USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 90
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March 27, 1895, Dr. Palmer was united in marriage with Alice M., daughter of Daniel and Florence (Caldwell) Bigham of Arcadia Town- ship, who were among the earliest settlers of Trempealeau County. Dr. and Mrs. Palmer have one son, Donald, born on Aug. 22, 1911. Mrs. Palmer is active and prominent in various society circles, being a member of the Eastern Star and a past member of the Grand Chapter, Eastern Star. She is also interested in educational matters and is now serving as secre- tary of the county committee on common schools, having been appointed by the county board.
Halvor K. Moen, a retired farmer residing at Arcadia "Old Town," a mile east of the present village of Arcadia, was born in the province of Christiansand-Telemarken, Norway, April 4, 1849, son of Kittle and Turi Moen. In 1866, at the age of 17 years, he came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which city he journeyed by train to Windsor, cross- ing into the United States at Detroit, and proceeding by train to Chicago. Here an attempt was made to forward him, with others of the party to Milwaukee by boat, but as their tickets called for rail transportation they stood on their rights and came by train to Dane County, Wisconsin, locat- ing near Madison. Young Moen, who had neither money nor ticket, passed
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as a member of another family. After staying in Dane County until November, he left for Prairie du Chien, taking boat from the latter place to La Crosse and proceeding on foot the rest of the way to Trempealeau County, on his arrival here locating in Holcomb Coulie. He worked at whatever he could find to do for a number of years thereafter, boating on the Mississippi River, helping in the Minnesota harvest fields and lumber- ing in the woods during the winters, for many seasons running logs on Black River. In 1870 he sent to Norway for his parents, buying for them a homesteader's right to 120 acres in Holcomb Coulie, where they settled on their arrival. In 1875 he bought 200 acres of partly improved land in Thompson's Valley, three miles from Arcadia in Arcadia township, on which land stood a small log house. This property he rented till 1883 and then began working it for himself. On March 12, 1885, Mr. Moen married Carrie Hanson, daughter of Sever and Torbjor Hanson of Thompson's Valley, who was born in Norway and when a child of two years came to America with her parents, they settling in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. Until 1899 he and his wife resided in the log cabin on the farm and then Mr. Moen built a good residence-a two-story, brick-veneer house of nine rooms. In 1890 he built his first barn, six years later erecting a modern frame barn, 24 by 44 feet, with full basement. He has also put up a. granary and machine shed combined, a hog house, poultry house, spring- house and other necessary or useful buildings. He continued to improve and cultivate the farm until 1916, in which year he retired to his present residence, where he is passing the time in ease and comfort, the reward of many years of strenuous exertion. He is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, the Arcadia Shipping Association, the Inde- pendent Cattle Company of North Dakota, and the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill. His financial interests in North Dakota and Mon- tana are quite extensive. He and his wife have reared a family of ten children: Thomas, residing in Montana, unmarried; Rena, living in Mon- tana and the owner of a claim there; Thea, who resides at Devils Lake, N. D .; Clara, residing at home, unmarried; Helma, unmarried, who gradu- ated from the Arcadia high school and the normal school at Mayville, N. D., and has taught school for the past five years; Sarah, a graduate of the Arcadia high school and of the La Crosse normal school, who is unmar- ried, and is teaching in Montana, where she owns a claim; Gelena, who married Gustav Timboe and resides at Devils Lake, N. D .; Otto, who is a student at the Wisconsin Business University, La Crosse, Wis .; Carrie, a student in the Arcadia high school, and Carl, attending the Arcadia school, both residing at home. Mr. Moen and his family are members of the Tamarack Lutheran Congregation. He is a charter member and was one of the founders of the church located in Norway Coolie, south of his old homestead. In politics he is a Democrat. He served as township assessor two years, was tax collector a number of years, treasurer of the school district No. 7 for several years, and clerk of the board one year, rendering efficient service in these various offices.
