Trempealeau County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 8 of 20)

Charles M. Scarseth, who is conducting a farm of 144 acres in section 27-34 E, Gale Township, was born on his present farm April 28, 1862, son of Martinus J. and Kari (Knudson) Scarseth. His parents were natives of Biri, Norway ; the father came to the United States in 1857 and settled in Gale Township in 1860 at the time of his marriage. Charles M. attended the Glasgow school in this township. When about 16 or 17 years of age he began working for others at intervals, though residing on the home farm. Oct. 6, 1886, he was married to Clara Semb, daughter of Ole 0. and Kari (Ekern) Semb, who wei'e natives of Biri, Norway, and came to the United States in 1851, locating in La Crosse County, and later on Hardie's Creek, Trempealeau County, Wis. In the year after his marriage Mr. Scarseth bought his parents' homestead, containing 144 acres of improved land on Black River, on which he is now doing general farming, including stock raising and dairying. His farm is one of the the best equipped in this vicinity, the buildings being thoroughly modern, and his machinery and implements adequate to the demand of scientific farming. He is also a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery and the Western Telephone Company, and for 16 years served as clerk of his school district. Since 1900 he has been secretary of the Ettrick Scandinavia Insurance Company. In politics he is a Republican and has served as supervisor one term. Mr. and Mrs. Scarseth are the parents of five children : Cora Constance, born Oct. 19, 1887, who died Dec. 28, the same year; Octiv Melvin, born Oct. 31, 1888 ; Cora, May 24, 1890 ; Laura, March 27, 1892, and Hulda, July 11, 1895, all of whom are residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Scarseth has served as treasurer for the past 25 years.

Edward E. Quarne, proprietor of the B. J. Smalberg homestead of 193 acres in sections 31 and 32, Preston Township, belongs to that hardy Norwegian race that has done so much to develop the agricultural resources of Trempealeau County. He was born in Honefos, Norway, June 10, 1847, his father being Elling J. Quarne, a shoemaker, who was born in Norway in 1807 and died in 1892, and his mother, in maidenhood Karen Olena Aas, who was born in Norway in 1810 and died in 1880. Edward E. Quarne was reared in his native land and resided there until he had attained his majority. Realizing, however, that his chances for advancement were small if he remained at home, his thought turned to the United States, whither he knew many of his countrymen had already gone and where opportunities were abundant for men of courage and perseverance. His decision made, he sailed for America in 1869, and after landing proceeded to Eau Claire, Wis., where for three years he worked at the carpenter's trade. At the end of that time he resolved to try farming as the best means of gaining an independent livelihood and ultimate prosperity, and so came to the farm on which he now resides, which was then owned by his father-in-law, he having recently married. Here he devoted himself to agriculture for two years and then saw all his labors come to naught by a pest of chinch bugs, which totally destroyed his crops. Not knowing how long these unwelcome visitors might conclude to stay with him, he resolved to try a new location, and so removed to Grant County, Minnesota, where he bought a farm and operated it until 1891, a period of about 13 years. He then returned to Trempealeau County and bought his original farm here, on which he has since resided, carrying on general farming. Mr. Quarne raises Shorthorn cattle, having about 35 head, graded, of which he milks ten, and also keeps and raises black Minorca chickens. In 19 he built a good residence - a two-story frame structure with basement and containing eight rooms. His frame barn, 28 by 64 by 16 feet, was erected by him in 1898. As one of the prominent and substantial men of his township, Mr. Quarne has been called on at times to take part in local government affairs, and thus served one year as supervisor and six years on the school board. He also rendered public service while in Grant County, being a member of his township board there for nine years. Aside from his immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Home Bank of Blair and in Preston Creamery at Blair. Feb. 22, 1873, he was united in marriage with Anna B. Johnson of Eau Claire, who was born in Soler, Norway, June 11, 1853. Her parents were B. J. Smalberg and Anna Maria Ingebretsen, who came to America in 1866, Mr. Smalberg homesteading the farm on which his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Quarne, now live, and which was their home until they died, Mr. Smalberg in 1911 at the age of 88 years, and his wife in 1908 at the age of 83. Mr. and Mrs. Quarne have had seven children, of whom the following is a brief record: Caroline Amelia is the wife of Eric Anderson, a farmer of Ettrick Township, this county, and has four children : Ernest Arthur, Ahna Orilla, Lloyd Wilfred and Norman Rudolph. Marie Elise married Alfred Andreson and has two children: Evelyn Veda and Lillian Hazel. They reside on the Quarne farm. Peter Julius, who married Anna Jones, is engaged in farming near his parents' homestead. He and his wife have two children: LeRoy Wilfred and Beulah Lavina. Edwin Bernhard, now a farmer in Jackson County, married EfRe Skorstad and has four children : Marie Irene Idanna, Lorin Donald, Arnold DeVere and Corine Ardell. The other three children of Mr. and Mrs. Quarne died in infancy. Religious, the family are affihated with the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

John M. Sagen, proprietor of the Sagen farm of 162 acres in section 27 (range 7, township 23), Pigeon Township, was born in Biri, Norway, Sept. 19, 1853, son of Mathias and Karen (Olson) Sagen, the former of whom died in Norway in 1856, and the latter of whom came to America in 1877 and died in 1897. John M. Sagen came to America in 1872, and after reaching La Crosse County worked in the pine woods and as a river logsman for several years. In 1876 he homesteaded a farm in Sjuggerud Coulie, section 22, Pigeon Township. He improved and developed this place and built up a good farm. In 1903 he sold out and purchased his present place, where he successfully carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of a fine herd of Holstein cattle. His present home was built in 1912. It consists of a brick veneer, two-story structure, with nine rooms and a basement, and equipped with furnace heat, running water and other conveniences. The barn was built in 1914. It is 36 by 80 by 111/2 feet in size, with an addition 12 by 32 feet. The floor is of cement and the equipment is of steel. The stave silo, 12 by 32 feet, was erected in 1915. Among the other buildings may be mentioned the tobacco shed, 26 by 96 by 14 feet. The tools and equipment about the place are well in keeping with these excellent buildings. Mr. Sagen was married in April, 1883, to Amelia Olafsdatter, who was born in Soler, Norway, Sept. 6, 1856, the daughter of Olaf and Ingeborg Olafson, and this union has been blessed with nine children: Inga, Magnus, Olaf, Clara, Milhe, Joseph, Emma, Valborg and Oliver. Inga married Joseph Nelson, a farmer of Pigeon Township. Magnus farms in Hale Township. Clara is the wife of Gunder Johnson, secretary of the Wilhelm Oil Company of Minneapolis ; Millie married Albert Heapy, a farmer of Calvin, N. D. ; Joseph operates a garage at Pigeon Falls ; Oliver died at the age of nine years ; the others are at home. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Sagen is a stockholder in the Whitehall Creamery Company and in the Whitehall Elevator Company. He has been a member of the school board for some six years past.

Alfred N. Sagen, vice-president of the Davis Mill Company of Galesville, was born in this village, March 5, 1877. His parents, Ole N. and Ella T. (Tronson) Sagen, were natives of Norway. Ole N. Sagen was born May 7, 1848, and in 1866, came with his parents to the United States. The family located in the town of Gale, Trempealeau County, and Ole N., who had begun to learn the trade of miller in his native land, in 1869 entered the flouring mill of Wilson Davis at Galesville. In 1878 he became head miller and has held that position until the present date. He is a member of the Norwegian Workmen's Society of Galesville. He is religiously affiliated with the Baptist Church. The children of Ole T. and Ella T. Sagen were Emma J., Alfred N. and Oscar T. In his boyhood Alfred N. Sagen attended the schools of Galesville and subsequently spent one year at Gale College. At the age of 15 he began to work in the Davis mill, but continued to attend school during the winters until he was 18, after which time he worked in the mill regularly all through the year, and has since continued to do so, having never been absent from duty. In 1910 he was elected vice-president of the Davis Mill Company and now holds that position. He is also vice-president of the Sagen-Schuster Mercantile Company of Galesville. Mr. Sagen was married Oct. 30, 1900, to Mabel A. Thompson, who was born in Galesville, Wis., daughter of William and Allie T. (Atwood) Thompson. Her parents were natives of Wisconsin, the father, who was a farmer and stock dealer, being reared in Trempealeau County. Mr. Thompson, who at one time served as president of the village of Galesville, died about 1894, and his wife July 19, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Sagen have one child, Layton Thompson, who was born Sept. 1, 1901. Mr. Sagen is a member of the United Lutheran Church.

