USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 95
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Royal Geographical Society of England, who again in 1915 published a second and very complete history of the family in two volumes. John Markham's grandfather was Archbishop of York, who was chaplain to King George II and afterward to King George III, and directed the educa- tion of the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, and presided over the See of York for 31 years to the time of his death. When but 13 years of age John entered the British navy, where he served several years, attaining the office of lieutenant, but upon sustaining a sunstroke while on the India station he was obliged to retire. In 1834 he was married to Marianne G. D. Wood, daughter of I. B. Wood, Esq., by whom he had five sons, the oldest of whom, John, served in the army and was for years British consul to Hong Kong, China; he married and had two daughters, Florence and May, neither of whom married, and the wife and two daughters surviving him still are living at Rai-Gate, England. The second son, George Henry Markham, was born Jan. 24, 1837, in Yorkshire, England, where he and his brothers received their education under private tutors. He came to America with his father, mother and brother, Arthur Augustus Markham, leaving their then home on the Island of Guernsey on Aug. 13, 1856, and be- coming the first settlers at the present site of the village of Independence, Trempealeau County, obtaining from the Government and by purchase a large tract of land north and east of the confluence of Elk Creek with the Trempealeau River. This farm became well known far and near, due to the residence later built thereon located on a considerable eminence at the base of a hill facing the south and east and commanding a magnificent view. This house, commonly known as the Markham castle, was built with eight sides, octagonal, and originally comprised four stories, including an observatory at the top. This house was the home of George H. Markham until 1912, when he sold his halt of the old homestead-his brother Arthur still owns and occupies the other half of the farm-and has since resided in the village of Independence. The third son, Frederick, died in youth. The fourth son, Arthur Augustus Markham, was born at Bagnere de Bigorre in the Pyrenees, France, on June8,1840. Here also the last son, Albert Hast- ings Markham, was born Nov. 11, 1841. He entered the navy prior to his parents and brothers coming to America and through rapid promotion finally became admiral of the fleet. His post immediately prior to his reaching the age of compulsory retirement was at Sheerness, England. He made several trips into the Arctic Sea in quest of the North Pole and com- manded a sledging expedition from his ship in 1878, establishing at that time the farthest northern record. He wrote several books on the question of Arctic exploration, and also several biographical works, among them "Life of Sir John Franklin" and "Life of Sir Clements Markham," which latter work is now just being published. He was knighted by King Edward, with whom he was quite intimate, there being a great similarity in the facial appearance of the two men. His wife, Dora Jervers, and one daugh- ter, Joy Markham, reside with him in the city of London.
George H. Markham, pioneer, assemblyman and public official, is one of the county's most notable citizens, and has had a most remarkable influ- ence upon its destinies for more than 60 years. Of distinguished ancestry
MR. GEORGE A. MARKHAM
MRS. GEORGE A. MARKHAM
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE H. MARKHAM MR. AND MRS. ALFRED H. ROGERS
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and bearing, he is a genial, courteous gentleman of the old school, and he and his good wife, a most gracious and kindly lady, have delighted in dis- pensing cordial hospitality for considerably over half a century. George H. Markham was born in Yorkshire, England, Jan. 24, 1837, son of John and Marianne G. D. (Wood) Markham. He led the little group of people who in 1856 settled near the mouth of Elk Creek, and here he has since con- tinued to be a leading citizen. George H. Markham was the first town clerk of the town of Burnside, which then included the present territory of the village of Independence and the town of Chimney Rock, and served as treasurer of the town of Burnside and later as treasurer of the village from its incorporation in 1886 for 30 years or more. He represented Trempea- leau County in the Assembly during the 1879 session of the State Legisla- ture and also served his town as member of the county board when the county seat was at Galesville. At an early day he held the office of justice of the peace and frequently officiated at nuptials of the settlers in the ab- sence of a clergyman. He was made a Mason in "Doyles" Lodge No. 99 at the Island of Guernsey in 1854; was a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Independence and also held a chair in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, frequently representing his local lodges as delegate to the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. He was married Oct. 8, 1862, to Fannie M. Bishop, a daughter of Dr. Edmund Bishop, of Portage City, Wis., and to this union one son, George A. Markham, was born on May 7, 1865, who for many years, and until his death on July 16, 1909, edited and published the Independence News-Wave. He was married Oct. 11, 1891, to Ada Rogers, of Osseo, Wis., an only daughter of Alfred H. Rogers, now living at Independence, who was an early settler of the town of Burnside, and left no children. Alfred H. Rogers was born in Dane County, this State, June 4, 1844, and was married at Osseo Dec. 2, 1866, to Abby Buzzell, who was born in Waukesha County, this State, April 28, 1849. Except for a year in Iowa and three years in Missouri their married life has been spent in this county.
