Dane County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1906 (part 20 of 29)

Lars L. Nelson is another of those noble sons of Norwegian descent who have contributed so much to the material advancement and prosperity of Dane county. He was born in the town of Deerfkld on June 24, 1846, and his parents were Lars and Karie (Ellif) Nelson Vale ; the former was born in Norway in 1803. and the latter was a native of the same country and was born in 1814. These parents were married in their native land, and migrated to America in 1844. Arriving at Chicago, they made the trip from that city to the town of Deerfieldi Dane county, with an ox tea:::, and immediately bought forty acres of government land and began farming in a general way, in so far as it was practicable in those days. The father added to this farm from time to time until he had a grand total of four hundred and forty acres in the estate. He later sold forty acres of this and divided the remaining four hundred acres between his two sons giving each twt>i hundred acres., He was a highly respected citizen, generous in the extreme, and was always ready to assist movements of a public nature or contribute to the relief of the poor and needy. His death occurred, February 9, 1874, and his good wife survived until July 8, 1892, when she died at the residence of her son. Joseph L.Nelson, on the old homestead. Lars L. Nelson, to whom this review is specially dedicated, received his education in district school, No. 1, of Deorfield, and the date of his father's death was practically the beginning of his independent career. He made his home with his brother until 1887*. when he was married and moved to the place where he now resides. Living now in the midst of all the latter-day improvements he easily recalls to memory the time when he assisted his father with an ox team to till the virgin soil. Of the five children bom to his parents Mr. Nelson is now the only survivor, his brother, Joseph L-, who is spoken of in this review, died in the fall of 1903. Mr. Nelson was married, in September, 1887, to Miss Matilda Olson, who was born October 8, 1867, the daughter of Mathea Olson, who was born in Norway, and lived in Deerfield, and then moved to the farm of Joseph L. Nelson. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson there have been born the following children; Caroline, born September 16, 1888; Lewis, born February 7, 1890; Martin, born July 20, 1891 ; Anton Olene, born October 10, 1892, died November 17, 1894; Delia Olene. born December n, 1895, and Sanford Olene, born May 12, 1898. When the parents of Mjr. Nelson first came to Deerfield they had to go a mile for drinking water.

Halvor A. Nestestu (deceased), was born at Venge, Telemarken, Norway, September 2j, 1838, and died in the town of Cottage Grove, Dane county, June 1, 1905. He was a son of Osmon Oslakson and Ingeborg Burensdaughter, who camie to this country in 1843. They settled first in Milwaukee, but after a short time there, came to the town of Cottage Grove, where they bought a farm from the government. This farm is now the property of Airs. Xestestu, the widow of the subject of this sketch. Halvor lived with his parents until he was about thirty years of age, when he married and bought the farm from his father, though his parents continued to live on the old homestead until their death. Shortly after his marriage he went into the drug business in [Marshall, but a year later, at the request of his parents, he sold out and returned to the farm where he passed the rest of his life. After his death the widow removed to the village of Deerfield, where she expects to spend the remainder of her days. Mr. Nestcstu was a man of great determination and when once undertaking any thing was not easily discouraged. Mr. Xestestu, Senior, possessed marked ability and ingenuity. His widow has a number of peices of silverware, made and engraved by him, which will compare favorably with articles of a similar character seen in first class jewelry stores. Of 'his four brothers and sisters none are now living. One of the brothers was the father of state Senator Albert M. Stondall. To the union of Halvor A. Xestestu and wife four children were born, one dying in infancy. The living are; Mary, married Iver Xotsetter, now lives near Cottage Grove; Henry, on the homestead farm; Hanna, in the millinery business in Deerfield.

Charles W. Netherwood, who has been president of the village of Oregon continuously since 1885, excepting three years, and who has also filled the position of postmaster at that place, is a prominent Republican and a highly respected citizen of Dane county, and* was born at YVatervliet, X. Y., on January 14.1 1843. He is the son of Joseph Xetherwood, who was born at Huddersfield, England, in February, 1817, where he grew up to the trade of a woolen manufacturer,, becoming proficient in all its branches. He married Emma Barraclough, who was born in the place of his nativity and who was his traveling companion when he crossed the ocean in 1842. and settled near Albany, X. Y. Employment was found by him in various mills along the Hudson, but chiefly at Troy. His skill was frequently called into action to get new mills into operation, there being but few of them when he first arrived. The great west attracted him, and taking his family he proceeded by way of the lakes to Detroit, thence by rail to Chicago and to Footville, Wis., and to Dane county by team. 42 - iii

Here he bought eighty acres in the north half of the northwest quarter of section 34, in the town of Oregon, adding forty acres adjoining, later. By industry he improved it into one of the finest farms in the County and sold it at a good price in 1883, when he removed to the village of Oregon, at which place he died April 16, 1894. His worthy and beloved helpmate died in 1885, aged sixty-nine vears. Coming to the United States a very poor man, by hard work he amassed a competency. He was mlade a citizen at Troy, N. Y., and at once allied himself with the Whig party, being loyal to it as long as that party had had an existence, transferring his allegiance to the Republican party at the birth of the latter. In no sense a seeker after public office, he had, none the less, an active interest in the party's success, doing all in his power to achieve that end. Just as earnest was he in his Christian life and work, being a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Six children came to bless his home, viz. : Edwin, a resident of Denver, Col. ; Eliza, wife of J. H. Martin, of Chicago; Emma, a long-time teacher in Dane county; Ada, wife of J. H. Richards, of Brooklyn; Charles W., who is the subject of this review, and two others who died in infancy. Our subject attended such parish schools as the country afforded in his youth, until he was ten years old. and then went into a factory, subsequently attending one term in a parish school ; and this is all the education he received in the state of New York. After coming west he managed to go to school in the intervals of farm work. He was moved by patriotism and enlisted as a private in Company E, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, the date of his enlistment being August 5, 1862. His regiment went from Camp Randall to Cincinnati, to protect that city from the threatened attack of Kirby Smith ; saw service in Kentucky ; joined Sherman at Memphis and was attached to Gen. A. J. Smith's division of the Thirteenth Army Corps and made a great march on Christmas day, 1862. His regiment wintered at Young's Point, where disease made great ravages, only two hundred and fifty of the entire regiment being able to carry muskets, the remainder being ill or wounded. Breaking camp in the spring of 1863 the regiment went to Vicksburg, taking part in that memorable campaign and participating in all the battles, including Champion's Hill. In that fight Mr. Netherwood was picked up for dead, after being struck by a piece of iron fired from a cannon. The commander of the battery informed him after the war that he had loaded his guns with bits of a locomotive, broken up for the purpose. He did not, however, go to the hospital, and was present at the battle of Black River Bridge, although not able to fight. Misfortunes do not come singly. On May 22 he was twice wounded with gunshots, one in the lower jaw and the other in the shoulder; was taken to the field hospital, and on June 4 was sent to Memphis, where a portion of the lower jaw was removed, and he was sent home on a furlough in September. A surgeon at Memphis told him he could never do service again ; but after reaching home a surgeon from Camp Randall ordered him to the front. He was not permitted to remain long, however, the surgeons in active work soon procuring his discharge, and he was mustered out with the rank of corporal on November 21, 1863. After the war he attended a commercial college at Madison ; then was clerk in a store at Edgerton one year ; later tried farming unsuccessfully, not having the necessary physical strength, and he returned to clerking, at Oregon. An attempt at broom-making was a failure, his poor health and disabled arm preventing his success, after which he went south and obtained a position as second clerk on a steamer; but being unable to perform the duties of that position, on account of physical disability, he was compelled to resign and return home, when he was commissioned postmaster at Oregon, a position he held continuously from 1869 to 1894. with the exception of about nine months in the latter 'part of the first administration of Cleveland. Our subject has been twice married : first to Eva Bedford, in 1866, she being the daughter of William and Edna E. Bedford, and was bom December 25. 1846, dying at Oregon, Wis., October 28, 1867, childless. His second wife was Mrs. Lucy H. Gilbert, daughter of Mordecai and Lucy P. Sayles, the ceremony occurring in 1868. Mrs. Lucy H. Netherwood was born January 29, 1841, and the name of her first husband was Thomas Gilbert. To her and Mr. Netherwood have been born six children, namely: Harry, born October 18, 1870, a bookkeeper in the Madison Democrat office ; Eva, Lucy, Pearl, Bertha and Perry. Mrs. Netherwood has by her first marriage one child, Ada. the wife of A. U. Marvin, of Nekoosa, Wis. The political faith of our subject is strongly Republican, and he has been prominent in public affairs for forty years; was town treasurer four terms ; and was supervisor of the village on the county board for over twenty years. In the Masonic order he belongs to the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, and the Madison Commandery, having been master of the first for a long time ; and the G. A. R., being present commander of O. E. Rice post. No. 121.