Idius B. Scarseth, of section 31 E, Gale Township, is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of this township, where he was born Aug. 24, 1868. His parents were Martinus J. and Kari (Knudson) Scarseth, both natives of Biri, Norway. Martinus J. Scarseth was born March 30, 1836, and came to the United States in 1857, when 21 years old, being at that time unmarried. He located in Stevens Township, La Crosse County, where he found employment on farms, and also attended school one winter to improve his knowledge of Enghsh. There he remained until his marriage in 1860, at which time he came to Gale Township, taking up his residence on the farm where his son, C. M. Scarseth, now resides. In 1888 he moved to the farm now owned by his son Idius and resided here until his death July 4,

1910. His wife, who was born Jan. 3, 1831, died little more than a month after him, on August 8. At different times Mr. Scarseth held local office, serving, among other things, as census enumerator. He was the first secretary of the Hardie's Creek Lutheran Church, holding that position until his death, and he was also one of the organizers of the church. He also took an active part in educational work, serving on the school board, and was at one time town commissioner. His wife was an expert dressmaker and when she first came to this country located in Chicago, where she worked at her trade. She was a popular member of society in Gale Township. Idius B. Scarseth was one of four children, being the last born. In his boyhood he attended the Glasgow school, and from the age of 17 to that of 24 worked out for others. A year later he bought his parents' farm, on which he now resides, and which consists of 120 acres of highly improved land. Here he is engaged in general farming and in breeding Holstein cattle and full-blooded Poland-China hogs. His farm is well improved, having substantial buildings and a full equipment of all necessary tools and implements. Mr. Scarseth is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Packing Company of La Crosse. For 20 years he has been a member of the school board, while his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. Sept. 6, 1893, Mr. Scarseth was married to Sena Semb, who was born in Gale Township, this county, daughter of Ole 0. and Kari (Ekern) Semb. Her father was born in Biri, Norway, Sept. 17, 1835, and his wife in the same locality, Oct. 12, 1841. They came to the United States in 1851, locating in Stevenstown, La Crosse County, where Mr. Semb found employment on farms. One of his brothers was killed in the Civil War, and his father and another brother went to Minnesota, where ill fortune pursued them also, as both were killed by the Indians. Ole 0. Semb also went to Minnesota and lived there for awhile, but later returned to Wisconsin, locating on Hardie's Creek about a year before his father did. Buying land there, he devoted himself to farming, spending the rest of his life on the homestead, his death occurred July 6, 1898. At various times he served the township in local office, being regarded by his neighbors as an intelligent pubhc spirited citizen. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away Jan. 11,

1911. They were the parents of eight children, of whom their daughter Sena (Mrs. Scarseth) was the seventh in order of birth. She was educated in the Glasgow school, where her future husband was fellow pupil. Mr. and Mrs. Scarseth are the parents of seven children: Julia, wife of Alfred Ravnum, a farmer residing at Glasgow, Gale Township; Nora, at home; George Dewey, who attended the La Crosse County School of Agriculture, and is also at home; Edwin Julius, Lester Bernhard, Lloyd Helmer and Clinton Theodore, who were educated in the common schools. Mr. Scarseth is a great lover of fishing and hunting and has made some of the finest catches ever made in Black River. His wife is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society at Hardie's Creek, being past secretary of the society.

Jens J. Staff, Jr., proprietor of Staff farm of 160 acres in sections 1 and 12, Pigeon Township, was born in Sundf jord, Norway, March 14, 1870, son of Jens J. and Louisa (Berge) Staff, the parents being also Norwegians. Jens J. Staff, who was born Feb. 5, 1838, came to the United States with his family in 1872, locating at Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wis., where he remained until 1882. Then selling out his property there he came to Trempealeau County, and bought the farm on which his son Jens J., Jr., now lives, and where he still resides. His wife, who was born Feb. 13, 1841, died April 30, 1913. Jens J. Staff, Jr., resided with his parents until he was 21 years old, and then, in 1891, began working for the P. Ekern Company of Pigeon Falls. After being in this manner for about six years and four months, he returned to his father's farm and resumed agricultural operations. In 1900 he purchased the property and has since resided on it, being engaged in carrying on general farming, dairying and stock-raising. In 1908 Mr. Staff erected his present residence, a brick veneer structure two stories and basement, eight rooms, equipped with hot water heat and an individual electric light plant. In 1907 he rebuilt the barn, which measures 28 by 72 by 16 feet, with stone basement and cement floors, steel stanchions and individual water cups. The hog house is a frame building with cement floors, 20 by 20 feet in dimensions. Mr. Staff keeps graded Holstein cattle, having a herd of 40 head, of which he milks 20, feeding half a carload for the market each year. He has been successful in his farming operations and the value of his property has continued to increase with the improvements he had made on it. As a substantial and reliable citizen, with a good knowledge of local conditions, he has been called on at times to serve in public office, having been supervisor four years and township assessor since 1912. In 1904 he assumed the duties of school clerk of his district and is still serving in that office. Aside from his immediate farming interests, he owns stock in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital and is a director of the Elevator Company of Whitehall. Mr. Staff was married May 25, 1898, to Lena Kogslein, who was born in Curran Township, Jackson County, Wis., March 16, 1872. Her parents were Nils and Ingeborg (Holen) Kogslein, the father born at Gulbransdalen, Norway, Feb. 29, 1829, and the mother born Sept. 15, 1834. They came to America, settling in Jackson County, Wisconsin, in 1866, but are both now deceased, Mr. Kogslein dying July 7, 1909, and his wife March 4, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Staff have been the parents of seven children: Laura, born Feb. 4, 1899 ; Joseph, April 10, 1901 ; Ida, Jan. 3, 1903 ; Norma, May 29, 1905 ; Carl, Sept. 12, 1907 ; Olga, Sept. 29, 1908, and Earl, Oct. 27, 1911.. The family are members of the United Noi-wegian Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Staff is auditor.

Tennes Tenneson, proprietor of Lavold farm of 150 acres in sections 13 and 14, Preston Township, was born near Viroquo, Vernon County, Wis., May 22, 1855. He is a son of Jacob Tenneson Lavold and his wife Johanna, whose maiden name was Nuland. Jacob T. Lavold was born near Flekkef- jord, Norway, Feb. 28, 1828, and came to the United States in 1852. Coming west by rail as far as Chicago, he drove from that city with an ox team to Vernon County, Wisconsin, where he remained until the fall of 1855. Then, in the fall of that year, he continued his westward journey until he reached Trempealeau County, settling on a farm in section 14, Preston Township, which he had bought in the spring of the same year. Here he devoted himself to agricultui'al pursuits, spending many years in clearing and improving his farm and finally becoming one of the prosperous citizens of the township. In 1892 he sold the farm and removed to the village of Blair, where he made his home until his death in 1896, at the age of 70 years. His i^rst wife, Johanna, dying in 1876, he afterwards married Grethe Thompson of Blair, who is also now deceased. Tennes Tenneson was given a somewhat better education than the ordinary farmer's boy of his day, as, after attending the public or district school, he became a student in the business college at La Crosse. His industrial education was not neglected, however, for he was well trained by his father in all the different branches of farming, learning how to cultivate the soil, take care of stock and perform other necessary duties. This knowledge he has since put to good use on his own account, beginning when a young man by renting a farm on French Creek, which he cultivated for two years. Not perfectly satisfied with that location, however, in 1880 he bought his present farm, and has since continued on it, having found it a profitable investment. He raises high grade Holstein cattle, having about 30 head, of which he milks 12; also keeping Poland-China hogs, and registered White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red chickens. He is a stockholder in the Preston Creamery at Blair. His farm is well improved, having good buildings, and he is careful to keep it in good condition, its value having greatly increased since he took it in hand. As a substantial citizen, having a landed interest in his township, Mr. Tenneson has consented at various times to aid in local government. Thus he was township treasurer for two years, and for 30 years has served on the school board as clerk or treasurer. He and his family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. He was married Feb. 29, 1876, to Martha Lindrud of French Creek, this county, who was born in Norway, Oct. 30, 1854. Her father, Andrew I. Lindrud, born in Norway in 1828, emigrated to this country in 1861, setthng first in Vernon County, Wisconsin, from which locality he removed in 1864 to French Creek, Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County. This latter place was his home until his death Oct. 30, 1904. His wife, whose maiden name was Gunhild Smedhaugen, died in December, 1915, at the age of 89 years. Mr. and Mrs. Tenneson's family circle has been enlarged by the birth of seven children, namely: Ida, who married Henry Thompson, a farmer of Beach, N. D. ; Albert, a farmer residing two miles east of Blair; John, who is farming in Preston Township; Melvin, who conducts a fancy grocery and delicatessen store at St. Paul; Thomas, who lives on the home farm; Tillie, who graduated from Blair high school in 1911, and has been a teacher for three years, and Nora, who lives with her parents.

in sections 29 and 32, Gale Township, though recently retired, was born on the same farm Dec. 6, 1866, son of John Alois and Sarah Frances (Shonat) Stellpflug. The father was born in Westphalia, Germany, Sept. 28, 1838, and came to the United States in 1847, locating at Milwaukee, where he resided for about seven years. While there he assisted in building the first railroad to enter that city and also aided in filling the marsh. Later he engaged in farming at West Bend, Washington County. In 1860 he came to Trempealeau County and settled on land in sections 29 and 32, which now constitutes the farm of his son Frederick J., and which land he purchased from the Government. Here he remained until his death June 30, 1907, developing the farm, on which he made most of the improvements. He was a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, which he helped to organize, and of which he was vice-president and director for many years. In early days he was also a member of the township board. His wife, Sarah Frances, who was born in Oswego County, New York, Sept. 4, 1850, is still living on the home farm. Frederick J. Stellpflug was the eldest of 14 children. He acquired the elements of knowledge in the Grant schoolhouse and has always resided on the family homestead, the management of which came into his hands when he was 25 years old. The estate contains 200 acres of land and is well supplied with good buildings and all necessary equipment. Here Mr. Stellpflug carried on general farming for a number of years, also breeding Holstein cattle. He has lately, however, retired from active farm work and rented the farm, though still residing upon it. Aside from his interests in this connection, he is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, of which he is vice-president, a director and stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank, director in the Farmers Elevator Company, and a stockholder in the Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111., the La Crosse Packing and the Ettrick Telephone Companies. He is now serving in his twentieth year as clerk of the school board and was township treasurer three years. In politics he is independent. June 19, 1912, Mr. Stellpflug was married to Elizabeth Williamson, who was born in Gale township, near Galesville, Oct. 11, 1891, daughter of Richard Ellis and Christina (Schmidt) Williamson. Her father, who was born in Little Tamarack, this township, in 1864, has always been a farmer and is still in active life, now residing about two and a half miles from Galesville. His wife was born in this township, Nov. 16, 1866. They had five children, of whom their daughter Elizabeth was the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Stellpflug are the parents of two children: Frederick Joseph, who was born July 2, 1913, and Cecelia Ehzabeth, born Sept. 2, 1915. The family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Stellpflug also belongs to the Foi-esters, being recording secretary of his lodge, and to the Woodmen's Accident Assurance Company. It is his present intention to continue his residence on the farm.