Arthur A. Markham, a substantial pioneer of quiet tastes, was born at Bagnere de Bigorre, in the Pyrennes, France, June 8, 1840, the fourth son of John and Marianne G. D. (Wood) Markham, with whom he came to America in 1857, and to the present site of Independence in 1867, he and his parents having spent the preceding winter at Black River Falls, while his brother George H. had located the family estate at Independence. Arthur A. Markham being a younger brother of George H. and of a retiring dispo- sition was not so well known in the community. He had no taste for public life and devoted his time almost entirely to the improvement of the large farm. He did, however, act as treasurer of the town of Burnside, being its first treasurer, and also acted as secretary of the "Grange," a farmers' organization which was quite influential in the early '70s. (The "Grange" obtained supplies from the Montgomery Company, of Chicago, the start of the mail order business.) He belonged to no secret orders, except the Good Templars. He was married June 24, 1874, to Rose C. Bishop, daughter of Collins Bishop, the first settler of Arcadia. They had six children, four boys and two girls: John Albert, born Sept. 6, 1875, and Claron Arthur, born Jan. 3, 1878, are practicing attorneys, the first named
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAT COUNTY
of Independence, and the last named of Beaver Dam, Wis. Marianne Emily Markham. the third child, was born July 21. 1883. She has not married and resides with her parents on the old Markham farm just within the vil- lage limits. The fourth child, Fredrick Clements, was born June 13, 1885. He, as did his brothers and sisters, completed the course of study at the high school of Independence, and at once settled upon the old farm, after taking some advanced study a: Madison in agriculture. He married Inez Leonard, of Potersville, Mich .. July 4. 1916. The fifth child. William Hughes, was born Dec. 13, 1885. After his gradution at the home schools he attended Appleton College and then completed the law course at the Unversity of Minnesota, and is now practicing law at Horicon, Wis. He married Mae Spencer, of St. Charles, Minn., June, 1915, and has one son. The sixth child, Blanche Fannie Markham, was born Feb. 18, 1890, who after com- pleting the local high school took special training in music and normal work and has taught school several years, at present teaching music and English at the Juneau ( Wis.) High School.
John A. Markham, former district attorney, three times president of Independence, and an active worker in the cause of advancement in his native village of Independence, is worthily fulfilling the traditions of a distinguished ancestry. Energetic. keen-minded and capable, he has im- pressed his personality upon many causes which he has fostered and encouraged, and has been especially active in behalf of the cause of civic righteousness and improvement, good roads and modern schools. His sightly home is one of the most attractive residences in the county, and he and his wife are widely known for their genial hospitality. He was born Sept. 6, 1875, son of Arthur A. and Rose C. (Bishop) Markham, and spent his boyhood on the farm, receiving his education at the Independence High School and the University of Minnesota, from which institution he gradu- ated in June, 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Law and was admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of Minnesota and later in the State of Wisconsin. That same year he and his brother, Claron Arthur Mark- ham, who had completed the same course of education, opened a law office in the city of Beaver Dam. Dodge County, Wis., where both brothers were admitted and joined the Odd Fellows' Lodge No. 117. John A. Markham was married to Eleanor Louise Brown, eldest daughter of Capt. William E. Brown, of South Bend, Ind., on May 21, 1904. He has three sons: Arthur William, born at Beaver Dam, Wis., May 31, 1905; George Francis Markham, born Aug. 15, 1909, at Independence, Wis., and Richard Albert Markham, born Dec. 13, 1912, at Independence, Wis. In October, 1905, John A. and Claron A. dissolved partnership and John A. removed to Independence, where he has since continued the practice of law. He served two terms as prosecuting attorney of Trempealeau County from 1909 to 1913 and has held various municipal offices, including justice of the peace and city attor- ney, and for the past three years has been president of the village of Inde- pendence. He was made a Mason at Whitehall Lodge No. 271 and a Royal Arch Mason at Arcadia, Wis.
