Trempealeau County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 11 of 20)

Bennett Anderson, deceased, one of the early settlers of Trempealeau County, was born in Valders, Norway. In 1868 he brought his family to Trempealeau County from Dane County and estabhshed himself as a farmer in Arcadia Township, being one of the earliest settlers in that neighborhood. He labored early and late and under these conditions prospered. He became one of the representative farmers of Trempealeau County, remaining on his farm until his death, Feb. 15, 1902. He was married to Ellen Everson, who still survives and resides on the old homestead in Arcadia Township. They had a family of nine children, as follows : Inger Maria, who became Mrs. H. 0. Wold and the mother of one child, Oscar B. Wold (she passed away in 1893) ; Gabriel, who died at the age of seven years; Ever B. and C. H., farmers in Lincoln Township ; Sarah A., who died at the age of ten years ; Gabriel, second, residing on the old homestead in Arcadia Township, who married Julia Nelson and has four children: Bennett 0., Irene E., Carrie M. and Goodwin J. ; Carrie, who died in 1914 ; Edward, a resident of the state of Washington, and Polly A., wife of Henry Amundson,

Gilbert Anderson and his good wife, Ingeborg Fladegaard, natives of Norway, were among the early people of that hardy race who have done so much to better the agricultural conditions of America, coming to the American land at a very early date. On reaching this country they found their means exhausted when they had got as far west as Milwaukee, but undaunted they set out with an ox team, proceeding to Dane County, where they settled. The elder members of the family, including Gilbert's aged mother, about 80 years, had walked the entire distance. They were ambitious God-fearing people, being representative and prosperous. Both are now deceased. They were the parents of Ever B. and Charles H. Anderson, who are representative farmers of Lincoln Township, this county.

Peter Evenson, deceased, was born in Norway and was there educated and grew to manhood. He was married in Norway to Maria Dahl. In 1854 they sailed for America, settling that same year in Dane County, Wisconsin, near Blue Mounds, where they resided until 1870. They then came to Trempealeau County, where they became representative and influential farmers. The wife Maria passed away on the farm, July 12, 1893. Mr. Evenson then made his home with his daughter, Mrs. E. B. Anderson, until his lamented death, Aug. 2, 1901. They were the parents of nine children, of whom but two, Juha and Carrie, are now living. Julia is the widow of A. W. Anderson and resides with the E. B. Anderson family on the old farm now owned by E. B. Anderson, and of which her lamented husband was for many years owner and operator. Carrie is now Mrs. E. B. Anderson. The other children: Even, Erik, Mathias, Edward, Edward (2d) , Mary and Carrie, all of whom died in infancy.

Eugene J. Kidder., who for a number of years has served as clerk of the Circuit Court for Trempealeau County, was born in Sauk County, Wisconsin, Feb. 13, 1859, son of Pomeroy and Lucy (Scott) Kidder. About 1862, when the subject of this sketch was a small boy, his father died, as the result of an accident while engaged in rafting lumber down the Trempealeau River, their home at that time was Sechlerville, Jackson County, Wis. In the spring of 1863 they moved to Trempealeau County, where they have since resided. The mother subsequently married Oscar F. Harlow, a wagon maker of Whitehall. By the first marriage there were three children: Ada A. Kidder (deceased), Eugene J. Kidder and W. S. Kidder (deceased), of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth. The only child of the second marriage was William E. Harlow, who is now engaged in the automobile business in Whitehall, Wis. Eugene J. Kidder while a young man learned the barber's trade, and subsequently went into business for himself in Whitehall, where he has owned and operated a shop for many years. In the fall of 1904 he was elected clerk of the Circuit Court for Trempealeau County, and has since served in that position by successive re-elections. He was formerly township treasurer for the Town of Lincoln one year, and served on the village council of Whitehall for a number of years. His knowledge of local affairs is extensive and he has always been found arrayed on the side of progress and efficiency. He is a charter member of Whitehall Lodge No. 271, F. & A. M., and served as m.aster of the lodge for two years, and is also a member of Whitehall Lodge No. 2549, M. W. of A. Mr. Kidder was married Feb. 4, 1884, to Christina Harris of Pigeon Township, a native of Perthshire, Scotland, and daughter of David and Mary HaiTis, who came to the United States from that country in 1877. Both her parents died in 1912 at Groton, S. D. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder have three children : John L. Kidder, who now resides at Timber Valley, Wash., and who is now engaged in the lumber business, and Gladys and Mary, residing at home.

Peter C. Peterson has a well improved place called "Lozenge Farm," located in Fly Creek Valley, and consisting of 158 acres in the northeast quarter of section 29, Pigeon Township, where he has lived since its purchase Nov. 15, 1901. He has a comfortable home and suitable barns, and successfully carries on general farming, making a specialty of raising high grade Holstein cattle. His public service has included membership on the school board since 1913. His church affiliation is with the Norwegian Lutheran Church, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Peterson was born in Madison, Wis., April 29, 1867, and remained at home until locating on his present farm. He was married April 29, 1894, to Christina Eidsvoog, who was born in Norway, May 9, 1868, and came to America in 1890, her father, Peter Eidsvoog, dying in Norway in 1893, and her mother, Cecelia Nelson, in the same year. The children in the Peterson family are four : Nettie, born Jan. 9, 1895, who was graduated from Gale College and the Winona Business College, and is now a bookkeeper for Jones-Kroeger & Co. of Winona, Minn.; Cora, born Jan. 27, 1899, who was graduated from the Whitehall high school in the class of 1917, and is now teaching at Lidgerwood, N. D. ; Tilmer, born April 25, 1904, and Palmer, born March 23, 1911. The two youngest are living at home. The parents of Peter C. Peterson were Christian Peterson and Toro Olson Nordness. The father was born in Norway, May 10, 1837, came to America in 1857, and worked as a clerk in Madison, Wis., until August, 1868, when he came to Trempealeau County, and settled in section 16, Lincoln Township, where he died June 29, 1917. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served a year in Company F, 45th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The mother was born in Norway, Jan. 23, 1844, and died Jan. 22, 1916.

Andrew J. Ringlien, proprietor of the Ringlien Farm of 240 acres in sections 5 and 6, Pigeon Township, was born in Sundreland, Norway, April 29, 1857, son of John and Mary (Nilson) Ringlien. He resided in his native land until about 26 years old, and then, in 1883, came to the United States in search of better opportunities for self-advancement than he had there. Locating in Pigeon Township, this county, he obtained employment and also attended school in order chiefly to acquire a knowledge of the English language, in which he made good progress. For three years he worked for P. Ekern, carefully saving his earnings, or as much of them as possible, with the view of achieving industrial independence. This purpose he accomplished in 1890 when he bought his present farm and began working for himself. Since that time he has made considerable progress and is now one of the prosperous citizens of his township, a fact conspicuously mani- fested by the fine brick house he erected in 1914, a two-story building with basement, containing ten rooms and installed with furnace heat and other conveniences. His barn, 30 by 60 by 18 feet, with basement and concrete floors, is also a good and substantial structure, and the other buildings on the farm are well kept and of neat appearance. Mr. Ringlien keeps graded Durham cattle, having a herd of 40 head, of which he milks 20. He is also a stockholder in the elevator and creamery at Whitehall. His religious afliliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which he has been trustee and auditor for ten years. For the past six years he has been a member of the Norwegian school board. Mr. Ringlien was united in marriage, April 4, 1890, with Helen Knutson, daughter of Olaus and Nicolena (Netten) Knutson. She died in September, 1909, leaving eight children: John Olger, Nettie Melvina, Arthur Maurice, Arnold Norman, Axel William, Herman Calbjorn, Menick Cornelius and Erling Conrad, who reside at home with their father.

David Wood, a retired farmer residing in Whitehall, Wis., was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, Feb. 10, 1840, son of Alva and Amanda (Porter) Wood. Alva Wood was born near Utica, N. Y., in 1810, and in 1848 came to Dane County, Wisconsin, where he farmed until 1856. He then purchased government land in sections 21, 25, 26 and 11, Lincoln Township, later going to live with his son David on his farm in section 17, where he died in 1883. His wife Amanda, who was born in Utica, N. Y., died in 1853 at the age of 58. David Wood was the fourth born in a family of ten children. He remained at home until his marriage, March 17, 1863, to Mary Parsons of Whitehall. Her parents were Lincoln and Maria (Sherwood) Parsons, the former of whom died at Marshall, Wis. In the year of his marriage Mr. Wood began farming in section 17, Lincoln Township, where he remained until 1872. He then removed to another farm in the southeast quarter of section 15, which he operated until March, 1913, at which time he retired and took up his residence in Whitehall. Some time previous to this he had built a warehouse in Whitehall and bought and shipped grain for many years, also baling and shipping hay (1874). Mr. Wood is a director in the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank and a stockholder in the General Trading Company of Whitehall. He served as chairman of the township board for 25 years and was on the building committee of the county asylum. While on the county board he had charge of some bridge building in Lincoln Township. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of five children : Archie E., James L., Sarah, Alta and Ralph W. Archie E., born in 1864, is engaged in contracting and building in Whitehall. He married Jessie M. Dissmore and has four living children: Elmer, Ernest Y., Elsie M. and Chester. James L., born in 1867, is a carpenter living at Whitehall. He married H. Olive Tull. Sarah, born in 1870, died in 1877. Alta, born in 1875, died in 1877. Ralph W., born in 1879, is a farmer on the old homestead in Lincoln Township. He married Martha Johnson and has two children : Harold and Helen.

