Vernon County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches (2 of 6 so headed), 1884

Peter O. Brye, is a native of Norway, and came to Racine Co., Wis., in August, 1849. He remained there one year, and then moved westward to liad Ax (now Vernon) county, in the fall of 1850. Repassed over the present site Of Viroqua on the 31st of October, and from' there went straight to the Kickapoo timber. He worked there the following winter, and in the spring rafted the logs down the Kickapoo and Mississippi rivers as far south as Quincy, 111. He made his home in the town of Viroqua until June 27, 1857, when he joined his brother in Hamburg town. He lived there until the spring of 1859, when he was persuaded to move over the line into what is now the town of Coon, for the purpose of assisting in the organization of the new town. The inhabitants were mostly Norwegians, and did not understai.d English, and Mr. Brye enjoying the knowledge of that tongue, was elected to the most imjiovlant town offices, in April, 1859. He was re-elected to the same offices each succeeding year until 1807. In the fall of 1866, he resigned his offices, and rejoined his brother Knudt Olson, in Hamburg town, with whom he has .*incc made his home. Mr. Brye devotes his attention and money to the selling of lands.

Lars Finstad was born in Norway in 1823, and emigrated to the United States in the year 1853, and settled in Hamburg on section 28. That same year he entered eighty acres, \\ hich he has since increased to 150 acres.

Mr. Finstad was married in 1845, to Hellena Scholl, by whom he has had eleven children, five of whom are now living - Hans, Christian, Edward, Mebin B. and Jane. Christian is now married to Ella Johnson, and three chihh'en have been given to them.

Hon. George W. Swain, who located in the town of Hamburg in 1863, was born in the Granite State, in 1824. He theie received a good common school education, and in 1845, removed to the adjoining State of Vermont, where he resided for eight years. In 1853, he came west to Dane Co., Wis., and ten years later settled in this town. He purchased a saw-mill and 240 acres of land, lying on sections 28, 14 and 0, from Messrs. Chase and Lyttle, and in 1866, surveyed and platted the village of Chaseburg. Mr. Swain was in 18*70 a county supervisor. He is a strong republican in politics, and in 1878 was tlie nominee of liis party for State senator, against A. D. Chase, the candidate of both the democratic and greenback parties. Mr. Swain was elected by a handsome majority. He still owns the saw-mill and carries on a large business in getting out wagon and plow stuff and hard-wood lumber. He also owns the only hotel in the village. Mr. Swain was united in marriage, in 1849, to Hannah Chase. They have reared four children - Josiah B., who married Mary Lattimer, Cora E., wife of Frank E. Aiken, Allie L. and Nellie J. Mrs Swain was born in New Hampshire, in 18-'5, and when five years of age accompanied her parents to Vermont. Sbe was there married to our subji.ct, and in 1863, came to the town of Hamburg with the honor of being the first American woman in the town. Her daughter Nellie was the first American child born in the town.

parents removed to Putnam Co., Ind., where they remained till 1851, when they moved to LaCroPse Co., Wis., and setled in what is called the "Ramsey Cooley," where .Mr. Markle remained until he was called to defend his country in 1861. He then enlisted in the 2d regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, company B, and was discharged in 1864. Mr. Markle was wounded at the battle of South Mountain in the left arm and at the battle of the wilderness was wounded in the right arm. In 1867, Mr. Markle came to the village of Chaseburg, where he has carried on the business of blacksmithing and manufacturing wagons, and now owns sixty-two acres of land on section 28, also a house and three lots and a smith wagon and paint shop in the village of Chaseburg Mr. Markle was married in 1869, to Neoma J. Maxwell, of Vernon county, who has borne him four children - Berthier E., Claud O. and Cora B. Charles died in 1883. Mr. Markle's father, George Markle, was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and now resides in LaCrosse Co., Wis. His mother, Elizabeth Markle, is also a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1818, and is now living in La- Crosse Co., Wis.