Dane County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1906 (part 8 of 29)

John Ellestad gained prominence and success as one of the progressive farmers of Blooming Grove township, where he accumulated an extensive land estate and where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred July 10, 1891. He was a son of John and Grace Ellestad, who were natives of Norway, and he was born in 1853, in Norway, coming with his parents to America before he was a year old. The family located in Dane county, near the present homestead farm on which his widow and family reside, and he was reared to manhood in this township, remaining with his parents until he was about twenty-one years of age and assisting in reclaiming and operating the home farm. He attended the district school at intervals, when his aid was not required in the work of the farm, and on the foundation thus established he rounded out a good fund of knowledge, being a man of intelligence, well informed in regard to the affairs of the day. After attaining his majority he was employed on the farm of one of his brothers for several years, and he continued to work as a farm employe until he was about thirtyone years of age. when he purchased the two hundred and eight acres which now constitutes the family homestead. He made the best of improvements on the place, which is one of the valuable farms of the county. He manifested much energy and ambition, while he so ordered his life as to retain at all times the unqualified esteem and confidence of his fellow men, while his interests were centered in his home and family, where his noble character showed forth in its brightest form. He was a loyal supporter of the Democratic party, and was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, as are also his widow and children. In 1875 Mr. Ellestad was united in marriage to Miss Anna Halverson, daughter of Evan and Anna Halverson, of Blooming Grove township, and of the seven children of this union all are living except the eldest, John J., who was born Dec. 1, 1878, and who died Aug. 1, 1901. The names and respective dates of birth of the other children are as follows: Evan, Oct. 15, 1879; Anna Julia, Aug. 4, 1881; Sarah Bertina, Jan. 20, 1884; Theodore, Dec. 8, 1885; Henry, Oct. 29, 1887; and Anna Alice, July 5, 1890.

Nels J. Ellestad, one of the prominent farmers and honored and influential citizens of Blooming Grove township, which he served many years in the office of township supervisor, was born in Norway, August 9, 1841, being a son of John and Gro (Peterson) Ellestad. The father was born in the year 1805, and in his native land learned the shoemaking trade, to which he there gave his attention as a vocation until 18-18, when he immigrated with his family to America, sailing from the city of Bergen on May 7, and arriving in New York city on July 4. The family came at once to Dane county, settling in Blooming Grove township, where the father purchased a tract of wild land, in section 23. The greater portion of the land was covered with heavy timber, and no portion was under cultivation. He erected a log house and bravely set himself to the task of reclaiming the land and making a home for his little family. He became one of the well-to-do farrmers of the township and continued to reside on the homestead until his death, which occurred in 1891, his widow surviving him, having attained the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Of the ten children nine are still living, three residing in Blooming Grove township and the other six in the state of Iowa. Nels J. Ellestad was a lad of seven years at the time of the family immigration to the United States, and owing to the exigencies of time and space his educational advantages thereafter were limited in scope, being confined to an irregular attendance in the district schools of Blooming Grove township. His parents were in limited circumstances, and the condition of life in the new country called for strenuous exertion on the part of all members of the family. The county was sparsely settled and Milwaukee was the nearest market point, so all grain had to be transported to that place, usually by means of ox teams. Deer and other wild game were plentiful and did much to supply the family larders of the hardy pioneers. The subject of this sketch at once began to lend his aid in the clearing and cultivation of the farm, and has been said of that period in his career. "Those early days of industry were of incalculable benefit to him, as thereby wre inculcated habits of usefulness and frugality that have never been forgotten." He continued to reside on the home farm and assist in its management until he had reached the legal majority, when he left the parental roof and for the ensuing two years turned his hand to whatever honest labor he could secure. He then purchased a portion of his present homestead, which now comprises two hundred and twelve acres, finely improved, and constituting one of the most valuable landed estates of Dane county.

He purchased the property from his father, and the same is located in section 23, 26, and 27. Thrift and prosperity are in evidence on every side, and with substantial buildings and finely cultivated fields, the place is one which cannot fail to attract attention as evidently representing the property of a man of enterprise and progressive ideas. In his political allegiance Mr. Ellestad has ever been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and for two years he held the office of township treasurer, while he was a member of the township board of supervisors for many years. He and his family hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. April 15, 1862, Mr. Ellestad was united in marriage to Miss Anna Nelson, who was born in Norway, being a daughter of Tolaf Nelson and Mary (Peterson), who were later residents of Crawford county, Wis. Concerning the children of this union the following record is entered : Julia, born May 16, 1863, is the wife of Edde Ofrerdahl, of Springdale township ; Mary, born February 5, 1865, died October 26, 1900 ; Anna, born March 23, 1867, remains at the parental home; John, born May 10, 1869, died February 19, 1901, leaving a widow and one child, residents of Green county, Wisconsin. The other children remain at the parental home, their names and respective dates of birth being as follows : Tolaf, December 29, 1871; Nels, Jr., February 23, 187-4; Peter, September 1, 1876; Marin, November 27, 1878; William, January 12, 1881; Albert, November 27, 1883 ; and Emma, February 20, 1886.

John O. Ellickson manages the farm of one hundred acres in section 27, town of Christiania, of which eighty acres was purchased by his father in 1880. He was born in Janesville, September 14, 1864, son of Lars and Anna Marie (Onstad) Ellickson, who were both natives of Norway. Lars was born in Hardanger and in 1857 came to Wisconsin, where he met his wife, who came from Sogen in 1854. Mr. Ellickson was a tailor and worked at that trade for thirty years. He then bought the farm in Dane county and with the aid of his sons erected buildings and made many improvements on the property where together they carried on a successful farming business. Mrs. Ellickson died in 1896 and her husband lives with his son's family on the old homestead. Four children were born to them ; Edward has a farm in section 21, Christiania, married Betsey Teigset and has five children, Alfred, Luella. Clarence, Bernie and Minerva; John O. is the subject of this sketch ; Louisa is Mrs. Oscar Lier of Rio, Wis., and has one daughter, Mytle ; Arthur C. is a farmer at Arlington, Wis., and married Charlotte Johnson. The family belong to the First Nor- wegian Synod Lutheran church. John O. and his brother Edward attended the Janesville public school and John O. has always lived with his father. October 13, 190-A, he married Miss Alma Louisa Lier of Christiania, daughter of Lars and Gunild Lier. Lars is the son of Knudt Lier. a pioneer of Christiania. A daughter, Melvina G. was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Ellickson December 25. 1905.

Lars O. Ellingsrud was born in Norway, March, 1857, and died in Albion, Dane county, Wis., in February, 1888. He was a prominent farmer of the township where he lived since 1876. Lars was the son of Ole Ellingsrud, who spent his entire life in Norway. "V\ "hen he was twenty-one years of age Lars decided to try his fortunes in the west and made the voyage to the United States in an old sailing vessel, which was many weeks crossing the Atlantic. For several years he lived in Minneapolis and in 1876 came to Albion, where for two years he rented a farm and then puchased one hundred and twenty acres in section 5. On it stood an old log hut ; the stables and all of the equipment, including comfortable farm buildings, were added by Mr. Ellingsrud, who was a successful farmer. In 1876 Mr. Ellingsrud was married to Miss Andria Stokstad, who was also a native of Norway. Mrs. Ellingsrud still makes the old farm her home. Three children were born to the marriage. The oldest daughter, Clara, is Mrs. John Halvorson of Dunkirk; Rudolph O., who manages the farm, was married November 22, 1905, to Miss Louie Davis, who was born in Albion, daughter of Hiram and Maria Davis ; Inga the youngest daughter, lives with her mother. Rudolph has always lived at home, attended the home schools and at the age of sixteen years assumed the management of the farm for his parents. He raises tobacco, oats, corn, hay, etc., and keeps a herd of about twenty-five cattle and also is interested in poultry raising. He is active in matters which concern the welfare of the community, is a member of the school board and road commissioner. Rudolph is allied with the Republican party. The family is identified with the United Lutheran church of Stoughton.

John A. Elliott, a successful farmer of Black Earth, was born in Kennebec county, Maine, August 22, 1827. His parents were Jotham and Lydia (Meder) Elliott, both natives of Massachusetts. Early in life Jotham Elliott went to Maine where he worked in the woods for several years, and then removed with his family to Grafton county, New Hampshire. That county was the family home for about twenty years. In 1856, he came to Wisconsin, re- 17 - iii maining about six years ; he then moved to Iowa, and after a residence there of two years he came to Black Earth. The subject's mother was a devout member of the Baptist church. Of the eight children of Jotham and Lyclia Elliott only two are now living, Mary Ann, widow of I. J. Sargent, living in Brookfield, Vt., and John A., the subject of this sketch. When he was fourteen years of age, John left his home to "work out" and in 1854 he came west, as far as Janesville, Wis. In November, 1857, he came to Madison ; lived one year in the town of Verona, and moved from there to Blue Mounds, where he lived on a rented farm nine years, having also a forty which he had purchased ; after selling that he lived in Lafayette county for two years and then bought one hundred and ninety-four acres of partly improved land on section 27 in the town of Black Earth. In 1878 he sold the farm and purchased nine acres in Black Earth village, where he has since resided. Mr. Elliott is one of the pillars of the Black Earth Congregational church. His politics fit in with his religion, - he is a strong Prohibitionist. On November 24, 1859, he married Clarinda (Pitkin) Elliott, the widow of his brother Jonathan, by whom she had five children, Joseph P., Jonathan P., Irving J., Clara J. and Naidie. John A. Elliott was the father of one child, John F., who died at the age of sixteen.