James Nevin, superintendent of fisheries, who makes his home at 12 North Broom street, is a native of Canada. His birthplace was Newcastle, Ontario, and the date June 4, 1854. His parents. Joseph and Mary Ellen (Wilson) Nevin, were natives of the County of Antrim, Ireland, who emigrated to Canada. The father is still a resident of Essex county, Ontario, eighty-two years of age. The mother died February 17, 1905. Both the parents were members of the Presbyterian church. Of the seven living children of a family of nine, James Nevin is the only one who ever came to the United States. After he had received what education the common schools of Newcastle afforded he was employed by the Canadian government in its department of fisheries. In 1882 he was offered the superintendency of the Wisconsin fisheries. He came to the state, looked the ground over carefully and determined to accept the position provided there were no politics about it. He announced his decision to Gov. Jeremiah Rusk, and that individual, with characteristic bluff ness, responded "You 'lend to business, or we'll attend to you." The conditions were accepted and the strictness with which Mr. Nevin has "tended to business" is evidenced in his twenty-four years of continuous and efficient service. His department alone has been kept clear of politics through all the changes of administration. -On October 8, 1877, he, married Mary Ellen, daughter of Michael Robinson and Isabelle (Olden) Nevin, of Ontario. To this union have been born two children. - William James, born August 16, 1878, died October 1, 1905 ; and Thomas Wilmot, a graduate from the Madison high school and business college, now employed in the Oshkosh hatchery. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nevin are members of the Unitarian church. Mr. Nevin is also a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Isaac S. Newton, of Middleton is one of Dane county's early settlers. He was born August 27, 1825, at Litchfield, Conn., the home of his ancestors for generations. Ranson and Lucina (Woodard) Xewton, his parents, were both born there in 1802, grew up and married there and engaged in farming in the vicinity during their entire lives. The mother lived to the age of ninety-nine years and nine months, dying February 18, 1901 ; the father died at the age of eighty-three. Ranson Newton's father was prominent in Connecticut politics and served in the state militia; his grandfather was a sea captain of English origin, the hero of many a thrilling wreck. He died at the age of eighty-eight. Ranson Newton and his wife had two sons; Frederick, who came to Wisconsin, set- tied in Vernon county in 1852, and served in the Civil War; and Isaac, who. came to Dane county in 1850. Isaac Newton received his early education at Litchfield and was married December 1, 1848. to Miss Emily Morse, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth (Marsh) Morse, both of whom were of English descent and lived in Connecticut. Mrs. Newton's grandfather, James Marsh, was born on April 19, 1763, in England and died May 12, 1845 in Litchfield, Conn. Her father, Abram Morse, first saw the light of day on April 28, 1786, in Connecticut and died November 15, 1860, in Iowa. After spending little more than a year in farming at Litchfield. Mr. and Mrs. Newton determined to try their fortunes in the west, where Mrs. Newton's parents had preceded them,- and accordingly they came to Verona in 1850, took up eighty acres of wild government land, which they cleared, and there made their home for many years. Two children were born to them, of whom the second, Eugene M. Newton, died in infancy. Their first son, Daniel T. Newton, is the proprietor of the Homestead Farm at Bridgewater, S. D., and raises and deals in fine cattle. He married first Cornelia Stephens, after whose death Alice L. Chandler, whose home was near Bangor, Me., became his wife. She died in 1885, leaving one daughter, Blanche. He then married Dell M. Chandler, of New Bangor, and they have one daughter, Helen Ruth, who makes her home with her father. Daniel Newton graduated at the LTniversity of Wisconsin with the class of 1872 and from the law school in 1873. He is a Republican and practiced law for six years in Freemont, Nebraska, and then removed to South Dakota where he was elected to the state legislature. In 1886 Isaac Newton left Verona for South Dakota but retained his farm at Verona. He obtained one hundred and sixty acres of government land and made his home at Bridgewater for seven years. Preferring to spend his declining years near his old home he returned to Dane county in 1893 and has since lived in Middleton. Mrs. Newton, who was born February 23, 1830, died December 22, 1896. She was well known as an exquisite worker in embroidery and hand painting and in the latter art once received a first prize for work done without the aid of a teacher. Mr. Newton has been a life-long farmer. He was the first man to introduce Devon cattle into Dane county and has taken many prizes for his stock at the Wisconsin state fair, of which he is a life member. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never desired public office, choosing to make lands and farming his chief interest. Beside his home in Middleton and one hundred

Thomas Nicholas, of Waunakee, was born in Hertfordshire, England, Febuary 2, 1826. He was the only child of James and Catherine (Jones) Nicholas, natives of England. His mother died the year of his birth and his father six years later; he was reared by a brother of his father, James Nicholas, and received his education in England, coming to New York at the age of twenty-five, (1851). He was a young man with his way to make in the world, and he followed the the tide of immigration that was at that time setting toward the northwest. He came to Vienna township, March 23, 1855. bought eighty acres of land, improved it, added to it year by year, until at the present time he owns a good property of two hundred and thirty-seven acres. He is a Republican in his politics and his church affiliations are with the Episcopal church, through his parents who belonged to it. In 1860 he married Mary Eatwell, born in Berkshire, Eng.. 1832. Her father died in that country, and her mother contracted a second marriage, and later in life, came to this country, and made her home with her daughter and husband, the subject of this sketch, until her her death at the age of ninety-two. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas have had have had seven children of whom only three are living, George, a farmer of Dane township; Anna; Frank, a fanner, lives In Vienna on the old homestead.

George Nidholls, an enterprising farmer of the town of Pleasant Springs, was born in Oxfordsville, England, February 14, 1843. He was the only child of Samuel and Caroline (Clark) Nicholls, natives of Oxfordsville, England. Mrs. Samuel Nicholls died in 1852 and Mr. Nicholls married Phoebe Sparrow, who died in 1895, They were both members of the Church of England. At the age of sixteen George Nicholls came to America, landing in New York after a stormy passage of eighty-three days. For nine years he lived in Angola, Steuben county, Ind., and in 1868 came to Dane county and located in Pleasant Springs. He "worked out" for a time and then bought the place where he now lives, one hundred and ten acres of valuable land on section 29, on the east shore of Lake Kegonsa. When he purchased the property there was only a log house on it and it was only partially cleared. Mr. Nicholls has made all the improvements and now has one of the prettiest homes in the county. He is a Republican in politics and as such has served as school director. The faith of John Wesley is the one he has chosen, and he worships in the Methodist Episcopal church in Stoughton. On June 1, 1869, he married Josephine, daughter of George and Ann (Miller) Parish, natives of Oxfordshire, England. Mr. Parish came to the United States in 1846 and located near Albany, N. Y. In 1843 he came to Rutland, Dane county, and two years later moved to the town of Pleasant Springs, where he resided until his death in September, 1895. His wife still lives in Stoughton. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parish - Samuel J. living at Fort Atkinson, Wis.; Josephine, wife of George Xicholls; Charles, a farmer near Iowa City, la. ; Frederick, engaged in the real estate business in Omaha, Xeb. ; Angenetta, living in Steuben county, Ind. ; Henrietta, living in Hutchinson, Kas. ; and Hattie, at Pleasant Springs, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls have been born ten children, Edgar S., a farmer in the town of Pleasant Springs; Herbert, a farmer, wdio married Rebecca Heinz; Mary T., at home; Charles C, a farmer in Humbolt county, la.; Clark J., living in Steuben county, la. ; Harry G., Wilmer P., Percy J., Bertha A., and Morris H., all at home. All the children have been educated in the schools of the vicinity and have attended the Stoughton schools.

Henry Harnden Noble, the well known and successful -fire insuracen agent of Madison, was born in Eau Claire. Eau Claire county, Wis., January 26, 1873. He is a son of James Harney Xoble, a practicing physician of Eau Claire, and present state senator from his district, and Jennie (Harnden) Xoble. The mother's father was Gen. Henry Harnden, of whom individual mention is made in this volume. In 1875 the subject of this sketch came to Madison with General Harnden. H'.s preparatory education was received in the public schools of the capital city, and after the completion of his courses in the same he entered the fire-insurance business where he has been successfully engaged ever since. For four years he managed the A. H. Main & Son business in this capital city and later was special agent under W. E. Main for Wisconsin and Minnesota of the Alliance Insurance company of London and the Svea of ( >othenborg, Sweden. In December. 1901, he purchased the old Major Mayers' insurance agency, representing the Liverpool, London & Globe company. On June 18, 1898, M|r. Xoble was united in marriage to Miss Luvia A. Willott, a native of Illinois and a daughter of George E. and Mary A. (Edgell) Willott. Mr. Willott has been a conductor on the Chicago & Xorthwestern Railway for thirty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Xoble have one son, Henry Harnden, Jr. Mrs. Xoble is a communicant of the Congregational church. Her husband is a member of the Free

