Elmer L. Immell,
live stock dealer and automobile agent of Blair, has seen considerable
public life. From 1889 to 1893, under President Benjamin H. Harrison,
he was postmaster at Blair. From 1901 to 1903 he was sheriff of
Trempealeau County. From 1903 to 1908 he was deputy State game warden.
Since its organization he has served on the village council all except
four years, and during a part of this period he was president of that
body. He has also been village treasurer and township treasurer. In all
of these positions he has done most excellent work, and has
demonstrated his efficiency and ability in whatever line of effort he
has been called upon to undertake. He was born in Alma Township,
Jackson County, Wis., May 10, 1863, son of Francis M. and Anna
(Storley) Immell, and spent his boyhood on the farm, coming to Blair
with his parents in 1876. For a number of years he was occupied in
drilling wells and installing pumps and windmills. During this period
he operated a number of steam threshers. Gradually he became interested
in stock buying, in which line he has since continued. In 1910 he
purchased the hardware store of A. B. Peterson. In 1913, having sold
this establishment, he became treasurer and part owner of the Whitehall
Auto Sales Company, of Whitehall, assuming the position of agent at
Blair. He has built up a good business and is widely known for his
honorable dealing. Fraternally, Mr. Immell is connected with the Modern
Woodmen and the Beavers. He was married Nov. 19, 1885, to Rose
McKivergin, and this union has been blessed with four children: Hugh
E., who is in the hardware business in Appleton, Wis.; Russell H., who
is at home; Clinton B., who is a student at the La Crosse Normal
School, and Ralph M., who is studying law in the University of
Wisconsin.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," pages 392 - 393
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Omer F. Immell,
hustling agent for the New York Life Insurance Company, was born on a
farm three miles east of Blair, April 22, 1872, son of Francis M. and
Anna (Storley) Immell. Francis M. Immell was born in Ohio, came to
Wisconsin in 1851, lived at Black River Falls four years, came to
Trempealeau County in 1856, located three miles east of Blair, and
there lived until he moved to the village, where he died in 1913, his
good wife having passed away the previous year. Omer F. Immell started
out for himself while a boy in his early teens. As a youth he did farm
work. For several years he was a clerk in the Farmers' Trading
Association store at Blair. For one year he traveled for the Ramer
Candy Company, of Winona, and for six years for the Winona Candy
Company, of that city. Later he traveled seven years for the Kratchwil
Candy Company, of La Crosse. In 1913, he established at Blair, the
Immell Bait Company for the manufacture of the "Chippewa Bait." Jan.
25, 1915, he accepted his present agency. In this capacity he has
several times led the State organization in number of applications
obtained, and in February and March, 1915, he led the district
comprising Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and a part of Canada. The
enclosed extract, taken from a journalistic source, is a well-merited
tribute to his ability in the line of industry he follows: "O. F.