Harvey H. Emery is a well-known and successful farmer of Rutland, which was his birth-place. John P. Emery, his father, was a carpenter in Vermont, married his first wife there and came west in 1846, locating in the town of Dunkirk, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. This he later exchanged for a farm in Rutland and in 1867 bought a farm in section 11, which he subsequently made his home. Five children were born to his first wife, of whom J. 0. Emery of Madison is the only survivor. Catherine, George, Jane and Henry were the other children. Henry was killed at Gainesville during the Civil War. John Emery's second wife was Miss Mary Danks of Vermont and three sons were born to them, Harvey, Charles and Ellsworth, of whom only the first is living. The Emery family have always been active workers in the Free-will Baptist church, of which H. H. Emery contemplates writing a history. H. H. Emery was born August 3, 1857, attended school at Rutland and at Whitewater and early engaged in farming. His present farm he has occupied since 1880 and has improved it and managed it carefully. It is in very prosperous condition and on it Mr. Emery carries on a large business. He is an independent and prohibitionist in politics and is at present town assessor, though he has never endeavored to obtain political recog- nition, unlike his father, who held many offices in the county. In January, 1879, Mr. Emery married Miss Hannah A. Hunt, daughter of Charles and Hannah Hunt who came from England to Herkimer county. N. Y., in 1839. They later located in Rutland, where Mr. Hunt owned a farm. Of their thirteen children. Mrs. Emery is the only one living. Mr. and Mrs. Emery have three children, all graduates from the Stoughton high school. The older daughter, Linnie L., is also a graduate from the Whitewater normal school and was a successful teacher before her marriage. She is the wife of Prof. T. I. Doudna, who is a prominent and successful teacher, at present located in Richland Center. Lloyd Franklin, the only son, is a farmer of Rutland and attended the state agricultural school in 1892-3. Maud A., the younger daughter, resides with her parents.

J. Q. Emery, dairy and food commissioner of the state of Wisconsin, was born in the town of Liberty, Licking county, Ohio, September 15, 1843. His ancestor, Anthony Emery, landed in Boston in 1635. His parental grand parents were Caleb and Margaret (Powel) Emery; his parents were John P. and Huldah (Darling) Emery, the former a native of New York and the latter of Vermont. John P. brought his family to Dane county in 1816, settling in the town of Dunkirk, and later removing to the town of Rutland. Both he and his wife were members of the Free Will Baptist church, the first edifice of that denomination being built on his farm. He was several times a member of the town board of supervisors. By his marriage to Huldah Darling he was the father of five children : Catherine ; Henry, a member of the Seventh Wisconsin Infantry and killed in the battle of Gainesville, August 23, 1862 ; J. Q., who also, in August, 1862, enlisted with Captan Miller in the Twentieth Regiment of Wisconsin volunteers ; being under age, and having then his only brother in the Seventh Regiment, Wisconsin volunteers, his father refused to sign his enlistment papers ; George and Jane, who died in childhood. After the death of his first wife, which occurred in 1851, he married Mary Danks, and to this union were born three children : Harvey Hall, a farmer ; Ellsworth, died in childhood ; and another child who died in infancy. J. O. Emery received his elementary education in the common schools of Dane county. He was graduated from the Albion academy, receiving the degree of Ph. B. in 1866. In 1882 Beloit college conferred upon him the honorary degree of A. M. His career as a teacher began in 1863, when he taught for some time in the district schools. After his graduation from Albion, he was macTe a teacher there, and later was elected without opposition to the position of school superintendent for the eastern district of the county, resigning two years later (in 1869) to accept the principalship of the Union graded schools of Grand Rapids. Shortly after his removal to Grand Rapids, he was made school superintendent for Wood county and was re-elected inl871. These two positions he held for four years, resigning both in 1873 to accept the principalship of the Fort Atkinson high school, in which position he remained for sixteen years. Of his work in this school, the Columbian History of Education in Wisconsin contains this estimate : "Here for sixteen years Professor Emery labored with an earnestness and devotion to the work which attracted the attention of educators throughout the state, and won for him the love and admiration of hundreds of pupils who were fortunate enough to come under his able and inspiring instruction. Few men in the history of Wisconsin have been so universally approved and commended by parents and citizens as was Professor Emery in Fort Atkinson. While engaged as principal of this school, he became widely known throughout the state by the interest he manifested in the state teachers' association, the efficient work which he performed in the capacity of instructor of institutes, and in the diligent sympathy he has shown in aiding and encouraging the younger members of the teaching profession." In 1889, he was chosen unanimously by the state board of normal school regents as president of the state normal school at River Falls, without any solicitation whatever on his part. His occupancy of this position continued for four years during which time the school experienced such phenomenal growth as to attract general attention throughout Wisconsin. In consequence of the wide acquaintance of the people with his ability, he was nominated for state superintendent of schools on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1894, and was elected. He was re-nominated by acclamation and re-elected in 1896, receiving 265,940 votes, the largest number ever given to any candidate for a state office in Wisconsin. As state superintendent he was ex-officio a member of the board of regents of normal schools and of the state university, of the state library commission and of the geological survey. Mr. Emery has been president of the Wisconsin teacher's association and for many years has taken an active part in the proceedings of that organization. Previous to his election as state superintendent he was frequently appointed official visitor to normal schools, and was a member of the board of examiners for teachers' state certificates. As state superintendent he maintained the confidence and esteem of the public. When Professor Emeryassumed charge as dairy and food commissioner of the state of Wisconsin there were but five members on the commission. Under his administration the number of commissioners has been increased to eighteen and every one is an expert ; instead of one chemist, as when he assumed charge, there are now three. The laws relating to dairy and food, under his recommendations and efforts, have been greatly modified and expanded. The exhibits Professor Emery has made of food adulterations at state and county fairs and in all the leading cities of the state, accompanied by addresses on food adulteration, have resulted in a great awakening of the public on that question. At the time of his appointment he was president of the state dairymen's association and a member of the board of regents of normal schools. Mr. Emery cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has never voted any other than the Republican ticket since. Probably no man is more widely known in the agricultural and educational circles than is Professor Emery. In 1869 he married Marie T., daughter of Giles F. Lawton, of Albion, and to this union have been born two children, - Daisy Mabel, who died at the age of twenty months ; and Sydney Lawton, now in company wtih his father and managing the farm in Albion. Both Professor and Mrs. Emery are members of the Congregational church.

Merton Jay Emerson, one of the well-known citizens of Cottage Grove townshp, where he has a fine farm and also conducts a well equipped general store, was born in Sandy Creek, a little village in Oswego county, New York, June 3, 1849. In the old Empire state were also born his parents, Minot Ely Emerson and Lucy C. (Wright) Emerson, who removed thence to Wisconsin and settled in Dane county when he was about seven years of age which was about fifty years ago. Here they passed the remainder of their lives, having been honored residents of Cottage Grove township, with whose development in the pioneer days the father was closely identified, having been a farmer by vocation. This worthy couple became the parents of five sons, three of whom are deceased, the only living brother of the subject of this review being R. E. Emerson, who is now a resident of Boise, Idaho. Five of the sons were gallant defenders of the Union in the Civil War, having been members of Company I, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Merton J. Emerson was reared on the pioneer farm, in Cottage Grove township, and his educational advantages were limited to the somewhat primitive district schools of the period-

He became largely dependent upon his own resources when but ten years of age, and well and successfully has he fought the battle of life, gaining a worthy success. At the age noted he secured employment on a neighboring farm, and he was thus engaged for three years, while for the following three years he was employed on the farm of his father. The next year he was elsewhere employed in the same arduous field of endeavor, and in the meanwhile he zealously saved his earnings, providing for his maintenance by means of money earned through his musical ability, the violin being his favorite instrument and his services being in much demand on the occasion of the dances given in the locality. He finally began working land on shares, thus continuing until 1876, and three years later he made his first investment in real estate, purchasing five acres, in Cottage Grove township. Three years later he purchased an adjoining twenty-three acres, taking up his residence on the place in 1882, in which year he also purchased another tract, of twenty-two acres, contiguous to his original place, while still later he added another tract, of thirty-two acres, to his homestead. He made good improvements on the place and continued to reside on the same until March, 1899, when he also purchased forty-seven acres, in close proximity to the old place, and removed to the new farm, where he opened a general store, which he has since conducted most successfully, in addition to supervising the operation of his fine landed estate, which now comprises one hundred and twenty-nine acres. Mr. Emerson started at the foot of the ladder and has known what is implied in every upward step, since the same has been made entirely through his careful and determined efforts. He is a citizen whose name is a synonym for integrity and honor, and this fact, as coupled with his genial nature, has gained to him a host of warm friends in the county in which the major portion of his life has been passed. He takes a loyal interest in local affairs of a public nature, but has never sought office and is independent in his political attitude. October 24, 1877, Mr. Emerson was united in marriage to Miss Viola DeVoe, who was born September 12, 1857, being a daughter of Amos M. and Sally (Lewis) DeVoe, natives of New York and early settlers of Dane county. Her father was a member of Company I, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War, and died while in the service. Of his five children all are living except one. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson became the parents of six children, all of whom are living except the eldest, Clayton E., who was born January 19, 1880, and died August 8, 1890. The other children all remain at the parental home, their names, with respective dates of birth, being as follows. Bertha I., August 14, 1882; Pearl B., September 12, 1884; Adaline P., February 18, 1887; Minot E., September 20, 1892 ; and Alta C, March 5, 1896.