Michael English, insurance and real estate man of Arcadia, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, April 3, 1850, son of Daniel and Margaret
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(Hawley) English, who brought him to this country that same year. He spent his early boyhood in various places in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Wisconsin, and was brought to Arcadia Township, this county, as a boy of fourteen. He was reared to farm pursuits, taught school four years, was undersheriff six years, and has been in his present line of endeavor since 1874. For two years he was town treasurer. Mr. English was married Jan. 25, 1876, to Anna Glennon, who was born Nov. 13, 1857, daughter of Redmond and Margaret Glennon. This union has been blessed with five children: Edward G., Ralph, Margaret, Redmond F. and Mark. Edward G. graduated from the Arcadia high school, and from the medical college of the University of Wisconsin, and is now a physician in Pachuca, Mexico, in which country he has lived for the past nine years. Ralph died at the age of nine years. Margaret is the wife of George H. Barry, implement dealer of Arcadia. Redmond F. graduated from the Arcadia high school and the University of Washington and is now in part- nership with his father. Mark has also studied engineering in the Univer- sity of Washington.
Daniel English, for many years a well-known citizen of Trempealeau County, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, May 19, 1819, and there spent his youth. As a young man he married Margaret Hawley. They came to America in 1850, and to secure funds for their trip to the Missis- sippi Valley worked in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Reaching Wisconsin they worked for a while in Milwaukee and La Crosse. In 1864 they came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm in the southern part of Arcadia Township. Through thrift, economy and hard labor he soon developed a fine farm, and became one of the substantial men of the community. In 1889 he moved his family to Arcadia Village, and there resided until his death, in 1898. He had been a true husband, a kind father, and loyal friend and a good citizen, and his loss was sin- cerely mourned. Daniel English and Margaret Hawley were married April 5, 1848. Mrs. Hawley was born May 28, 1824, and proved an able help- mate of her husband through all the changing fortunes of life. Mr. and Mrs. English were the parents of seven children : Michael, John, May, Ellen, Edward G., Daniel and William T. Michael and John live in Arcadia. May and Edward G. live in Mt. Vernon, Wash. Daniel lives in British Columbia. Ellen, who became Mrs. Egan, and Dr. W. T., formerly of Winona, are dead.
Noah D. Comstock, a pioneer settler of Arcadia, long passed away, but whose memory will remain green for many years to come, was born in Low- ville, Lewis County, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1832. In his native town he received a common school and partially academic education. When 18 years of age he moved to Calhoun County, Mich., and one year later to Indiana, where he taught school until 1853. In that year he crossed overland the great plains and mountains to the gold mines of California. After working in the gold mines for two years, he returned east as far as Wisconsin and in 1855 be- came one of the first settlers of Arcadia. He was town assessor in 1858, county treasurer in 1860, and re-elected in 1862 and 1864, was a member of the county board in 1868, and a member of the assembly from Trempea- leau County in 1872, 1874, 1875 and 1876; he also held other local offices
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and was elected state senator in 1882. In 1868 Mr. Comstock was united in marriage to Ellen Comstock, a union of the happiest and brightest order, lasting for more than 20 years. But in time came the inevitable end, and after a long, patient and resolute struggle against the messenger of death, Noah Durham Comstock passed away on the morning of the 6th of June, 1890. His death was regretted by all who knew him, for he possessed all the characteristics of a true and noble gentleman. A man of great inde- pendence of character and stern integrity, united with rare ability, he had a warm heart and a remarkably unselfish and self-sacrificing disposition, being ever ready to lend his counsel and assistance to those in need. In manner he was modest and retiring. Void of all superstitious fear of death, his main study was to learn how to live-how to utilize his narrow span of time here in the faithful performance of life's daily and hourly duties, indulging in no vain speculations as to the shadowy future. Like the Hebrew sage, of whom Longfellow speaks in one of his shorter poems, he sought to be remembered "as one who loved his fellow men." During his last sickness he was gentle and patient, and greatly appreciated all that was done for him. He suffered much, but never complained, though he was conscious to the last, and when death came it was as a peaceful sleep. At his own request, his funeral services were conducted by Judge A. W. New- man, of Trempealeau, and his remains were followed from his residence to the village cemetery by a large concourse of friends and neighbors who had come from nearly every part of the county to pay a last sad tribute of respect to one whom in life they had learned to honor and esteem. To his wife and children he left the fragrance of an exemplary life and the honor of a stainless name.