William J. Webb, who is conducting a successful lumber business in Whitehall, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, July 7, 1859, son of William and Adelaide J. (Warner) Webb. The father, who was born in

Vermont in 1808, was a contractor and builder by occupation, and during his residence in Dane County helped to build the state capitol. In 1874 he came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm two miles north of Whitehall, where he died in 1876. His wife, who was born in 1835, is now living in Whitehall. William J. Webb was educated in the public schools of Black Earth, and in 1889 engaged in the hardware business in Whitehall. He was thus occupied until 1891, in which year he bought the lumber yard of T. H. Earle here and has since been proprietor of the business. He is also a stockholder and director in the concern of John 0. Melby & Co., the Bank of Whitehall and a stockholder in the Peoples State Bank of Whitehall. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. June 1, 1886, Mr. Webb was united in marriage with Ella N. Lake, daughter of Thomas and Mary J. (Carpenter) Lake. Her father was a pioneer of Preston Township, where for a number of years he was engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have one child, Archie, who was born May 7, 1888. He was graduated at Brown University in the class of 1907, and subsequently engaged in the bond and investment business with Councilman & Co., of 112 W. Adams street, Chicago. He has been very successful in business.

Paudor K. Risberg, county clerk, educator and prominent citizen, was born north of Christiania, Norway, at Risberget, parish of Vaaler, Feb. 15, 1866, son of Knut and Martha (Anderson) Risberg, both of whom died in Norway in 1893. Paudor K. Risberg was reared in his native parish, and in 1883, as a youth of seventeen, set out by himself to join his brother Carl and his sister Agnetha (now Mrs. John Matson) in Chimney Rock Township, this county. Upon arriving here the courageous and ambitious boy secured employment where he could work for his board while he attended school. His first winter in this country he attended the Chimney Rock district school. Later he alternated work with attending school, laboring as a farm hand, lumberjack, river man and railroader in order to get money to pay his board and tuition. In the winter of 1884-1855 he attended the graded schools of Eau Claire. After a summer's work on the Canadian Pacific Railroad in British Columbia he took a two years' teachers' course at the Wittenberg (Wis.) normal school. In 1892, after teaching school one year, he took a special teachers' course in the Northern Indiana University at Valparaiso. After preparing himself for the profession of teaching he was engaged as principal of the Chimney Rock graded school for nine years. In 1903 Mr. Risberg purchased a farm of 90 acres in section 14, Chimney Rock Township. There he farmed until Jan. 1, 1909, when he assumed the duties of his present position, to which he had been elected the previous fall. He has since then been successively re-elected. In addition to this service, Mr. Risberg has been chairman of Chimney Rock town four years, clerk five years and treasurer one year. For four years he has been clerk of the school board in Whitehall. The United Norwegian Lutheran Church has found in him a valued member. Since 1890 he has been superintendent of the Sunday school, and in the same time he has been leader of the church choir. He has also served on various committees and boards. His financial holdings include stock in the Peoples State Bank, of which he was a director for a time. Mr. Risberg was maro o ried Sept. 2, 1893, to Agnethe Larson, born in Chimney Rock Town, Feb. 15, 1871. His wife is a daughter of Eric and Ohvia (Omestad) Larson, who came to this country in 1866. Mrs. Risberg's mother died in 1906 and her father in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Risberg have eight children : Arthur, Walter, Alice, Clifford, Ethel, Harvey, Louise and Pearl. Walter, who is his father's deputy, is married to Dora L. Brandon of Whitehall, and Arthur, who is a restaurant keeper in Whitehall, is married to Stella Kloety of Arcadia.

Henry C. Shephard, Jr., a retired farmer now residing with his son, Ray D., on the latter's farm in section 12, Preston Township, was born in Prescott, Canada, near Montreal, Sept. 30, 1835. He is a son of Henry C. Shephard, Sr., who was born in England and was there married to Jane Collins. In 1839 the elder Henry came to America with his family and located in Wisconsin, living, for awhile at Milwaukee and also for some time at Waukesha. Later he removed to Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where he followed the trade of brick mason, and also carried on farming until his death. His wife Jane died June 30, 1911. Henry C. Shephard, Jr., resided at home until 1855. He then came to Black River Falls, Wis., and on August 10, that year, began working in the pineries and on the river. In this work he continued until he had spent 36 winters in the woods and taken part in 21 spring drives. In 1856 he entered the farm on which he now resides with his son and which has been his home many years. This farm formerly contained 400 acres, but has since been divided among Mr. Shephard's sons. Here he cut his first grain with a cradle and threshed it with a flail. It is now finely improved, the land being well tilled and the buildings substantial and adequate. In 1884 Mr. Shephard began breeding Holstein cattle and continued to do so as long as he was farming. He has served in the offices of school clerk and supervisor. Sept. 20, 1861, Mr. Shephard was united in marriage with Phylena Sterling of Jackson County, Wisconsin, who was born in Maine in 1840, daughter of C. I. and Abigail SterUng. He and his wife have had ten children: Lettie, who married William Bright of Trempealeau, Wis. ; Nellie, wife of F. D. Hopkins of Whitehall ; Guy, who is engaged in farming a part of the old homestead ; Ray, who owns and operates the old homestead ; Frank, who died at the age of 37 years, leaving a widow, Libby Bidgood Shephard, and five children, she being now a resident of Mellen, Wis. ; Margaret, wife of Edward Gilbert, president of the State Bank of Foreston, Minn. ; Harry and Henry, twins, the former of whom died at the age of four days and the latter at that of two years ; Mabel, who died at the age of 21 years, and Sadie, who married George Bohen, a barber of Dickinson, N. D. Ray married Thina Gilbert, June 26, 1896, and has had two children: Ralph, born Aug. 16, 1904, and a daughter, who died in infancy. Mrs. Henry C. Shephard died June 30, 1912.

Amund G. Tjoflat, a contracting carpenter residing in Ettrick, Wis., where he is conducting a good business, was born in Hardanger, Bergen Stiff, Norway, Jan. 30, 1870, son of Guttorm and Herborg (Djonne) Tjoflat. The parents were natives of the same locality, Bergen, a famous old seaport, being the nearest large city. The father, who was a sailor most of his life, died in his native land in January, 1912, but his wife is still living in Norway. Neither of them ever came to America. Amund G. Tjoflat was the second born of eight children. He attended school in Norway, and at the age of 16 years began working as a farm hand. Two years later he commenced an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for three years in his native land. In 1891 he set out for the United States and on arriving in this country continued west to Jackson County, Wisconsin, locating near the Trempealeau County line. He was at this time unable to speak English, but for five months attended an English school in Ettrick, where he learned the rudiments of the language and later increased his knowledge through association with English speaking people. Soon after arriving here he began working at his trade in Ettrick and continued to do so as a journeyman until 1899, in which year he engaged in contract work, and has been thus occupied up to the present time, his contracts having been for work in Ettrick and the vicinity. In 1906 he built his present residence in Ettrick. Besides owning good pi'operty in the village, he is a stockholder in the Ettrick Lumber Company, Ettrick Farmers Telephone Company and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, and is recognized as one of the enterprising and prosperous business men of the village - a position gained through his own unaided efforts. June 2, 1898, Mr. Tjoflat was united in marriage with Elenora Torkelson, who was born in Jackson County, Wisconsin, daughter of Haldor and Breta (Grinde) Torkelson, the parents being natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Tjoflat are the parents of six children: Ceroid B., Berglot H., Oliver E., Esther V., Howard L. and Joseph Kenneth, all of whom are residing at home. Mr. Tjoflat belongs to the order of Beavers, being trustee of his lodge. His political principles are in the main those of the Republican party. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church.

Amos Jacobsen, for nearly twenty years proprietor of the Coral City Flouring Mills, has been connected with the milling business since early boyhood, as were his father and grandfather before him. He was born in Schleswig, now a part of Germany, Nov. 23, 1849, son of Hans and Dorothy (Hansen) Jacobsen, the former of whom died in 1896 and the latter in 1900. He learned the milling business from his father, and worked for several years in the mills of his native country. In 1870, however, he determined to seek the broader opportunities of America, and accordingly came to this country and resumed his occupation as a miller, working first at Dexter, Mich., then in various places in Iowa and Wisconsin, and finally in St. Paul. Then he rented a mill at Lansing, Iowa, next he bought a mill near Desota, Wis., still later he built a mill at Washburn, N. D., and subsequently he rented a miU at Mishamwoka, near Durand, Wis. June 1, 1898, he secured the Coral City mill, in Pigeon Township, this county, built by Silas Wright in 1862, destroyed by flood in 1874 and rebuilt in 1876. This mill he remodelled and improved, and has since continued to operate it. It is a frame building, located on Pigeon Creek, nearly three miles- northeast of Whitehall. It is operated by waterpower, and is equipped with five double sets of rolls, and two sets of old French stone buhrs. The capacity is about 50 barrels, and the product includes wheat flour and rye, and all kinds of cereals and feeds, both merchant and custom work being done.

Paul Eide And Family

Mr. Jacobsen was married at St. Paul Nov. 19, 1877, to Nancy Rapp, who was born in Jefferson County, New York, Aug. 11, 1849, and came to St. Paul with her mother. This union has been blessed with two sons, Fred P. and John A., both born in Lansing, Iowa, and both now employed in their father's mill. Fred P. was born July 26, 1879, was married April 21, 1909, to Edna V. Olson of Blair, born at Blair May 3, 1886, and has six children : Dorothy, Edith, Harold, John, Fred and Elenore. John A. was born Feb. 18, 1881, and was married Jan. 1, 1908, to Augusta Reinhard, born in Germany May 12, 1884. Mrs. Nancy (Rapp) Jacobsen died Dec. 28, 1910, and on May 2, 1914, Mr. Jacobsen married, secondly, Mrs. Letacia (Stevens) Wright. She has one daughter, Mary Stevens, now 15 years old.