Phillip Wolfe, an early settler in Buffalo County, long since passed away, was born in Prussia in 1824, and came to America when a young man,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in 1849. He had learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land and after landing in this country settled first in Syracuse. N. Y., where he worked at his trade. After remaining there a year, however, he went to Galena. Ill., where he also followed his trade for a while. He then bought a farm in Cross Township. Buffalo County-a place that had some small improvements on it, including a log house and stable. Except for one more year spent in Galena, he continued to follow general farming in Buffalo County until his death, July 15. 1886. When he started farming here he had 160 acres in his original tract, and later bought 160 more. thus being the owner of 320 acres at the time of his death, of which 170 were under the plow, the rest being in timber and pasture. He had erected good. substantial buildings and was in comfortable circumstances. Although a farmer for so many years, he continued to work at his trade all his life. building a shop when he moved onto the farm. As a skillful blacksmith he was widely known and had a good business. Mr. Wolfe was married in Galena. Ill., to Catherine Reidinger, who died in 1884. They had five children, whose record in brief is as follows: Phillip. Jr., born Feb. 14, 1857, at Fountain City, Wis., is now living retired in Arcadia, and is the owner of a farm in Buffalo County; Henry. born in Glencoe Township. Buffalo County, Dec. 31. 1859, is a farmer in Cross Township. Buffalo County, where he owns 1,000 acres of land : William is a prominent business man of Arcadia: Bertha, born June 11, 1863, is the wife of Christian G. Wenger, and resides in Arcadia Village : Fred, born Oet. 24. 1865, in Cross Township, is proprietor of a hotel in Fountain City.
William R. Wolfe. a well-known business man and popular citizen of Arcadia, has taken a part in many of its important ventures, and has been especially active in fraternal affairs. He was born in Glencoe Township. Buffalo County, this State, July 31, 1861, son of Phillip and Catherine (Reidinger) Wolfe. Reared amid pioneer conditions when his parents were struggling to develop a farm, he had to work hard as a boy, and thus had little opportunity for extensive schooling, though his keen observation and wide reading have since given him good educational training. In the spring of 18SS he left the paternal roof and bought the Behlmer Hotel at Fountain City, which he conducted until 1890. He then came to Arcadia and went into business on Main Street opposite Hotel Cain, remaining there until 1904. when he came to his present location. Since 1905 he has been lessee and manager of the Opera House, which he has made one of the best in the State for a city the size of Arcadia, having refitted and furnished it tastefully and made every effort to secure high-class entertainments. He has for a long time given his active support to practically every local enter- prise calculated to be of benefit to the community, showing in this respect a commendable degree of public spirit. He is now in comfortable circum- stances, having accumulated a fair competency. At Arcadia Mr. Wolfe is a charter member of Trempealeau Tribe, Independent Order of Red Men. of which he has been treasurer, and a charter member of Maple Brook Camp. No. 24. Woodmen of the World, of which he has been clerk for four years. At Fountain City he joined Steuber Lodge, No. 280. I. O. O. F., in 1882. At Winona he is a member of Winona Aerie. No. 1243, Fraternal Order of
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Eagles. Mr. Wolfe was married Sept. 3, 1891, to Paulina, daughter of John and Rose Earney, of Cochrane, Buffalo County, and they began domes- tic life in Arcadia, where they have ever since resided. They have one child, Leona, who was born May 26, 1892, in Arcadia Village. She is the wife of William Knoop, who is engaged in the shoe business in Arcadia. Mr. Wolfe is a Democrat in politics and has served as treasurer of the Democratic County Committee for four years.