Andrew Evenson came to Trempealeau County in 1888, located in section 4, Gale Township, and here lived until his death. May 9, 1915. He was born near Christiania, Norway, Aug. 25, 1857, oldest of the four children of Ole and Mary Evenson. The parents came to America about 1857 and located in La Crosse County, this state. After the father's death, the mother moved to another farm in the same county, located on the south side of the La Crosse River, and there Uved until she took up her home with her son, Andrew, until the time of her death. Andrew Evenson attended the schools of his native land and of La Crosse County, and as a youth assisted his mother with the duties of her small farm, remaining under the maternal roof until about a year after his marriage, when he located in Trempealeau County. Here he devoted his life to his farm, his home, his children and his church, taking in his family his deepest joy, and in his church his greatest satisfaction. As a successful farmer he acquired stock in the Arctic Springs Creamery, and was a substantial friend thereof, but aside from this, his outside interests were few. His church support was given to the Synod Lutheran Congregation, in the activities of which he was an efficient and valued worker. Mr. Evenson was married Dec. 3, 1887, to Bertha Johnson, who was born in La Crosse County, Holland Township, daughter of Louis and Mary Johnson, and this union was blessed with eight children : Melva, Ornie Melvin, Elmer Theodore, Lester, Lester Marvin, Edna Marie, Ansel Bernard and Arline Bernice. Melva is the wife of Herbert Hardie, who farms two miles west of Galesville. Ornie Melvin operates the home farm of 200 acres bordering on the Black River. He married Minnie Engen, May 24, 1917. Elmer Theodore married Ella Scarseth, and lives on the Scarseth farm in Gale Township. Lester died in infancy. The other children are at home.

Louis Johnson was born in Norway, came to America in 1858, and took up his residence on a farm near Viroqua, in Vernon County, this state. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and did good service for three years. After farming in Vernon County for some forty-seven years he retired and moved to Galesville, in this county, where he now makes his home.

Fred Schuman, a well known land owner and farmer residing in section 18, Caledonia Township, was born near Doering, Germany, Aug. 8, 1853. He is a son of Gottlieb and Johanna Schuman, the former of whom died in Germany when the subject of this sketch was eight years old. The widowed mother, with her four children - the three others being Edward, Louise and Frederecia - came to America about six yeai's later, in November, 1867. They settled at once in Trempealeau County, Wis., where Mrs. Schuman bought 180 acres of land in section 9, Caledonia Township. Eighty acres were already under the plow, and a log house, granary and stable were standing on the farm. About a year after her arrival here, or in 1868, she married Gustaf Keisling, who had accompanied the Schuman family to America. At the age of 16 years Fred Schuman left home to work for himself and was variously employed until 1876. Then, with his brother Edward, he bought the northwest half of the northwest quarter of section 20, Caledonia Township. There were neither buildings nor fences on the land and they lived in a one-room shanty on a rented tract of 40 acres adjoining, beginning farming operations on the 80-acre tract, of which they broke 18 acres the first year. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Schuman and his brother erected a frame house on this tract, it being an upright, one and a half stories high, just covered and enclosed. In this unfinished house they resided for several years. When Mr. Schuman purchased his tract of 80 acres it was on an agreement to pay $100 down and the rest in monthly instalments. He had only $75 cash and had great difficulty in raising the other $25. He and his brother had no team, so they used their mother's the first year, and in the following spring bought one horse, not being able to procure another until a year later - in the spring of 1879. Now having a team of their own, they made good progress and continued in partnership until 1894, by which time they had added to the original 80 acres on section 20, an adjoining tract of 120 acres on section 2 adjoining, also acquiring 240 acres (all improved but 30 acres) in section 18. His farm now consists of 340 acres, as follows : 240 acres in section 18, 84 in section 34 and 20 in section 24, all in Caledonia Township, in addition to which he owns 100 acres in La Crosse County. Mr. Schuman does general farming, keeping a herd of grade Durham cattle and a sty of grade Poland-China hogs. The wing of his present residence consists of a small house of two rooms, which was on the farm when he bought the land, and in which he lived until about 1912, when he built his present two-story, nine-room residence, a frame structure, painted and with modern improvements. Among his other buildings are a barn, with cement basement, used for hogs and cattle; a horse barn, with wing attached; cattle sheds, poultry house, hog house, with cement floors, a brick milk house and a cement block silo. The farm is also well equipped with agricultural machinery and tools. June 23, 1914, a cyclone carried away seven of Mr. Schuman's buildings, all of which, however he has since replaced. He is a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery. Mr. Schuman was married, July 3, 1879, in Trempealeau Village, to Maggie, daughter of Robert and Melissa Bright, of Caledonia Township. Of this union seven children were born: Dollie, April 18, 1880, who died June 5, 1889 ; Freddie R., Jan. 7, 1882, who died June 7, 1889 ; Millie J., Sept. 9, 1885, who died June 5, 1889 ; Harry J., May 5, 1888, who is a farmer residing near the homestead; Glenn, Sept. 7, 1890, now farming on a tract of 120 acres in this vicinity; Mabel A., Aug. 25, 1892, wife of G. Roy Dale of Gale Township, and the mother of one daughter, Ruth ; and Ross L., born Feb. 2, 1899, who lives on the home farm. As will be seen from the above record, Mr. Schuman lost three children within two days, which was due to that dread scourge diphtheria. His daughter Mabel graduated fi'om the Galesville high school in 1913 and was a teacher for one year before her marriage. Mr. Schuman was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and his wife in that of the Baptist, but are not members of either. They are numbered among .the prosperous people of the township and are widely known and respected. Mr. Schuman usually votes the Republican ticket, but is not a strong party man or active in politics.

Elizabeth Heald, one of the estimable women of Trempealeau County, has seen pioneer life in two states and four counties. She was born in New York City, Jan. 1, 1854, daughter of Alonzo Morris and Mary (Schuyler) Merwin, and a great-granddaughter, on her mother's side, of Gen. Philip Schuyler, of Revolutionary War fame. In the' fall of the year of her birth, the family came westward, and located at Greenbush, Sheboygan County, Wis., where they settled in the woods, and devoted three years to developing a farm. They cut down the trees, cleared up the land, erected a four-room house, and conducted pioneer farming on a small scale. Then they moved to Dodge County, in the same state where they rented a farm. From there the father, in 1862, went to Nicollet County, in Minnesota, not far from New Ulm, secured a tract of land, erected a cabin, and harvested a quantity of hay. Then he went back to his home, and thus escaped the massacre of August 18 of that year. In June, 1863, the family, consisting of the father, mother and five children, William, George, Elizabeth, Ida and Arvilla, set out for their new home with an ox team. To the parents the long trip entailed many hardships, but the children thoroughly enjoyed it, and met with delight the constantly changing landscape, and the many varied experiences. Upon reaching the claim, it was found that the cabin was almost a ruin and the hay gone, the place having apparently been visited both by the Indians and the fleeing whites during the terrible days of the massacre. The cabin was soon repaired, however, and before long a farm was started. Late in the fall of 1864 the family came back to Wisconsin, and settled on 43 acres at Centerville, in Trempealeau Township, this county. The land had been improved, but no buildings were standing thereon. The father built a frame house, and in this the family continued to live for many years. He died March 10, 1867, and the sons, WilHam and George, assumed the responsibility of supporting the family. The mother lived for many years thereafter, and spent her dechning years in Trempealeau Village, where she died Feb. 20, 1909, at over 91 years of age. The daughter, Elizabeth, the subject of this sketch, followed the family fortunes until her marriage. Feb. 7, 1886, she married William E. Heald, who lived on a farm about a half mile from Trempealeau Village. Since his death, Feb. 6, 1916, she has Uved in Trempealeau Village with her only daughter, Gertrude Mae. Gertrude Mae Heald was born on the farm near Trempealeau Village, Oct. 26, 1886. After passing through the common schools she was graduated from the Trempealeau high school in June, 1906. Then for three years she taught in the rural schools of the county. In the fall of 1909 she entered the Winona Business College at Winona, and was duly graduated from the stenographic and bookkeeping departments. In 1910 she entered the employ of the Cooper & Graves Lumber Company at Trempealeau as bookkeeper; in 1913 she started work for the Galesville Lumber Company at Galesville; from the fall of 1914 to the fall of 1915 she was at home, and since then she has been with the Trempealeau Mercantile Company at Trempealeau.