Paul Eide, a well known and prosperous farmer of Hale Township, was born in Romsdal, Norway, Jan. 1, 1859, son of John and Ellen (Larson) Eide. His parents were both natives of Norway, the father born in 1843 and the mother in 1835. They came to America with their family in 1882, settling in Hale Township, this county, on 160 acres of land in section 5, where they lived 15 years. They then took a farm in section 4, where John Eide died in 1908; his wife died in the spring of 1910. Paul Eide, who accompanied his parents to the United States, settled on his present farm with his parents in 1884 and has since resided on it, having purchased the property in 1890. It contains 300 acres or more and is located in sections 4 and 5, township 23 north, range 8 west. Hale Township. The house, a two-story frame structure, was rebuilt in 1903. It contains 10 rooms and is a substantial and commodious dwelling. In 1911 Mr. Eide built a barn, 40 by 70 by 16 feet in dimensions above stone basement, with cement floor and steel stanchions. In the same year he put up a stave silo, 12 by 30 feet. His herd of graded Durham cattle numbers 35 head, of which he milks 20. For three years he has served as a member of the school board of his district. Mr. Eide was married in November, 1890, to Millie Amundson, who was born in section 8, Hale Township, this county, June 27, 1870, daughter of Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. Mr. and Mrs. Eide have been the parents of nine children: Thea, born April 9, 1891; John, Dec. 25, 1892; Arthur, Aug. 21, 1895; Elvina, Jan. 2, 1898; Palmer, Aug. 1, 1900; Magnus, Feb. 14, 1903 (died Feb. 23, 1903) ; Mabel, Nov. 23, 1904; Ruth, Aug. 26, 1907, and Millard, July 16, 1910. All the living children are residing at home. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which Mr. Eide is a trustee.

Peter Nelson, who settled in Pigeon Creek Valley, Pigeon Township, in 1875, and in the course of his 30 years' residence there became one of the leading citizens of the township, was born in Hidemaker, Norway, April 30, 1844, son of Nels Peterson. The father, who was governor and manager of a farm, hved and died in Norway. Peter Nelson was the fourth born in a family of eight children. In his native land he attended school and learned the carpenter's trade. On April 3, 1866, he was married to Jom Olson and on the 14th of the same month they left home for the United States, the journey thus being practically a honeymoon trip. After a voyage of six weeks and two days in a sailing vessel, they landed at Quebec, Canada, and from there made their way to La Crosse, Wisconsin, arriving

June 24. One fall and winter were spent in Louis Valley, and subsequently Mr. Peterson worked nine years at lumbering on Black River, being a part of the time in the camp. His wife had died in 1867 and for his second wife he subsequently married Bertha Johnson. In 1875 Peter Nelson went to Pigeon Creek Valley, Trempealeau County, and bought a partly improved farm of 160 acres. There he lived for 30 years, during which time he bought more land until he had 240 acres, most of which he cleared and improved, erecting good buildings. For 30 years also he served on the township board, and for a number of years was justice of the peace and school clerk. Then selling his farm, he came to Whitehall, whei-e he has since made his home. Here he bought out the Farmers Trading Association and started an implement company, of which he was the active manager until the spring of 1917, when he sold out his shares, and since then has been retired from industrial life. In addition to the above mentioned activities he was president of the first creamery in his locality and was its manager for two years, directing all its operations. At the present time he is a shareholder in the Peoples State Bank of Whitehall, and is a prosperous and highly respected citizen, who has made a success in life through industry and perseverance. He has had ten children, three of whom were carried off by that formerly much dreaded scourge diphtheria. The living are Joseph, Isaac, Oscar, Nels, Alia and Laulia. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Joseph P. Nelson, proprietor of Silver Brook Stock Farm of 160 acres, in section 30, Pigeon Township, is a native of Trempealeau County, having been born in Fitch Coulie, this township, April 10, 1882. His parents were Peter and Bertha (Jensen) Nelson, natives of Norway, now living retired at Whitehall. Mr. Nelson passed his youthful days up to the age of 15 in Fitch Coulie, and was trained to agricultural pursuits on his parents' farm. When he had reached that age the parents with their family moved onto the farm in section 30, and Joseph was associated with his father in its operation until 1908, in which year he purchased it, and it has since remained his property and place of residence. Mr. Nelson keeps graded Durham cattle, milking 16, and also raises Poland-China hogs and Black Minorca chickens. His farm is well improved and is conducted on a profitable basis. On April 7, 1906, he was married to Ingeborg T. Sogen, daughter of John and Amelia (Rud) Sogen, her parents being farmers residing near Pigeon Falls. He and his wife have five children : Esther, Palmer, Ervin, Harold and Ernest. Mr. Nelson has been a director of the school board since 1915. He and has family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.

William G, Hyslop, proprietor of the Blair Flour Mills, has been one of the most prominent mill and creamery men in this part of the state. He was born at Osseo, in this county, Feb. 26, 1864, the son of Ebenezer and Anna (Gillespie) Hyslop. Ebenezer Hyslop, a retired carpenter, now living in Osseo, at the age of 88 years, was born in Scotland, came to America in 1850, lived two years in New York City, and four years in Richland County, Wisconsin, and in 1859 came to Osseo, this county, where he has since resided, his wife, whom he married in 1850, having died in 1899, at the age of 69 years. William G. Hyslop was reared in Osseo, and there received his education. For 25 years he devoted his time to the creamery business, having at one period no less than five establishments under his management. He learned his trade at Osseo ; he was manager of the creameries at Ettrick and Blair; he built the creamery at Alma Center, and he purchased the creameries at Melrose and Neillsville. In 1901 he bought his present mill, and operated it in connection with his management of the Blair creamery. In 1909 he rented the mill and took up farming at Bowman, N. D. In February, 1916, he again resumed charge of the mill. A prominent man in the community, he has been on the village council for many terms, ten years of which he was its president. He also served one year as a member of the county board of supervisors. His fraternal associations are with the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers. Mr. Hyslop was married Oct. 22, 1887, to Ella Quinn, born in Ettrick, April 26, 1864, daughter of James and Susan Quinn, the former of whom died in 1912 at the age of 91, and the latter in 1899 at the age of 69 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hyslop have five children: Clayton, Orton, Leland, Faye and Virda, the three last mentioned residing at home. Clayton and Orton were graduated from the Northwestern Medical School, then performed interne service in Mercy Hospital, Chicago, and are both now practicing physicians, located in that city.

Thomas Hogan, proprietor of the Thomas Hogan & Son Lumber Company at Blair, was born in Kvitised, Telemarken, Norway, March 18, 1854, son of Knudt ToUefson and Gunhild Tvedt, the former of whom died in 1863 and the latter in 1862. The original family name was Hougen. Knudt Tollefson was a lieutenant in the standing army of Norway. The first of the family to come to America was Gunder (brother of Thomas), who reached this country in 1878. He was joined two years later by Thomas, at Humbird, Wis. For a time Thomas Hogan worked in the lumber yard there, then he secured employment in a sawmill four miles southeast of Hatfield. So faithfully did he perform his duties there that after the first year he was placed in charge of the shipping. In 1886, with Simon Lein, he opened a lumber yard at Blair, under the firm name of Hogan & Lein. Owing to ill health, Mr. Lein sold out to Mr. Hogan, and the firm became the Hogan Lumber & Stock Company. From 1898 until Jan. 1, 1917, the business was conducted under Mr. Hogan's name as an individual. Jan. 1, 1917, the firm became Thomas Hogan & Son. Mr. Hogan deals in all kinds of lumber and building material, and has built up a good business, the success of which has been due to his fairness and business integrity. Mr. Hogan enjoys an excellent standing in the community and has served on the village council for eight years. Fraternally he is affihated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He was married Jan. 28, 1885, to Anna Olive Lyhnes, who was born in Edsvald, Norway, daughter of Andrew and Johanna Lynnes, the former of whom now lives with the Hogan family. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan have had six children : Louisa, Jennie, Clifford. Agnes, Gena and Arthur. Louisa lives at home. Jennie died at the age of 17 years ; Clifford at the age of 24 years, and Agnes at the age of 15 years. Gena married Tosten Thompson, and they have two children, Truman and Ruth.

Ai'thur married Mabel Johnstad and resides at Blair, where he is associated in business with his father in the firm of Thomas Hogan & Son. Mr. Hogan and family are afiihated religiously with the Lutheran church.