Christian Kolden, an early settler, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Nor- way, and was there reared and married Ingri Ramstad, who was born Dec. 3, 1838, and died Aug. 1, 1903. They came to America in 1870, and located near Urne, in Buffalo County, this State, remaining until 1884, when he secured 120 acres in section 10, town 23, range 7, Hale Township. This farm he developed and improved, increasing the property of 200 acres, and successfully carrying on general farming. He now makes his home with his son, Ole, who has the farm lying just across the road on the east. Mr. and Mrs. Kolden had five children: Ole, born Aug. 24, 1867, a farmer of Hale Township; Eldri, born June 13, 1875, in Buffalo County, who keeps house for her brother Ole; Torsten, born Jan. 16, 1878, also in Buffalo County, who died Aug. 27, 1881; Karen Torine, born May 16, 1880, who is the wife of Carl P. Hanson, a farmer near Onalaska, Wis .; and Thea Lydia, born Feb. 6, 1884, who married Orville Evenson, a farmer near Whitehall. She died Nov. 6, 1907.
Ole Kolden, proprietor of the fertile Kolden Stock Farm of 160 acres in sections 9 and 16, town 23, range 7, Hale Township, is doing his full share toward developing the agricultural resources of the county. Energetic and capable, he is a successful farmer, a good neighbor and a useful citizen. He was born in Gulbransdalen, Norway, Aug. 24, 1867, son of Christian and Ingri (Ramstad) Kolden, who in 1870 brought him to America and settled in Buffalo County, this State, coming in 1884 to Hale Township, where he grew to young manhood and was trained to farm pursuits, assisting in the cultivation and development of the home farm. He bought his present farm in 1894, and moved onto it in 1908. Here he has since carried on general farming, operating it successfully, and keeping graded Holstein cattle, of which he has 30 head, with a registered sire; about 30 head of Poland-China hogs, and a flock of White Leghorn chickens. Like other enterprising farmers, he has improved his place from time to time by the erection of new buildings, installed with modern conveniences. Thus, in 1910, two years after moving onto this property, he built his present residence, a two-story and basement house of nine rooms, installed with a hot water heating system and other modern improvements. In 1915 he built a barn, 44 by 64 by 14 feet above stone basement, with an ell 32 by 20 feet for horses. The barn has cement floors and steel fixtures all through. His granary and machine shed is a frame building, 16 by 28 feet, with an ell 32 by 34. All the buildings on the farm are well constructed and present a neat appearance. As one of the substantial and prominent men of his township, Mr. Kolden has not escaped public office, but has served cheerfully as township supervisor for four years and as school clerk three years. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Mr. Kolden
OLE KOLDEN AND FAMILY-CHRISTIAN KOLDEN AND FAMILY
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was married, June 3, 1908, to Kari Moe, of Gary, Minn., who was born in Norway, June 18, 1878, daughter of Guttorm and Anna (Lyngve) Moe. She died April 15, 1912, leaving one child, Isabella Alvidia, who was born Nov. 6, 1910.
George A. Coy, an energetic young business man, was born in Inde- pendence, Jan. 11, 1892, the son of Elmer and Barbara (Cook) Coy, the former of whom has been a rural carrier on Route 1, out of Independence, since 1902. George A. acquired a good education, passing through the graded schools and graduating from the Independence High School in 1910. Thus prepared he entered the rural mail service as carrier on Route 3, from Independence. Two years later he went to Montevideo, Minn., learned the trade of linotype operator, and followed that line of work for a year and a half, then returning, and becoming a mail carrier on Route 3, out of Inde- pendence. In 1916 he entered into partnership with John A. Rumpel in the firm of Rumpel & Coy, and bought out the meat market of Peter Filla at Independence and built up a substantial business in meats, groceries and baked goods, and also renting the building, a substantial two-story brick building with full basement. He was married, June 8, 1915, to Kath- erine McClone, of Stevens Point, a graduate of Stevens Point Normal School, who was a teacher in the seventh and eighth grades of the public schools for seven years. Her parents were Edward and Sarah (Timlin) McClone, the father being now a retired farmer living at Stevens Point. Mr. and Mrs. Coy have one child, Katherine Loraine, who was born July 29, 1916.