Lars M. Engesether, of DeForest, was born at Vienna township. May 25, 1855, on the farm where he lived until recently, when he rented it and moved to his place in Cumberland, Barron county. He is of Norwegian ancestry, both his paternal grandfather, John Engesether, and his paternal grandfather, Lars Mennes, having having been natives of that country and died there. His maternal grandmother, Ingeri (Larson) Mennes was born September 20, 1788. She came to Dane in 1854 and made her home with her sonin-law, in the later years of her life, and up to the time of her death, December 12, 1879, in her ninety-second year. The parencs of Lars Engesether. Mikkel J. (born 1819.) and Synneva L. (Mennes) Engesether, (born, March 15, 1822), were educated in Norway and married in that country in 1844, and the same year came to Dane county, living first near Western church, about six miles north of Stoughton ; cwo years later they came to Vienna township and settled in section 24, on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and two years afterward, about 1848, removed to section 25 to the farm now owned by their son, Lars. Mr. Engesether was a Lutheran and one of the founders of the Norway Grove Lutheran church. Afterward, in 1883. he with others built the first Lutheran church of DeForest, of which he and his wife were members until their death. Like so many of his compatriots, he was a Republican in politics. He was the father of eleven children, Ingerie, died 1844 (infant) ; John died in 1872, at the University of Wisconsin; Engerie, now wife of Armond O. Haukeness ; Carrie, widow of Hans Grinde; Lars, born 1853, died (infant) ; Lars M., born 1855; Ingerie, born July 13, 1861, died September 25, 1861; Jens, born May 25, 1865, and died August 19, of same year; Jens, born October 14, 1866, died April 28, 1873 ; Maria, wife of O. O. Larson, born September 18, 1862, died October 20, 1892; Synneva, wife of Andrew Esse. Lars M. Engesether began his education in the common schools'; this he supplemented by a term of six months at the Marshall academy, and several terms at the Northwestern academy of Madison. Mr. Engesether followed farming as an occupation and has been very successful in his chosen work ; his farm at one time covered two hundred and ten acres, but he has disposed of about forty acres. In Barron county he owns a large tract of six hundred and ninety acres, and one hundred and thirty-eight acres of which are within the limits of the city of Cumberland. His is a stock farm used principally for the breeding of short-horn cattle and Poland China Hogs. He is a Republican and has acted as supervisor for one term ; he was also a census taker in 1900. He was one of the first committee to plat the old cemetery at Norway Grove, and he and his family are members of the first Lutheran church, which his father helped to found. He married, March 9, 1886, Miss Johanna Johnson, daughter of Ole and Ingeborg (Rowe) Johnson both of whom were born in Norway, he in March 23, 1835, and she on March 28, 1826. Mr. Johnson and his wife came to Dane about 1860, and located in Medina township; in 1899 they came to DeForest, having retired from the strenuous life of the modern farm. They are members of the Norway Grove Lutheran church, and Mr. Johnson is a Republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Engesether have been born nine- children ; Sina Ingebor, born December 3, 1886; Amanda Josephine, born February 4, 1888; John L.. born September 19, 1889; Ingeborg L., born April 1, 1891, and died April 13, 1892; Ingeborg Maria, born January 28, 1893; Maria Jennis, born July 4. 1894; Mitchell L., born February 10, 1897; Otto L., born March 10, 1902; Lilly Johanna, born May 4, 1904.

Ludwig England, who conducts an up-to-date and well stocked hardware store in the village of Mt. Horeb, is one of the younger representatives of the business interests of that thriving place. He was born in Norway on September 11, 1865, and is the son of Lars and Orelog England, both of whom were also born in the land of the Norsk. The family migrated to America in 1866, and, coming directly to Wisconsin and to Dane county, settled in the town of Primrose, where the father engaged in farming and followed that occupation until his death, in 1895, at the age of seventy-three years The mother still resides on the old. homestead in Primrose. The subject of this review is one of eight children that were born to these parents of whom five are living - Tena married Mathias Strommen and resides in Minnesota ; Lewis is a resident of the state of Iowa ; Christian resides on the old La Follette farm in the town of Primrose; Ludwig is he whose name introduces this review; and David resides on the old homestead in Primrose. Our subject was reared and educated in the town of Primrose and spent his early life on the farm, following the occupation of a tiller of the soil until 1901. In 1903 he removed to Mt. Horeb and engaged in the hardware business in company with Olaf Hanson, under the firm name of Hanson & England. About a year later Mr. England purchased the interest of his partner and has since conducted the business alone, carrying- an extensive line of general hardware, builders' supplies, stoves, etc., and has met with a very gratifying success. Our subject was married on March 3, 1882, to Miss Mary Anderson, of the town of Primrose. Mr. England is a Republican in his political affiliations and his ability and worth as a citizen has been recognized by election to the office of clerk of the school board. Fraternally he has a membership in the Modern Woodmen of America and also in the Beavers.

Iver L. Erdahl, a farmer of the town of Pleasant Springs, was born on October 16, 1851, not far from where he now lives. His father. Lewis Gunderson, was a native of Hardanger, Norway, grew to manhood and married there and after his marriage came to America, settling in the town of Pleasant Springs. There he bought two hundred acres of land, which he improved and lived on it until his death at the age of eighty-three years. Once he visited his old home in Norway. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He and his wife had ten children, viz: Christ Iver L., Ellen, Tena, Gunder, Nels, Lewis. Betsy, Sophia and John. Christ and Nels are deceased ; Iver and Lewis are farmers in the town of Pleasant Springs ; Ellen lives in the town of Dunkirk ; Betsy lives in Milwaukee, and the rest live in Stoughton. Iver L. Erdahl received a moderate education and lived with his parents until he was about twenty-four years of age. On June 9. 1876. he married Maria Norgard. daughter of Peter and Susanna Osmonson, and for six years managed his father-in-law's farm. He was then associated with his uncle, Iver G. Lunde, for one year, after which he located where he now Jives. He now owns two hundred and twenty acres of the best land in the neighborhood, and carries on a general farming business. Politically Mr. Erdahl is a Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has held local offices and served on the school board. He is a member of the West Lutheran church, of which his father was one of the founders. The parents of Mrs. Erdahl came to Dane county about 1845, being among the pioneer settlers. They are both now deceased, leaving two children, Mrs. Erdahl and Andrew who now lives on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Erdahl have had eleven children, seven of whom are yet living. Susan is the wife of John Wesland, of Pleasant Springs; Peter and George are at home ; Clara. Earl Clarence and Mabel are so unfortunate as to be inmates of the deaf and dumb asylum at Delavan.

parents were Ingebright Pederson, born January 28, 1809, and Anna Helnsdaughter, born January 15, 1810. The father was a tailor, and in 1847 with his wife and three sons he landed in New York after a voyage of four weeks. From New York to Buffalo the family traveled on canal boat; thence to Milwaukee by steamer, and from Milwaukee to the town of Pleasant Springs by ox-team. On June 21. 1847, the father took out his citizenship papers at Madison. He and a cousin got eighty acres in section 2 with a small clearing and a log house and lived there two years. Then the father bought three hundred and fifty acres of land in sections 20 and 21. The first winter the family lived in a dugout, and the next summer put up a log house. There were seven children in the family, Hilga, who went to Kansas in 1860 and died there in 1862 ; Peter, a retired farmer of Evansville ; Lars P., the subject of this sketch ; Guri, died in infancy ; Helen, deceased ; Betsy, deceased ; and an unnamed infant who died in Norway. Peter Erdahl married Sarah Hawkins of Winnebago county, Wis., and by her had six children, Albert, Ellsworth. Julius, James, Annie (deceased), and Vilina. Peter Erdahl was the first man to enlist in the Union army from Pleasant Springs. He was a private in Company G, Third Wisconsin Infantry and acted as regimental color bearer. During one of the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, of which the Third Wisconsin took part, Peter was wounded and taken prisoner. He received an honorable discharge in 1865. Lars P. Erdahl also saw some service in the Civil War, in the quartermaster's department in Arkansas. He was educated in the Lutheran church schools, and at the age of eleven, he attended the district school. For one year he was a student at Albion academy. While Mr. Erdahl has traveled a great deal he has always made Pleasant Springs his home. In 1877 he clerked in a store in Dell Rapids, S. D., then for four years he was in St. Paul, traveling part of the time for the Fuller & Johnson Company of Madison ; for another year and a half he was in the hardware business at Rothsay, Minn., with A. Anderson & Co., and in the same business for another year at Fergus Falls. Minn. ; for some time he was purchasing agent for the Millers' Association of Minneapolis. Since 1885, however, he has managed the homestead farm and done some carpenter work. Mr. Erdahl was formerly a Republican and as such served one term as town treasurer and on the party central committee ; he was also a member of the school board for three terms. Latterly, however, Mr. Erdahl has worked under the banner of the Prohibition party. He is a devout and faithful member of the Lutheran church of

. Pleasant Springs, whose first structure his father helped build. He has always been a bachelor. A profound thinker, he is one of the best-read members of the community. His farm of two hundred acres is in many ways a model. He is a member of Social Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Stoughton, and since 1875 has been a member of Atlantic Encampment, No. 50.