Immell, agent for the New York Life Insurance Company, has the honor of
being one of seven to win a vice-presidency in what is termed by the
company the $100,000 class. To be in this class an agent must sell over
$100,000 worth of insurance. Mr. Immell came close to doubling this
figure, selling a total of $183,000 worth of insurance for the year
(1917). By so doing he automatically elected himself a delegate from
this district to the convention of that company at Atlantic City, which
is held Thursday and Friday of this week. Mr. Immell has worked hard
for this honor and only a close attention to this business, coupled
with the fact that he is well posted on insurance matters and
represents one of the best companies, enabled him to win. The company
has this to say of him: 'He has the honor of having a larger volume,
$183,000, than any other official in the club. He is so close to the
$200,000 club that we shall expect to see him there without fail one
year from now.' " Mr. Immell was married Jan. 1, 1895, to Margaret
McKivergin, a native of Trempealeau County, daughter of James
McKivergin. This union has resulted in two children: Orrie and Florence.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," pages 628 - 629
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Gustave M. Instenes,
who is engaged in operating the old Instenes farm in section 26,
Chimney Rock Township, was born on this farm April 24, 1888, son of
Sven and Ragnil (Rosgaard) Instenes, who had settled in this township
in 1874. Reared on the homestead, he became familiar with every branch
of agricultural work, and was associated with his father until his
death, since which time he has operated the farm alone, acquiring it by
purchase in February, 1914. On Dec. 30, 1914, he was married to Elise
Haakenson, who was born in Chimney Rock Township, April 21, 1882,
daughter of John and Eli (Erickson) Haakenson. Her father, born in
Soler, Norway, Aug. 26, 1846, died Dec. 4, 1891. Her mother, also a
native of that place, born March 11, 1852, is still living on the old
homestead. Mrs. Gustave M. Instenes, who received a good education,
taught school for fourteen years and a half. The Instenes farm is a
well improved and productive piece of property and is kept up to a high
standard of value. Mr. Instenes has served as school clerk for three
years. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church of
America.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," page 633
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John S. Instenes,
who is successfully operating the old Instenes farm of 200 acres in
Ettrick Township, was born on this farm June 20, 1876, son of Sever and
Anna (Instenes) Instenes. In his boyhood he attended the Beach school
in Ettrick Township. Brought up on the home farm, he assisted his
father in its operation, but at intervals was away from home, working
elsewhere. On his father's death in 1906 he came into possession of the
farm, on which he has made a number of valuable improvements, and now
has very good buildings, including a nice modern residence. Besides
carrying on general farming on a profitable basis, he is interested
financially as a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, the Ettrick
Telephone Company and the Farmers Exchange of Blair. On May 28, 1908,
Mr. Instenes was united in marriage with Anna Herreid, daughter of
Tosten G. and Ragnhild (Bue) Herreid, prosperous farming people of
section 17, Ettrick Township. He and his wife are the parents of two
children: Evelyn Jeanette, born Aug. 29, 1912, and Spencer Thomas, born
Jan. 2, 1916. They have also an adopted daughter, Clara Olive, born May
11, 1906, who is attending school. The family are members of the
Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Instenes is independent in politics. He
is a member of the order of Beavers, and is an enterprising
agriculturist, widely known and respected.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," page 542
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Lewis O. Instenes,
who is prosperously engaged in the jewelry business in Blair,
Trempealeau County, is a native of this county, having been born in
Ettrick Township, Nov. 25, 1880, son of Sever and Anna (Instenes)
Instenes. He was educated in the district schools and spent his early
life on his parents' farm. Graduating from the Minneapolis School of
Watchmaking in 1905, he acquired experience by working in various shops
until he came to Blair in 1907. Here he bought out the jewelry stock of
Ed. Bersing and established his present business. He handles a general
line of jewelry, does expert watch repairing, and also deals in clocks,
silverware, Edison phonographs and similar goods. He has built up a
good trade and won the confidence of his patrons by honest dealing and
courteous attention to their wants. Thus established on a firm basis,
his future prospects are as favorable as his present prosperity is
gratifying. Mr. Instenes was married Oct. 5, 1910, to Nettie Dale, who
was born in Ettrick Township, Jan. 12, 1885, daughter of Sam and
Catherine (Herreid) Dale. Her father, a native of Norway, was a pioneer
of Ettrick Township, and is now carrying on business, as a stock buyer
in Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. Instenes have two children: Stanley LeRoy,
born Sept. 2, 1911, and Ardyce Catherine, born March 22, 1916.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," pages 542 - 543
++++++++++++
Sever Instenes,
who was for many years a well known and successful farmer of Ettrick
Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Oct. 23, 1848, son of Johanes
and Anna (Brovald) Instenes. Johanes and his family came from Norway in
1861, and first located in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he remained
one year. As he was born March 20, 1824, he was then a man of about 37
years, and in the prime of life. Coming from Dane to Trempealeau
County, he settled on a farm in Ettrick Township, where nearly 20 years
later his wife Anna died, on Jan. 7, 1882. There he continued to reside
for 28 years longer, or until his death, which occurred March 21, 1910.