William Van Sickle was one of the earliest settlers. Coming to this county in 1856, he and his family located in Preston Township, where they began life in true pioneer style, living for three months in a tent, while William Van Sickle hauled lumber from Merrillan to build a house. This domicile when completed measured 12 by 20 feet, and besides constructing it he made his own furniture. He had two yoke of oxen, indispensable for pioneer farming, and cut his wheat with a cradle, threshing it the first three years with a flail. His hay he cut with a scythe. For provisions the family depended largely on the game which he killed, of which there was an abundance, including bear, deer, ducks and prairie chickens. Indeed, the family had little occasion for money, as trousers were made from bagging and moccasins from cowhides, Mr. Van Sickle and his sons wearing blue denim shirts, and it was always possible to trade hay, corn, wheat or game for such articles as they could not raise or make themselves. Of course, there were inconveniences and occasional privations in connection with such a life, but these were surmounted or endured until conditions gradually improved.
Levi Van Sickle was born in Will County, Ill., April 3, 1840, son of Will- iam and Caroline (Denny) Van Sickle, who brought him to Preston Town- ship in 1856. He was reared amid pioneer conditions, residing on the home farm and assisting his father until he was 25 years old. Then, ambitious of an independent career, he homesteaded land for himself in Preston Township, taking up 160 acres, where he resided until 1879-a period of 14 years. Having during that time considerably improved his place, he
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sold it and went to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where he remained three years. He then returned to Wisconsin and rented the David Wood farm for two years. In 1884 he bought a farm in section 24, Lincoln Township, where he resided until his death. He was married, Oct. 1, 1865, to Mary Wood, daughter of Alvah Wood, and a sister of David Wood. He and his wife had four children: Cora, wife of Erwin Rumsey, who is employed in the freight depot of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway at La Crosse, they having one child, Ethel; Alvah, a farmer in Pigeon Township, who married Grace Thompson and has one child, Ione; Estella, who resides at home, and one that died young. Mr. Van Sickle was for many years a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church at Whitehall.
John Charles Hewitt, pioneer lumberman, successful agriculturist, and gallant soldier, was born in Canada, Aug. 19, 1832. Early in life Mr. Hewitt became a lumberman and riverman. He was still a young man when he came to the United States and was in this country when the Civil War broke out. In that great struggle he took an active part, enlisting at La Crosse in the First Wisconsin Light Artillery, with which organization he served three years and escaped unwounded. At the close of the war he returned to La Crosse County and again took up river work as foreman for the Black River Improvement Company, soon moving from La Crosse to Bloomer, Wis., where he lived for two years. He then moved to Beef Slough, near Nelson, in Buffalo County, as foreman for the Mississippi Log- ging Company, remaining there about five years, and subsequently returned to La Crosse County, where he purchased a farm. Not long afterward he again entered the employ of the Black River Improvement Company, working on Black River. After spending three years at this familiar work the farm again claimed his attention and he returned to it and followed agriculture until 1890, when he quit that occupation and moved to La Crosse, where he lived retired for about two years. He then came to Gale Town- ship and purchased the farms on which his sons Charles F. and Mark R. now reside, and resumed agricultural operations, being thus actively engaged until 1899, when he retired and moved to Galesville, where he died Dec. 12, 1912. Mr. Hewitt was married Sept. 2, 1867, at Minnesota City, to Mar- garet Jane Stiltz Rooh. Margaret Jane Stiltz was born near Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1841, and was brought by her parents to Juneau County, in this State, in 1855. Four years later she married Jacob Rooh, who died in 1865, leaving two children, of whom Fred Rooh, of La Crosse, still survives. Mrs. Hewitt died July 7, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt are survived by six children: Charles F., Harry B., Mark R., Frank B., Lottie and Emma. Charles F. is the State oil inspector.