G64 History Of Dane County

Jens J. Noeset, who has long been prominent as a contractor and builder, with residence at Stoughton, was born in Norway, April 13, 1828. His parents were Johannes and Elie (Bardal) Noeset, both being natives of Norway. His father was a farmer and mechanic by occupation, and in 1845 migrated with his family to the United States, locating in Christiana township, Dane county, Wis., where he purchased land and began his life in America as a farmer. He remained upon this farm until his death in 1882, at the ripe old age of eightyseven years, his wife having passed away in 185 1. Jens J. Noeset received his primary education in Norway, and at the age of seventeen years accompanied his parents to America, where he was compelled to "pick up" what little of an English education he secured. He began life in the new home as an oxen driver for his father, and continued so employed until his father purchased a team of horses, being the first to be brought to Christiana township, or at least that part of it in which Mr. Noeset lived. For five years the subject of this review followed teaming for his father, in one year making forty trips to Milwaukee, a distance of about eighty miles. It took about six days to make each trip. After his marriage in 1850, Mr. Noeset purchased his father's farm and followed agricultural pursuits for about twenty years, also working at his trade. In 1867 he moved to Cambridge, where he engaged in the hardware business, and in 1871, moved to Stoughton, which place has been his home since, for a number of years being connected with the wagon factory there. About 1884 he began to' devote his attention exclusively to 'contracting and building, and among the monuments to his genius in this line there are the [Norwegian Lutheran Seminary, in Minneapolis: the East church and parsonage, on Koshkonong; the Lutheran Seminary, in Sioux Falls, Soiith Dakota, and many other church buildings: the Norwegian Lutheran College building in Decorah, Iowa, which cost $100,000, and many public and private buildings throughout the state of Wisconsin. Mr. Noeset was originally a Democrat in his political views, but during the late years has assumed an independent attitude, and gives his support to the men and measures who meet his approval, regardless of the party label. He has honored the offices of village treasurer, member of the school board, and supervisor of the township. Religiously he is a Lutheran, and a member of the Norwegian Lutheran synod of America, serving for more than thirty years as a member of its general council, and for more than nine years as one of its trustees. After having lived eighteen years in America, Mr. Noeset made a trip to Europe, where he visited his mother country, as well ais Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and other parts of the old world. He was married on March 22, 1850, to Miss Gertrude Ingebrechtson, of Christiana township. Mr. and Mrs. Noeset have no children of their own, but they have two adopted daughters, one of whom, Ingebjorg, is the wife of O. O. Melaas, a druggist in Stoughton, and the other, Karen, is married to Ole Frederikson, a farmer in Minnesota.

James Nolan, deceased, formerly a farmer of the town of Blooming Grove and later a retired resident of the city of Madison, was a native of Ireland. His education was such as the schools of the country of his nativity afforded. He came early to the United States, settling in Connecticut where he was employed for some ten years in a bolt shop. Earlv in 1840 he left Connecticut and with but thirtvfive dollars in his pocket started for Wisconsin. He entered land in the town of Blooming Grove and in the course of a year or two was able to bring his family from the east. This farm was the family home until 1896, when Mr. Nolan retired and moved to 9 East Doty street, where he lived until his death, which occurred December 24, 1902, in his eightieth year. He was one of the pioneers of the county, a hard and earnest worker and well-known and highly respected. He was one of the men of whom it can be said "He never made an enemy-" Although he reached an advanced age he was wonderfully well-preserved in mind and body and was keenly alive to the possibilities of the times. Until his last sickness he had never been confined to His bed a single day. He did not "belong" to any party but voted as his convictions dictated. Mrs. Nolan died January 12, 1894, at the age of seventy-two. She also* was a native of Ireland, and was left motherless when but an infant. In her seventeenth year, soon after her father's second marriage she canie to> the United States, the passage consuming more than three months. She was of a kindly, cheerful disposition, - one of the women who are an inspiration and help in the sick room. Generous and unselfish, she has been known to travel twenty miles through the snow to minister to the wants of suffering neighbors. Mr. and Mlrs. Nolan had twelve children, - Michael, lives in Madison; Lucy, Mrs. James Farley of Madison; William H., Savanna, 111.; James B,. Janesville ; Thomas, Seattle, Wash.; Nora B., and Martha E., of Madison. The others died in infancy. These people were among the pioneers of the county and knew much of the hardships attendant upon an early settlement.

G66 History Of Dane County

ing to America he has exemplified that provident and conservative energy which is so characterist'c of the German-American, and which has enabled so many of such representatives in Dane county to attain definite success through personal effort. Mr. Noll was born in Baden, Germany, June 25, 1847, an(J ;-n tnat portion of the great German empire his parents, John and M)ary Ann (Stoulte) Noll, passed their entire lives. Jacob Noll passed his boyhood and youth in the fatherland, in whose excellent schools he pursued his studies for nine years. In 1866, at the age of nineteen years, he immigrated to America, making Madison^ Wis., his destination, and here he secured employment in the Hausmann brewery, being thus engaged for a period of two years, after which he was employed on various farms in the county for a number of years, finally renting land and farmiing on his own responsibility, while in 1890 he purchased his present farm, to whose cultivation and improvement he has since given his undivided attention, bringing to bear his characteristic energy and also a thorough knowledge of the details of the industry. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he and bis wife~ are members of the German Lutheran church. March 24. 1872, Mr. Noll was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Teidt. daughter of William and Charlotte (Bremler) Teidt, of Verona, this county, and they have six children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are as follows : Clara, January 3, 1873 I Anna Mara, July 24, 1875 ; Max John, June 24, 1877;. William Frederick, February 11, 1881 ; Louis James, March 15, 1886; and Ida Sophia, February 28, 1896. Clara is the wife of 'William Goertemoeller, who is express agent on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, having the run between Chicago and Milwaukee in which latter city they reside. Thev have four children, namely: Herbert, bom March 25, 1896; Esther, October 1, 1898; Ira, March 6, 1900; and Clara, , November 21, 1904. William Frederick Noll fourth child of the subject of this sketch, married Miss Sophia Ushler, of Milwaukee, and they had one child, Clarence, born May 26, 1905, and died aged six months.

Ole A. Norness, superintendent of the electric light system of the city of Stoughton, has held that position since 1902. He is of Norwegian origin, son of Ole O. and Dora (Oleson) Norness, who were born in Norway, married there and came to the United States in 1868. They located in the town of Black Earth, Dane county, Wis. and there worked a farm on shares for one year. In 1869 they moved to Grant county and purchased a farm of eighty acres. After the death of Mr. Norness in 1884, his widow came to Stoughton to live with her children, of whom there were five: Knut, Julia (Mrs. Christensen), Ole A.,

Henry (deceased) and Anna. Ole A. was born near Boscobel in Grant county, October 10, 1871, attended school in Boscobel and also in Stoughton and for four years was engaged in farming. He was employed three years by the C. M. & St. P. R. R. Co. and worked for five years in the wagon shops of Stoughton. He became interested in electrical work and made a systematic study of electricity for several years with the result that he was able to pass the necessary examinations to become an electrical engineer and in May, 1902, took charge of the Electric Light and Power Co. of Stoughton as superintendent. When the city assumed the management of the electric light plant he continued in office and still holds the position in which he renders most able and efficient service to the municipality. April 24, 1895, he married Miss Mary Froelich, daughter of John and Clara (B'laska) Froelich of the town of Marshall. Three children were born to the marriage; Percy L., Rector L. and Margaret L. The family belong to Christ Lutheran church of Stoughton. Mr. Xorness is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Beavers and of the I. O. O. F. and is allied with the Republican party.

Cornelius M. O'Brien is one of the pre-eminently successful farmers of the town of Oregon, a statement that becomes the more important when coupled with the fact that his success has been due to his own efforts aided by the good counsel and encouragements of a faithful helpmate. Mr. O'Brien was born in Plymouth, Luzerne county, Pa., March 15, 1839, ar>d his parents - Michael and Catherine (Murphy) O'Brien - were natives of Cork, Ireland, where the former was born in 1806 and the latter in 1808. The father was educated in one of the Dublin universities, then married and came to Xew York city, where he engaged in business. After some time spent in the American metropolis thev decided upon a visit to Caracas, Venezuela, where an uncle of the mother lived, and they remained in the South American city a number of years, the father engaging in business there. While they prospered in Caracas, the climate had a very deleterious effect upon the health of the wife and mother, and this caused them to return to Xew York where the father re-entered the mercantile business. The family fortunes were wrecked in the panic of 1837, and, in 1838, a removal was made to a farm in Luzerne county. Pa., where the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father being the first to pass away. After his death the mother built a canal boat for her sons, and in its operation an income was received which supported the family, but in 184^ the home was again darkened by the death of the mother. An elder daughter then took charge of the household and kept the family together, but in a few years she died and the home was broken up, an aunt taking the younger children. The subject of this review attended school in his native county, and in 1853 came to Wisconsin with his elder brother, John O'Brien, with whom he had made his home after the marriage of the latter in 1855. The}- settled in the town of Oregon, Dane county. Cornelius attended a select school in Brooklyn for a time, and in 1861 bought eighty acres of his present farm, breaking thirty acres for the plow that year and twenty acres more the year following. In 1864 he added ninetyfive acres to his landed possessions and established his home on his farm in April, 1865, residing in a building which he afterward used as a granary. In 1868, the small grubs covering twenty-five acres of his land were removed and the land broken, and in 1875 Mr. O'Brien built one of the largest and best farm houses in that locality. His next addition to his homestead was in 1895, when he purchased one hundred and five acres adjoining, but previous to this, in 1884, he purchased sixty acres in the town of Fitchburg, on section 8, and later, in 1889, he bought one hundred and forty-three adjoining, which makes his total landed possessions at the present time four hundred eightythree acres. This success has been achieved by giving his undivided attention and the employment of his unusual natural ability entirely to agricultural pursuits, and mow in his declining years he looks back upon a well spent life, while the fruits of his early industry render him comfort and ease. Mr. O'Brien relates that 'he was driving mules on a canal in Pennsylvania when he first saw a railroad train, hauled by the original engines of the Pennsylvania system, then operating only between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. These same primitive engines were exhibits at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, in 1893, and Mr. O'Brien again had the pleasure of gazing upon them, but with different emotions, we dare say, than when they attracted his attention in his old Pennsylvania home. In the O'Brien family there were ten children, and all but three of them are living, the exceptions being Margaret, Ellen and James, an infant. John resides m the town of Oregon; James resides in Wilkesbarre Pa.; Joseph in Spencer, Clay county, la.; the subject of this sketch is fifth in order of birth: Catherine is unmarried and resides in Dane county; Daniel resides in Lamars, Plymouth county, la.; Michael lives in the same place. Mr. O'Brien was married on January 4, 1876, to Miss Abigail Berry, daughter of Michael and Mary Berry, of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and to this union there have been born four children. Emmet S. resides in the town of Fitchburg. and of the others, Philip G. and