Hans Holtan was born in Vik, Sogn, Norway, Jan. 9, 1834, son of Anfin and Gjertrud Holtan. The mother died in the old countrj^ and in 1846 the father, with his second wife Turi and his children, came to America, settling in Pleasant Springs Township, Dane County, where the father and stepmother spent the remainder of their days, the former dying Sept. 1, 1872, and the latter about 1865. Hans Holtan was reared to farm pursuits, and with the exception of a few years from 1906 to 1910, when he lived at Stoughton, Wis., remained on the home farm until his death, Jan. 1, 1911. In 1858 Hans Holtan was married to Raandi Lunde, who was born in Laurdal, Telemarken, Norway, Sept. 30, 1833, and came to America with her parents, Austin and Jorond Lunde, in 1851. Austin Lunde died in 1884, and his wife in 1857. Mrs. Hans Holtan died Jan. 23, 1906, having been the mother of the following children: Anfin and Austin, who are farmers in Dane County, Wisconsin; John, a tobacco dealer in Stoughton, Wis., of which city he was formerly mayor for three terms ; Gertrude, wife of Louis Severson, also a tobacco dealer of Stoughton ; George, a farmer in Dane County ; Ole, a tobacco dealer in Stoughton ; Andrew, who is farming in Dane County; Josie, wife of Albert Asleson, a farmer of Dane County, and Richard H. of Whitehall, Wis.

Richard H. Holtan, dealer in leaf tobacco at Whitehall, Wis., was born in Dane County, this state, Aug. 11, 1876, son of Hans and Randi (Lunde) Holtan. He resided at home with his parents until his marriage, Oct. 28,

1897, when he engaged in farming for himself until 1902. He then moved to Stoughton, engaging in the tobacco business under the style of Richard Holtan & Co. After carrying on the business there until 1905 he moved to Whitehall, estabhshing himself here August 28. In 1914 the concern was incorporated with a capital stock of $45,000, taking the name of the Holtan Leaf Tobacco Comany, with John Holtan, president ; R. H. Holtan, secretary, and 0. H. Holtan, treasurer. The concern has two offices, one at Whitehall and the other at Stoughton, with warehouses at Stoughton. R. H. Holtan is also vice-president of the People's State Bank of Whitehall. He has served four years as a member of the village council and was its president three years. Fraternally he is a member of the Beavers and Odd Fellows, in which latter order he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Holtan was married Oct. 28, 1897, to Betsey Johnson of Utica, Dane County, who was born Nov. 24, 1876, daughter of Jokum and Aasil (Smithback) Johnson. This union has been blessed with two children : Herbert, born Oct. 7,

1898, and Rollin A., born Dec. 7, 1902. Jokum Johnson, farmer and merchant, now residing at Stoughton, Wis., was born in Nummedal, Norway, in 1853, and came to America in 1871, settling in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming. In 1894 he became a merchant at Utica, in the same county, and in 1910 retired and moved to his present home. He married Aasil Smithback, who died March 24, 1909, at the age of 59 years. They were the parents of six children : Oscar, residing in the township of Christiania, Dane County, Wis. ; Betsey (Mrs. R. H. Holtan) ; Aline, who died at the age of two years ; Emma (Mrs. Sorensen) ; Nellie of Utica, Dane County, who married E. Adolph Johnson, and Olga, now Mrs. B. Logan of Christiania, Dane County.

Ole G. Herreid, who is engaged in operating a valuable farm of 155 acres in section 16 E., Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, near Lodi, April 5, 1863, son of Gilbert Olson and Ingeborg (Torgersdater) Herreid. A memoir of his parents may be found in the sketch of his brother, Gilbert M. Herreid. Mr. Herreid acquired his education in the local schools, his parents having settled in Trempealeau County in the year of his birth, and was brought up on the home farm. At the age of 18 years he began working in the woods in the winter time, but continued to make his home with his parents until he was 27, at which time he purchased his present farm from his father. Besides carrying on general agricultural operations on his own farm, he has operated a threshing outfit for the last 37 years. Since taking possession of his present homestead, he has made many improvements on it, his barn being a substantial structure, 32 by 70 feet, with 16-foot stockboards and cement floors, equipped in modern style. Mr. Herreid is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company and also operates a cream route, which takes two or three days of his time each week. Since he began farming on his own account he has made steady progress and is now one of the prosperous citizens of his township. He has served on the school board for nine years and in politics is independent. Oct. 9, 1891, Mr. Herreid was united in marriage with Mattie Paine, who was born at Medalia, Minn., daughter of William G. and Julia (Dale) Paine. Her father was born in Wrentham, Mass., of Scotch-Irish stock, and in early life was a sailor, going to sea on his uncle's whaling vessel at the age of 14 years. After five years spent in this adventurous employment, the Civil War having broken out, he enlisted in the Eighth Rhode Island Artillery and served three years. On the conclusion of his term of service he engaged in the hotel business at St. Cloud, Minn., having come west with a military company under the command of General Sibley, which company disbanded at St. Cloud. Later he engaged in business at Madelia, Minn., where after a residence of seven years, he died. His wife, who was born in Norway, is now residing with her daughter in Ettrick Township. By her marriage with Mr. Paine she had three children, and after his death she became the wife of Ed Johnson, who subsequently died in this township. Of this latter union two children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Herreid have 10 children: Emma, Willa, Gordon, Carl, Lea, Rachel, Blanche and Bernice (twins), Grace and Richard. Mr. Herreid belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his family are members of the United Lutheran Church.

Theodore A. Breitenfield, proprietor of a blacksmith establishment and planing mill at Blair, was born in Portland Township, Monroe County, this state, May 2, 1890, youngest of the eight children of William and Annie (Oswald) Breitenfield, the former of whom still lives in that township, and the latter of whom died in 1906, at the age of 58 years. Theodore A. remained at home until nineteen years of age. It was then that he started in the blacksmith trade. After a year at Lyndon Station in Juneau County, and eight months at Mauston, in the same county, he rented a shop near his old home for a year. Subsequently he rented a shop at Augusta, in Eau Claire County, for nine months. June 10, 1914, he rented his present place. Here he does all kinds of blacksmith work, horseshoeing and wagon work. The establishment is well equipped with drill pi-ess, trip-hammer and other conveniences, and turns out some excellent work. In connection with it is operated the planing mill, which does sawing, turning, planing and other woodwork. As already mentioned, Mr. Breitenfield comes of a large family. Albert, the oldest, and Barbara, the fifth, now Mrs. Even Everson, a widow, live in La Crosse. The others, all of whom live on farms in Monroe County, are: Clara, wife of Albert Erickson; Herman; Emma, wife of Thomas Jones ; Laura, wife of Carl Moody, and Otto.

Frank Wood, agent in Galesville, Wis., for the Standard Oil Company, was born in Bangor, Wis., Jan. 14, 1874, son of David and Mary (Morgan) Wood. The father, who was born in Wales, Feb. 14, 1840, was a farmer for many years and now lives retired in Bangor. His wife Mary, mother of the subject of this sketch, was born near Waukesha, Wis., in 1846, and died July 1, 1911. Frank Wood was the elder of two children. His early education was acquired in the country schools and was supplemented to some extent by a three months' attendance at high school. He resided at home until he was 25 years old and then engaged in farming in LaCrosse County, following that occupation for si.x years. He then sold out and went into the transfer business in Galesville. In 1912 he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, but still continued in the transfer business until 1916, when he gave it up and has since devoted his whole attention to the Standard Oil Company's business. Mr. Wood was married Oct. 25, 1899, to Grace Phillips, who was born in West Salem, Wis., daughter of Hollister and Marian (Gage) Phillips. Her parents, who are now living retired in Galesville, were born in eastern states. The father, Hollister Phillips, was a farmer in early life at West Salem, Wis. He served in the Civil War with a Wisconsin regiment and was promoted to the rank of captain of his company. Later he served a term as sheriff of LaCrosse County. He and his wife had seven children, of whom their daughter Grace was the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of one child, Dorothy Marian. He is chief forester of the Modern Woodmen of America, and belongs also to the Yeomen and Red Men, being clerk in the lodge of the last mentioned order. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and in politics is independent.

Ferdinand Witt, who is engaged in farming 160 acres of land in section 8, Lincoln Township, was born in Pomerania, Germany, Sept. 14, 1855. His parents were Gottfreid and Maria (Betcher) Witt, both of whom died in Germany, where the father followed the occupation of farmer. Ferdinand was the only member of the family to come to America, making the journey in 1878. Locating in Whitehall, this county, he worked there two years and then bought the farm on which he now lives from Lars L. Skjonsby's widow, making the purchase in 1881. Here he has since resided, engaged in improving his property. In 1916 he built a barn, 36 by 84 by 12 feet above basement, with concrete walls and cement floors, and his seven- room frame house was rebuilt by him in 1913. In 1917 he built a silo 12 by 30 feet of cement blocks. He keeps 35 cattle and 10 horses, milking 14 cows, and also has a number of White Leghorn chickens and mammoth bronze turkeys, the appearance of his farm presenting evidences of industry and prosperity. Mr. Witt was married in March, 1881, to Olive Larson Skjonsby, whose father, Lars L., died in November, 1879. Her mother, Ingebor Larson, died Feb. 29, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Witt have been the parents of 11 children: Gottfreid, who died at the age of three months; Clara, residing at home ; Louis, a farmer in Lincoln Township, who married Agnes Kurth and has two children - Arthur and Florence ; Fred, Josephine, William, James and Emma, who reside at home; Minnie, who died at the age of a year and a half ; Milhe and Alice, at home. Mrs. Witt was born in Norway, Nov. 6, 1860, and came to America with her parents in 1866, they spending two years in LaCrosse County. Afterwards her father homesteaded the land on which she and her husband now reside.