Rev. Emanuel Christophersen was born in Lyngör, Norway, June 23, 1849. Parents: Christopher J. and Margrete Christophersen. At the age of 13 years he entered Drammen's Latin School and six years later matriculated at the University of Christiania. In 1873 he concluded his theological studies and after making a tour of Scotland, England, Germany and Denmark assumed the position of high school director in Gjerstad. Here he received information regarding the spiritual want among his fellow countrymen residing in America, and expressed his willingness to enter
MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. HEWITT
MRS. EMANUEL CHRISTOPHERSEN
REV. AND MRS. EINAR B. CHRISTOPHERSEN
REV. EMANUEL CHRISTOPHERSEN
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ministerial work among them. Through Bishop Hench he received a call from Pigeon Falls and affiliated congregations. He was ordained in Vor Frelser's church in Christiania in 1876. The 23rd of March, the same year, he married Inger Nilson, also from Lyngör, Norway, born Oct. 3, 1849, of parents Knut and Helene Nilson. Immediately afterward they emigrated to America and arrived at Whitehall May 30, 1876. Here they lived a few months until the parsonage which was being built half a mile north of Pigeon Falls was ready for occupancy. His call consisted of five congre- gations and a number of missionary stations. For 33 years he performed his arduous labors in this large field with rare fidelity, traveling about in rain and sunshine, summer and winter, preaching the word of Christ's gospel, administering the sacraments, comforting the sorrowful, and in- structing the young. During these many years of continued pastorate in Pigeon Falls he became widely known and respected in this and neighboring counties. His manly bearing, his clean-cut character and his integrity, together with his considerable learning commanded universal recognition and esteem. In his lifework he was ably assisted by his faithful and self- sacrificing wife, whose crowning work it has been to make a home rich with joy, peace and contentment. Their married life was very happy. Eleven children were born to them. The three oldest boys, Christopher, Knut and Gotlob, all died young. The other eight living are: Anna, married to Olaf Mosbo and living at Rembrandt, Iowa; Johannes Björn, married to Eva Brevig and living at Roanwood, Mont .; Einar Björn, suc- cessor in the father's call and living at Pigeon Falls, married to Myrtle Peterson, of Trempealeau Valley; Gerhard Björn, married to Addie Dale and living in Superior, Wis .; Johanne Marie, married to Rev. J. C. Johnson and living in Frankfort, Mich .; Knut Johan, at Pigeon Falls; Ragnhild Margrete, graduate nurse of Augustana Hospital, Chicago, living in Fargo, N. D .; Valborg, teacher in North Dakota. On the 23rd of March, 1909, the anniversary of his wedding day, he suffered a paralytic stroke while seated at the dinner table and died a few hours later. The funeral took place on the 29th of March. Right Reverend J. Nordby, the president of the Eastern District of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, spoke on 1 Peter 5:10, 11. The Revs. Ramberg, Gimmestad, Urberg, Bestul, Hovde, Berrum, Vik and Kvaase delivered brief addresses. The funeral services were attended by a great host of mourners. Floral offerings were sent by many societies and individuals. A number of old parishioners served as pall-bearers from the residence of the deceased to the church. Six brother ministers carried his remains to the grave. Members of his congregations and his family have erected a beautiful monument upon his grave. At the time of his death his call consisted of three congregations: Pigeon Creek congrega- tion, at Pigeon Falls ; South Beef River, Jackson County, and Upper Pigeon Creek, Jackson County. During his pastorate at Pigeon Falls he had preached approximately 3,150 sermons, baptized 3,079, confirmed 2,029, married 480 couples and officiated at 1,002 funerals.
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