Carl T. Carlson, who is successfully engaged in farming in section 19, Gale Township, was born in Esther Getland, Sweden, Nov. 9, 1870, son of Carl John and Johana M. (Flood) Carlson. His parents were born in the same province, the father in 1844, and the mother in 1846. Carl J. Carlson learned the trade of shoemaker in Sweden. He served in the regular army but otherwise followed his trade there until he came to America with his parents' family in 1880, they locating at Galesville. Here he continued at his trade for about seven years longer, at the end of which time he homesteaded the farm where his son Carl T. now lives. This place remained his home until his death, which occurred Nov. 3, 1905. His wife died July 3,1911. Their children were : Carl T., now on the old homestead ; August

M., residing in New York City; Ellen Elizabeth, who died at the age of 24 years in 1898; Oscar Robert of Wild Rose, N. D., who married Stilla Lindberg and has three children, Earl, Oscar and Eugene E., and John M., Marie and Alfred J.

Carl T. Carlson was the eldest of six children. He attended district school in Gale Township and worked out as a farm hand from the time he was 14 years of age, at times also working in the pine woods. His first employment was by Hiram Butman in Gale Township. About 1896 he purchased land in Polk County, of which he later sold a part, but still owns 80 acres of farm land there. Since the death of his parents Mr. Carlson has been a part owner of the old Carlson homestead, his brother, Alfred J., and his sister, Marie W., having an equal share with himself in it. The farm contains 200 acres, some of which is timbered land. It is operated as a stock and dairy farm and about 100 head of sheep are kept. Carl T. Carlson is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and a member of the Farmers' Shipping Association of Trempealeau County. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and in politics is independent.

Warner R. Shonat, a prominent citizen of Galesville, who until recently was closely identified with the agricultural development of the township, was born at Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, Nov. 20, 1869, son of George B. and Jeanette (Dewar) Shonat. His education, acquired chiefly in the district school, was supplemented by student work at Gale College, which he attended two winters. After that he resided on the parental homestead, assisting his father until 1894, when, on March 14, he was married to Mary Cook, who was born near Duplainville, Wis., daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Wilson) Cook. Her father, who was born in Scarboro, England, Nov. 6, 1829, was a merchant by occupation. After coming to America he settled in New York state, whence he came to Waukesha, Wis., at a time when the site of the present large and flourishing city of Milwaukee was but a swamp. After settling in Duplainville he engaged in business there as a merchant and was also postmaster of the village for a number of years, besides serving as justice of the peace. He died there June 20, 1876. His wife survived him many years, her death taking place at Pewaukee, Wis., May 10, 1905. Their daughter Mary was the fourth born in a family of five children, and was educated in the Lisbon school at Pewaukee, Wis. Warner R. Shonat after his marriage took charge of the home farm of his parents, which he purchased in June, 1894. He added to the improvements made on it by his father and developed it into a first-class piece of agricultural property, continuing to operate it until the spring of 1916, when he rented the farm and moved to Galesville. Here he had purchased a fine modern residence, formerly owned by his sister, together with five acres of land adjacent to the Arctic Springs Creamery. He is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. His farm consists of 180 acres of highly improved land. Mr. Shonat is a director in the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company of Trempealeau County, and is head officer of the reserve fund of the Order of Beavers, belonging also to the Yeomen. He is a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church and for about 14 years served as clerk of the

Mk. And Mrs. W. R. Shonat

Decorah Prairie school district. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. The family, of which he is a leading I'epresentative, has aided largely in the development of the agricultural resources of this part of Trempealeau County.

George Hull Squier of Trempealeau, Wis., whose name is inseparably connected with discoveries regarding the archaeology and geology of the "driftless area" of the upper Mississippi basin, was born in Southhold, Long Island, Oct. 15, 1849, son of the Rev. James and Eliza (Hull) Squier, who brought him to Wisconsin in 1851, to La Crosse County in 1853, and to Trempealeau Village in 1864. In the cultured atmosphere of the home of these good people, George H. was reared and early acquired habits of unselfish labor, strict economy and mental alertness. As a youth he was encouraged by his father in intellectual pursuits, and he early determined to devote his life to geology, archaeology, anthropology and paleology. With this end in view, after passing through the schools of Trempealeau, Galesville, Alton (111.) and Beaver Dam (Wis.), he entered Harvard University, where for three years he pursued geological and palaeological studies, in the meantime devoting his summers to field work in Kentucky, Virginia, New York and Maine. Failing health and financial limitations, however, forced him to abandon his university studies, so he returned to Trempealeau and engaged in dairying and poultry raising. In all the years that have passed since then, he has devoted a part of his time to research, investigation and writing along the lines of his favorite branches of science, and his work has caused certain features of this part of Wisconsin to become known to scholars throughout the world. Mr. Squier now lives in partial retirement in the village of Trempealeau. He is a quiet, courteous, scholarly gentleman of the old school, greatly revered in his own community and highly honored throughout the county. His more notable contributions to archaeology include "Certain Archaeological Features of Western Wisconsin" (Wisconsin Archaeologist, IV No. 2) ; "Archaeological Resources of Western Wisconsin" (Wisconsin Archaeologist, XIII No. 3) ; "Additional Archaeological Details, Remains of a French Post Near Trempealeau" (Wisconsin Historical Society Proceedings, 1915, pp. 113-117), and "The Geologic and Archaeological Features of Trempealeau County" (History of Trempealeau County, Dr. Pierce and Curtiss- Wedge, Winona, 1917). To geology they include "Erratic Pebbles in the Licking Valley of Kentucky" (Science, 1883, p. 436) ; "Studies in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin" (Journal of Geology, No. 1, Vol. V, 1897, No. 2, Vol. VI, 1898, No. 3, Vol. VII, 1899) ; "Peculiar Local Deposits on Bluffs Adjacent to the Mississippi" (Report of Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Vol. XVI, Part I). In 1880 Mr. Squier was engaged in a geological survey of the Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia for a projected railroad. The survey was to have occupied two years, but the failure of the company cut it short. Both himself and Prof. Shaler, who held the contract, were losers. In 1881 he was making surveys near Eastport, Maine. In 1882 he made a survey of the iron resources of the Licking Valley, Kentucky, for an iron company. He was recommended by Prof. Shaler about this time for a position on the United States Geological Survey. There chanced to be no vacancy at the time, and suddenly recurring illness caused him to abandon that career. Mr. Squier was married, June 29, 1882, to May Button, daughter of U. S. and Minerva Button, and descended from early New England stock, one of her ancestors being Roger Williams. Mrs. Squier was graduated in 1877 from the Mount Carrol Seminary, located at Mount Carrol, 111. To Mr. and Mrs. Squier has been born one son, Ulysses Button, who is now engaged in the railroad business in Chicago as traffic expert. He married Clara Belle Linard, Aug. 23, 1910, and has two children.

Rev. James Squier. It is a rather delicate task for a son to undertake to write of a father's life, and I have rather hesitated to attempt more than the barest outlines. Yet he was, I think, identified with the religious work of this part of the state for a longer time than any other, and in the conduct of the work he displayed characteristics which entitled him to a high place among the workers. Although the more strictly pioneer work was part of the history of La Crosse County, he was for nearly thirty-seven years a resident of Trempealeau - longer than in any other single locality. Since both himself, and all those, his contemporaries, who knew of his work, have passed away, I remain, myself, the only source of information concerning his life ; and since the substance of the article must be mine, it seems best that I should give it form and be directly responsible for its statements. The subject of this sketch was born in in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1808. His father had entered the state from Vermont when it was an unbroken forest, and an older sister was the first white child born in the vicinity. The life was, of course, that of the pioneer, and his boyhood training served to give him an intimate knowledge of woodcraft. He was converted in young manhood, and very soon felt himself called to the ministry. One of his first acts, after having settled on his future course, was typical of his life. He had bought and cleared a farm and was expecting to have cared for his parents in their declining years. Knowing that would not be possible under the new plan, he gave the farm to an older brother on condition that he would care for them. His decision made, he entered Madison (now Colgate) University in 1832 and graduated in 1838 (this included two years in theology). In the fall following his graduation he was ordained at Tyringham, Mass., and soon entered on his first pastorate at Sandisfield, Mass. In 1839 he married Eliza Hull, a teacher, and a descendant in the fifth generation of Hannah Dustan of Haverhill, Mass., whose capture by, and escape from the Indians during the "King Phillip" war, formed one of the stirring episodes of ej.rly Massachusetts history. (Abigail Hull, mother of Eliza Hull, was a resident of Trempealeau for a number of years, dying in 1882 in her one hundred and first year.) In 1840 he was paster in Bristol, Conn.; in 1842-6 in Tolland, Conn. In 1846 he had a very serious illness, and when suHiciently recovered went, by advice, to a fishing hamlet (also something of a summer resort), becoming pastor of a little church there. This place, Southhold, was on a narrow neck of land near the eastern end of Long Island. The life, much of it on the water, was very beneficial to him. It was here that the writer was born, in October, 1849. In 1850 he was pastor in "Head of

L. S. Sanders

Mystic," Conn. His illness had, however, left certain permanent effects which rendered it inexpedient that he enter the foreign field, which had up to this time been his purpose, and being possessed in large measure of the missionary spirit, his mind turned toward home missions. His wife's parents, and sister, had already located at Elgin, 111. Moving west in 1851, he soon located as pastor of the church in East Troy, Walworth County, Wis. It was about this time that the tide of emigration was turning toward the rich region of the La Crosse Valley, and a surprisingly large number of people from Walworth County were among the early settlers of La Crosse County. Among them were several of his friends and neighbors. In the summer of 1853 he visited the region, bought some land of the late George Edwards of La Crosse, a friend and neighbor who had preceded him by a year, and in September moved his family there. At this time a Baptist church had been but recently formed in La Crosse, and soon after one was formed in Sparta, but the extensive region lying between had no church organization, though there were a few scattered Baptists. To this region he undertook to minister. The demands on the Home Mission Society far exceeded their resources and he resolved not to apply to them. For six years he conducted this work without salary. This double burden of work was one that few would be willing to assume. That he was able to carry it alone may be ascribed to the severe school of his boyhood and the wise and devoted co-operation of his wife. The story of these years of work and privation would be well worth writing, but I will not attempt it.