Edward Erickson, one of the progressive and popular business men of the city of Stoughton, where his interests are varied and important, was born in Christiania, Norway, March 21, 1860, "being a son of Elias and Gunwild (Andusdatter) Erickson. The father immigrated to America in 1869, making his way directly to Wisconsin and locating in Perry township, Dane county, where he worked at farming two years, at the expiration of which, in 1871, his family joined him. They took up their residence in the village of DeForest, and for several years thereafter he was in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. In 1880 he purchased a farm of sixty-five acres, in Cottage Grove township, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death there occurring in 1884, at which time he was sixty-five years of age. His wife survived him by several years. They reared a family of six children, namely: Edward, Valborg, Caroline Inga, August Cornelius, Andrew and John. Caroline I. is now the wife of William Huntley. The subject of this review secured his rudimentary education in his native land, having been eleven years of age at the time of the family immigration to the United States. He was reared to maturity in Dane county, where he attended the common schools and effectively supplemented his previous training. In 1882 he located in Stoughton, where he was employed in the T. G, Mandt Wagon Works for the ensuing years. He has, since 1887, conducted one of the most popular buffets in the city. He has also dealt extensively in real estate and has made many judicious investments in local realty as well as buying and selling property in Minnesota. In 1891 he built his present place of business, and in 1902 he erected his handsome residence, at a cost of eight thousand dollars. In 1905 he erected what is admitted to be the finest business block in the city, the same being utilized for store and office purposes and representing an outlay of sixteen thousand dollars. He is enterprising as a business man and public-spirited as a citizen. In politics his support is given to the Republican party and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. April 25, 1885, Mr. Erickson was united in marriage to Miss Gjertrud, daughter of Ole Amundson, of Liberty Prairie, this county, and they have two daughters, - Alma and Amy.

Edward Erickson, a farmer of Rutland, is of Norwegian birth and ancestry. His father, Erick, married Inger Tulfson and of their eight children, three are now living in America ; Rebecca, who resides in Pleasant Springs, Edward and Inger in Rutland. Edward Erickson was born in Christiansen, Norway, August 3, 1846, received his education in the common schools in Norway, and remained with his parents until 1882, when he embarked for America. The first three years of the new life were spent at Pleasant Springs, the next period at Dunkirk, in both of which places he rented farms. Finally Mr. Erickson purchased an eighty-acre farm in Rutland which is his present home and of which he has made a valuable property. In October, 1874, he married Miss Carrie Knutson, daughter of Capt. Knute Osuldson and Pauline (Paulson) Osuldson, whose home was in Norway. Capt. Knute Osuldson was a sea-captain of many voyages but his home was always in Norway, although four of his children came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have four children ; Emih a painter of Madison, Wis. ; Peter, Christina and Edward, who live with their parents. Mr. Erickson is a member of the school board and a Republican, though he has never been an active politician. He is a member of the Lutheran church. One of our Norwegian-American citizens, who came to America with no fortune but his energy and thrift, Mr. Erickson succeeded in winning from the west a substantial and comfortable livelihood.

Truls T. Erickson, deceased, was the son of pioneers of Dane. His parents came in a very early day to Vienna township, where the subject of this sketch was born, one of a family of fifteen children, only three of whom are now living. The home was maintained here for many years, and here Mrs. Erickson died in 1887. In 1885, Mr. Erickson moved to Minnesota, where he resided until his death, September 24, 1890. He was a Republican, and all of the family were connected with the Hauges Lutheran church. Truls T. Erickson, Jr., received a good practical education at the common schools, the Marshall academy and the Northwestern Business college of Madison. After leaving school he turned his attention to farming. He owned a good farm of one hundred and fifty acres, upon which he had made most of the improvements, at the time of his death. His affairs were left in such order that with the aid of her children. Mrs Erickson has been able to add to the homestead and has now a fine property of two hundred acres. On November 8, 1877, Mr. Truls Erickson, Jr., was married to Miss Randie Sampson, daughter of Lars Sampson, who is mentioned in this work.

Their children are, - Charles Ebenezer, a farmer ; he attended school at Mt. Horeb three years and Decorah college one year ; Simon Lewis, educated at De Forest high school and Northwestern Business college, Madison ; Theodore Martin, educated in De Forest high school ; as was also the daughter, Sadie Rosina ; the youngest, John Carl, followed his high school work by academic study, being at the present writing a student of Red Wing seminary. Mr. Erickson appreciated the value of a thorough equipment for the young man in these days of eager competition in business life, and provided all of his children with that practical intellectual training which fits them for positions of trust and profit.

