from Saskatchewan in the Canadian Colonial troops at the beginning of the war, was sent to France with one of the first con- tingents, was there wounded, and then returned to Saskatchewan, where he now lives. Ella is the wife of Ansel Everson, of Blair. Marion is the wife of Peter Haugh, of Taylor, Wis. Ida is the wife of Maurice Thompson, of Blair.

Albert G. Rognrud is a native of this county, having been born near Blair, Feb. 27, 1874, son of Gunarius G. Pederson Rognrud and Olea O. Tappen, his wife. Albert G. was reared and educated on the home farm, attending the district schools of the neighborhood. For a time he worked as a fireman in the Northwest Sawmill at Eau Claire, Wis., and for a while he owned the T. H. Moen farm in Pigeon Township, but on March 21, 1904, he purchased the home farm, where he has since resided. Mr. Rognrud was married April 8, 1899, to Anna Moen, who was born in Dane County, Wis., Sept. 3, 1876, daughter of Thorsten H. and Eli (Gutormson) Moen, who were born July 19, 1847, and Dec. 2, 1853, respectively, and came to America in 1876, settling near Eleva, in Eau Claire County, where they still live. Mr. and Mrs. Rognrud have two children: Elvina, born Dec. 2, 1900, and Geodina, born Sept. 12, 1902. With the Rognrud family lives Caroline Rustad, who homesteaded the Rognrud Farm in the fall of 1873, and in 1880 deeded the farm to Gunarius Rognrud with the provision that she retain therein her habitation during life. She was born in Elverum, Nor- way, Jan. 12, 1831, and came to this region in the spring of 1873. In order to file on the property where she settled she made the trip to the land office at La Crosse, a distance of 50 miles, on foot.

Lars H. Weverstad was born in Hammer, Norway, Nov. 11, 1846, and came to America in 1870. For eight years he was employed as a lumber- man. At the end of this period he purchased his father's farm in section 14, Pigeon Township, this county, where he farmed until 1906, when he purchased his present farm of 160 acres in the northwest quarter of section 23. He has a well-improved place, and successfully carries on general farm- ing. Mr. Weverstad was married Dec. 5, 1879, to Agnethe Moe, who was born in Ringsager, Norway, Feb. 4, 1861, daughter of Peter and Karen (Herberg) Larson, who came to America in 1877 and settled in Moe Cooley, in Pigeon Township. Mr. and Mrs. Weverstad have had 11 children: Mary, Clara, Nettie, Peter, Laura, Mandley, Edwin and Margaret, living; and Augusta, Anna and Minnie, deceased. Mary married Theo. Thorson, a

MR. AND MRS. GUNARIUS G. (PEDERSON) ROGNRUD MR. AND MRS. OLE A. BREKKE

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

farmer of Oneida County, Wis. Clara married John Lundstad, a farmer of Pigeon Township. Nettie married Emil Hanevold, a farmer of Fly Creek, this township. Peter operates the home farm; he married Julia Dake, in June, 1911, and has two children, Almon and Wilmar. Laura married Wal- ter Vitense, of Madison, Wis. Mandley, Edwin and Margaret are at home. Mr. Weverstad was the son of Michael and Nellie (Franseth) Weverstad, who came from Norway in 1872, and secured a farm in section 14, Pigeon Township, this county, where he died in 1878 at the age of 60, and she in 1887 at the age of 75.

Gunarius G. Pederson Rognrud, whose estate name in the old country was Gunarius G. Rongrud, was born in Voler Soler, Norway, Oct. 14, 1831, and was there reared. Upon coming to America in the '60s, he lived in La Crosse County a year, and then found his way to this county, where he spent the remainder of his days. When he reached here he bought 100 acres of land a half mile south of Blair. Later he purchased 40 acres adjoining the old village of Porterville, and platted Pederson's addition to that village. On this addition, an important part of Blair is now located, the village of Porterville having faded into oblivion. In 1890 he sold his farm and moved to Fly Creek Valley, in Preston Township, where he farmed until his death in 1902. When he platted Pederson's addition he gave a lot for the church, and on this lot he helped to build the edifice, hauling the lumber from Black River Falls. His wife, Olea O. Tappen, who was also a faithful church member, was born April 25, 1848, and died on Thanksgiving Day, 1906, after a long and busy life. They were the parents of 15 children : Peder, Alavus (deceased), Lena, Geoadena (deceased), George, Emma, Gil- bert, Albert G., Karn, Clara, Volborg, Alexander, Petra, Gena and Isaac.

Andrew A. Brekke, an early settler, was born in Norway, and there grew to manhood. In 1868 he came to America and found employment in Racine, Wis. His residence in Trempealeau County dates from 1870, when he located on the old Trumpf farm, in west side of Preston Township. Two years later he homesteaded 160 acres a little more than a mile west of the present village of Blair. He was a mason by trade, as well as a farmer, and he assisted in laying the foundation of many of the early houses in this vicinity. When the village of Blair was started, he not only laid the foundations for the first two houses, but also assisted in building the houses themselves. He remained on his farm until his death, Sept. 30, 1905. He did not seek public office, but devoted himself to his work and his family. He was, however, an active laborer in the Norwegian Lutheran church, and contributed liberally to its support. He married Berget Groeness, who died in 1907, and they had nine children: Tove, Ingeborg, Burgue, Torger, Olav, Tollef, Lesa, Johan and Hage (deceased).

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 86

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