The farm home was about a mile north of the present village of West Salem. The village, however, was not started until a few years later, after the construction of the Milwaukee road. The then village, known as Neshonoe, was on the La Crosse River, adjacent to the mills, from which the electric current used in West Salem is obtained. It is now only a memory. In the fall of 1859 he rented his farm and moved to Lewis Valley (La Crosse County, Mindoro, P. 0.), preaching there and at Melrose. In 1863 he became pastor at West Salem. The next year - 1864 - the Baptist church at Trempealeau was organized, and he, one of those present at the council, was invited to become pastor. He entered upon his duties during the summer, but did not remove his family until fall, our arrival being on Thanksgiving Day. He remained pastor until 1871, when he retired from the pastoral work. It was during his pastorate that the church building was erected, he himself meeting about half the cost. His death occurred in 1901. I think all who knew him intimately recognized his outstanding characteristics: his unswerving devotion to duty, and his unselfishness in his relations to others. He asked but little of the world and gave much. Simple and unaffected in manners, he was nevertheless a man of refined tastes, and of well trained scholarly mind. - (Written by Geo. H. Squier.)

Leland S. Sanders, efficient and popular cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau, and a prominent factor in the business and social life of the- village wherein he makes his home, was born in Friend, Neb., Feb. 22, 1891, the son of Charles M. and NeUie (Steward) Sanders. He passed through the graded schools of his native place, took a two years' in the Omaha (Neb.) high school, graduated from the Fairbury

(Neb.) high school, and then attended the Lake Forest College at Lake Forest, 111. In the meantime he had been considerably interested in banking, having started his connection with the financial interests by becoming a bank messenger at the age of thirteen, working in a bank at Daykin, Neb., evenings, mornings and Saturdays, while attending the graded schools. After leaving the institution at Lake Forest he took a position with the accounting department of the Ilhnois Central Railroad Company. But finding that railroad accounting was not exactly to his liking, he subsequently secured a position as assistant cashier of the Clarion Savings Bank, at Clarion, Iowa, where he remained until Jan. 1, 1916, when he came to Trempealeau to assume the duties of his present position. Here he has thoroughly identified himself with that modern movement which has brought renewed life to the historic village of Trempealeau, and has become one of that little group of men who are infusing enthusiasm and zest into the plans which have for their object the development of the village as a thriving business center. His work is also establishing the Citizens Bank as one of the leading financial houses of western Wisconsin. Mr. Sanders was married in Clarion, Iowa, June 17, 1914, to June M. Birdsail, daughter of Judge and Mrs. B. P. Birdsall, and to this union has been born one daughter, Ruth Sanders, March 30, 1915.

Judge B. P. Birdsall was born in Weyauwega, Wis., in 1865, and as a young man went to Iowa. He became prominent in law and poKtics, served in Congress as a representative from the Third Congressional District of Iowa for eight years, and was circuit judge of the Tenth Judicial District of Iowa for ten years.

Charles M. Sanders was born in Waukegan, 111., Aug. 23, 1861, and married Nellie Steward, who was born in Rockford, 111., March 26, 1866, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Steward. Charles M. Sanders engaged in the hardware business in Friend, Neb., for 25 years, and is now in the lumber business at Daykin, Neb.

Peter Crogan, a general farmer residing in section 4, Gale Township, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, Dec. 24, 1845, son of Patrick and Mary (Bropsom) Crogan. His parents were natives of the same county. The father was a farmer, who died in Ireland about 1859, and his wife subsequently came to the United States, settling in New Jersey, where her death took place about 1893. Peter Crogan was the fourth born in a family of 13 children. He attended school in his native land and resided on the home farm until he came to America in 1864. For five years he lived in New Jersey, working for others and then, hearing of opportunities to acquire land in the great Northwest, he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. He did not immediately acquire land, however, but for some years worked in Trempealeau and La Crosse Counties until 1878, at which time he bought his present farm of 160 acres. Here he has since made a number of improvements, having cultivated and developed the land and put up good buildings of substantial and modern construction. Mr. Crogan was married in 1877 to Mary Jane McCormick, who was born in La Crosse County, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Finon) McCormick. Her parents were born in Ireland and came to the United States, being early settlers.

in La Crosse County, where Mr. McCormick engaged in farming. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crogan are the parents of six children: Joseph, who is a railroad man and resides in Reedsburg, Wis. ; Lucy, who was educated in the schools of Trempealeau County and La Crosse, also at the Winona Normal School, and is now a teacher in Ettrick; Peter Benedick, who was drowned April 10, 1916, opposite Winona while automobile riding on a flooded roadway; Winnie, a stenographer at Grafton, N. D. ; Clement, who resides with his father, and one who died in infancy. The death of Peter Benedick during the flood of 1916 was a very sad event, his wife and two children perishing with him. It occurred at a spot where several others were drowned the same season. He was at the time opei'ating his father's farm, the latter having retired and taken up his residence in Winona. Owing to this accident Peter Crogan, having no other tenant, returned to the farm, where he has since remained. He and his wife are members of the CathoUc church. In politics he is independent.

William Henry Conrad, proprietor of a fine farm of 280 acres, 225 of which is in section 26, Gale Township and the balance across Black River in La Crosse County, was born on this farm Sept. 26, 1886, son of Frank and Allemania (Genske) Conrad. The father, a native of this township, was always a farmer, and moved onto this farm with his parents when about six or seven years of age. When he grew up it came into his possession and he developed it and made many improvements on it. Though not now operating the farm, he resides on it and is still very active. For five years he was a member of the township board, and also served some time as school director. His wife, who was born on shipboard while on the passage from Germany to the United States, is also living. Their only child was the subject of this skech.

William Henry Conrad was educated in the district school of his neighborhood. He worked for his father until he was 21 years old and then rented the farm and has since operated it on his own account, having done a profitable business. He was married Dec. 18, 1908, to Julia Ravnum, who was born in Gale Township, this county, daughter of Anton and Martha (Gilboe) Ravnum, both of whom were natives of Norway. Her father, who was a farmer, is now deceased, but her mother still resides on the old homestead in Gale Township. Anton Ravnum was born in Biri, Norway, and his wife in Gubrendal, that country, the former coming to this country when a young man and working out in this township until he settled on his own farm, which he developed and improved. He and his wife were married in Hardie's Creek Valley, Trempealeau County. He was a prominent man in the township, both he and his wife being highly esteemed. His death occurred Nov. 6, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have been the parents of five children: Laura Irene, Harvey William, Helen Margaret, Hazel Marie and Francis Alfred, Harvey W, and Helen M. being twins. Hazel M. died in infancy, but the others are still living and are residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Conrad is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than for the party. He is now serving in his sixth year as clerk of the school board of his district, and he served three years as township treasurer.

Hans Christiansen, proprietor of a shoemaking and repairing establishment, and also a dealer in saddlery and harness, in Ettrick, Wis., was born in Ringsaker, Haedmarken, Norway, Oct. 17, 1843, son of Christian Hanson and Roufe (Johnson) Hanson. His parents were natives of the same place or province, whei-e they lived many years, the mother dying in her native land. In 1866 Christian Hanson came to the United States, and locating at North Bend, Jackson County, there engaged in farming, which he carried on industriously up to his later years, his death taking place about 1892.

Hans Christiansen was his parents' only child. He had somewhat limited opportunities for attending school, but acquired the rudiments of knowledge, and at the age of 14 years began an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade, at which he became an expert workman. In 1868 he followed his father to America, and on arriving here at first settled on a farm at South Beaver Creek, about four miles from Ettrick. Until the fall of 1871 he worked out for othei's, and then, deciding to return to his trade, he came to Ettrick, and, opening a shop, engaged in shoemaking and repair work, in which business he has since continued, having also added a complete line of harness and saddlery supplies. When Mr. Christiansen first came to Ettrick there were only four buildings in the village and he has since witnessed its growth to a floui'ishing village of 300 people or more. He built his present store about 1905, a substantial building, conveniently located, and giving him plenty of room.