Hon. N. C. Evans, M. D., is one of the prominent physicians of Dane county and a very skillful and successful surgeon, maintaning a private hospital in the village of Mt. Horeb, which place has been his residence throughout all of his useful professional career. He is a son of Christian Evanson, who was born in the province of Christiania, Norway, December 24, 1819. While in his native country the father was engaged as a drover and dealer in live stock, but later he learned the tinners' trade, and in 1854 he came to America. Mr. Evanson was married in Norway to Rachel (or Ragnild) Nielson Brekke, a native of that country, and who came to America with her brother, Lars Nelson, in 1848, preceding her husband by about five years. They came by sailing vessel and were sixteen weeks on the voyage, having been grounded on a rock near England and obliged to wait for repairs. After landing in New York they came by the Erie canal an.d the lakes to Milwaukee, then to near Stoughton and later to Madison, where her husband joined her when he arrived in America. The father was then without money, having failed on account of Modum's nickel mine shutting down, his customers being miners and not able to meet their obligations. But by hard work the mother had saved about $350, and they first engaged in keeping a boarding-house in Madison, one year, and then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 14, in the town of Perry, paying three dollars per acre for the same. They lived about four years in a "dug-out," covered with sod, etc., after which they erected a more commodious residence, in which they lived until the death of the mother in 1892, at the age of seventy-three years. Some time after the death of his wife the father removed to Mt. Horeb, and there died at the residence of his son on April 2, 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years, both father and mother being laid to rest in the cemetery at Mt. Horeb. The father added to his original purchase until he owned two nun- dred and forty acres of the finest land in the town of Perry, and in addition to his farming interests he engaged in the mercantile business for several years. In 1872 he was appointed postmaster of Forward, Dane county, and although not a politician he served as a member of the board of supervisors and as assessor and treasurer of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Evanson were the parents of four children : Christian, deceased, was buried in Rochester, N. Y. ; Annette is the wife of Peter A. Tyvan and resides in Mt. Horeb ; Niels C. is the subject of this review; and Matilda, who died at the age of three and one half years, was buried in the old Perry cemetery. Niels C. Evans, the immediate subject of this review, was born on the old homestead in the town of Perry, July 10, 1857. His people were strongly opposed to the common schools, and he therefore studied the catechism and learned what he could under adverse circumstances until twelve years of age. He was then permitted to attend the public schools during the winter terms the following four years, after which, in company with another boy, he started for Postville. Green county, where they attended school three months. Mr. Evans returned home every Saturday, walking the entire distance of ten miles, and on Monday morning took provisions to last through the week. After leaving this school he attended the Worthington Business College, at Madison, three months, after which he continued his studies at home. He was then in poor health, and consequently had much time for study. In 1881 Mr. Evans began the study of medicine, under Dr. A. J. Ward,, of "Madison, with whom he remained from September until the following April. He was an apt student and made rapid progress. The following autumn he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, from which he was graduated on March 4, 1884. and then began the practice of his chosen profession at Mt. Horeb. His practice has been of a general nature. A few years after his arrival in Mt. Horeb, on April 8, 1888, he established a drugstore in the village, and he still continues it, with a competent apothecary in charge of affairs. Dr. Evans was married October 9,. 1879, to Miss Lena C. Lewis, a native of Norway, and whose parents were prominent citizens in the town of Perry, the father being Lewis Lewis, who migrated to America with his family when the future Mrs. Evans was but a child. To this union have been born four children : Carl Milo has charge of his father's drugstore ; Nora Lydia is a clerk in the state bank at Mt. Horeb ; Belle Rosetta, and Walter Clarence are in school. The doctor is prominent man in his community, and although he has tried to hold aloof from poll- tics he has given an unswerving- allegiance to the basic principles of the Democratic party. In recognition of his ability and personal worth he has been frequently urged by his friends to accept positions of trust. During the autumn of the year 1892 he received the nomination for member of the assembly on the Democratic ticket in the fourth district of Dane county, and at the ensuing election received a majority of 117 votes over all other candidates and a plurality of 385 over the next highest. In his home town he received forty-three Republican votes and lost but five of his own party. Besides this legislative position he has held several local positions : president of the village of Mt. Horeb, two years ; chairman of the town board one term, and he is the present supervisor of the village. Professionally he is a member of the county, state and national medical societies, and of the international congress on tuberculosis, having attended the meeting of the same at St. Louis. Dr. Evans is president of the state bank at Mt. Horeb, was one of its promoters, and has been identified with it since its organization. He is a member of the firm of Hessig, Grinde & Evans, hardware dealers, and is also president of the Mt. Horeb Independent Telephone .Company. His fraternal relations are with the A. F. and A. M., lodge No. 227, at Mt. Horeb, the Robert McCoy commandery. No. 3, of Madison ; and he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Woodmen of the World. Knudt Evenson, a farmer near Deerfield, was born at Lourdal, Norway, April 8, 1849. his parents being Evan Holton and Gunneld Hamsatvet. In 1860 the family came to Stoughton, but soon afterward went to the town of Cottage Grove, where for about two years they lived on different farms, the father working as a hired man or a tenant. They then bought a farm in the town of Deerfield, where they continued to live until the death of both parents. Knute Evenson received a limited education in the district schools of the town of Cottage Grove and at the age of fourteen years began life for himself as a farm hand at the wages of seven dollars a month. He worked for various employers, continually bettering his position until the year 1869. One year he was in the employ of ex- Governor Taylor, receiving for that year $200. In 1869 he bought twenty-eight acres of land from Mr. Taylor and began farming" on his own account. Three years later he bought fifty-five acres more, and in 1876 erected a house on the farm and lived there until 1894, having in the mean time added to his farm until he owned one hundred and five acres. He then traded this farm to his father-in-law for the one on which he now lives, and which con- tains two hundred and eighty-four acres. His father came to America about a year before the rest of the family and Knudt borrowed money from his sister to pay the passage of himself and mother, and this debt was paid from his first earnings. On February 10, 1875, he married Anna Johnson, who was born on March 3, 1855, the daughter of Elling and Dorotha Johnson, of Deerfield. To this marriage have been born the following children : Dena, born January 16, 1876, now the wife of Lars Nesthus, living near her parents; Hilda born November 5, 1878, stenographer for the Boston Construction Company, of Seattle, Wash., Elling, born March 16, 1862; Emma, born March 5, 1884; Louisa, born March 3, 1889; Clara, born March 2, 1891. The four younger children are at home with their parents. Mr. Evenson is independent in his political opinions. From 1874 to 1876 he was deputy sheriff of the county; for ten years was a member of the town board ; was district clerk for twenty-five years, and is now serving his fifth year as district treasurer. He is president and manager of the Oak Park Creamery Association, and was for four years constable. He is a member of Deerfield camp, No. 1413, Woodmen of America, in which he has held the office of consul, and he and his wife belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Peter Faber, contractor and builder, carpenter and joiner, whose residence is at 302 South Park street and whose place of business is at 808 Chandler street, was born in the town of Badem, Kr. Bitbury R. P., Trier, Germany on the Rhine, December 21, 1854, His parents were Michael and Elizabeth (Herber) Faber, both natives of Germany. The father was a farmer in the Fatherland, but after coming to Madison in 1887 he lived a retired life. He died at the age of seventy and his wife at the age of eighty-one. They were both communicants or the German Catholic church and their final resting place is Calvary. Cemetary, Madison. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of five children. Mary, Mrs. Jacob Seifer, the eldest, died in Chicago at the age of thirty-five. John is a carpenter in the state of Washington. Gerhardt lives in Olympia, Wash., William is a mason making Madison his home. Peter Faber went to farming after the completion of his scholastic work in Germany. In 1880 he sailed for the United States, and upon his arrival here settled in Chicago. It was there that he served his apprenticeship as a carpenter and followed his trade for six years. In 1886 he came to Madison and for the following six years was employed at his vocation. Subsequently, in 1892, he entered the contracting field. That he has been successful is evidenced by his amount of patron- age and the quantity of work he has on hand. He employs from ten to twenty men the year around. Many of the churches and schools in the immediate vicinity of Madison were built by Mr. Faber and the quality of his workmanship is such that he is known all over the country. On Thanksgiving day, November 30, 1882. Mr. Faber led to the altar Miss Catherine Michaels, born in Germany, and a daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Wickart) Michaels. The mother is still a resident of Emperor William's kingdom. Her husband died about the time of his daughter's marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Faber are the parents of nine children. Mary and Anna are dressmakers in Madison. Michael is employed by his father. The other children are Margaret. Peter L. (died at nine years of age), Gerhart, Cathrina, Peter II., and Elizabeth. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Faber is prominently identified with the Catholic Foresters. He is a splendid workman, and a worthy, reliable citizen.

Hendrick O. Fadnes, a well-known and successful farmer of the town of Christiania, is a native of Voss, Norway, where he was born July 24, 1833. His father, Ole H. Fadnes. was born in Voss, educated there and owned a good farm property which he sold in 1816 in order to try his fortunes in the United States. He married Miss Susan Berstad, in Norway, and two children were there born to them, - Hendrick O., and Nels. Their daughter Carrie, who is the widow of Hendrick Bringberg, was born in Wisconsin. The voyage from Norway to New York occupied over six weeks and was followed by the long journey to Milwaukee on the lakes. At Milwaukee Mr. Fadnes' purchased an ox team and a wagon, which carried the family to Dane county, and in the vicinity of Deerfield, where a brother and cousin also settled, he obtained a farm. One hundred and twenty acres belonged to the original homestead but a tract of eighty acres was soon added to it and later sixty-five acres more. In 1892. Mr. Fadnes died and his wife in 1895. They were devoted members of the Norwegian Lutheran church to which their son Hendrick also belongs. Hendrick attended school in the new home. He assisted his father in clearing and improving the farm and has always made fanning his business. Many improvements on the old homestead are due to his thrift and energy and he there carries on an extensive business, raising stock as well as hay, corn, grain, etc. A Republican in his political sympathies, Mr. Fadnes is always interested in local affairs and has served the community as supervisor and member of the school 18 - iii board. In May, 1855, he married Miss Annie Knutson, daughter of Andrew Knutson, a farmer of Cambridge, who came from Norway in 1855. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fadnes. The oldest son, Ole. died. The next son, also named Ole, lives at Rio, Wis. Usher resides in Columbia county. Andrew H. is a farmer of Christiania, Susan and Knute make their home in Columbia county. Martin is a citizen of Cambridge and the youngest child died in infancy.

General Lucius Fairchild, soldier statesman, was born in what is now Kent, Portage county, Ohio. He was the son of Jairus Cassius and Sallie (Blair) Fairchild, the former of whom was a native of New York, born December 24, 1801. The General's mother was from New England and of Scotch-Irish descent, - a woman of vigorous personality, and noted for her kind and hospitable nature. The parents were married in Ohio and made their residence in Cleveland in 1834. coming to Madison, the territorial capital of Wisconsin in 1846 when Lucius was fourteen. He obtained his education in the common schools of Cleveland, Twinsburg academy in that state, and in the academy of Waukesha, Wis. When a lad of only seventeen he made the trip across the plains to California by ox-team, and spent six years in the Golden State, accumulating some gold and much practical experience. Speaking of his life there he said : "I was forced to depend upon my own energy to attain anything, and there was no alternative but incessant labor. Since that period I have always been fond of work and glad to have plenty of it." While in the mountains of California he had his first political experience, as a delegate to the convention which nominated Governor Bigler, and by reason of an accident en route, sat in the convention without a coat, or a cent in his pocket. Soon after his return to Madison he was elected on the Democratic ticket, circuit court clerk for Dane county, and made a business-like and courteous official. He was admitted to the bar in 1860. The Civil War interrupted his legal- career, just beginning, as he was one of the first to respond to the first call for volunteers, enlisting as a private. He was made captain of his company, the "Governor's Guard," which was assigned as Company K, First Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment. He was tendered the position of lieutenantcolonel of his regiment by Governor Randall, but declined it on the ground that he was not qualified. His military career was brilliant in the extreme and and he saw much hard service, most of it as colonel of the Second Wisconsin, which formed a part of the famous Iron Brigade commanded at first by Gen. Rufus King, of Wis- consin, and assigned to the first division of the first army corps.- General Fairchild participated in the battles of Gainesville, second Manasses, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, besides innumerable skirmishes. His left arm was shattered at Gettysburg, so that amputation was necessary, and he was forced to return to Madison to recruit his health, and while home received the appointment of brigadier-general of volunteers. In August, 1861, President Lincoln had appointed him captain in the Sixteenth Regiment of the regular army. While convalescing, much to his surprise, the Union convention of Wisconsin made him its candidate for secretary of state, and influential friends pursuaded him, much against his own wishes, that in his enfeebled condition he could better serve his country by accepting the nomination, than by returning to the front. He is said afterwards to have much regretted that he did not follow his own imimpulses and remain in the army ; and this, too, despite his great success in office. Said one who knew him well : "Thus closed a military career, than which there were few more brilliant and valuable. He passed from private to brigadier-general in a little over two years, and every step of the progress was earned. He was an indefatigable worker, and gave all his time and best judgment to the service and aimed to improve every detail which came within his province. He was but thirty-two years of age when disabled by his wound. Such a rise, at such an age, and in so short a time, demonstrates conclusively his value as a soldier and his possession of rare qualities of organization and leadership." After resigning his rank in both the regular and the volunteer service, General Fairchild was elected secretary of state, and on the expiration of his term was three times elected governor of the state on the Republican ticket, each time by a handsome majority. He brought much executive ability, and a high order of zeal,- and fidelity to the public interests, to the discharge of his public duties, being especially active in promoting the educational interests of the state. One year after his retirement to private life, in December, 1872, he was appointed by President Grant, United States consul to Liverpool, England. In 1878 he was promoted to the position of consul-general at Paris and then to the office of minister-plenipotentiary at the court of Madrid. In England, France and Spain he evoked high commendation from those to whom he was sent. Said Liverpool journal years after his departure, "No American consul ever made more friends at this port," and said another journal, "While in Europe he made shipping and international commerce the subject of complete study." In March 1881, he resigned his post at Madrid, and returned to America to educate his children, in part, at home. On his arrival in Madison, March 2, 1882, he received an ovation. He was ever loyal to his military comrades and they loved him. He was made senior vice-commander in chief of the G. A. R., from May, 13, 1869, to May 12, 1870; state department commander from February 4, 1886, and commander-in-chief of the G. A. R., August 4, 1886 ; also, commander of the Wisconsin commandery of the military order of the Loyal Legion from May 7T 1884, to May, 1887; and the commander-in-chief of the order- of the Loyal Legion on October 11. 1893.