James Gaveney was one of the founders and pioneers of Trempealeau County, his personality was woven into much of the warp and woof of the county's early history, and his name was inseparably connected with its destinies for many years. He not only developed one of the best farms in the county, but he likewise became interested in a number of important business ventures, and his varied activities included the milling, lumbering and cheese-making industries. James Gaveney was born at Bally Bay, County Monaghan, Ireland, April 5, 1825. Left an orphan at an early age, he was reared to farm pursuits, and upon attaining his majority, went to Dublin, where for some years he was employed as a member of the police force. While thus engaged he constantly heard stories of the wonderful possibilities offered to men of industry and intelligence in the United States, and he accordingly determined to try his fortunes in the new world. The opportunity came in 1848, when, with little more than sufficient funds to pay his passage, he set out for America. After landing, he found his way to Mineral Point, this State, where for a while he was engaged in lead mining. In 1852, when the excitement attending the gold discovery in California was at its height, he joined Captain Sublette's company and crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. His first location in that State was at French Corral, where he remained one year, and was afterward at Forest City about four years. At French Corral he formed the acquaintance of Noah Com- stock, another pioneer and prominent citizen of Trempealeau County, who
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preceded Mr. Gaveney here by a year, and became one of the first settlers in the now historic "Bishop Colony," of which he was a member. The circum- stances of the meeting of these two sturdy frontiersmen was most peculiar, and furnished them with much amusement in after years. According to the story which, with many a chuckle, they often told, they met as strangers, and there arose between them a most serious dispute as to the title of a certain claim which grew so violent in its character that revolvers were drawn, and the quarrel seemed likely to terminate seriously to one or both of the parties. But better counsels prevailed, and they agreed to work the claim in partnership. As these gentlemen came to know each other better, and to appreciate each other's better qualities, a friendship was formed which only ceased with death. Their attachment was ever a subject of remark.
Mr. Gaveney returned from California via the Isthmus of Panama, and came to Trempealeau County from Mineral Point in 1856 ; he first purchased 40 acres of land, which forms a part of the present homestead of the family ; and he afterward increased his possessions until he owned many hundred acres. His life was devoted mainly to agricultural pursuits, and he was ever a well-known and influential citizen. In 1879, in company with Mr. Com- stock, he bought the Independence Mill at Independence, where they did quite an extensive business ; their output averaged about $60,000 per annum. They were also engaged in the lumber business at the same place. Person- ally, Mr. Gaveney was a man of more than average physical strength, and possessed great will power. He was prominent in whatever tended to pro- mote the best interests of the community in which he lived, and possessed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. In his political affiliations he was a Republican. His tastes were opposed to the seeking of political preferment, but he was prevailed upon to accept a number of public offices, including the chairmanship of his township, and other positions, and from June, 1876, until July, 1885, he was postmaster, resigning his position by reason of advancing years. He was a successful man, and deservedly so, and at his death, which occurred June 21, 1889, the community was bereft of one of its most worthy citizens. He left behind him a record worthy of preser- vation in the annals of his county. Mr. Gaveney was married in Arcadia, in 1860, to Maria Martha Briggs, who was born in Vermont, June 30, 1830. This union was blessed with three children: Charles, John C. and Mamie. Charles was born May 27, 1861, and died Dec. 5, 1889. John C. was born Oct. 30, 1863, and is one of the leading citizens of Arcadia. Mamie died at the age of 11 years, in 1879. After the death of Mr. Gaveney his good wife continued to live on the pleasant homestead near the village of Arcadia until her lamented death, Feb. 19, 1908.