He was a sturdy pioneer farmer, who accepted conditions as he found
them and did his share in developing the agricultural resources of his
township. Sever Instenes was a youth of 14 years when he came to this
country. He was reared on the home farm, acquiring a good knowledge of
agriculture from practical experience, and following it when young
under pioneer conditions. In time he succeeded to the possession of the
farm which his father had homesteaded, and which he still further
improved, operating it successfully until his death, Jan. 14, 1906. On
Oct. 22, 1872, he was united in marriage at Roche a Cri, Adams County,
Wis., to Anna Instenes, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, Nov. 26,
1854. She is still living on the old farm, making her home with her son
John S., who is its present owner. Sever and Anna Instenes were the
parents of three children: Anna, John S. and Lewis O. Anna, who was
born Nov. 13, 1873, was married June 4, 1898, to Albert Saed, a
resident of Ettrick Township, this county, and has two children:
Althord Sulliven, born June 29, 1904, and Adella (Corinthia), born July
23, 1906. John S., born June 20, 1876, is now, as previously mentioned,
operating the old homestead. Lewis 0., born Nov. 25, 1880, is a
jeweler, residing in Blair.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," pages 541 - 542
++++++++++++
Sven Instenes,
who for many years was a well known farmer and popular citizen of
Chimney Rock Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Feb. 4, 1845, son
of Lars and Anna Instenes. In 1861 he accompanied his parents to the
United States, the family settling in Adams County, Wisconsin, where
they remained until 1874. They then came to Trempealeau County, Lars
Instenes homesteading the northwest corner of section 23, Chimney Rock
Township, where he made his home until his death June 2, 1899. Sven
Instenes was well trained in agricultural methods in his youth and was
29 years old when he started in for himself, homesteading the northwest
quarter of section 26, Chimney Rock Township, in 1874. From that time
until his death, Feb. 21, 1913, a period of 39 years, he resided on
that farm, cultivating the soil, raising stock and performing other
farm duties connected with the development of his place. He was
industrious and successful and was well liked and respected by his
neighbors as a man of good qualities and a reliable citizen. April 9,
1871, Sven Instenes was united in marriage with Ragnil Rosgaard, who
was born in Numedahl, Norway, March 18, 1852. They had eight children,
of whom one is now deceased, the family record being briefly as
follows: Anna, who married Sam P. Solfast, a farmer of Chimney Rock
Township; Lars, who died Aug. 9, 1911; Otis, who is farming in Velva,
N. D.; Albert, Robert and Helmer, who are all three farming in McCabe,
Mont. Gustave, residing on the old homestead in Chimney Rock Township,
and Henry, who is also a farmer in this township. Mr. Instenes served
as treasurer and director of the school board for nine years and was
also nine years township supervisor. Mrs. Instenes resides on the old
farm with her son Gustave.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," page 633
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James Irvine,
for many years a prominent citizen of Trempealeau County, was born in
Maryland, in 1853, and early determined to devote his life to farm
pursuits. When a mere lad he accompanied his parents to this county,
and here grew to manhood. As soon as he was able he acquired land and
was soon numbered in the ranks of the successful agriculturists of the
county. At different times he owned and operated various farms here
until the spring of 1911, when he moved to the vicinity of Bowman, S.
D., and engaged in farming and stock raising there. While living in
Gale Township he served a number of years as township treasurer and as
a member of the school board. His wife, Agnes Dick, was the first white
child born at Decorah Prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine were the parents of
five children: John Quinton, Nellie (deceased), William Walter, Myrtle
Beatrice and Rose Irene.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," page 358
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John Quinton Irvine.
The name of Irvine is familiar to those acquainted with the
agricultural development of Trempealeau County, as for many years
members of the family have been engaged here in the tilling of the
soil, in stock raising, or kindred occupations. The subject of this
sketch was born at Decorah Prairie, in Gale Township, Sept. 7, 1877,
oldest of the five children of James and Agnes (Dick) Irvine. In his
boyhood he attended the district school at Decorah Prairie, there
acquiring the elements of knowledge before settling down to the more
serious business of life. His first 25 years were spent on the parental
homestead as his father's assistant, and he then came to his present
farm in section 23, which contains 160 acres, and on which he has made
practically all the improvements. His buildings are modern and well
constructed and he has an ample supply of tools and implements for both
general and dairy farming, to which he devotes all his time.