Gilbert F. Steig, a retired farmer residing in Whitehall, Wis., was born in Biri, Norway, Sept. 25, 1849, a son of Frederick and Bertha (Jenson) Steig. The pai'ents came to the United States in 1867, settling in Mindora, LaCi'osse County, Wis., where they remained one year, afterwards moving to Trempealeau County. They died on the farm of their son, the subject of this sketch, the father March 28, 1888, and the mother, in March, 1897. Gilbert F. Steig bought his farm in section 23, Hale Township, this county, in 1870, when he was 21 years old, and resided there, operating the farm until the fall of 1898, when he was elected county sheriff, at which time he moved to Whitehall, which has since been his place of residence. After filling the office of sheriff two years he went into the hay and grain business, also conducting an elevator with Christ Torgerson (of Independence) at Whitehall, and this was his occupation until 1914, when he retired. He was treasurer of the Pigeon Mutual Fire Insurance Company for five years and has been president of the company since 1901. A considerable part of his time has been devoted to the public service. He was township superintendent four years, township treasurer five years, school clerk two years, school treasurer 18 years, and president of the village board of Whitehall four years, in all these offices rendering good and faithful service. Mr. Steig was married May 30, 1874, to Gelina M. Lewis, who was born in Norway May 22, 1854, daughter of Gilbert and Marie (Thomervolden) Lewis. Her parents came to the United States with their family in 1865, locating in Dane County, Wisconsin, where they spent three years. They then removed to a farm in section 14, Hale Township, Trempealeau County, on which place the mother died in 1894, and the father ten years later, in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Steig have eight children : Frederick, now a farmer in Bowman, N. D. ; Gustav M., who graduated from the Whitehall high school and the W. B. University of LaCrosse, and is now a merchant at Church's Ferry, N. D. ; Benonie I., a merchant at Edmond, N. D. ; Minnie, who graduated from Steven's Point normal school, was a teacher two years, and is now the wife of Martin Swenson, a merchant of Esmond, N. D. ; Louise, also a graduate of Stevens Point normal school, who was a teacher six years, and is now the wife of C. P. Larson, a banker of Eleva, Wis.;

Josephine, a graduate in the class of 1907 of the University of Wisconsin, and who is now teacher of mathematics in the Kenosha (Wis.) schools; Olga, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, class of 1914, who is a teacher of German in the Kenosha (Wis.) schools, and George C., a graduate of Whitehall high school and the W. B. University of LaCrosse, Wis., who is assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Lakota, N. D. It will be seen that Mr. Steig has given his children a good education and that they are making a good use of it to their own advantage and the credit of their parents.

David M. Sorenson, a well known resident of Ettrick Village, who is connected with the government mail service, was born near Jutland, Denmark, June 19, 1863, son of Christian C. and Gettie Sorenson, who were natives of the same locality. When he was less than a year old his mother died and his father thereupon emigrated to the United States with his family, consisting of six children, of whom David M. was the youngest. Setthng in Davenport, Iowa, Christian C. Sorenson there found work at his trade, which was that of a wheelwright. He remained in that city about 18 months and then removed to LaCrosse, Wis., where he took up carpenter work, which occupation he followed until his retirement many years later. His death took place in LaCrosse in 1912. When a young man he had served in the regular army of Denmark in the War of 1848. David M. Sorenson when a boy attended school in LaCrosse, and at the age of 16 years began working as a farm hand in La Crosse County. When 19 he took up the blacksmith's trade with E. R. Savage, with whom he continued for three year, going from his employ to that of Sullivan & Buchanan of LaCrosse. Later he worked two years for McDonnell Bros. & Burchard of the same city. At the end of that time he came to Ettrick, where he started a general blacksmith and horseshoeing shop, which he conducted for 18 years. It was at the end of this latter period that he took the mail route, and since then he has remained in government employ as carrier, being not otherwise occupied. In 1912 he built his present residence in Ettrick, one of the best in the village, to which is attached three acres and a half of land. Interested in the growth and development of the community in which he lives, he aids in supporting local or other enterprises calculated to benefit the town or county, and is a stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company. Mr. Sorenson gave up bachelor life Oct. 10, 1886, when he was united in marriage with Lena Nelson Brenengen. Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson are the parents of four sons : Arthur Guy, Norman C, Joel L. and Oscar M., all residing at home. Mr. Sorenson is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Galesville, and also to the Beavers, being worthy councillor of his lodge.

Frank W. Young is operating the farm in the northwest quarter of section 22, Sumner Township, where he was born April 12, 1887, the second of the seven children of Walter and Minnie (Chamberlain) Young. He carries on general farming, and has a good grade of Holstein cattle and Duroc Jersey swine. His public work consists of service as justice of the peace since 1913, and his fraternal relations are with the M. W. A. Mr. Young was married Dec. 23, 1912, to Louise Anderson, who was born in

Unity Township, this county, Aug. 23, 1887, daughter of Daniel Anderson, and they have two children: Marjorie and Sarah Alice. Walter Young came to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania and his wife from New York state. They had seven children : Lester married Grace Kennedy and lives in Duluth ; Lee is married and lives in Minot, N. D. ; Owen lives with his mother at Augusta, Wis. ; Grace married Joe Anderson and lives in Eau Claire County on a farm ; Stella married Frank Justenson and lives on a farm in Eau Claire County ; Frank and Neva live with the mother at Augusta.

John Wagstad, secretary and treasurer of the Whitehall Mill & Power Co., of which he is also the miller, was born in Sonfjord, Norway, Nov. 13, 1876, son of Simon and Marie (Hanson) Wagstad. His mother died in 1879 at the age of 36 years and Simon Wagstad subsequently married for his second wife Anna Flekke. Simon and his wife Anna are both Hving in Norway, the former at the age of 87 and the latter at that of 55 years. During his active career he was engaged in farming. John Wagstad came to America in 1894 with his brother Samuel, locating in Whitehall, Wis., where his first work was unloading a car of brick for John 0. Melby & Co.'s new bank. After working for this company two years he began in 1896 to learn the miller's trade with the concern of which he is now an officer, and with which he has remained ever since, except for one year, when he was in the employ of the Arcadia Milling Company. In 1904 he became miller and has since retained that position. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Foresters, while religiously he is connected by membership with the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. John Wagstad was married July 19, 1910, to Martha Peterson of Unity Township, Wisconsin, whose father, Gilbert Peterson, formerly a farmer, is now living retired in Whitehall. Her mother's maiden name was Olive Osgaard. Mr. and Mrs. Wagstad have one son, Gerald S. Wagstad, born Aug. 27, 1916.

Delbert G. WiUiams, who with his brother Hezekiah P., owns and operates 280 acres of land in sections 10 and 15, Unity Township, was born on his present farm, Feb. 13, 1868. His parents were Prince Barnard and Mary (Atkins) Williams. The father, who was born in Maine in 1832, subsequently migrated to Kane County, Illinois, with his parents, who died there. Prince B. Williams then went to Michigan, where he resided for some years. In 1859 he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and purchased the land now constituting the Williams farm from the raih-oad company. Here he resided until his death, devoting his time and labor to the development and improvement of the farm. His residence was the first house built in Unity Township, and it was he who named the township, in honor of his okl home in Maine. After a strenuous life, spent mostly in hard work, he passed away May 4, 1895. His wife, Mary Atkins Williams, who was born in Maine, Jan. 14, 1830, died on the home farm May 4, 1906, having survived her husband just 11 years. Delbert G. WiUiams at an early age became practically acquainted with the various branches of farm work, being well taught by his father. From the latter he and his brother, Hezekiah, in 1890 purchased the old homestead and have since continued to own and operate it, with profitable results. In 1906 Hezekiah P. Williams moved to Osseo and the two brothers are now engaged in contracting, in addition to farming, building state roads in Trempealeau County. Delbert G. Williams was married June 1, 1890, to Mary Boetzer, who was born in Germany, March 10, 1867, daughter of William and Wilhelmina Boetzer. Her father, who also was born in Germany, Jan. 13, 1824, came to America in 1874 and resided in Eau Claire County for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of six children: Grace May, who was mari'ied Oct. 19, 1913, to Melvin Holmen of Strum; Charles, residing at home; Guy, also at home ; Lottie, who was married Aug. 2, 1916, to Jesse Hogue of Strum, and Leona and Fred, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Williams served as township supervisor for two years, and has been a school director since 1898. In politics he is a staunch Democrat. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Beavers.

Oliver Waller, a prosperous merchant of Osseo, member of the firm of Hagen & Waller, was born in Norway, Jan. 10, 1851, son of Ole Jacob Johnson and Martha Olsdotter, both of whom spent the span of their years in the land of their birth. OUver Waller was reared in Norway, and as a youth was apprenticed to a tailor, from whom he learned the trade. In 1877 he came to this country, and found his way directly to Trempealeau County, where he worked several years at his trade, first at Independence and then at Whitehall. In 1882 he opened a store at Stephen, Minn., under the firm name of 0. P. Larson & Co. Six years later he returned to Independence. It was in 1895 that he came to Osseo, and with Eric Hagen, under the firm name of Hagen & Waller, estabUshed his present business. The firm enjoys a good trade, and carries a suitable line of general merchandise. Mr. Waller is a stockholder in the Osseo State Bank. His religious affihation is with the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Osseo, of which he has been treasurer for some years. Mr. Waller was married Nov. 15, 1905, to Christina Haugen, daughter of M. K. and Guliana (Prestegaarten) Haugen. Mr. and Mrs. Waller have had five children: Ohver Maynard, Thelma Gilma, Maynard Oliver, Julian Donald and Theola Ophelia. Oliver Maynard and Maynard Oliver died in infancy.