Birdie T. Oftelie, senior member of the firm of Oftelie & Severson, real estate dealers and insurance agents of Stcughton, has resided in Stoughton since 1903. Previous to that time he was a farmer in the town of Pleasant Spring's, which was the original home of the Oftelie family in Dane county. The first representative of the family in that locality was Ole Oftelie. who was one of the earliest settlers of the town. He came from Norway to Pleasant Springs in 1846, when the country was almost unbroken, and purchased from the government two hundred acres of land which he improved and made his permanent home. Two sons survived him; Ole and Targe. Targe left home when a young man to enter a general store in Stoughton as clerk. After ten years in this employment he located at Marshall and engaged in the boot, shoe and harness business, which he carried on successfully until 1875, when he sold his business and returned to the old homestead in Pleasant Springs, which he occupied until 1905. At this time he went to Texas and thence to Los Angeles, Cal., where he has since resided. Mr. Oftelie married Esther Wettleson, daughter of a pioneer of Pleasant Springs and ten children were born to the marriage ; John, Susie, Lena, the wife of Ole Springer, Oscar, Birdie T., Lizzie, who is Mrs. Andrew Schoe, Mamie, the wife of Edward Espefie, Jacob, Ezra and Joseph. Birdie T. was borr in Marshall. June 6, 1868, attended the Marshall school and the .dbion Academy and engaged in farming during his first years in business. In 1903 he moved to Stoughton and engaged in his present business which has prospered and is constantly increasing. September 15, 1890, Mr. Oftelie married Miss Julia Erickson, daughter of Knudt and Gertrude Erickson of Dunkirk. Two children blessed the marriage : Kenneth and Esther. The family is identified with Christ Lutheran church of Stoughton. Mr. Oftelie is a loyal member of the Republican party and served the town of Pleasant Springs as assessor for seven years and as treasurer for one term. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

William Ogilvie, (deceased), was born in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, in 1849, of Scottish parentage. His father, George Mitchell Ogilvie, came to Canada about 1840, from Scotland. His mother, Margaret (Edgar) Ogilvie was twice married, her first husband was a Mr. Mitchell, with whomi she left Lochlee, Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1841. Mr. Mitchell died at sea during the passage, and his widow came on to Canada with her two children, Janet, who is now married to George Wright, of Toronto, Can., and John, also a resident of Tor- onto. In 1844, Airs. Mitchell married Mr. Ogilvie; their children are R. B. Ogilvie, of Chicago; James, of Whitby, Ontario, Canada; Willian the subject of this sketch; George (deceased); Margaret, married James Waddingham, of Toronto; Jacob, of Dane; David, of Verona; Helen, married Victor Emmanuel Mason, of Verona. Mr. Ogilvie was a farmer; 'he died in 1876, aged seventy, and his wife in 1902, aged eighty-four. Mr. William Ogilvie came to Verona in 1868, when he was twenty years of age; he began by working by the month, but as soon as he was able he purchased land for himself, adding to his possessions from time to time until he became one of the large land-holders of the vicinity, having a farm of six hundred and twenty-two acres; besides his general farming he was an extensive and very successful stock buyer and raiser. Mr. Ogilvie was prominent in the councils of the Democratic party in his vicinity, and was their candidate for sheriff in 1888; he held local offices at various times. He was married in 1879, to Miss Agnes Mason, a native of Verona; she died in 1890, leaving five children, Lottie, John, Robert, Allen and Nellie, all at home. The father died in 1894 and the farm is now operated by the two sons, John and Robert, whoi were reared on it and educated in the schools of the vicinity and at the agricultural college of the University of Wisconsin, and they have added dairying to the earlier interests.

Thomas William Oldham, whose promising career was ended a few years ago by death, had been a resident of Dane county but a comparatively short time ; but his stay had been long enough to acquaint the people generally with his splendid qualities and excellent traits of character, and his untimely demise was mourned by a large number of devoted friends, Mr. Oldham was born in Worcestershire. England, on August 19, 1868, and was the son of Joshua and Isabella (Laurie) Oldham, both natives and life-long residents of the mother country. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom still reside in England, and the other two are deceased, Thomas W. and Harry, both of whom migrated to America. The latter died in New York city while preparing to take passage on a return trip to his native land, the sad event occurring in August, 1898. The subject of this review received an excellent education, first attending a grammar school in England and then adding to the knowledge thus gained by college courses, both in his native land and in Germany. He was educated with the intention of becoming a lawyer, but at the age of eighteen years he came to America and studied agriculture with T. L. Hacker in the town of Cottage Grove. He remained with Mr. Hacker until he was married, and then purchased the Kelley farm in the town of Verona, where he resided for about five years. In 1893 he purchased and removed to the Payne farm, in the town of Fitchburg, where he continued his occupation of general farming with gratifying success until his death. February 8, 1898. He was a man of superior ability, and aside from the scientific knowledge of agriculture which he was rapidly acquiring, he took a deep interest in topics of a general nature, and had his life been spared he would doubtless have achieved distinction as a leader in the affairs of life. In political matters he espoused the cause of the Republican party, his religious views were in accord with the Episcopal faith, and fraternally he was a member of the Madison Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. He was married in November, 1888, to Miss Helen A. Latham, further particulars of whose family are given on another page in the sketch of her brother, John C. Latham. Mrs. Oldham's father was a leading physician in England and she was reared in a city, never having been on a farm until after her marriage. But upon the death of her husband she displayed the sterling qualities so characteristic of the English people in times of emergency, and remained upon the farm and successfully managed its affairs until she disposed of it two years later. She then purchased the splendidly equipped home in the city of Madison, where she now resides with her three children, Leslie Latham, Wilfred Stanley, and Helen Evelyn Laurie, giving them the excellent educational advantages that are afforded there.

John Myers Olin, whose name will be handed down to posterity as the father of the magnificent system of parks and pleasure drives in and about Madison, Wisconsin, is a successful lawyer of the above named city. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, July 10, 1851. His parents were Nathaniel G. and Phoebe (Roberts) Olin, the former a nat've of Shaftsbury, and the latter of Manchester, Vermont. His early years were spent on the farm, and his opportunities for education were those furnished by the short sessions of the district school. When fourteen he attended Belleville high school for two years and also attended Daily's private academy, at Lexington, for a short period. Entering Oberlin College, he remained through the freshman year, and then entered the sophomore class at Williams College, graduating with the class of 1873. with the degree of A. P.. and was given the degree -of A. M. three years later. He was next principal of the Mansfield, Ohio, schools for a year. From September, 1874, to the close of the college year in June, 1878. he was instructor in rhetoric and oratory in the University of Wisconsin. He was graduated from the law school of the University of Wisconsin in 1879 and at once began the practice of law, at Madison, which has since been his home. His first law-partner was Lars J. Grinde (U. W., Law, 1874), who died in December, 1882; he then practiced alone until January 1, 1892, when he formed a partnership with Harry L. Butler (U. W. Law, 1889) under the firm name of Olin & Butler, which st'll continues. The firm has acquired a lucrative practice, and is recognized as one of the strongest law finris in the state. Mr. Olin is a profound student of the law, and is noted for the intense application with which he undertakes the conduct of a case. His zeal and energy in the interest of a client is untiring and he leaves no stone unturned in the exhaustive preparation of his cases. In their trial he displays a marked capacity for logical and convincing statement, has an impressive manner and voice, anel frequently rises to heights of impassioned oratory. The firm has shared for many years in much of the important litigation in both the state and Federal courts. Sonne twenty years ago he espoused the principles of the Prohibition party of the state, and was its candidate for governor; since then be has been classed as a Republican of a non-partisan and liberal type, standing for the best measure* and men. In addition to his fame as a brilliant lawyer, Mr. Olin is widely and favorably known for his public-spirited efforts looking to the beautification of Madison, and its environment. The plan of securing parks anel pleasure drives for Madison originated in 1892, and Mr. Olin has been the prime mover anel leading spirit in the work ever since. He has been indefatigable in the cause, and has given unstintedly both of his t'me and money. The Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association was finally organized in 1894, and was succeeded Iby the present organization of the same name but with enlarged powers, in 1899. Working through this splendid association, Mr. Olin, with the efficient help of other public spirited citizens, has succeeded in giving to the city a system of drives and beautiful parks, which are unrivalled by any city of its size in the country ; and best of all, the work of the association has promoted a spirit of liberal giving which has worked for the general uplifting of the community. These parks and drives are Mr. Olin's enduring monument, and his memory will ever be kept green by reason of them, while his present admirers are legion. In the fall of 1885'. he. was selected as instructor of Federal jurisprudence, sales, juries, and jury trials, in the college of law, of the University of Wisconsin, and continued in the work until the close of the school year of 1887. He was again chosen a member of the law faculty in June, 1894, and since then has lectured on real property, wills, and torts. His labors in this field are marked by his usual ability and thoroughness. Air. Olin vvns married June 14, 1880, at Baraboo, to Miss Helen R. Remington (u. W., '76). Their home on Langdon street, near the University, and extending to the waters of Lake Mendota, is one of the ornaments of the city.