John C. Gaveney, leading attorney, former senator, member of the Wisconsin Exemption Board, president of the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, president of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company, vice- president of the Bank of Arcadia, owner of a modern stock farm, and promi- nently identified with the political, economical and social life of Trempealeau County for the past 30 years, is one of the leading citizens of Western Wis- consin, and his name is inseparably connected with its history, as was that
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John 6. Gaveney
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of his father before him. The career which has led to these many honors and distinctions has been a most notable one. Born on the pioneer home- stead in this county, June 30, 1863, he was reared to sturdy boyhood, and attended first the school at Old Arcadia, and then the school in the new village, graduating from the Arcadia public schools with the class of 1879. Thus prepared, he increased his educational experience by teaching for several seasons, and then, in 1881, entered the University of Wisconsin, graduating in the class of 1885 with the degree of B. A. Then he again taught for a while, and subsequently entered the law department of his alma mater, receiving his degree of LL. B. with the class of 1888. He began the practice of his profession at Milwaukee, but a short time afterward formed a partnership with J. O. Raymond at Stevens Point. He was there on the highway to success, when he was called home by the death of his father, June 21, 1890, and the death of his brother, Dec. 5, 1889, and the burdens of the various interests of the estate fell upon his shoulders. He at once opened an office here, but for the first three years he was largely engaged in operating the mill and lumber yard at Independence, and the farms at Independence and Arcadia. He is now dean of the lawyers of the county, he has been engaged in most of its important litigation for nearly 30 years, and he has been one of the most eloquent and able attorneys that has ever practiced before its courts. His interest in farming has never abated. His large tract of 500 acres near the village is one of the show places of the county. Here he carries on general agricultural operations along the most modern improved lines, making a specialty of dairying and stock raising and maintaining a fine herd of Holstein-Friesian cattle. A tractor engine furnishes much of the motive power, and a feature of the work on the place is the new B. L. K. milking machines, the farm being the first in this region where such equipment was installed. The story of the starting of the telephone line which has now become the important Western Wisconsin Telephone Company by Mr. Gaveney and a few of his friends, as well as the story of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, and his shaping of its destinies since the people of Ettrick first conceived the project is told else- where in this work, as is also the story of the municipal improvements of Arcadia, many of the most important of which were installed during his terms of office as village president, and all of which have been given the benefit of his influence and enthusiasm. Since early manhood he has been interested in politics, he has been the center of many a political fight as a delegate to county, district and State conventions, and while he has pre- ferred to be a power behind the office rather than to actually occupy office himself, he has served in several important public positions. His service as state senator in 1901-1905 added materially to his influence throughout the State. Being of a fraternal nature, Senator Gaveney has allied himself with Arcadia Lodge, No. 201, A. F. & A. M., and with Chapter No. 76, R. A.M. He is a lover of the out-of-doors, and aside from farming, his greatest hobby is fishing, some of his greatest legal problems having been worked out while he was "casting" for trout along the beautiful streams of Trempealeau County. In personality, Senator Gaveney is of genial temperament and tremendous energy, a polished gentleman of the old school, and much of his
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influence is reflected in the progressive spirit of the village. He is demo- cratic and approachable, an untiring worker for every good cause or worthy project. His beautiful home, erected on a bluff overlooking the business section of the village, is one of the social centers of the county, and he and Mrs. Gaveney delight in dispensing hospitality to young and old alike. Mr. Gaveney was married, April 9, 1890, to Isadore D. Webster, step- daughter of Judge E. W. Keyes, of Madison. This union has been blessed with two children: Marguerite and Stanleigh. Marguerite was born Oct. 2, 1891, graduated from the Arcadia High School, attended the University of Wisconsin, became a proficient musician, and is now proprietor of a mil- linery establishment in Arcadia. Stanleigh was born July 6, 1896, gradu- ated from the Arcadia High School, where he attained considerable distinc- tion as an athlete, and is now attending the University of Wisconsin, with a view to later adopting his father's profession.
Albert Hess, postmaster, and editor of the Arcadia Leader, is a native of this State, having been born in Buffalo County, Montana Township, Sept. 24, 1871, son of George and Fredericka (Beutner) Hess. George Hess was born in Germany, came to America in 1850, lived at Cleveland, Ohio, five years, employed as a carpenter, came to Winona, Minn., in 1855, and located in Buffalo County in 1860, there remaining until his death in 1895 at the age of 70 years. He married in 1852 Fredericka Beutner, who was born in Germany in 1830, came to America in 1851, and now lives in Buffalo County at the age of 87 years. Three of the children in the family are living. Albert Hess attended the public schools of his neighborhood, supple- mented with courses in the high schools at Arcadia and Alma. He was reared to farm pursuits, and remained on the home farm until 1896. Then he was employed in the machine business at Arcadia, six years. In 1902 he entered the postal service as mail carrier on Route No. 1, out of Arcadia. The Leader being for sale in 1904, he purchased it, and has since been its editor and proprietor. Sept. 1, 1913, he was appointed postmaster by President Woodrow Wilson. Previous to this for three years he had been secretary of the Democratic County Committee. Mr. Hess was married Jan. 1, 1896, to Clara Nickel, daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Fenster- macher) Nickel, the former of whom is pastor of the Evangelical Associa- tion church at Port Washington, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Hess have one daughter, Ethel, born May 11, 1899, who assisted her father in the postoffice, but now is a student at the State University at Madison, Wis.