As a private citizen he was of the highest usefulness, and a splendid example of high thinking and doing, and took great interest in all the affairs of the day affecting country, state, town and neighborhood. He was especially active in the work of building the state historical library. He was married in 1864 and had three children, two of whom, with the widow, survive him. He had a remarkably strong face, indicative of kindness, decision and frankness ; in person he was of medium size, with a well knit frame, active and powerful ; he was direct and positive in speech, sometimes with a soldier's bluntness which men do not dislike, and he was destitute of all cant or affectation. His death took place May 23, 1896.

01eH. Farness, of DeForest, is one of the earliest settlers in the county, coming from Norway, - where he was born November 28,, 1826, - in 1847. His parents, Herman and Rande H. Farness. were born in Norway, and after the death of Mrs. Farness there, her husband followed his son to America, coming in 1856, but he lived only two years after his arrival here. Ole H. Farness received his education in Norway, and upon coming to Dane took up one hundred and twenty acres of government land. He obtained more, from time to time, until, at one time, he owned six hundred and twenty acres. He is at the present time a general farmer and stock-raiser, on a farm of three hundred and ten acres. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church. He was married in 1847, to Miss Gertrude Esse, (born in Norway, April 13, 1827), by whom he had six children. Lars, Herman, Rande, Ole, Betsey, Herman, of whom only one, Rande, is living. His first wife died June 2, 1859, and the following year he married Miss Anna Nelson, - daughter of Nels Knutson, - who died March 3, 1902. Her children were Gertrude, Nels, Thomas, Thomas, Jo-

Creighton P. Farnsworth, M. D., medical superintendent of the Madison sanitarium at South Madison, was born near Mulberry Grove, Bond county, 111. His parents were Henry C. and Adaline (Muelter) Farnsworth. both natives of Ashtabula county, Ohio. The father was a farmer until President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men was issued. He attempted to enlist but was rejected because of his youth. Three months later, however, he was accepted and succeeded in joining his company, K", of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was a partcipant in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and then the Twelfth army corps, of which the Twenty-ninth Ohio belonged, was merged with the Eleventh corps to form the Twentieth and went west to assist in the siege of Chattanooga. The regiment saw service in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, Fort and Kenesaw Mountains, Peach Tree Creek, in the military operations about Atlanta and Savannah, and the engagements at Averasboro and Jonesboro. When hostilities had ceased the regiment participated in the grand review at Washington and was then mustered out. Mr. Farnsworth returned to Ashtabula and was married, proceeding thence to Bond county, 111. His residence there continued until 1875. when he removed to Mount Hope, Grant county, Wis., to engage in farming. He still makes Grant county his home, although now retired. His wife died in 1881 at the age of forty-six. They were both members of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Their daughter Pearl, now Mrs. Benjamin Pendleton, is the only survivor, beside Dr. Farnsworth, of the five children. Dr. Farnsworth received his preparatory education in the high school at Mount Hope. His medical training was acquired in the sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich. On September 4. 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Bennett, a student in the medical course at Battle Creek. As a wedding trip Dr. Farnsworth and his bride accompanied President Charles Kendall Adams, of the University of Wisconsin, on a trip to Europe, remaining abroad three months and visiting points in Italy. Switzerland, France. Germany and Belgium. Dr. Farnsworth was President Adams' physician and the voyage was taken with a view to benefiting the latter's health. Upon their return to Madison Dr. Farnsworth accepted a call to become superintendent of the Guadalajara sanitarium of the state of Jalisco, Mexico. This place has one of the finest locations in the world, at an elevation of fiftytwo hundred feet, and has a capacity of one hundred patients^

The doctor remained there one year and then went to Chicago where he took an advanced course along the lines of electric treatment and surgery. In a few months he came to Madison to accept the position he now holds. He has organized the corporation and superintended the erection of the sanatarium. It has a capacity of seventy patients and is filled practically all the time. Inclusive of nurses and doctors it employs some forty people. The location on the shore of Lake Monona is quiet and exclusive, - altogether an ideal spot for such an institution. A nurses' school is conducted in connection, of which Dr. Farnsworth is also superintendent. He belongs to the county, the state and the American medical associations. The doctor and his wife have two children, a boy and a girl. Both Dr. and Mrs. Farnsworth are members of the Seventhday Adventist society, and the doctor of the Modern Woodmen of America. Dr. Farnsworth is a man of wide and successful experience, is eminently fitted to superintend such an establishment, which fills a long felt want in this section of the state.

George A. Farr is the owner of one of the fine farms of Cottage Grove township, his homestead being situated in section 9, and he is one of the popular and prosperous citizens of this section of the country, while further interest attaches to the consideration of his career in this work by reason of the fact that he is a native son of Cottage Grove township, where his parents took up their abode more than half a century ago. He was born on the pioneer farm of his father, in the township mentioned, on August 18, 1853, being a son of Horatio and Lucinda (Barrows) Farr, the former of whom was born in the state of Vermont and the latter in that of New York. The paternal grandfather was a valiant soldier in Continental line during the War of the Revolution, the Farr family having been founded in New England in the early colonial era. George A. Farr was reared on the home farm, early beginning to assist in its reclamation and cultivation, while his educational advantages were those afforded in the district schools and Albion Academy, which latter institution he attended one term. His father was twice married, four children having been born of the first union, while George A. was the first born of the three children of the second marriage. His brother, Charles, is a prosperous farmer of Dunn township, Dane county, Wisconsin, and his sister. Seraph, is the wife of Thomas Willey, of Lake Mills, this state. The parents of Mr. Farr came to Dane county in September, 1852, and the father purchased a tract of government land in Cottage Grove township, the same being covered with the native forest and having no improvements. They resided on this place a short period, and then disposed of the property, the father thereupon purchasing an other place, in the same township where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, having" been folk of sterling character and having been uniformly esteemed in the community- The father died in 1882, and the mother in 1890. George A. Farr continued to be associated in the work and management of the home farm until he had attained the age of twenty-seven years, when he purchased a farm of forty acres, in his native township, there being actively engaged in farming about twelve years, at the expiration of which he sold the place and purchased his present fine homestead, which comprises about sixty-seven acres, practically all being available for cultivation, while the improvements are of substantial order. Mr. Farr has never manifested any desire for public office, but has been a stanch supporter of the cause of the democracy and has given his aid and influence in furtherance of enterprises and undertakings tending to advance the general welfare of the community. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. On May 5. 1881, Mr. Farr was united in marriage to Miss Kate Durfey, who was born March 12, 1851, her parents, Loomis and Ellen (Hooven) Durfey, having likewise been numbered among the pioneers of Cottage Grove township. She was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children, and following is a brief record concerning the others : Flora is the wife of John Sanders, of Colorado ; Henry is deceased ; Edgar is a resident of the city of Madison ; Delilah is the wife of Andrew Oually of Chicago. Illinois : Nellie is the wife of Elwood Emerson of Chicago ; and Lillie is the wife of O. C. Whaling, of Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Farr have four children, namely : Winifred who was born May 20, 1882, and who is now the wife of Daniel Moe, of Cottage Grove township ; Nellie D., who was born Dec. 20, 1883, and who is now the wife of Herbert R. Cone, of Cottage Grove township ; Charles Earl, who was born April 18, 1891 ; and Clarence Albert, who was born October 20. 1896.