June 4, 1902, Mr. Irvine was united in marriage with Tillie Olson, who
was born in Pickwick, Minn., fifth of the eleven children of Thomas and
Sarah Olson. The other children were Mattie (deceased), Rena, Oluf,
Ida, Tommy, Hannah, Helmer, Eddie, Hilda and an unnamed infant. The
parents, who were born in Norway, came to Minnesota at an early date
and are still residing in the vicinity of Pickwick. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine
have had two children. The first born died in infancy. The other,
Thomas James, born Dec. 16, 1904, is attending school. Mr. and Mrs.
Irvine are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a
Republican.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," page 358
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Alva E. Isom,
a successful and well-known farmer living on 160 acres of well-improved
land in section 17, Sumner Township, is a native of this state, having
been born at Black Earth, Oct. 17, 1880, son of David and Emma (Elwood)
Isom. He was educated in the schools of his neighborhood, was reared to
farm pursuits by his father, and remained with his parents until 1903,
when he purchased his present place. In public life he has been town
supervisor for two years and school clerk for seven years. His
financial holdings include stock in the Farmers' Elevator at Osseo and
the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. His fraternal relations are with
the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is an officer. Mr. Isom was
married Sept. 23, 1903, to Jessie Ring, born in Sumner Township, May
24, 1880, daughter of John and Alberta (Dighton) Ring, and this union
has been blessed with three children: Eugene W., born Nov. 16, 1905;
Clifford R., born Sept. 9, 1909, and Howard K, born Sept. 13, 1911.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," page 609
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David Isom
came to Trempealeau County in 1882 and purchased a farm in section 19,
Sumner Township, which he operated until 1907, when he sold it to his
son, George J., and moved to Osseo, where he now resides. He was born
in Leicestershire, England, May 27, 1843, son of Francis and Elizabeth
(Hoe) Isom, the former of whom, of German descent, was born in 1801 and
died in 1878, and the latter of whom, of English descent, was born in
1814 and died in 1864. Coming to America in 1862, the subject of this
sketch visited Quebec and Montreal, and lived in Door and Dane
Counties, this state, before coming to Trempealeau County. Mr. Isom was
married Dec. 1, 1868, to Emma Jane Elwood, who was born in England,
April 13, 1851. This union has been blessed with seven children: Ada
E., Frank W., George J., Alvah E., James, Clarence and Lura Maria
Rosella. Ada E. died of diptheria at the age of eight years. Frank W.
is in the land business in Los Angeles. George J. owns and operates the
home farm. He was married April 25, 1900, to Jennie Nichols, born in
Eau Claire County, this state, daughter of Caleb F. and Anna (Olson)
Nichols, retired farmers of Osseo, and this union has been blessed with
five children: Eunice Adele, born Nov. 30, 1901; Grace Elizabeth, born
Nov. 21, 1902; Ernest Francis, born July 11, 1904; Vera Anna, born
Sept. 21, 1906, and Harold William, born Aug. 27, 1910. James was
drowned at the age of two years. Alvah E. farms in Sumner Township. He
was married Sept. 23, 1903, to Jessie Ring, daughter of John Ring, of
Osseo, and they have three children: Eugene Willard, born Nov. 16,
1905; Clifford Roy, born Sept. 9, 1909, and Howard Kent, born Sept. 13,
1911. Clarence died at the age of six months. Lura Maria Rosella was
married April 13, 1902, to Sidney Carter, who operates a garage at
Cadotte, Wis., and they have four children: Walter Isom, born July 17,
1906; Dorothy May, born Aug. 5, 1908; Frank Elroy, born Aug. 6, 1913,
and Elwood David, born Sept. 1, 1915.
-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," pages 608 - 609