Caspar Wohlgenant, a prosperous business man of Arcadia Village, was born in the Tyrol, Austria, Aug. 22, 1849, son of Joseph and Catherine (Coeb) Wohlgenant. When he was 12 years old his parents died and he had to go to work to earn his own living. At 15 years he began to learn the cabinetmaker's trade, finishing his apprenticeship at the age of 19. For the next two years he traveled through Switzerland, working at his trade. On attaining his majority he was turned over to the Austrian government, according to the law enforcing military service, but instead of serving he decided to come to America. Landing in New York in 1871, he proceeded by rail to Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked two years as a carpenter and millwright. In 1873 he went to Wabasha, Minn., finding
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ALBERT HESS, MISS ETHEL HESS, MRS. ALBERT HESS
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employment in a furniture factory there and remaining two years. Coming to Arcadia in the fall of 1875, he entered into partnership with E. J. Tracy in the furniture business, and this partnership was continued until the fall of 1877, when it was dissolved, Mr. Wohlgenant buying Mr. Tracy's interest. A few months later Mr. Wohlgenant associated himself as partner with Peter Ley, and they continued together for two years, at the end of which time the subject of this sketch bought out Mr. Ley and again became sole owner of the business. During the partnership above mentioned a frame store was built by the firm, which is now occupied by Mr. Wohlgenant's successor. In connection with the furniture business Mr. Wohlgenant built and operated a planing mill, and in 1896 he added a lumber business, estab- lishing a yard in Arcadia, which he still operates. June 1, 1914, he sold his furniture business, together with the store building, to John J. Schneider, a son-in-law, who now operates the leading furniture business in Arcadia, carrying a large stock. Since purchasing the business Mr. Schneider has erected a two-story brick block, 35 by 80 feet. Mr. Wohlgenant was mar- ried, July 22, 1878, to Mary, daughter of Peter and Catherine Ley, of Arca- dia. He and his wife have had four children: Rosy, born in 1879, who died in 1893; Mary, born Feb. 2, 1884, who is now Mrs. Harry Engeldinger, of Durand, Wis .; Katherine, born May 30, 1886, now Mrs. Perry Comersford, of Chicago, Ill., and Anna, born March 8, 1889, who is the wife of John J. Schneider, of Arcadia. All these children were born in Arcadia. Mr. Wohl- genant is a Democrat politically. He has served two terms as a member of the county board, has been president of Arcadia village two terms, and a member of the village board for many years. Aside from his lumber business, he is a stockholder in Bank of Arcadia and also in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Arcadia Brewery. He and his entire family are members of the Catholic church, and since 1914 he has belonged to the Knights of Columbus. The family is one of the most respected in this part of Trempealeau County.
John J. Schneider, the leading furniture dealer of Arcadia, Wis., was born in Montana Township, Buffalo County, Wis., Jan. 17, 1886. He was educated in the district schools of his native township, which he attended until he was 12 years old, and from 12 to 15 continued his studies in the German Catholic parochial school in Arcadia, and later in the Arcadia High School. Until he was 20 years old he worked on his father's farm, sub- sequently entering the employ of Fugina Bros. & Fertig as clerk in their department store, and remaining with them until 1907. In 1898 his parents moved to Arcadia from their farm in Buffalo County. It was in the winter of 1907-08 that the subject of this sketch entered the Winona Business Col- lege, at Winona, Minn., and he remained there until he had completed the full business course. Then returning to Arcadia, he purchased the bakery business of Joseph Bast, which he carried on for one year, and then sold out. In 1909 he went to Chicago and took a course in embalming at the Barnes School, and on his return entered the employ of Caspar Wohlgenant, furniture dealer. Dec. 7, 1910, he bought the furniture stock of Mr. Wohl- genant and has since been the proprietor of the business. June 1, 1914, he bought the building occupied by Mr. Wohlgenant and in the same year
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