Andrew Olson is one of the prosperous farmers of Cottage Grove township, where he has won independent and definite success through his own efforts and ability. He was born in the northern part of Norway, October 8, 1849, and is the son of Ole and Cary (Anderson) Knutson, taking his surname from the Christian name of his father, as is the custom in his native land. He was reared to maturity in Norway, where he received limited educational advantages. He was in his. twenty-second year at the time of his immigration to America, and he made his way directly to- Dane county, where he found employment as a farm hand, being thus engaged about three years and then purchased a farm in Dunn township, where he remained about twelve years, at the expiration of which he sold the place and purchased his present farm of forty acres, in Cottage Grove township. He has made good improvements on the place and thrift and prosperity are in evidence on every hand. Air. Olson attributes much of his success to the able assistance and co-operation of his wife, and they may well look with pride and satisfaction upon the results of their faithful efforts. Both are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and in politics he is identified with the Republican party. In the autumn of 1872 Air. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Johnson, who was born Alarch 11, 1853, being a daughter of John and Betsey (Peterson) Johnson, of Dunn township. They have nine children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are as follows: Ole, November 9, 1873; John, January 10, 1875; George Cornelius, Alarch 28, 1877; Bessie Anderina, February 17, 1880; Clara Matilda, Alay 6, 1882; Thea Sophia, Alarch 2T,y 1884; Albert Oscar, Alarch 19, 1887; Anna Luella, August 22, 1889; and A label Caroline, September 27, 1892. Ole, the eldest son, married Aliss Oleta Caroline Lonsness, of Cottage Grove township; John married Aliss Alabel Boyles of the same township; Bessie A. is the wife of Carl Ahrensmeier, of Elmside, a suburb o>f the city of Madison; and Clara AI. is the wife of Ellsworth Hoover, of Dunkirk township.

Andrew Olson, a successful and well known farmer of Rutland, was born October 23, 1848, near Bergen. Norway. His father, Ole, was a farmer, shoemaker and carpenter in the village and there married Aliss Ingeborg Knutson. Eight children were born to them ; Ole B., who is a farmer of Burke ; Knute, a farmer of Rut- 43 - iii land; Andrew, Betsey and Ole N., who reside with their brother Knute ; Otto a farmer in Dunkirk, and Martha and Ole, who died. The family came to America in 1870, where two of the sons had preceded them and located in Rutland. The boys were obliged to work in Norway and had small opportunity to attend school. Andrew left Norway in 1868, located in Stoughton and farmed there and in the town of Dunn for several years. In 1870 he enlisted as a private in Company E, of the Seventeenth Regiment of the regular army and was stationed at Fort Stephenson, N. Dak. and at the Grand River Agency. At the end of two years he was discharged for disability. Since that time he has lived in Rutland, where he purchased first a farm of forty acres and later added to it one hundred acres, on which he now lives. In December, 1905, another forty acres was purchased, making in all a fine large farm. Mr. Olson is a Republican but not an active politician. He is a member of the First Lutheran church of Stoughton. In October, 1888, he married Miss S. Reppen, daughter of Hans and Carrie (Gist) Reppen, whose home was in Norway. Eight children have been born to them; Ida, Clara, Odin, Henry, Ernest, Emill, Adelina and Sedney.

Anton Olson has since 1889 resided upon the farm of one hundred and fifty-six and one-fourth acres in Christiania, where he at present carries on an extensive general farming and dairying business. He makes a specialty of fine milch cows of which he always has a large number and has a finely equipped property. About one hundred acres are under cultivation. Anton Olson was born in Hedemarken, Norway, February 9, 1859, and came to the United States in 1876 with his parents, Ole and Marie (Olson) Nelson. He purchased a farm in the town of Folten near Edgerton, Rock county, where the family lived for three years and then moved to Christiania, where Mr. Oleson still resides. Mrs. Nelson died in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson attended the United Lutheran church, of which their son Anton and his wife are also members. Three children were born to Ole Nelson and his wife : one died in infancy and Anton and Alena came to America with their parents. Alena married Taylor Johnson of Albion who died in. 1906. Mrs. Johnson has since then lived with her father in Albion. Anton attended school in Norway and when the family arrived in Christiania he worked out for some time until they became established. In March. 1886, he married Miss Anna Thostenson of Christiania, daughter of Thosten and Christina (Gunderson), who were natives of Nummedahl, Norway, and who settled in Christiania, Dane county, in 1844, upon a farm. Five children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Olson, all of whom are living at home: Oscar, Martin, Clara, Henry and Alma. For three years (1886-1889) Mr. Olson lived on a farm in Rock county, where he had seventy-five acres of land but he soon returned to Dane county, where he has always been interested. He is a loyal member of the Democratic party but has never taken any very active part in political matters.

Knud Olson, the pioneer harness dealer of Stoughton, is one of the well known are honored citizens of this part of the county. He is a native of Norway, where he was born March 25, 1836, and is a son of Ole and Leve (Erickson) Knudson, his surname being derived from the Christian name of his father, as is the custom in Norway. Mr. Olson was afforded the advantages of good schools in his native land, where his father followed the vocation of farming. In 1852, at the age of sixteen years, he set forth, with ail of courage and self-reliance, to make a home in America, the voyage comprising seven weeks He landed in the port of New York city, and then came to Wisconsin by way of Albany, Buffalo and the Great Lakes, to Milwaukee. From Wisconsin's present metropolis, which was then a small town, he proceeded to Janesville, Rock county, where he served a thorough apprenticeship at the trade of harness-making and where he remained five and one-half years. In 1858 he took up his residence in Stoughton, where he worked at his trade several months, in the employ of J. O. Cold. From 1864 to 1866 he traveled through the west, especially in Montana, where the gold excitement was then at its height. In January, 1866, he settled permanently in Stoughton, where he has thus made his 'home for forty years. He has established a successful business as a dealer in harness and saddlery and has a well equipped shop in which high-grade goods are manufactured and repaired. For several years he was also special carriage trimmer for the old shop of the Mandt wagon works, in that connection giving employment to several men. Mr. Olson has stood for the highest type of loyal citizenship, has retained the implicit confidence and esteem of the community and has been called to various offices of public trust, He served eight years as assessor of Stoughton, was village trustee several years, prior to the incorporation of the city, being president of the board of trustees one year, and for several years he represented his ward on the board of aldermen of the city. For three years he held the office of city treasurer, and he has ever been found faithful and efficient as a public official. Tn politics he is an uncompromising Republican and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. For more than twenty years he has been a trustee of Christ church, of this denomination, in Stoughton, his wife likewise was a devoted member of the same. In 18G0 he was united in marriage to Miss Guri Christiansen, daughter of Knud and Barbara (Synsistegard) Christiansen, who came to Wisconsin from Norway and settled in Rock county in 1852. Mrs. Olson died in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Olson became the parents of six children, of whom four are living, - Levi, a resident of Milwaukee; Caroline, widow of Nelson M. Lovejoy, of Stoughton; Bennette and Annie G. The two deceased were named Annie and Maria Josephine, the latter of whom was the wife of E. J Young.

Nels F. Olson, manufacturer of and dealer in carriages, wagons, harrows, plows, etc., in the city of Stoughton is one of the progressive business men and popular citizens of this place, and he has built up a prosperous enterprise through Ins own efforts and ability. He was born in Trondhjem, a seaport town of Norway, November 13, 1858, and is a son of Ole and Bertha (Nelson) Olson, who came to America in 1882, locating in Dane county, where he was engaged in farming until 1895, since which time he and his wife have resided in Stoughton. Of their six children five are living, namely: John, Nels F., Annie (wife of Alexander Nelson), Sever F. and Bertha (wife of John L. Johnson). Nels F. Olson, the immediate subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his pative land, where he remained until he had attained to the age of nineteen years, when, in 1877, he came to the United States, making his way from New York city to Hancock, in the upper peninsula of Michigan, where he was employed in' the copper mines for eighteen months. He then came to Dane county and located in the village of Cambridge, where he learned the trade of general blacksmith, remaining in that place three and one-half years. He then located in the village of London, this county, where he was associated in business with Charles Wolffor during the ensuing three years. In 1886 he located in Stoughton, where he worked at his trade, as a journeyman, for one year, passing the following eighteen months in Utica, this county, and then returning, in 1889. to Stoughton, which has since represented his home and business headquarters. He has built up a prosperous business and has his shops well equipped for all branches of work handled. He is a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party, and from 1895. to 1898, inclusive, he represented the second ward of Stoughton in the city council. He is identified with Stoughton Lodge, No. 60, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Scandinavian

Working-men's Association. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. In 1889 Mr. Olson married Miss Denie Oleson, daughter of Andrew Oleson, of Cambridge, this county, and they have two children, Merrill and Edna.