Mr. Christiansen was married in November, 1868, to Caroline Olson, who was born in his own native province in Norway, and who came to America at the same time that he did. Her parents, who died in Norway, were Ole Larson and Margaret Gunderson. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen are the parents of nine children : Helena, now Mrs. L. M. Larson, an attorney residing in Regina, Canada, where he is collection man for the International Harvester Company; Ole (deceased), at the time of his death he was interested in a large creamery at Long Prairie, Minn.; Robert (deceased), who was a prominent young lawyer of the county; in the spring of 1914 he was appointed by Governor LaFoUette as district attorney of Trempealeau County and in August that year he died, leaving a wife and two children ; Martha, now Mrs. Andrew C. Hagestad of Ettrick Township; Clara, wife of Rev. P. A. Hendrickson of Roanwood, Mont.; Melvin (deceased), who was assisting his father in business ; Helmer, who is now associated with his father in business at Ettrick ; Octavia, a stenographer at Fargo, N. D. ; Anna Amelia, a graduate nurse from the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, is now Mrs. E. J. Burke. They reside at LaSalle, 111., where Mr. Burke is a practicing physician. Mr. Christiansen has built up a good trade and is one of the prosperous citizens of the village of Ettrick. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

James 0. Halderson, president of the Halderson-Plummer Company, Incorporated, of Galesville, of which place he is one of the leading business men, was born in Harmony, Vernon County, Wis., Feb. 18, 1871, son of Albert and Mary (Gaarder) Halderson. He was educated in the common schools of Vernon County and remained at home until he was 20 years of age, when he became clerk in the furniture store of Joseph Polver at Viroqua, Wis. There he remained for three years, during the last year of which period he had full charge of the business, having mastered it in every detail. In 1894 Mr. Halderson came to Galesville and here estabhshed an up-to-date furniture and undertaking business, with Thomas Call as an equal partner, the style of the firm being Halderson & Call. Two years later their establishment was burned out, entailing a complete loss, but, undaunted, Mr. Halderson made a new start, this time alone and on a small scale, his place of business being located in the Button building. By hard work and upright deahng he built up a flourishing business, which increased steadily year by year. He now owns a fine store building, complete in every branch of the business, located on the corner of Ridge and Allen streets. This location he purchased from M. B. Parker and son Ervin in 1898. He has just built a tasteful modern residence north of his business block facing on Ridge street. In July, 1915, Mr. Halderson sold a half interest in the business to W. F. Plummer, and it was then incorporated as the Halderson-Plummer Company, with J. 0. Halderson, president; Mrs. J. 0. Halderson, vice-president; W. F. Plummer, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Halderson is a graduate of the Clark Embalming School of Chicago and of the Williams Embalming School of Oshkosh, Wis., and holds a state certificate as a thoroughly qualified funeral director. As a business man he has gained a reputation for honesty and reliability that is one of his most valuable assets. Aside from their furniture and undertaking departments, the Halderson-Plummer Company deal in pianos, organs, talking machines and other similar goods, keeping articles of standard merit. Mr. Halderson was married June 24, 1896, to Ellen Cook, who was born at Decorah Prairie, this county, July 25, 1870, daughter of David and Agnes (Henderson) Cook. Mrs. Halderson was graduated from the Galesville schools in 1888. For several terms she was a proficient teacher in the rural schools, and for a long period a clerk in the department store of Gilbertson & Myhre at Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. Halderson have two children : James Haskell, born June 2, 1899, who was graduated from Galesville high school in 1917, and Theresa Grace, born March 8, 1902, who is now a student in the high school. Mr. Halderson is a member of Decorah Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen.

Hans F. Claussen, one of the most prominent business men in the southeastern part of Trempealeau County, and a resident of the village of Ettrick, was born in Heide, Germany, Dec. 1, 1865, son of Peter H. and Anna (Messer) Claussen. His parents came to the United States with their family when he was five years old, in 1870, first locating in Chicago, where Peter H. Claussen worked one summer. Desiring better opportunities for advancement than he could find at once in the crowded city, he then came to Trempealeau County, Wis., and located on a farm near Frenchville, which is still known as the Claussen homestead and which is one of the best farms to be found in this part of the county, its development and improvement having been effected by him. There he and his wife are still living, though he is now retired from active work. Of their

Hans F. Claussen was educated in the district school at Frenchville, Gale Township, and at Gale University, now known as Gale College. He resided on his parents' farm until he was 22 years old and then became a clerk in the general store of Gilbertson & Myhre at Galesville, remaining in their employ for three years. At the end of that time, resolving to go into business for himself, he selected Elk Creek, in this county, as a suitable location and there conducted a store for four years. An opportunity then occurred for him to purchase the business of John Gilbertson at Frenchville, and he accordingly did so, improving the store by the erection of new buildings, his store building being 42 by 60 feet, two stories in height, with basement. A house for residence is connected with it. Here Mr. Claussen is doing a good business as general merchant, keeping a large and varied stock of goods to suit both village and country trade and ensuring a gradual increase of patronage by prompt service and honest dealing. This enterprise, however, prosperous though it is, is but one of those with which he is connected. He was one of the founders of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Galesville and its first vice-president. In 1911 he organized the Bank of Ettrick, of which he is at the present time president, devoting to this institution the greater part of his time ; and he is besides secretary and treasurer and a director of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now building ; acting treasurer of the Ettrick Creamery Company and treasurer of the Ettrick Telephone Company, also secretary and treasurer of the Ettrick Lumber Company, organized in 1917. Aside from his interests in these various enterprises he is the owner of real estate in Frenchville and land in Ettrick Township close to the corporation line of Ettrick Village. An independent Republican in politics, Mr. Claussen, while having no political aspirations, has at different times responded when called upon to serve in local office, and thus has served four years as treasurer of Gale Township and a similar length of time as chairman of the township board. He was married in June, 1892, to Anna Olson, who was born in Trempealeau County, daughter of Louis and Mary (Olson) Olson. Her parents, who are now deceased, were early settlers in Trempealeau County, coming here from Coon Valley, La Crosse County, where they lived for a short time, Mr. Olson's occupation was that of farmer, and he and his wife were worthy, reliable people, much respected in their vicinity. They had four children, their daughter Anna, now Mrs. Claussen, being the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Claussen's family circle has been enlarged by the birth of five children : Lucile P., who was educated in the local schools and at Red Wing Seminary and is now assistant cashier in the Bank of Ettrick ; Vesta M., Freda M., Peter H. and Ruth M., all of whom are residing at home. The Claussen family are members of the Lutheran church. They stand high in the community as people of sterling character and their circle of frienus and acquaintances is a wide one.

James E. Cance. One of the prosperous merchants of the village of Ettrick is James E. Cance, who was born in Ettrick Township, Dec. 22, 1864, son of Robert and Christine (Edmond) Cance. Scotland was the later served three terms as chairman of the board. At the age of twentytwo he was elected town clerk, a position in which he served for eleven years. In 1894 he was elected county treasurer, and in this capacity did such excellent service that he was re-elected in the fall of 1896. From 1882, the time of its organization, until 1894, he was secretary of the Pigeon Mutual Fire Insurance Company and was one of the important factors in its success. Upon retiring from public office he made his home in Whitehall until his lamented death March 5, 1901. Mr. Larson was married May 28, 1887, to Marie Skorstad, who was born near Vardahl, Christiania, Norway, Aug. 7, 1863, daughter of Christian and Ellen (Brostad) Skorstad, born in 1819 and 1821 respectively, came to America in 1868, and homesteaded a farm in section 27, town 23, range 7, Pigeon Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are the parents of three children: Chester Ernest, who was born April 15, 1894, and died April 30, of the same year; Mabel, who was born Aug. 20, 1896, and is now a student in domestic science in the Stout Institute at Menominee, Wis. ; and Owen Elmer, who was born April 13, 1899, and is now attending the Whitehall high school. Mr. Larson was one of two children. His brother Lars was born in 1852, married Ellen Johnson in 1876, and has three children : Edwin, a farmer of Jackson County, this state ; Emma, the wife of Knut Haugen, a farmer of Jackson County, and Lena, now Mrs. Severson, who lives near Neillsville, Wis. Mrs. Larson is the fifth of six children, the others being: Andrew (deceased), who married Petra Tennseth (deceased), and has one son, Casper; Ohve, who married Andrew Rye, a farmer of Taconite, Minn. ; Peter of Whitehall ; Carrie, who lives with her brother Anton ; and Anton, who is a merchant in York, Wisconsin.

Paul Nordhus, one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Ettrick Township, is, like many other successful agriculturists of this part of the county, of Norwegian birth, having been born in Hardanger, Norway, Oct. 28, 1859. son of Ole and Ingeborg (Tolafson) Nordhus, his parents being natives of the same locality. The father was a farmer and also postmaster of his town. He and his wife both died in Norway, never coming to this country.