Allen B. Thompson, who is engaged in dairying and horse breeding on a fine farm of 70 acres, 25 acres of which are located within the city limits of Galesville and the rest of the property in Gale Township, section 53, was born in Galesville, this county, Aug. 30, 1880. His parents were WiUiam and Allie (Atwood) Thompson, the father a native of the state of New York and the mother of Waupon, Wis. WiUiam Thompson, who early in life engaged in the stock business, settled in Wisconsin and was engaged in farming in Trempealeau County for many years, residing on his farm and personally conducting it for some 12 years, at the end of which time he took up his residence in Galesville, where he died in 1894. He had come to the county when a lad of 17 years and had closely identified himself with its development. He was widely recognized as a man of character and ability and was elected mayor of Galesville and subsequently re-elected, but on account of impaired health did not serve out his second term. In this city he was also an extensive property owner, and was also one of the founders of and a stockholder in the Bank of Galesville, besides being prominently connected with other important enterprises. His wife sur- vived him nearly 20 years, passing away in 1913. They reared a family of seven children, Allen B. being the fifth in order of birth. Allen B. Thompson acquired the elements of knowledge in the schools of Galesville and subsequently continued his literary education at Gale University. He then took a course in the State Agricultural College at Madison, having already acquired a fair practical knowledge of farming on the parental homestead and by working for others, which he began to do when he was 15 years old. When he was 21 he began to operate the homestead farm independently, and continued to do so for 12 years, at the end of which time he purchased his present farm, known generally as the old Waite Johnson farm, but registered as Top Notch Farm. Here, besides carrying on dairying successfully, he is engaged in breeding Percheron horses. His residence is situated on one of the finest building sites in the county, and his buildings and equipment are thoroughly up to date and kept in fine condition. Mr. Thompson was married Jan. 1, 1904, to Helen Maud Kilmer, who was born in Galesville, daughter of John and Drena (Baldwin) Kilmer. Her father was born in Cohoes, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1850, and was a carpenter and builder by occupation. He came to Trempealeau County when a lad of ten years and for a number of years resided in Stevenstown. Afterwards he became a prominent citizen of GalesviUe, served as postmaster one term and was city marshal for a number of years, and is still in active life. His wife was born in Waupun, Wis., Nov. 14, 1848. Of their children three are now hving, their daughter Helen Maud being the second born and one of twins. She was educated in Galesville, graduating from the high school class in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one child, Bernice. In the spring of 1916 Mrs. Thompson engaged in the breeding of black and tan terriers, using pedigreed registered sires, and has a number now on hand, besides a number bred from pedigreed sires and dames. These dogs are noted for their cleanliness and their desirability as pets and also as rat dogs, and there is a growing demand for them both in this and other states, as well as Canada. Mrs. Thompson expects to engage extensively in this hne of business. She has erected quarters for the dogs, known as Top Notch Kennels, and her business is rapidly increasing. Mr. Thompson is independent Repubhcan in politics, but has taken no active part in governmental affairs. He is known as one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of this locaUty, ready to do his part in advancing the best interests of the community.

Clyde S. Van Gorden. manager of the Osseo branch of the firm of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons, was born in Hixton, Wis., Aug. 7, 1892, son of Schuyler H. and Clara (Potter) Van Gorden. He passed through the gi-aded schools of Hixton and in 1908 was graduated from the Hixton high school. In 1909 he was graduated from the Winona Business College, and subsequently took a year's course in Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin. He assumed his present duties June 15, 1911, when the Osseo store was purchased. As manager of this store he has been very successful, and has built up a flourishing trade. He is a director in the Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo, and in the Central Wisconsin Telephone Co. For two years he has given good service as a member of the village council. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers. In the Masonic order he is a member of the Blue Lodge at Osseo and of the Chapter at Eau Claire. Mr. Van Gorden was married Aug. 27, 1912, to Elsie Caley of Waterford, Wis., the daughter of Henry and Ellen Caley, a graduate of the Whitewater Normal school, and for several years a successful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorden have two children : Clara Jeanette, born Sept. 28, 1913, and Ethel Ellen, born Jan. 10, 1915.

S. H. Van Gorden, senior member and founder of the firm of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons, founder of a chain of stores in western Wisconsin, was born in Horseheads, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1852, descended from a long line of New York ancestry. He came West in 1866, and spent some seven years working on farms near Fredericksburg, Iowa. In 1873 he drove to Jackson County, this State, where he engaged in farming. Later he became traveling salesman for the Davis, Rankin Company, manufacturers of creamery supplies. In the employ of this company he erected creameries at Whitehall, Strum and other places in this region. In 1888 he opened a general store at Hixton. This venture was successful, and he decided to enlarge the scope of his activities. He bought a store at Taylor in 1893, at Alma Center in 1906, and at Osseo in 1911. These four stores were operated under the firm name of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons, S. H. Van Gorden, himself, managing the one at Hixton ; the son, Bert L., the one at Taylor ; the son, Harry H., the one at Alma Center, and Clyde S., the one at Osseo. S. H. Van Gorden is a prominent man in his community, is a director in the Hixton Bank and the Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, and is treasurer of the Central Wisconsin Telephone Company. One of the sons, Bert L., is president of the Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, vice-president of the Trempealeau Valley State Bank at Taylor, and president and general manager of the Central Wisconsin Telephone Company. He is serving in the Wisconsin Legislature as a member from Jackson County. S. H. Van Gorden was married July 4, 1871, at Fredericksburg, Iowa, to Clara Potter, who was born Sept. 20, 1851.

Knudt E. Runnestrand, among the prosperous merchants of the Village of Ettrick, where he is engaged in the furniture business, is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Bergen, Norway, Aug. 3, 1855. His parents were Elling and Barbara (Torgerson) Runnestrand, both natives of the same city, a noted seaport of Norway. The father was a sailor, but neither he nor his wife ever came to this country, both dying in their native land. Knudt Runnestrand resided with his parents until he was 17 years of age, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, becoming a journeyman carpenter at the age of 21. After continuing work at his trade for one year in Norway, he decided to emigrate to the United States and soon after, June 5, 1877, arrived in Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wis., where at that time there were but two or three houses. Here Sylvester Johnson gave him work in the harvest field, and after that he became acquainted with Almond Holhnger, a carpenter and contractor of Blair, who was known as the "church builder," and was then engaged in building the church at French Creek. Mr. Hollinger employed him to assist on that job and he remained with him 18 months, during which time he also helped to build Gilberson's store at Blair. He then began contracting on his own account, among other jobs building Swen Johnson's residence at Bear Creek. In 1880 Mr. Runnestrand returned to Norway, where, April 18, 1881, he was married in the city of Bergen to Anna Larson, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, where her father was engaged in farming. Her parents remained in their native land, but in June, 1881, about two months after their marriage, Mrs. Runnestrand accompanied her husband on his return to this country. Here he resumed his work as contractor and builder and has since continued in that line of industry, adding to it in 1907 his present furniture and undertaking business. His store is well stocked with a good line of furniture and his trade has gradually increased until it is now on a profitable basis. Mr. Runnestrand has been industrious and enterprising and is reaping the reward of his labors, having financial interests aside from those ah'eady mentioned. He owns valuable property in Ettrick and is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now in process of construction. He and his wife are the parents of six children : Bertha, wife of Maurice Casey, who is engaged in the implement business in Ettrick ; Emma, wife of Arthur Knudtson, a merchant of New England, N. D. ; Clara, wife of William Truax, a farmer of Gale Township; Alfred T., who is engaged in assisting his father; Helen, a telephone operator in Ettrick, and Archie. Mr. Runnestrand and his family are members of the Norwegian Synod Lutheran church. In politics he is an independent Republican. He has served one term as township treasurer and is a man who occupies an honorable place in the community, which he has won by his own efforts.

Ole 0. Thomasgaard. Among the well-developed agricultural properties in Unity Township is that known as Oak Grove Farm, in sections 20 and 29, of which Ole 0. Thomasgaard is proprietor. Mr. Thomasgaard was born in Tolgen, Norway, June 3, 1848. His father, Ole L. Thomasgaard, died in Norway, as did also his mother, whose maiden name was Petronelle Hanson. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1870, locating first in Hesper, Iowa, where he worked on farms for two years. He then came to Trempealeau County, Wis., and worked two years on farms in Sumner Township, at the end of which time he bought 40 acres of his present farm in Unity Township, having since added to it the other 80 acres. In 1877 he assisted in the organization of Unity Township and served as its first assessor, two years later being chairman of the township board, which office he held for 20 years, and, by virtue of that office, a member also of the county board. He also served as justice of the peace for 20 years, and has been school clerk, serving three years, and school treasurer nine years. He helped to organize Unity Co-Operative Creamery at Strum, of which he has been a director for your years, and he is also a stockholder of the First State Bank of Strum. In these various positions, both business and official, Mr. Thomasgaard has shown capacity and a conscientious regard for duty which have given him a high place among the citizens of his township. As a farmer he has been prosperous, his land being productive and his place well improved. Mr. Thomasgaard was married Aug. 4, 1872, to Marit E. Kleven, who was born in Vingelen, Norway, Feb. 9, 1847, and who came to the United States on the same vessel with him. Her father, Esten 0.