Osmon T. Olson, (Asbjorn T. Olson, his baptizimal name) the obliging operator and station agent at McFarland, was born in the town of Pleasant Springs, Dane county, September 24, 185 1. The parents were Tollef and Guri (Tofte) Olson, natives of Norway, who came to Wisconsin in 1849. Tollef Olson saw service in the Swedish war. After his arrival in Milwaukee he m)ade the trip overland to the town of Pleasant Springs, where he worked land on shares for a couple of years. Cholera was raging in southern Wisconsin in the summer of 1852 and Tollef Olson fell a victim to its ravages, leaving a widow with three small children, the eldest only five years old, Esther (now Mrs. P. F. Nelson of McFarland), Ole, died at age of fourteen, having been an invalid all his life, and Osmon T., the subject of this sketch. The struggles of the widow for several years were hard, but by 1859 she had accumulated enough to purchase a modest home in the village of McFarland. At the age of fifteen, when he had acquired all the learning to be had from the McFarland schools, Osmpn T. Olson started life for himself. His first work was with a contractor's gang, building fences for the railroad company. The next seven years he put in at the carpenter's trade, studying telegraphy in his spare moments. So proficient did he become in this that in 1878 he was given a position as operator and two years later was given charge of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company's depot at McFarland and has held that position ever since. Few people ever led a more self-sacrificing life than has Osmon T. Olson. Time and again he has been offered and urged to take more lucrative positions, but he has always steadily refused to consider any overtures preferring to remain in McFarland while his mother lives. He says he realizes something of what he owes her, and has built her a beautiful home, where he lives with her. In politics he is independent ; each man and issue is carefully weighed and the decision is made with his ballot. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church, and the Young People's Society is the only organization of any kind to which he belongs. Something of the esteem in which Mr. Olson is held by his neighbors may be judged by the fact that he has twice been chosen their town clerk.

Otto M. Olson, a prominent farmer of the town of Dunkirk, is a native, of Sogen, Norway, born December 23, 1855, son of Ole and Ingeborg (Knutson) Olson. Ole Olson was a skilled maker of spin- ning-wheels in Norway and continued that handicraft as a means of livelihood in Wisconsin. The family left Norway in 1868, embarked for the United States and continued their journey to Dane county, Wisconsin. Here Air. Olson farmed on shares in addition to his othei work and here he lived to the great age of ninety-five years, his death occurring in April, 1891. Seven children made up the family circle; Ole, Knut, Andrew, Martha, who married Otto Sperle, Otto M., Betsey and Olaf. Otto M. was thirteen years of age when he came to the United States and continued his education, commenced in Norway, at the district schools of the town of Dunn. He assisted his parents in the work of farming and has always made farming his business. In 1 881 he purchased forty acres of good farm land in the town of Dunkirk, which is now his home, and later added an adjoining twenty acres in the town of Rutland. This he has greatly improved and has in a fine state of cultivation. Since 1899 he 'has been agent for the Farmers' Insurance Company of Albion and has been for five years treasurer of the Rutland Cooperative Creamery Company. In his political affiliations Mr. Olson is a Republican and has served the town of Dunkirk as assessor for six years and as treasurer for three years. June 30, 1893, he. married Miss Annie Rasmussen, daughter of Nels and Kate Rasmussen, farmers of the town of Burke. Three children were born to this marriage; Mabel, Agnes and Norma. The family are active supporters of the First Norwegian Lutheran church of Stoughton, of which Mr. Olson is a trustee.

Thore Olson, deceased, for many years one of the prominent farmers in the town of Pleasant Springs, was a son of Ole Thorson and Sarah Christopherson of Norway. His birth occurred June 4, 1838, at Guldbrandsdalen, Norway. In 1869 Mr, Olson and his wife came to the United States and settled in the town of Pleasant Springs. His first means of obtaining a livelihood alter coming here was by raising tobacco on shares, which he did for eight years. In 1876 he purchased one hundred and ninety acres of land in the same town, later adding a tract of forty acres adjoining, the place being equally divided between the towns of Pleasant Springs and Dunn. Later in life he added to the amount of realty by the purchase of two hundred" and forty acres in the town of Dunkirk. One hundred and twenty acres of this Dunkirk property are still in the possession of his estate, together with the Pleasant Springs and Dunn holdings. He followed agricultural pursuits all his active life, retiring in 1902. Besides his agricultural possessions he owned valuable real estate in the city of Stoughton, and upon his retirement he removed to that city where he died July 8, 1904, at the age of sixty-six, leaving a widow, ncc Sarah

Nicholei, daughter of Peter and Johanna (Andersen) Nichole of Norway, and ten children. The children in the order of their ages are Tilla, wife of Lief Holte ; Pauline, married Louis Felland ; Maria, wife of Theodore Edwards; Theodore; Henry B. ; Louise; Lenore ; Yalborg; Henrietta and Rupert. One daughter, Hannah, is deceased. Prior to his coming to America Mr. Olson had been a sailor on the high seas for eighteen years. He was a thrifty, industrious farmer and left his family a good competency.

William T. Olson was born March 27, 1859, upon the farm in the town of Dunkirk, which is now his home, and has always engaged in farming, except for eight years which he spent in Stoughton. His father, Torgrim Olson, was born in Norway, son of Ole Hanson and Thurene Hanson, and came to the United States in 1845 ac~ companied by his mother. He purchased a farm of eighty acres in the town of Dunkirk, Dane county, from the government, cleared and improved it and still makes it his home. He is now in 1906 in his eightyfifth year. Torgrim Olson married Anne Wettleson, daughter of William and Betsey (Torgeson) Wettleson, who came from Telemarken, Norway, in 1845 ar>d located upon a farm in the town of Dunkirk. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Torgrim Olson, of whom two died in infancy; Ole T. (deceased) whose widow and three children survive him; Thurene, the wife of Albert Torgerson of Pleasant Springs and William T. William T. attended school in Dunkirk and in the public schools of Stoughton, assisted his father in the work of the farm and continued in that occupation, assuming the management of the home farm in his father's old age. For a period of eight years he resided in Stoughton and engaged in the leaf tobacco businesss but the remainedr of his life has. been spent on the old homestead where he carries on a general farming business and also raises considerable tobacco. He is the owner of twenty-four acres adjoining the original eighty. September 18, 1888, he married Miss Susie Alme, daughter of Asbjorn and Soneva (Ladd) Alme, farmers of Pleasant Springs. Two children were born to the marriage, Statia and Amanda. The family is identified with Christ Norwegian Lutheran church of Stoughton. Mr. Olson is a member of the Democratic party, has served the town of Dunkirk as assessor one term and as supervisor several terms. While a resident of Stoughton, Mr. Olson was supervisor and represented his ward in the city council. He has always taken a great interest in farmers' organizations, particularly the Farmers' Equity, or which he was president the first year after its organization.

business life in the capital city. Mr. O'Neil was born in the parish of Lesrouna. near Feathert, County Tipperary, Ireland, and in early manhood migrated to America, arriving at New York city in 1852. He remained in the metropolis and at Sing Sing, N. Y., working at the foundry business for five years, and then came directly to Wisconsin, arriving at Madison on May 12, 1857. During the first twelve months of his residence here he worked in the freight house of the Milwaukee & Mississippi railroad, and then started in business for himself, keeping a boarding house on West Main street until 186? when he bought and built on W. Washington avenue, continuing in business there until 1901, when he retired from active participation in affairs. He received a common school education in his native land, his father having been a farmer there. Three other brothers came to America, James, in 1848, died in Salem, Mass. ; William, died in New York and John in Chicago. Mr. O'Neil has three other brothers in Australia who together own 16.000 acres of land and are largely engaged in the business of sheep-raising. The subject of this review gives an unswerving allegiance to the principles of the Democratic party, and his religious faith is expressed by membership in the Catholic church. He was first married while living in the state of New York on April 6, 1856, and the lady of his choice was Miss Constance Godfrey, a native of Ireland, born near Holy Cross, Tipperary, whose father, James Godfrey, was an extensive farmer in the Emerald Isle. The first wife died in April, 1901. and on November 14, 1904, Mr. O'Neil was married, in the Catholic church at Madison, to Miss Katie Curly, who was born in St. Louis, Mo. The father of Mrs. O'Neil was Brigadier General Thomas Curly, of the United States army, who commanded a Missouri regiment during the Civil War and died in Madison in 1904. No children have been born to either of these marriages.