Paul Nordhus, who was the seventh born in a family of nine children, attended school in his native land. At the age of 16 years he became a sailor and followed that vocation until 1882, in which year he came to the United States, locating in Beaver Creek Valley, Trempealeau County, Wis. Here he found employment in a sawmill and was thus occupied for six years. At the end of that time he went west, visiting Spokane, Wash., and other places and working as a stone mason for about 18 months. In the meanwhile he had saved money and now returned to Norway, desiring to see his native place once more. The United States possessed too strong an attraction for him to remain there long, however, and in 1891 he came back to this country and located on his present farm in section 12 East, Ettrick Township, the farm containing 280 acres of valuable land, on which he raises good crops, besides keeping a fair amount of stock. He is also financially interested as a stockholder in the Farmers Exchange of Blair, the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Ettrick Telephone Company and the Bank of Ettrick. Mr. Nordhus was married Feb. 6, 1894, to Betsey Davidson, who was born in Beaver Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, daughter of Rasmus and Anna (Johnson) Davidson. Her parents were natives of Hardanger, Norway, who came to America about 1875, settling on a farm in Jackson County, just across the hne from Trempealeau County, where Mr. Davidson died in 1908. His wife is still residing on the old farm. They were among the earliest settlers in that locality. Mrs. Nordhus, who was the third born of their six children, when a girl attended the Hegg schoolhouse in Ettrick Township, this county. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nordhus are six in number: Oscar Raymond, who is employed in the office of the St. L. & M. Railroad Company at Minneapolis ; Alina Ingeborg, now residing in Minneapolis, and Esther Josephine, Norma Jeanette, Emil James and Basil Philip, who are residing at home. Mr. Nordhus and his family are affiliated by membership with the United Lutheran Church, while his political principles are those of the Republican party. As a successful farmer and loyal citizen he is known and respected throughout this part of the county.

Thomas P. Nelsestuen, a successful farmer of section 34 W., Ettrick Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Jan. 8, 1876, son of Peter and Christiana (Hagestuen) Nelsestuen. His parents were natives of Norway. The father was born in Syndreland, that country, Oct. 3, 1838 ; his wife in Biri, Feb. 6, 1845. About 1860 they came to the United States, settling in Trempealeau County, and soon after on the farm where the subject of this sketch now lives, which Peter Nelsestuen cleared and improved and on which he resided until his death Feb. 6, 1914. His wife now resides in Beaver Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, with her daughter, Mrs. Sever Twesme. They had a family of eight children, of whom Thomas P. was the sixth born. The latter, after acquiring his education in the district school, was a student for awhile at Gale College, and for one year attended public school at Superior, Wis. He resided at home until he was 23 years old and then went to Westby, Vernon County, where he spent the winter. From there he went to North Dakota and then to Canada, locating in the province of Saskatchewan, where he proved up 160 acres of land, residing on it three years. He then went to Ross, N. D., and proved up a claim there, his residence being continued for 18 months. At the end of that time he returned home and bought the old homestead of his parents, consisting of 1331/^ acres, located at the mouth of French's Creek. Mr. Nelsestuen has added to the improvements on the farm, having put up a good barn and silo and done other work increasing the value of the property. He has disposed of his Canadian and North Dakota holdings, but is a stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company, the Scandinavian Insurance Company and the Ettrick Farmers' Telephone Company.

June 23, 1909, Mr. Nelsestuen was united in marriage with Julia Ofsdahl, who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Peter and Ingeborg (Holmen) Ofsdahl, whose parents were Norwegians, her father being born in Biri, Norway, Oct. 27, 1835, and her mother Feb. 1, 1835. Peter Ofsdahl had been previously married. He came to this country before the Civil War, in which he served as a soldier. His death took place Oct. 10, 1905, his wife surviving him a little over a year, passed away May 13, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Nelsestuen are members of the Lutheran Church; in politics he is a Republican. The children of Peter Nelsestuen and wife are : Ole of Thief River Falls, Minn. ; Tillie, widow of Siver Twesme ; Minnie, now Mrs. H. Gangnon of Superior, Wis.; Clara, now Mrs. Lewis Twesme of Superior, Wis. ; Peter of South Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township ; Thomas P., subject of this sketch, and John and Otto of Minneapolis.

Mathias T. Pederson. Among the foreign born citizens of Trempealeau County the Norwegians take a prominent place for their industry and enterprise and the large measure of success which has accompanied their efforts to establish a home and improve their fortunes in this, the land of their adoption. An excellent type of this class is the subject of this sketch, Mathias T. Pederson, who was born in Rinsager, Norway, Sept. 9, 1864. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Larson) Pederson, natives of the same province, emigrated to the United States with their family in 1873, settling on a farm about three miles and a half from Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wis., where they remained about 18 months. Thomas Pederson was then about 35 years old, and his wife some six or seven years younger. Following their residence on the farm, Mr. Pederson, the father, engaged in the shoemaking business in Ettrick, taking as a partner Hans Christianson, the firm both manufacturing and repairing boots and shoes. In this work he continued until his death, Jan. 12, 1884 which took place at the Wisconsin House in La Crosse, where he was taking treatment for a physical ailment. His wife died Oct. 15, 1909.

Mathias T. Pederson was the eldest of his parents' nine children. He attended district school in Ettrick Township and when a lad of from 10 to 12 years old began working out during the summers, and continued to do so, living at home in the winter, until he was 20 years of age. His father then died and he subsequently helped his mother to support the family until his own marriage, being then employed with a team in gathering cream for the Ettrick Creamery. He had previously purchased a lot on which he later erected a barn, and not long after that, or about a year after his marriage, he purchased a residence property. After hauling cream for about five years Mr. Pederson engaged in the pump and windmill business in Ettrick, doing contract work and sinking all kinds of wells. This work was interrupted by intervals of service in public office as sheriff, during which time he rented his equipment to his brother and brother-inlaw. He served as township treasurer in 1897-98, as under sheriff in 1905-06, and as sheriff in 1907-08, also acting as constable for a number of years until he declined any longer to serve. He has also for a number of years been a member of the board of education, of which body he is at the present time the treasurer. Besides pumps and windmills he deals in gasoline engines, U. S. cream separators and steam and hot water heating plants, doing an extensive and profitable business. Mr. Pederson built his present commodious residence in 1910 and also owns other real estate, both within and without the village limits. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick and a member of the examining board, a stockholder in

Ettrick Hall, in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, of which he is vice-president; also a stockholder in the Ettrick Telephone Company and in the Ettrick Lumber Company, of which latter concern he was one of the incorporators. These various interests make large demands on his time, the greater part of which, however, is given to his pump and windmill business.

June 27, 1891, Mr. Pederson was united in marriage with Agnes Erickson, who was born in Biri, Norway, daughter of Evan and Frederica (Olson) Erickson, both natives of the same district in Norway. The Erickson family came to this country in 1871, settling in Ettrick Township, near the Gale Township line, where Mr. Erickson engaged in farming. He is still living there, but is now 83 years old and retired. His wife died on the home farm about 1901 or 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have a family of eight children: Thomas E., a farmer at Mobridge, S. D. ; Fred M., who resides at home and is assisting his father ; Myrtle, a teacher in the schools of Trempealeau County ; Agnes, who is attending the Galesville high school; Palmer L., a graduate of Galesville high school, class of 1917 ; Silas Clarence, Thelma L. and Otis K., residing at home. Mr. Pederson and his family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church at Ettrick. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, being banker for his lodge, and is a member of the board of managers of the Beaver lodge. As a good citizen, progressive and pubhc spirited, he has at heart the general interests of the community in which he lives and has taken part in many practical measures for its advancement. He has attained a comfortable position in. life through his own energy and business acumen, and is one of the substantial and respected citizens of his village and township.

Duncan Grant, a prosperous agriculturist operating a farm of 274 acres in section 5-32 E, Gale Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Feb. 1, 1870, son of Duncan and Elizabeth (Dick) Grant. His parents were natives of Ayrshire, Scotland, the father born March 5, 1837, and the mother about 1847. Duncan Grant, the elder^ came to America in 1851, locating first in Kentucky, in which state he resided three or four years, and then came to Trempealeau County, Wis. He was married in Gale Township and settled on the farm now owned by his son and namesake, and engaged in agriculture. Here he resided until 1913, when he took up his residence with his son-in-law, Andrew Cook, of Gale Township, where he is now Uving. His wife died about 1881. They were the parents of eight children.

Duncan Grant, the second of the name, was the fourth born child in his parents' family. He attended the Grant school in district No. 7, Gale Township, and was at an early age initiated into agricultural work, being set to work as soon as he could handle a team. Before he was of age he took charge of the farm and has since operated it, becoming its owner by purchase when he was 29 years old. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is doing a large and profitable business. He is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, the Farmers Exchange Elevator and the La Crosse Packing Company. April 25, 1906, Mr. Grant was married to Henrietta Lowner, a native of Holland and daughter of Martin and Helen (Bymers) Lowner. Her parents, who were both born in Holland, came to the United States about 1893, locating near Amsterdam, in La Crosse County, where Mr. Lowner found employment on farms, and where he died about 1902. His wife now resides at Council Bay, that county. They had seven children, Henrietta being the fourth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Grant are the parents of four children: Helen Elizabeth, Russell Vernon, Thomas Glenn and Arvilla May. He belongs to the order of Beavers and in politics is an independent Republican.

Peter J. Pederson, who is the owner of a good dairy farm of 160 acres in section 35 west, Ettrick Township, was born in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., May 11, 1870, son of John and Agnes (Lindahl) Pederson. His parents were among the hardy Norwegian settlers of this county, and were both born in Biri, Norway, the father Feb. 2, 1848, the mother Nov. 12, 1849. The former came to America in 1859, locating in Coon Valley Wisconsin. Early in the Civil War he enlisted in Company K, 25th Wisconsin Regiment, but after serving for awhile was mustered out on account of sickness. On his recovery he re-enlisted as a substitute and served until the end of the war. He then settled in Vernon County, where he bought land and married, residing there until 1875, in which year he removed to Trempealeau County, taking the farm on which his son Peter J. now lives. Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death Aug. 22, 1914. His wife died No. 12, 1908. Their family consisted of the following children: Martha, wife of Chris Skunberg, residing at French Creek, this county; Peter J., subject of this sketch; Carrie, deceased; a child who died in infancy, and Anton, who is unmarried and resides with his brother Peter.