Kleven, who was a farmer, died in Norway, as did also her mother, whose maiden name was Johanna Roesplaece. Mr. and Mrs. Thomasgaard have had a family of eight children, but only three ai'e now Uving. Their record in brief is as follows : Pauline, who is the wife of 0. C. Olson, and has five children - Colonel Oscar Olson, Edwin, Mabel, Melvin and Julia ; Josephine, who died at the age of four years ; Emelia, who died when 2 years old ; Josephine (second) , who is the wife of Gilbert Svendby, of Strum, and has three children - Mabel, Odin and Clifford ; Edward, who died at the age of 1 year; Edward (second), who resides on his father's farm, which he is managing ; Oscar, who died at the age of 4 years, and PauUna, who died at the age of 3 years. The surviving members of the family belong to the United Norwegian Lutheran church, which Mr. Thomasgaard has served six years as trustee and six years as treasurer.

C. O. Thomas, who conducts an ice cream parlor and variety store in Osseo, was born in Lodi, Wis., Oct. 14, 1879, son of Charles Edmond and Adeline (Odell) Thomas, and grandson of James and Polly (Lyman) Thomas. Charles Edmond Thomas was born in Canada, and was a pioneer in Lodi, Wis., where he farmed and worked in hardware stores. He died Nov. 11, 1915, and his wife died May 30, 1903. C. 0. Thomas was reared in his native place, and learned the trade of buttermaker there. Thus pi'epared he worked in creameries in Loyal, Wis., Osseo, and Poynette, Wis. In 1907 he came back to Osseo and entered the employ of John Carson, merchant. March 4, 1912, he purchased the variety store of A. B. Arvidson, and this he has since successfully conducted. He has a lunch counter and ice cream parlor, and handles soft drinks, cigars, pipes, tobacco, bakery goods, fancy groceries, candy and nuts, fruits and vegetables, sporting goods, kodaks and kodak supplies, books and magazines, 5- and 10-cent goods, toys, jewelry and post cards. He also has a clothing department, taking orders for custom-made clothes. Mr. Thomas' financial holdings include stock in the Farmers' Exchange Bank and in the Farmers' Elevator, both of Osseo. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order and Modern Woodmen, and he is a member of the Osseo Band. Mr. Thomas was married Aug. 15, 1906, to Emma Nelson, daughter of Eric and Betsy (Roberts) Nelson.

Ador G. Peterson, manager of the electric Hght plant at Blair, was born in Norway, Nov. 12, 1866, son of Guttorm Rognrud and Karen Braskerud, who spent the span of their years in the old country, the father dying in 1890 at the age of 66 and the mother in 1878 at the age of 50 years. He was educated in the schools of his native land, and in 1888 came to this country and located in Blair. For a considerable period he divided his time between working in the pineries winters and on farms summers. As miller for W. G. Hyslop, at Blair, he did most efficient work for some seven years. For eight months Mr. Peterson was marshal at Blair. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Foresters and the Beavers. Mr. Peterson was married Aug. 21, 1898, to Lottie Kvenmon, of Blair, the daughter of Christ and PeuneUie (Braskerud) Kvenmon, and this union has been blessed with seven children : Goldie, Alf , Alden, Gladys, Orrie, Robert and Pearl. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.

Donald M. Phillips, D. D. S., of Galesville, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., July 30, 1891, a son of H. M. and Lillie (McKenzie) Phillips. The father was born in West Salem, Wis., April 5, 1868, and in early manhood was a farmer. He is now residing in Galesville, where he is in business as a bridge builder and contractor. His wife, the Doctor's mother, was born near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dr. Phillips, who was the eldest of a family of six children, attended school in Galesville and subsequently took a preliminary college course from instructors connected with the University of Northern Indiana. His degree of D. D. S. was obtained later, after the usual course of study, from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. In 1914 he began practicing his profession in Galesville and has since remained here. He has already gained a good reputation for skill and the number of his patrons has steadily increased, so that he is kept busy most of the time. He owns some valuable property in Galesville. Dr. Phillips' fraternal affiliations are with the local Masonic lodge, of which he is now junior deacon, the Red Men, Beavers, Modern Woodmen of America and Yeomen. He is also a member of the Galesville Fire Department. Dec. 26, 1914, Dr. Phillips was married to Florence Song, of Evanston, 111., daughter of A. F. and Adeline (Ryerson) Song, both natives and present residents of Chicago, where her father is connected with the printing business. Dr. and Mrs. Phillips have two children: Donald M., Jr., who was born Jan. 7, 1916, and Robert Milton, born April 26, 1917.

Adolph C. Olson, harness manufacturer and dealer, now located at Blair, was born in Preston Township, this county, March 11, 1873, son of Carlos and Caroline (Christenson) Olson, and grandson of Andrew and Olea Chrisfenson, all of whom were born in Norway, and immigrated to the United States, Andrew Christenson and his family coming first and Carlos Olson coming in 1871. Left fatherless when but little more than a year old, Adolph C. Olson, was reared by his mother and grandparents until he was 10 years of age, at which time he was adopted by Andrew Shelly, a farmer of Springfield Township, Jackson County, Wis. At the age of 24 he started out for himself, and for several years was employed as a farm hand. In 1900 he began to learn the trade of harnessmaking under Ed. Arneson, of Taylor, this State. He came to Blair in 1904 and purchased a half interest in the shop of A. H. Boe. For several years the business was conducted under the firm name of Boe & Olson. Then, in 1907, Mr. Olson bought out his partner, and has since been the sole owner and proprietor. He manufactures and repairs leather goods and horse supplies. A substantial man in the community, he has been especially prominent in the local lodge of the Sons of Norway, in which he has been vice-president since 1912. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. His religious affiliations are with the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson was married Nov. 2, 1904, to Olive Peterson, daughter of Ole and Lena Peterson, formerly of Jackson County, this State, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have had three children : Lillian (died at the age of 4 years) , Agnes and Lloyd.

16, Unity Township, are the sons of Klemet and Cecil (Sletto) Tandlokken, and were born on the family homestead in Unity Township - Glaus, Feb. 8, 1883, and Carl, Feb. 6, 1885. The original family name of Tandlokken has been Americanized to Thompson. The father, Klemet, who was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, came to America in 1865, settling first in Vernon County, Wis., where he remained until 1870. He then purchased the farm in Unity Township now owned by his sons Olaus and Carl and spent the rest of his hfe in its improvement. His death took place January 16, 1909. His wife Cecil was born in Norway, June 26, 1854, and died Aug. 8, 1916. There were seven children in their family, of whom the two brothers above mentioned are the only ones now living. Carl Thompson was married June

21, 1911, to Nettie Nelson, of Unity Township, who was born in this township Sept. 4, 1876, daughter of Peder and Karen (Anderson) Nelson. Her father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb.

22, 1843, son of Nels Peterson and Christina, his wife, and came to America in 1866, settling in Vernon County, Wis., where he remained two years. In 1869 he located on his present farm of 160 acres in section 19, Unity Township, Trempealeau County, where he has since remained, having well improved the farm. He was married, April 26, 1868, to Karen Anderson, of Vernon County, Wis., who was born in Norway, Oct. 21, 1841, and whose father, Andrew, died in Norway. Peder Nelson and wife were the parents of six children : Nels, who died at the age of 6 years ; Marcus and Matilda, residing at home ; Nettie, who is now Mrs. Carl Thompson ; Albert, who married Selma Johnson, resides in Minneapolis and has had one child, Lincoln, who died at the age of 9 years ; and Palma, who married Gust Peterson, of St. Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thompson have one child, Mabel Sylvia, who was born Dec. 13, 1912. Both Carl and Olaus Thompson are stockholders in the Farmers' Bank of Osseo. They are members of the Sjoiod Norwegian Lutheran church, of Strum. Carl has served two years as township supervisor.

Louis J. Schansberg, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits as proprietor of Meadow Lake Farm of 155 acres, situated in section 24, Lincoln township, was born in Vernon County, Wis., near Chaseburg, Oct. 16, 1881. He is a son of John Schansberg, who was born in Norway in October, 1841, and who came to the United States in 1860, locating in Vernon County, Wis., where he resided until 1897. In that year John Schansberg removed to Trempealeau County, settling on the farm where his son Louis J. now resides, and which he cultivated until 1907. He then sold it to the latter and retired to a small farm near Whitehall, where he is now living. His wife, whose maiden name was Berget Steenberg, is still living, being now 69 years old. Louis J. Schansberg resided at home working with his father until 1907, in which year he bought the home farm with his brother, Henry J., and they operated it together in partnership until 1912, when Louis purchased his brother's interest in the place and has since remained sole proprietor. The buildings include a two-story, seven-room house, with full basement, and provided with furnace, bath, toilet and all necessary conveniences. In 1916 Mr. Schansberg built an ell-shaped, frame bam,- the main part being 32 by 60 feet, and the ell 34 by 44, with concrete blocks four feet from the bottom, and 17 feet above the blocks. It is furnished with 25 Louden stanchions and Utter carrier, and has concrete floors, concrete mangers and individual drinking fountains. He has also two silos - one a stave silo, 14 by 29 feet, the other of cement blocks, 12 by 29. Mr. Schansberg keeps graded Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of 45 head, of which he milks 20 ; he also feeds 100 Duroc-Jersey hogs a year. Aside from his direct farming interests, he is a director and vice-president of the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company. Since 1909 he has been treasurer of joint district No. 1, of Lincoln and Pigeon Townships, has served on the township board two years and as township treasurer two years. April 7, 1907, Mr. Schansberg was married to Clara Simonson, who was born in Pigeon Township, this county, Dec. 18, 1878, and whose father, Peter Simonson, now a retired farmer of that township, came to America from Norway in 1870. Her mother, whose maiden name was Helena Weverstad, is now 78 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Schansberg have five children : Selma V., born Jan. 28, 1908 ; Odell N., born June 19, 1909; Helen, born March 13, 1912; Lawrence, born Dec. 31, 1914, and Ralph H., born Jan. 8, 1917. The family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Schansberg has been secretary since 1911.