Charles O. O'Neill, dealer in real estate with an office in Room 9, Fairchild block, was born in Grant county, Wis.. September 22. 1870. His parents were Edward and Elizabeth (Faherty) O'Neill, natives of Illinois. Edward O'Neill served thr?j years in the Civil War in Company I>, Ninetieth Illinois volunteer infantry. He enlisted as a private, and received three promotions, being mustered out as first lieutenant. His regiment was with Sherman's army, and Mr. O'Neill saw service in the siege of Atlanta and on the march to the sea. In 1892 lie came to Madison and since that time has been connected with the Capital City Paper company. He is a member of the Catholic church and is past commander of the Hazel Green post. Grand

Army of the Republic. His wife died November 10, 1902, at the age of sixty-one. Charles O'Neill was the third of rive chicireni. - Oscar, died when thirteen years old ; John, died when eight months old ; Charles ; Stella, lives at home : and Leo, died when but eight months old. Charles received his education in the Hazel Green high school and was for two years a student in the civil engineering course of the University of Wisconsin. For five years he was mailing clerk in the postoffice at Madison, and then he went into the drug business with. James M. Sexton, under the firm name of "Sexton & O'Neill." In 1904 the business was sold and Mr. O'Neill opened a real estate office, which business is now furnishing him with an excellent means of livelihood. In 1904 and 1905 he served as alderman from the second ward, being elected on the Democratic ticket. On June 20, 1900, he married Catherine, daughter of M. J. and Catherine (Byrne) Cantwell, natives of Ireland. Mr. Cantwell has since died, but his widow is an honored resident of the city. Mrs. O'Neill was one of ten children, eight of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill have been born three children, - Catherine Elizabeth, Edward Cantwell and Paul Faherty. The family belongs to the Catholic church.

Anton T. Onsrud is a prominent farmer of Rutland, Dane county. His parents, Thora Larsen Onsrud and Bertha (Gutormson) Onsrud, were natives of Ullensacker, Norway, where the}- were married and spent their entire lives. Of their four children, all except Allte, who died in Norway, came to America. Caroline is the wife of A. Halverson of Stoughton, and Morrison lives in Minneapolis, Minn. Anton T. was born May 11, 1848, educated in the common schools of Norway and there confirmed in the Lutheran church, with whose branch in Stoughton he is now affiliated. He was left an orphan while quite young and worked out on farms in Norway until 1871, when he set sail for America. His first home was in Rock county, where he worked out for two years at Cooksville. Two years were spent in Minneapolis, after which he returned to Cooksville and rented a farm. In 1882, he purchased his present property of one hundred thirtyfive acres in the town of Rutland, section n. On it he has made many improvements and has a valuable farm. The house which was burned in 1897 was rebuilt and made much more modern and commodious. He also owns the farm in section 12. known as the Usher place. Mr. Onsrud raises considerable tobacco besides other farm produce. He is a Republican but has never been active in politics. In 1874 he married Mis.> Marie Johnson of Rutland, whose parents. John and N. Manson) Johnson, came to America from Norway in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Onsrud have eight children, all of whom attended school in

Rutland and Stoughton and reside with their parents, except the two oldest, who have moved to other farms in Rutland. John, the oldest son, married Miss Mamie Griddle, and owns and operates the Criddle farm in Rutland and Ben is also a farmer on the Usher farm. Edon, Albert, William, Edward, Clarence and May are the younger children. John C. Onstad, (deceased), was a pioneer farmer of the town of Christiania, Dane county. He was born in Sogen, Norway, May 2, 1828, son of Christian Onstad, who had six children : Peter, Ossie, John C, Christian, Andrew and Maria. John, Peter, Andrew and Maria came on a sailing vessel to the United States in 1851 and after a six weeks' voyage, landed in New York. By way of the Erie canal and Lake Michigan, they finally reached Milwaukee and John C. went to the northern woods of Wisconsin, where he found employment in the lumber camps. As soon as he was able to save a little money he purchased a farm in the town of Christiania, Dane county, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres. The only buildings upon the property were a log cabin and a stable and all of the present substantial buildings were erected by M)r. Onstad and many other improvements made. Another tract of eighty acres was added to the farm a few years later. Until his death, December 15, 1904, Mr. Onstad carried on a successful farming business, also raising large quantities of tobacco. Mr. Onstad was a Republican and always had at heart the interest of the community, serving it in many of its local offices. Mrs. Onstad, who with her son Otto and daughter Nina, still lives at the old home, was Miss Anna Lee, also a native of Sogen, .Norway, born 'n :83c). Ten children blessed the marriage of John C. Onstad and wife. Christian (deceased) married Miss Martha Bird; Martha (deceased) married Allan Lee and left three children, Christie, Edwin and Nettie; Nettie is a teacher and lives with Mrs. Onstad; Lena [3 the wife of J. R. Lien, a farmer of Christknia : Annie (deceased) marrie:1. Ed. E. Norgord and her four children, Nina, Leah, Evan and Andy, live with Mrs. Onstad; Erick J., a lawyer and principal of the Wittenberg academy of Shawano county. Wis., married Miss Olava Kittlesby and they have had a family of four children; Bernice, Ragnar. Elsa and Johan (deceased); Andrew and the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Onstad are deceased, and Henry. Otto and Nina are the youngest living children. All are mjenibers of the Lutheran church of East Christiania. The younger members of tho family were all educated in the home schools; Christian attended Janesville college and Albion Academy.: Annie attended Milton Seminary; Erick stud'ed law at the state University of Wisconsin and ( )tto attended the Albion Academy and the

Minneapolis Lutheran college. Otto manages the farm for his mother and is a prominent and leading member of the community, where he has held a number of offices. Mrs. Onstad is the daughter of Erick Johnson and Martha (Larson) Lee, who came from Norway in 1844 and obtained a farm in section 29, town of Christiania. Their family consisted of eight sons and daughters, of whom four are living. Three of Mrs. Onstad's brothers served the Union cause, one in the Wisconsin Volunteers and two from California, which was at that time their home.

August E. Ovren holds precedence as one of the successful contractors and builders of Dane county, havng his residnece and business headquarters in the city of Stoughton. He was born in Norway, April, 24, 1850, and is the son of Ovren Mikkleson and Marta (Tauberg) Mikkleson. The father came to America in 1871 and took up his residence in the village of Cambridge, Dane county, where he died in 1887. The subject of this sketch was reared to maturity in his native land, in 'Whose common schools he secured his early educational training, and there also he partially learned the blacksmith's trade, under the direction of his father. In 1871, like many another* of the sturdy sons of the fair Norseland, he set forth to seek his fortunes in America. He made Dane county his destination, taking up his abode in Cambridge, where he began work at the carpenters trade. In 1873 located in Stoughton, where he has since maintained his home. For eleven years he was employed in the T. D. Mandt wagon works, and since 1884 he has been independently and successfuully engaged in business as a 'contractor and builder. He has erected many of the best business blocks in the city and more than one hundred private residences of superior type. Politically he advocates the cause of prohibition, and he served one term as representative of his ward on the city board of alderman. He and his wife are zealous members of the 'Methodist Episcopal church. In 1876 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ovren to Miss Sarah Tenson, a native of Norway, and they have two children, - John, and Hilda, wife of Tohan Jacobson.

John E. Ovren is one of the prominent and successful business men of the city of Stoughton, where he is proprietor of the J. E. Ovren Boat & Motor Works. He was born in Stoughton, June 2, 1877, and is a son of Augustus E. Ovren, a sketch of whose life appears in this work, so that a further resume of the family history is not demanded at this point. Mr. Ovren was afforded the advantages of the excellent public schools of Stoughton, and supplemented this by a course in the Stoughton Academy. He learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father, who is one of the leading con- tractors and builders of Stoughton. and in 1899 he went to Marinette, tliis state, for the purpose of learning the shipbuider's trade, serving an apprenticeship of eighteen months in that place and then going to Milwaukee, where he finished his apprenticeship, in the service of the Milwaukee Dry Dock Company. His experience was gained under the most favorable conditions and he is specially skilled in the trade of ship and boat building. In the spring of 1904 Mr. Ovren returned to Stoughton and engaged in the manufacturing of rowboats and gasoline launches, in which line of enterprise he has since continued most successfully, and in 1906 he enlarged his facilities to include the manufacturing of gasoline engines, his plant being now prepared to furnish the best type of engines of this order, up to sixteen-horse power and launches up to a length, of fifty feet. The enterprise is one which meets with especial approval and support in this beautiful lake district of Wisconsin. Mr. Ovren is a reliable and progressive young business man and enjoys distinctive personal popularity in his native city. In politics he is an advocate of the cause of the Prohibition party. September 25, 1899, Mr. Ovren was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Johnson, daughter of Rev. Arne and Matilda (Lewis) Johnson, of Marinette, Wisconsin, and they have two children, - Helen Mareella and Ruth Winifred.