Anthony O. Farrell is one of the highly respected retired farmers of the town of Oregon, which has been his home for many years, and where by honest effort and strenuous toil he has gained a competence that makes his declining years ones of quiet enjoyment. He was born in the county of Sligo, Ireland, on May 2, 1828, and is the son of Matthew and Bridget ( Feeney) Farrell. both natives of the Emerald Isle, where they spent ali the years of their useful lives. They were the parents of six children, only two of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch having a sister,

Mary, who is the wife of Michael Crowe and resides in the village of Oregon. Matthew Farrell served for thirteen years as a soldier in the British army. Anthony O. Farrell, whose name introduces this memoir, received his education in the schools of his native country, and continued to reside there until he had reached the age of twenty-six years. He then, in 1854, sailed for America, in the ship, Conqueror, and first took up his residence in Vermont, where he resided twelve years, working a part of the time in the marble quarries and when not thus engaged being employed as a farm hand. In I860 he came to Wisconsin and first secured employment on the railroad then being constructed between Brooklyn and Madison. He followed this occupation for three years, then worked on a farm for about two years, after which he worked land on shares, and in 1875 purchased the one hundred and twenty acres of land in the town of Oregon, which he had previously been farming, and on which he has since continued to reside. He was married in 1856, to Miss Ellen Dunn, who was also a native of County Sligo, Ireland, and the date of her birth was May 8, 1857. Her father was Lawrence Dunn and the maiden name of her mother was Bridget Kelly. In the Dunn family there was a large family of children, but only two daughters came to America - Bridget.who married a Mr. Gilfeather, and she who became the wife of Mr. Farrell - both of them being now deceased. Nine children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Farrell : Matthew T. married Catherine Keigen and resides in the town of Union ; Patrick L. married May Kelley and is now deceased. - his widow resides in Dakota ; Bridget married Byron Andrew and resides in Superior, Wis. ; Edward married Mary Wallace and resides in South Dakota ; Ellen married Olamp Garvoil and resides in the town of Rutland ; Mary Augusta is deceased ; John William resides in Chicago ; Margaret Ann, now Mrs. Silver, resides at Kilbourn, Columbia county. Wis. ; and Anthony J. married Wilhelmina Ace, and resides with his father. Mr. Farrell is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and his religious faith is expressed by membership in the Roman Catholic church.

James M. Farwell, for many years a successful farmer in the town of Vienna, is of New England descent and the son of one of Windsor's pioneers. His father, James Farwell, was the son of Oliver and Enseba Farwell. who always lived in Vermont. Their son, however, came west in 1846, when forty-four years of age, and lived upon a farm at Windsor station until his death in 1878. The long journey was made with a team and consumed a number of weeks. Mr. Farwell married Miss Mandana Castle, born in Vermont in 1801, and two sons and three daughters were born to them, all living except one son. As justice of the peace for many years, none of Mr. Farwell's decisons were ever reversed. He was. allied with the Republican party. Both husband and wife were members of the Universalist church. Their son, James M., was born in Westford. Chittenden county, Vermont, July 5, 1835, was sent to school in his native town in Vermont and in Windsor and early engaged in farming. He now is the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of fine farm property in the township of Vienna, where beside his other farm industries he raises Poland China swine and a herd of registered Holstein cattle. Like his father, Mr. Farwell is a Republican but devotes little time to active participation in political matters. January 16, 1867, he married Miss Mary J. Hilliard, who was born in Ohio, December 3lv 1846, daughter of Martin E. and Lura A. (Sartwell) Hilliard, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard came to Windsor in 1850, where Mr. Hilliard died in January, 1904, and his widow is still living, seventy-nine years of age. Of their five children three areliving. Mr. and Mrs. Farwell have had five children ; the oldest daughter, Alice, and the next daughter, Ida May, attended thehome schools and the latter died in 1895 ; Hartwell, the oldest son, lives at home ; Estella is the wife of Ole Anderson ; Charles W,, a graduate of the DeForest high school, married Miss Sadie Durkee and has one daughter. Fern Luva. The family are members and workers of the Congregational church. All have attended the home schools.

John Fassbender, Jr., of Springfield, is an active factor in the life of that community, having filled various offices of public trust as town and village official. He was born in Springfield, October 21,- 1857, of German ancestry. His grandparents on both sides of the family, - John and Margrett Fassbender, and John and Christina Nettekoven, - were born and died in Germany. In June, 1856, John Fassbender, Sr., born in Germany August 15, 1824, came to the town of Springfield. He was thirty- two years of age at the time, and had been a soldier in the German army before seeking his fortune in the new world. In December, 1856, Miss Veronia Nettekoven also came from Germany to Springfield, and the following year, February 11, 1857, they were married. Mrs. Fassbender was nine years the junior of her husband, her birthday occurring October 4, 1833. They made their home at Springfield, and the subject of this sketch was the oldest of eight child- ren - three sons, John, Henry and Peter, and five daughters, Christina, Maggie, Mary, Aggie and Anna, - who were born to them. John Fassbender, Jr., was educated in the public school of Springfield, and is an insurance agent by profession. A Democrat politically, he has acceptably filled the positions of a notary public, justice of the peace, town treasurer and town assessor. He is a member of the Catholic church and is unmarried.

Dr. John Favill, perhaps the moat prominent of the early physicians of Madison, Wis., was a native of Herkimer county, N. Y., and received his medical education at Harvard University. His wife was Louisa Baird. a daughter of Henry S. Baird, of Green Bay, one of the prominent pioneers of Wisconsin, the first attorney general of Wisconsin, and president of the first council of the territory. Her mother, Elizabeth T. Baird, was descended from the ruling chiefs of the Ottowa nation, with an admixture of French and Scotch blood, and was a great-niece of President Monroe. Dr. Favill came to Wisconsin in 1846, locating at Lake Mills, Jefferson county, where he practiced two years ; in 1848 he moved to Madison, which was his residence ever after. During his long life of thirty-five years in Madison, he filled a large place in the community, being admirably endowed both by education and natural ability. He was lovingly called "Old »Dr. Favill" by all who knew him, and had a character so pure and lofty, that he was readily given first place in the hearts of his fellow townsmen. Dr. Charles S. Sheldon of Madison writes : "He was independent and liberal in his views, charitable in his judgments, generous and unselfish ,to a fault, his friends and admirers were legion, and he is still mourned in many households." His death occurred in Madison, December 9, 1883. He is survived by three children, Therese, Dr. Harry Baird, a prominent physician of Chicago, 111., and Eleanor, wife of Horace K. Tenney, a lawyer of Chicago. "

Carl J. G. Felland, secretary of the Stoughton Lumber Association, was born in Pleasant Springs township, this county. September 28, 1857, being a son of Gunder (Gunderson) and Tone (Nevestedt) Felland, who came from Norway to America in 1846, becoming pioneers of Pleasant Springs township, Dane county, where the father purchased eighty acres of government land, in section 25. He reclaimed this tract and subsequently added to the same one hundred and twenty acres adjoining, developing one of the valuable farms of this part of the county and continuing to reside on the homestead until his death, which occurred July 24, 1887, at which time he was seventy-one years of age. He secured his

-naturalization papers under the name of Gunderson, but he later adopted the surname of Felland as did also his brother. His wife is still living. They reared a family of six children, namely: Guilder, Olaf. Ole. Elsa (widow of G. Gjorgensen), Carl J. G., and Trena Serena (wife of Ole Sundbey). Carl J. G. Felland was reared to the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm and after securing a good preliminary training in the public schools of his native township he entered Monona Academy, in the city of Madison, where he continued his studies for some time. He thereafter continued to be identified with the operation of the old home farm until 1901, and he still owns the property. In the year mentioned he .took up his residence in the city of Stoughton, where he has since maintained his home. In August, 1900, the Stoughton Lumber Association was organized and Mr. Felland was one of those interested in the organization and incorporation of the concern, of which he has been secretary since 1903. The company has excellent facilities and controls a large business. In politics he gives his support to the Democratic party, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church of Pleasant Springs. September 28. 1898, Mr. Felland was married to Miss Elsie Lee, daughter of Ole H. and Marie (Trobaten) Lee, of Pleasant Springs township, and the one child of this union is Gonard Andreas.

Gunder W. Felland, a farmer in the town of Pleasant Springs, was born at Moe, Telemarken, Norway, April 2-4. 1843. His parents, Wetley and Astrid (Reinen) Gunderson, were both natives -of that place. They were married in 1839 and the father followed farming in his native country until 1846, when, with his wife, and two of his brothers, Gunder and Ole. he came to America. The voyage was made in the brig "Washington," a sailing vessel, and they were nine weeks and two days on the water. They landed at New York, went from there to Buffalo by way of the canal, and then by steamer to Milwaukee. There they got a team and came to' the town of Pleasant Springs. Together the three brothers obtained one hundred and twenty acres of land, put up a log cabin and began making a home. In 1855 Wetley Gunderson pre-empted forty acres of government land and later bought eighty acres more, and lived on this farm until his death, which occurred in 1899 He was a Democrat in his political faith and in church matters was a Lutheran, being one of the founders of the West Lutheran -church. His wife died in 1897. Of their eight children five are still living. They are Andrew, a farmer in the town of Burke; Martin, living in Worth county, la. ; Ingeborg, living at Rothsay.