Paul Sura, a well-known real estate dealer and business man of Independence, was born in this village, June 11, 1880, a son of Peter and Agatha (Lucasek) Sura. The father, who was born in Germany, came to America in 1857, was the first Polish settler in Burnside and died May 11, 1879, at the age of 79 years. The mother of the subject of this sketch, who was his father's second wife, is still living in the village, being now 60 years of age. Peter Sura had a large family numbering 18 children, nine by each wife, all of those by the first wife being now dead. Paul Sura, who was the second-born child of the second marriage, after beginning industrial life worked out for others for some seven years. He then, in 1904, bought the saloon of Ignaatz Jelen in Independence and has since carried on business here, occupying a modern brick building of two stories with basement, 46 by 28 feet in dimensions. He deals in real estate and has recently built a modern garage, a brick building of two stories and basement, with concrete floors, 30 by 60 feet, with machine shop, washing rack and all necessary fixtures. He deals in Oldsmobiles (8's and 4's) and Dodge Bros, cars, together with all supplies and accessories. He is also a stockholder and was a promoter of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence. Mr. Sura was married Nov. 16, 1904, to Annie Woychik, of Independence, a daughter of Thomas and Frances (Gierok) Woychik, her father being a farmer. He and his wife have three children: Benedict, Lucy and Clarence. Mr. Sura is a member of the CathoMc church. Active and enterprising, he takes a keen interest not only in the advancement of his own fortunes, but also in the general prosperity of the village and is prompt to lend his aid to a worthy cause.

Marcus Olson, who is conducting a farm of 78 acres in sections 10 and 15, Gale Township, was born in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Dec. 28, 1873, son of Samuel and Bertha (Larson) Olson. The parents were natives of Berey, Norway, in which country they were mar- ried. On coming to this country they settled near Sparta, Wis., from which place they later removed to Ettrick Township, where Samuel Olson engaged in farming. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted eai'ly in the Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteers, Company B, and served until the close of the war, escaping death, wounds and imprisonment. He is now a resident of Gale Township, and is a widcTwer, his wife having died in February, 1900. Their family was large, numbering 12 children, Marcus being the fourth in order of birth. Marcus Olson was obliged to support himself at the early age of 10 years, working for his clothing and board. Besides doing farm work, he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it for a number of years at intervals. Later he engaged in hauling cream to the creamery at Galesville and was thus occupied for 12 years. In 1907 he bought his present farm and has since resided on it, carrying on general farming and dairying. He has made extensive improvements on the place and now has good modern buildings with an adequate supply of tools and implements and all the accessories needed for modern agriculture. Besides operating his farm he still hauls cream to the creamery. Mr. Olson was married, June 15, 1899, to Julia Jurgensen, who was born at French Creek, Ettrick Township, daughter of Simon and Agnes (Johnson) Jurgensen. Her parents were natives of Norway, the father born June 15, 1830, the mother in 1834. Simon Jurgensen, who died in August, 1916, was a Civil War veteran, having enlisted in the same company and regiment as Samuel Olson, the father of the subject of this sketch. Receiving a gunshot wound in battle, he was sent home disabled, but recovering sufficiently, he returned to the army and served until the close of the war. The greater part of his life was spent in farming. His wife died in 1908. Their daughter Juha, who was the ninth born in a family of 12 children, was educated in the schools of Ettrick Township. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of six children : Aslang Lelma, Bert Selinar, Mabel Josephine, Lester Vilas, Clarence Richard and Hazel Irene, all of whom are residing at home. The Olson family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Olson gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, but is not active in politics, devoting his entire attention to his farm, his cream route and his home.

Louis Crawford Olson, manager of the Arctic Springs Creamery at Galesville, was born at Wild Rose, Waushara County, Wis., May 13, 1885. His parents were Louis and Ida (Nelson) Olson. The father, who was born in Norway, June 5, 1849, was brought to the United States when a child of four years and was reared in Wisconsin, becoming a farmer and land owner near Wild Rose. He has held various local offices and is still in active life. His parents reside in that vicinity. His wife Ida was born in Sheboygan, Wis., April 10, 1855. Louis Crawford Olson was the youngest of four children, of whom three are still living. He attended the grammar and high school at Wild Rose, also business college in Grand Rapids, Wis., subsequently taking a course in dairying at the University of Wisconsin. When about 18 years of age he was given the practical management of his parents' farm and remained at home until about 1911, when he entered the employ of the Wild Rose Creamery Company, with whom he remained two years. It was immediately after this that he took the dairy course at the university. He then spent a year in Peshtigo, Wis., at the end of which tirtie he came to Galesville to assume the duties of his present position. He is also a stockholder in the Wild Rose Creamery Company, but devotes his entire time to the creamery in Galesville. Mr. Olson v^fas married June 5, 1913, to Jane Ramsdale, who was born in Madison, Wis., daughter of Frank and Mary (Jones) Ramsdale. Her parents were natives, respectively of Madison and Cambria, Wis. The father, who was a printer in early life, about the year 1900 became connected with the State Fish Commission, and is at present in its employ. He and his wife reside at Wild Rose, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of a daughter, Lorraine Clara. Mr. Olson belongs to the Masonic lodge at Wild Rose, No. 274, and to the Eastern Star in Galesville. In politics he is a Republican.

Henry Russell, proprietor of the Russell farm of 190 acres in section 4, Burnside Township, was born on this farm Oct. 4, 1874, son of William and Christina (Cooper) Russell, who were married in Scotland, their native land. William Russell was born in 1834 and his wife Christina Nov. 26, 1840, the former's birthplace being Edinburgh. In 1863 William, with his wife, four children, and his wife's parents, Henry and Isabelle (McKay) Russell, emigrated to the United States, locating first in Pennsylvania, where William Russell found employment in the coal mines. In the spring of the following year all the other members of the family came to Trempealeau County, Wis., he joining them in the fall. Here he bought the farm now owned by his son Henry, the subject of this sketch. At the time he did so he had neither team nor tools for agricultural purposes and the family was destitute of furniture. How they managed to get along and achieve final prosperity might well puzzle anyone brought up under modern conditions, but they accomplished this seemingly impossible task, after enduring many severe privations. Obtaining a few tools, perhaps by borrowing from his neighbors, who were always ready to help newcomers, Mr. Russell erected a small log house, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, having a puncheon floor and slab roof, which was the family home for some years; and by some arrangement he obtained the use of an ox team for breaking the land. His subsequent labors were similar to those of other pioneers, which may be found often described in this volume. Here William Russell lived and toiled for 22 years, or until his death in 1886. He had made good progress with his fai'm and its subsequent development has since been taken care of by his son Henry, now the owner of the property, with whom resides the latter's mother, and other members of the family. One of the most recent improvements is a good barn, built in 1916, which measures 38 by 70 by 20 feet. It is of frame construction, except for the lower four feet, which is of concrete blocks, and has cement floors all through, being also provided with steel stanchions, litter carriers and other modern conveniences. Mr. Russell has a herd of 35 Durham cattle, of which he milks 15, all being high-grade animals, while he raises the various crops indigenous to this region. For fifteen years he has served as clerk of the school board. He was married June 7, 1899, to Allie Back, of Chimney Rock Township, daughter of George and Charlotte (Branch) Back, her father being a well-known farmer of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have two children : Russell

A., born in September, 1900, and Christina, born in December, 1908. The following is a brief record of the children of William and Christina (Cooper) Russell: Alexander, who died in 1891; Mary, wife of A. W. Liver, a merchant of Independence, Wis. ; Isabelle, who married William Koepke, of Racine, Wis., and died in 1910 ; Christina, who died in 1892 ; Henry, proprietor of the old homestead ; William, now a farmer at Portland, Ore. ; and Tona, wife of Albert Olson, a farmer of Preston Township, this county.

Peter C. Skroch, a well-known business man of Independence, agent for the G. Heileman Brewing Company, of La Crosse, was born in German Poland Aug. 12, 1864, a son of John and Mary (Sobota) Skroch. The father, John Skroch, a native of German Poland, came to the United States in 1882 and, settling in Trempealeau County, Wis., bought a farm in Lincoln Township, where he resided until 1900, when he retired to Independence. He died Jan. 14, 1916, aged 84 years. His wife Mary died Dec. 25, 1911, at the age of 63. Peter C. Skroch was reared on the home farm in Lincoln Township and lived there until his marriage. He then engaged in mason work in Independence. In 1889 he accepted his present position as agent for the G. Heileman Brewing Company, of La Crosse. Since 1892 he has held the office of assessor in Independence. He is a stockholder and was one of the organizers of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Independence. A member of the Catholic church, he has been secretary of the Congregation Sts. Peter and Paul for five years. He is president and was one of the organizers of Sts. Peter and Paul Society, having held the office of president seven years. This society is a branch (No. 14) of the Polish Union of America. In politics Mr. Skroch is a Democrat. Mr. Skroch was first married, Sept. 8, 1892, to Mary Sygula, of Burnside Township, who died in 1900 at the early age of 28 years. She left two children : Mary, now Mrs. John Klink, of Independence; and Rosa, a clerk in Garthus' store in this village, who resides at home. June 6, 1904, Mr. Skroch married for his second wife Rosa Firlus, of St. Paul. Of this union there are six children : Aloysius, Clara, Martha, Alphonse, Helen and Clarence.