William S. Packard, of Basco, Montrose township, is of English and Welsh extraction, and a descendent of some of the early settlers ol New England. His grandfather, Gooding Packard, about 1810, came from Connecticut to Bristol Center, Ontario county, N. Y. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that occupaton in his young manhood; later he took up farming and spent the latter part of his life on a farm in Ontario county, dying at the age of seventy-six. He married Miss Adeline Gooding, a new Englander of English and Welsh ancestry. His son, William G. Packard, was born, reared and educated in Bristol Center, and followed the occupations of teacher and farmer. He came west in 1845, Dut on account of ill health returned to New York. He died in Bristol, February 16. 1895, aged seventynine years. He married Miss Cynthia Gooding, who was born in Ontario county, and was a daughter of Ephraim Gooding-, who came from Dighton, Mass.. at an early date, and settled in Ontario county, spendng the remainder of his life there. Mr. and Mrs. William G. Packard had two sons. William S. the subject of this sketch, and Gooding, of Canandaigua, N. Y. The former was born November 25, 1855, reared in Ontario county, and educated in the public schools of Bristol, Canandigua academy, Genesee Weslyan seminary at Lima, N. Y. and was graduated from Clinton institute, at Clinton, N. Y. in the class of 1875. He taught school in New York, and also engaged in farming. In December 1880 he came to Wisconsin and in the fall of the following year located in Montrose township, on section three, buying two hundred and thirty-five acres and has now one of the best improved farms in the county, with fine buildings, etc. He carries on general farming, stock raising and dairying. Mr. Packard was married, December 29, 1880, to Miss Mary F. Ellsworth, a native of Mifflin, Iowa county, Wis., and a daughter of John and Eliza Ann (Green) Ellsworth, both natives of Penn Yan, Yates county. X. Y. Mr. Ellsworth was born June, 9, 1823, and came to Wisconsin in 1848, located near Oregon, and in 1857 went to Iowa county, where he engaged in farming. During his residence in Dane county, and while the transportation facilities were still in a primitive condition, he hauled grain from Madison to Milwaukee. In later years he speculated in grain, and the farm of six hundred acres which he bought in Iowa county lay in the zinc and lead district, and proved to be a very valuable investment. He died December 2, 1901. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar. His wife, born June 14, 1825, died December'/, 1901. They were both of English ancestry and belonged to old Xew England families. Mrs. W. S. Packard is one of a family of eight children, viz., Amanda E.. married C. C. David, Alden, Iowa; H. G. Ellsworth of Barron, Wis.; John M., of Livingston, Wis,; Eliza, married E. D. Baker, of Edmund, Iowa county; Mary married W. E. Packard; Reuben, of Mineral Point; Elmer, of Livingston; Rachel, married M. Preston, of Rewey, Iowa county. To Mr. and Mrs. Packard have been born five children, William H., Elmer E., Edna, Gooding and Rachel M., all living at home. Mr. Packard is a Republican and at present chairman of the board of supervisors ; he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Flavious B. Paine, a prominent farmer of the town of Rutland, is a native of Dane county. His parents, Joseph S. and Eliza Ann (Butterfield) Paine, were born in Buxton, Maine, where they spent their youth and early married life. Joseph Paine was by trade a tanner and active in the affairs of the community where he resided. At one time sheriff, he held many local offices during his life. In 1844, he located in the town of Fitchburg and obtained eighty acres of wild land which he afterward exchanged for an e:ghty-acre farm of prairie land. One of the pioneers of Fitchburg, he belonged to the Masonic Lodge when first established and was prominent in the community. Mr^s. Joseph Paine was an energetic worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. After Mr. Paine's death in 1857, she lived with her children until 1893, when she died at the advanced age of eightyfour years. Eleven children blessed the marriage, of whom five are living; Eliza. Charles A. and Ellen reside in Oklahoma; Joseph S. lives in Madison and Flavins in Rutland. Flavins B. was born in Fitchburg, March 7, 1854, educated in the district school and early began to earn his own way. His sisters, Eliza A. and Ellen, attended the University of Wisconsin and became school-teachers, but Flavius went to work at farmung when he was but seventeen years old. When he was twenty-one he went to Leadville, Col., where he worked in the mines and drove a stage. In the autumn of 1878 he drove a team from Fitchburg to Knoxville, Tennessee and soon after took up a claim near Frederick, S. Dak. Returning to Fitchburg in 1886, he rented the old homestead and in 1893 he purchased it. He also owned one hundred and thirty acres in the town of Oregon, which he improved and sold at a handsome profit. In 1904 he bought eighty acres in the town of Rutland which is the present homestead and built a fine barn and handsome dwelling. November 24, 1897, Mr. Paine married Miss Edna E. West, daughter of Henry and Phoebe Ann (Burch) West of Madison. Three children were, born to them; Flavius, in 1899; Blanche, in 1900, and Edna in 1901. Mr. Paine is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local affairs. He was elected supervisor in Oregon and assessor and treasurer in Fitchburg.

Cassius M. Palmer, dealer in real estate, who makes his home at 1809 Jefferson street, Madison, was born in Erie county, Pa., September 19, 184-1. His parents were O. M. and Huldah Palmer, natives of Pennsylvania, where the father was a farmer. In 1853 O. M. Palmer brought his family to Wisconsin, settling on a farm in the town of Oregon, Dane county. His parents, Daniel and Beulah (Warner) Palmer, had preceded him to this county, and in 1853 Cassius and his grandfather celebrated their joint birthday by a visit to Madison, the first opportunity either of them had of seeing the capital city of the state. O. M. Palmer was a prominent figure in the early history of the Methodist Episcopal church of Oregon. He cut and hauled the logs to mill for the lumber used in the construction of the first Methodist church and parsonage. He took no active part in politics until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he became exceedingly influential in the matter of raising troops. He died March 22, 1898, at the age of seventy-six years, after having disposed of his farm. His wife died June 17, 1897, at the age of seventy-five. Their three children are still living: - Mary, widow of Cole Kierstead. lives in Oregon;

Cassius M., the subject of this sketqji ; and John, contractor and builder, living at Portland. Cassius M. Palmer received his education in the district schools of the town of Oregon. His first labor was on a farm, and he continued at it until his enlistment in September, 1864, in Company E, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, serving in Sherman's army on garrison duty until the close of the war. On July 2, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and returned to Oregon. On November 1, 1866 he married Esther Annette, daughter of Marvin P. and Emma A. (Rogers) Colby, the former a native of Erie county, N. Y., and the latter of England. Mr. Colby was a shoemaker of Oregon village, who died in March, 1869. He had served in Company B, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, and had risen' to the rank of lieutenant. His death was due to the exposure and hardships of army life. His widow is still living in Oregon at the age of eighty-three. Mrs. Palmer was the eldest of four children. The others are Elizabeth, Mrs. Samuel W. Howe, of Florence, Kas. ; Charles, died in 1865, at the age of fourteen ; and Mortimer T., a traveling salesman, who makes Oregon his home. To Mrs. and Mrs. Palmer have been born three children. Arlie, the oldest, is Mrs. W. T. Lingham, of Belleville, Canada; Merle C. is principal of the high school at Boscobel, Wis ; he marred Nina Phalen, and has one child, Genevieve ; he is a graduate of Whitewater normal school, and has taught at Lake Mills. Rochester and Sheboygan. The youngest child is Mabel, the successful teacher of music in the Richland Center schools. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Palmer is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, serving three years as commander of the O. E. Rice post of Oregon. He is little interested in politics, and is not affiliated with any party. He exercises his right of franchise as his judgment dictates.

Charles A. Palmer is a well-to-do farmer of the town of Oregon, in which he has had his residence during all the years of a life devoted to the honorable calling of a tiler of the soil. He was born in the town above named on July 16. 1859, and was the youngest of three children born to J. Y. and Cornelia (Church) Palmer. Of these children, William, the eldest, is deceased, and his widow resides near Riley, Dane county; Minerva I. is the widow of C. M. Church, and resides in Janesville Wis., and Charles A. is the subject of this review. The father was born near Erie, Pa., and came to R<>c!v county. Wis., in 1844, first working as a farm hand one year and then buying eighty acres of land in the town of Oregon, Dane county. He was married the following spring to Aiiss Cornelia Church, a native of the state of New York, but at the time of marriage a resident of Rock county. Mir. Palmer and wife resided on the farm mentioned about five years, and then sold it and removed to his mother's farm in the same town, where they remained two years and then bought a farm in the town of Fitchburg, near Oak Hall. There his good wife died in June, 1891, and Mr. Palmer was called to his reward, March II, 1903. Chares A. Palmer, whose name introduces this miemoir, recevied his preliminary education in the district schools of Fitchburg and supplemented the knowledge thus gained by c-ttending during two terms the high school of the village of Oregon. He made his home with his parents until he had attained to the age of twenty-seven years, working as a farm hand part of the time. He also worked farm land on shares for eight or nine years, and bought the farm where he now resides in 1890. He later bought another farm of eighty acres, one mile north of his residence. On Mtirch 27, 1889, he was mlarried to Miss Loustella Maxwell, who was born at Prairie du Chien, Wis., December 9, 1865, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Shapland) Maxwell, and the only survivor of four children born to these parents. The father moved his family to Missouri in 1865, and after residing in St. Louis a short time took up a residence in Pilot Knob. After living in the latter place about six years the family was stricken with cholera, the father and two sons dying on one day, and on the following day a daughter succumbed to the dreadful disease. The mother was also attacked, but her case developed into typhoid fever, and after partially regaining her health she took her only surviving child, who is now the wife of Mr. Palmer, and with a heavy heart returned to Wisconsin and located in the town of Oregon, where she then had relatives. There the good mother, who it would seem had more than her share of trouble in life, sank into ihe peaceful sleep of death in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are the parents of five children, all as yet being members of a happy family circle, and their names and dates of birth are as follows: Hazel P., February 4, 1890; Boyd M., April 18, 1891 ; Arba C, July (i. 1893; Lottie L, December 15, 1894; Lynn, February 18, 1896. Mr. Palmer gives an unswerving allegiance to the Republcan party, and although not a seeker of office in any sense of the word he takes an active interest in local affairs, and is now serving his second term as school director.