Minn.; Elsie, at Stoughton, and Gunder W., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Felland received only three months schooling, in the common schools, the greater part of his education having been acquired by self study. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade and worked as it for several years. In 1869 and again in 1872 he visited different parts of Iowa, looking for a location, and after that lived with his parents, taking care of them in the declining years. He now owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of good land, upon which he carries on a general farming business, giving considerable attention to stock raising and dairying. Although a Democrat in his political views he is by no means an active politician. He is a member of the West Lutheran church, in the town of Pleasant Springs, and has always been active in church work. On June 21, 1880, he married Emma C. Larsen, whose parents. Andrew and Jeannette (Everson) Larsen, were natives of Christiana, Norway, but came to the United States in 1867 and settled at Stoughton. where the mother died in 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Felland have six children. Jeannette S. and Marie A. are now attending the Albion academy ; William A., Olaf E., Lydia A., and Clara G., are attending the home schools.

George H. Fett, secretary of the Menges Pharmacy company of Madison, and manager of the University avenue pharmacy of that firm, was born in Madison, February 23, 1876. He is a son of George and Katherine Fett, the former born in Prussia, November 5, 1839. and the latter in Alzey, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, August 29, 1841. The father enlisted February 13, 1864. in Company C, Fourth United States Infantry. With his regiment he participated in the engagements of the Wilderness, May 6 and 7, 1864, Spottsylvania Court-house, May 12 to 19. inclusive, North Anna river, May 24, Harris Court-house, June 2. Cold Harbor, June 7,. and Petersburg, June 17 to 20. The regiment was also present at Appomattox when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered. Mr. Fett entered the service as a private, and when he was mustered out on February 13, 1867, had risen to the rank of corporal. George H. Fett received his preparatory education in the public schools of Madison. On September 13. 1891, he entered the drug business as an apprentice for Wilson & Fox, with whom he remained a year. He then became an employe of A. F. Menges, with whom he has since remained. In 1893 he successfully passed the examination for assistant pharmacist given by the state board of pharmacy and three years later was given a certificate as pharmacist by the same board. In politics Mr. Fett belongs to the Republican party and his religious affiliations are with the German Methodist church. He is identified as a member of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Association ; Henry Harnden camp, Sons of Veterans ; and Madison Lodge, No. 410, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is recognized as a young man of principle and character and one of the ablest of the younger generation of Madison business men.

Joseph F. Fiebiger owns and operates a large farm in Medina township. His father, Joseph Fiebiger, was a native of Bohemia and spent his life in Germany. Joseph Fiebiger. Si\, married Miss Francis Blaha, a native of Moravia. Joseph Fiebiger, Jr.. was born in Bohemia, September 14, 1846, spent his boyhood at the parental home but early decided to try his fortune in the west and came to America in 1867. His first home in America was in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and he managed a hardware store in Jefferson, Jefferson county, for a period of fourteen years. He then located in Dane county and obtained one hundred and fifty-five acres of farm land which he improved and farmed and made his permanent residence. On this property in Medina Mr. Fiebiger carries on a general farming business and raises a large amount of stock. He is a Democrat and much interested in local affairs, particularly those pertaining to schools. For six years he was a school director of the Medina free high school and was also for four years the town assessor. In 1872, he married Miss Johanna Hebl who was born in Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wis., August 3, 1854, and is a daughter of John Hebl, whose life appears elsewhere in this work. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fiebiger, all of whom received the benefit of education in the Medina free high school, whose interests their father had labored to promote. George John, the oldest, afterward studied medicine and is a practicing physician of Waterloo, Wis. The younger children. Anna, Eddie, Elinor and Lydia, remain at home. Elinor and Lydia are students at the high school. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church of Waterloo.

William E. Fincher, a prosperous young farmer of Oregon, is a Pennsylvanian by birth. Both he and his parents, Joseph and Dorothy (Losh) Fincher, were natives of Lycoming county. Pa. His father and two brothers served in the Civil War; his father, who was a farmer and horse dealer, died when he was eight years old and his mother the following year, both in Pennsylvania, leaving a family of six children, Margaret, (Mrs. Waltz, deceased) ; Sarah, (Mrs. Day), of Pennsylvania; Clara, (Mrs. Fry), of Will- iamsport ; William E., the subject of this sketch; Frank, of Oregon;-. Catherine, of Oregon. All the children were born and educated in Pennsylvania and lived there until they reached maturity. Mr. Fincher was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, and' began taking care of himself when he was only fifteen years old.. He followed various occupations but principally the care of trotting horses; at one time he had a retail milk-route. In 1897, when he was twenty-three years old. - he was born January 2, 1874, - he came to Oregon, Dane county and began farming; he bought a farm of one hundred acres upon which he has rebuilt the fences, and made other improvements, and which is run for general agricultural purposes. Two years after coming to Oregon he married Miss Laura Williamson, daughter of John and Phoebe (Bethel) Williamson, of Oregon township, who was born in the same place. They have one child, Raymond Franklin, born on the home farm Mr. Fincher is a Republican, and although comparatively a new comer, - among the native born and the pioneers of the fifties, - has. entered heartily into the life of his chosen home, serving on the school board and winning the esteem of the community by his. friendly spirit and neighborly offices.

James E. Fisher, deceased, was during life one of the most widely known and highly respected citizens of the city of Madison, in which he had his residence during all of a long and honorable career. He was descended from good old Anglo-Saxon stock and had his nativity in the country which has been in the van of civilization and progress for centuries. Mr. Fisher was born in Nottingham, England, November 2, 1836, and was the son of Edward' and Charlotte (Dutton) Fisher, the father having been born and reared in Wrales. While a young man Edward Fisher moved to Nottingham, England, and engaged in the manufacture of lace, in which he was very successful, and he continued in that businessuntil 1845, when he came to America and located at Madison, the embryonic capital of the future state of Wisconsin. About 1847 he returned to England and remained two years, when he again made the journey to America, accompanied by his only son, whose name introduces this review. They embarked at Liverpool on the sailing vessel "Plymouth Rock" and landed at Boston thirty-fivedays later. From that city the father and son made their way via railway to Buffalo, and thence on the lakes to Milwaukee, from whence they came by team to Madison. At that time the capital city was a very small village and not a line of railroad was in the state of Wisconsin, and the greater part of the commonwealth was.

uninhabited except by the Indians. There were no convenient markets and produce was very cheap, the inevitable consequence of a scarcity of money. But the elder Mr. Fisher had brought some money with him, and he engaged very profitably in the business of loaning the same to those who were more unfortunate than he. He also purchased considerable land which is now incorporated in the city of Madison, and he it was who planted those trees, whose widespreading branches now furnish such convenient shade on Mifflin and Webster streets. Mr. Fisher continued to reside in Madson until his death in 1852. The maiden name of the mother of James E. Fisher was Charlotte Dutton, and she was a native of the same city as was her husband. She was loth to leave the land of her birth, and upon the migration of her husband and son to America she remained in England until 1857, when she was induced to make the journey hither through the earnest solicitation of her son. She died in Madison in 1885, having reared three children : Angelina, James E. and Anna, the son being the one to whom this memoir is especially dedicated. As has been stated, our subject was the only son, and he received his early education in the schools of Nottingham, his native city, and after coming to America he supplemented the knowledge he had secured by attending the public school of Madison for some time. After the death of his father he left school to learn the trade of cabinetmaker, serving a three-years' apprenticeship, and then after working as a journeyman one year, in 1857 he engaged in business for himself, becoming the senior member of the firm of Fisher, Babcock and Reynolds. This parnership continued until 1872. when Mr. Fisher purchased the interest of the other members of the firm and became the sole proprietor. His establishment was conceded to be the leading one of the kind in Madison, and he continued in business until the date of his death, February 14, 1896. his mercantile career continuing over a period of thirty-nine years, exceeding that of any other merchant in the city, with possibly one exception. He was located during all of this time at the corner of Pinckney and Clymer streets, and during the later years carried on his flourishing business in a magnificent brick structure, three stories high, which was erected under his personal supervision. Mr. Fisher was a member of the Episcopal church, and was active and influential in all matters pertaining to the public good. In politics he gave an unswerving allegiance to the principles of the Republican party, and although he never sought political distinction or office, he was recognized as a leader in public affairs, being in a large measure for many years ''the power behind the throne". For seventeen years he was officially connected with the city fire-department, and for many years was treasurer of the St. George Society, being one of its charter members at its incorporation in 1856. He was a great lover of out-door sports and was captain of the Capital City base ball club in 1868. He was the local leader all those who delighted in the dog and gun, and was the originator of the renowned hunting-boat, "Solid Comfort," which cost, when furnished, $2,400, and contained all the appliances for hunting and fishing, combined with the comforts of home life. One possessing the attributes with which he was so richly endowed must always win friends, and in the case of Mr. Fisher they were as numerous as his acquaintances. To sum up his good qualities, in the language of one who knew him well, he was "a genial, public-spirited man, and a capable and popular citizen." Mr. Fisher was married on December 31, 1885, to Mrs. Mary (Groesbeck) Rundle, a native of the state of New York and the daughter of Chester and Lorena (Deveaux) Groesbeck. One child was born to his union, Edward J., who resides with his mother and attends school in Madison. - a worthy son of an honored parentage.