Peter J. Pederson acquired his education in the district school. He resided at home and when 18 years of age took the management of the farm, operating it until about 1910. Subsequently he bought out the heirs to the estate and now has 160 acres of valuable land, on which he has put on all improvements, and is conducting it as a first class dairy farm. Mr. Pederson is a stockholder in the creamery and in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad. He was married May 27, 1896, to Sena Husman, who was born in Biri, Norway, daughter of Olie and Marit (Forgerson) Husman. Her parents were born in Fauberg, Norway, the father Nov. 23, 1842, and the mother in Ayr, Norway, Sept. 27, 1841. They came to America in 1885 locating in Coon Valley, Vernon County, but in the same year came to Trempealeau County, Mr. Husman farming for many years on French Creek, where he and his wife are now living retired. They celebrated their golden wedding June 15, 1917. They were the parents of eight children, Sena being their fourth born. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have three children: Joseph, born Dec. 2, 1897; Orrin, born Sept. 6, 1900, and Arthur Miner, born March 6, 1910, all residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church. In political matters Mr. Pederson votes independently, judging of issues and men as the occasion arises and not being bound to any party. As a successful farmer and good citizen he is known and respected throughout this part of the county.

John P. Poss, a well known farmer operating 200 acres of land in section 32 E, Gale Township, was born in this township, Dec. 13, 1873, son of

Peter and Barbara (Happel) Poss. Peter Poss was born in Milwaukee, Dec. 25, 1849, and came to Trempealeau County with his parents when a child of three years, they locating on a farm in Gale Township. After growing to manhood he followed farming for himself in this township until 1904, at which time he sold the farm to his sons, and is now living retired at Houston, Minn. His wife, who was born in Germany Dec. 31, 1850, died Aug. 11, 1904. They wei-e the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest.

John P. Poss in his boyhood attended the Grant school in Gale Township and resided on a farm adjoining his father's until 1904, in which year, on January 6, he was married to Louise Wohlers. She was born at Brownville, Minn., daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Depthner) Wohlers, who were married in La Crosse County. Her parents were born in Germany, the father Aug. 18, 1838, and the mother Aug. 9, 1847. Mr. Wohlers came to the United States about 1868, taking a farm in Houston County, on which he and his wife are still living. They had a large family, numbering 11 children, Mrs. Poss being the sixth in order of birth. At the time of his marriage Mr. Poss began operations of his present farm, where he has since remained, being engaged in general farming, including stock raising. He is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in the Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111. He and his wife have four children : Pearl Barbara, Le Roy Henry, Gladys Winifred and Anna Elizabeth. Mr. Poss is independent in politics. He has taken no active part in local government and as a good citizen is interested in the advancement of the community in which he lives, and ready to support any practical movement for that purpose.

Nels Pederson, the present postmaster of Galesville, who is also interested in several important business enterprises here, was born in Hedemarken, Norway, Dec. 16, 1850. His parents, Peder Nelson and Martha Halverson, never came to America, but died in their native land, Norway. Nels Pederson was obliged to support himself when he was 13 years of age. For three years he worked on the farm of one of his uncles, and then found employment in a store as clerk, being thus occupied three years. Afterwards he worked nine years in factories devoted to the woodworking industry, two years in Sweden and six years in Germany. From the latter country he came in 1883 to the United States, locating at once in Winona, Minn., where he found work in a wagon factory. He continued in this occupation for nine years, and then, in 1892, became registrar of deeds for Winona county. After serving one term in this office he came to Galesville and engaged in the retail liquor business, remaining in it for 16 years. Since then he has served as village clerk, and in other offices, receiving his appointment as postmaster July 1, 1915. In p'olitics he is a Democrat.

Julius 0. Tappen, proprietor of the old Tappen homestead in section 24, Preston Township, was born in Solar, Norway, Oct. 24, 1854, son of Ole 0. and Elizabeth (Embretson) Tappen. The father, who was born in Norway in 1816, came to America in the fall of 1857 and resided one year in Vernon County, Wisconsin. He then bought a farm in what is now known as

Tappan Coulie, Preston Township, Trempealeau County, where he lived six years. At the end of that time he purchased the farm on which his son Julius 0. now Uves, and spent the rest of his life in its cultivation and improvement. His death took place on this farm, Jan. 3, 1905. His wife Elizabeth, who was born in 1815, died in 1910. Their family consisted of the following eight children : Ole Olson, who was killed in Kentucky in the Civil War ; Evert Olson, also a soldier in the Civil War, who was killed by a desperado at New Lisbon ; Karen, who died in 1857 at the age of 16 years ; Olea, who married Gunder Peterson, a farmer of Preston Township, and died in 1911; Serena, wife of Paul Strum, a farmer residing near Blair; Julius 0. of Preston Township ; Annie, who died at the age of three years, and Alex C, a resident of Springwater, Saskatchewan, Canada. Julius O. Tappen was brought up to farm life and labor and for a number of years when a young man worked on farms in the summer and in the pineries during the winter. In this manner he was occupied until 1884, in which year he purchased the home farm of his parents and has since been engaged in its cultivation. The property contains 100 acres and is well improved. Mr. Tappen is engaged in general farming and dairying, also in breeding Percheron horses, having two good stallions, which latter business he began in 1904. Mr. Tappen was married Nov. 11, 1881, to Mary Olson of Preston Township, who was born in Norway Sept. 22, 1852. Her parents were Ole Nelson, who was born in Greue, Solar, Norway, and Bertha Ericsdatter Void. They came to America in 1872, settling in Trempealeau Coulie, this county, where the father died in 1888 and the mother in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Tappen are the parents of eight children : Oscar, residing at home ; Bendt, who married Esther Johnson and lives at Springwater, Saskatchewan ; Olaus, living at Courtney, N. D. ; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Thurston of Courtney, N. D. ; Eddie of Alma Center, Wis.; John, residing at home; Alfred of Canada and Morris at home.

son of Walter and Frances (Grossman) Pinorsky, who were married in Germany. The father was born in Russia and the mother in Posen, Germany. Walter Pinorsky died when the subject of this sketch was but two years old, and his widow subsequently married Martin Borroski. Both her first and second husbands were meat cutters.

Mike Pinorsky learned the meat cutter's trade with his stepfather. In May, 1906, he left his native land for America, and coming directly to Trempealeau county, took up his residence in the home of an uncle, Frank Grossman, his mother's brother. Here he remained, working on his uncle's farm, for one year, during which time he apphed himself to learning the Enghsh language, which task he accomphshed fairly well. He then took a position as cutter in a meat shop in Arcadia, remaining there until the fall of 1911. At that time he came to Trempealeau Village and began work as cutter in a meat market here. In the fall of 1914 he bought the old Graves & Atwood store building on the corner of West Second street and Main street, Trempealeau Village, and fitted it up as a first class market, beginning business for himself. He has since built up a large patronage.

and though he has no competition in the village he keeps the best stock and aims to give perfect satisfaction to his customers. Besides working hard to advance his own prosperity, he takes a keen interest in the general well-being of the community and is always ready to join with his neighbors in promoting any worthy enterprise. He has no relations in this country except a cousin at Arcadia and a step-brother, Anton Pinorsky, who is a farmer at Waumandee, Wis. He was married Jan. 24, 1917, to Hedwig Kupferschnidt, who was born in Germany Feb. 21, 1889, and came to America in 1909.

Abraham Pittenger, a pioneer, was born near Mansfield, in Richland County, Ohio, May 24, 1802, descended from sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. He was reared to farm pursuits and as a young man learned the blacksmith trade, to which two occupations he devoted his time in his native state until 1854. In that year he came west to Wisconsin and located at Onalaska, in La Crosse County. For a while he did various work at his trade, including the installing of the machinery in the historic Nicholas mill at the mouth of the Black River. In 1857 he settled on a homestead on Brice's Prairie, on the Black River, and began its improvement by erecting a seven-room house, consisting of an upright and a wing, a very good house for those days. By pre-empting an adjoining tract, and purchasing other land, he added to his holdings until he owned 420 acres. He sold 120 of this, and of the remainder developed 220 acres, leaving 80 acres in timber. In 1875 he came to Trempealeau County and purchased a farm two miles north of Trempealeau Village. There he lived in peace and contentment until his death Sept. 1, 1888. He will long be remembered for his activity in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a class leader and a member of the official board, gave land from his La Crosse County farm for a church and a cemetery, and was liberal in its support. He was also prominent in the affairs of the church at Trempealeau. Mr. Pittenger was married at Mansfield, Ohio, in 1821, to Eleanor Ferguson, who died in 1845, leaving ten children. He was married April 24, 1849, to Lucy Rand Barnes of Mansfield, Ohio, who died March 12, 1906, and to this union were born five children. Three were born in Mansfield, Ohio, Thomas J., July 27, 1850; Joseph Benson, April 18, 1852, and Lucy E., Sept. 3, 1853. Benjamin F. was born Nov. 16, 1855, at Onalaska, Wis ; Luther M. was born March 7, 1859, on Brice's Prairie, La Crosse County, Wis. Luther M. is the only one living, the others, except Thomas J., having died in childhood.