Columbia-Gilliam County OR Archives Biographies.....Bergersen, Charles February 15, 1863 - 
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Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com November 10, 2009, 6:54 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 232 - 233
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     Some of the best citizens of the Columbia River valley have come from 
Norway, among whom stands Charles Bergersen, who owns one of the best improved 
and most productive farms in Columbia county, Oregon, in the operation of 
which he has met with well merited success. Mr. Bergerson was born about 
thirty miles from Christiania (now called Oslo), Norway, on the 15th of 
February, 1863, and is a son of Christopher and Pernelle Rongerud Bergersen. 
In 1873 the family emigrated to the United States and went direct to 
Trempeleau county, Wisconsin, where the father bought a tract of land, which 
was largely covered with oak grubs and brush. In the course of time he 
developed it into a fertile and productive farm and thereon lived until his 
death. Subsequently his widow came to Oregon, where her death occurred. They 
were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living, namely: Peder, 
who resides in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Charles; and Peter, who is engaged in 
farming in Columbia county, Oregon.

     Charles Bergersen attended the public schools of his native land, 
completing his studies in the schools of Wisconsin, to which he walked four 
miles — often through the snow. He helped his father on the home farm until 
sixteen years of age, when he went to work in logging camps. After four years 
he went to Alberta, Canada, in 1881 and worked on the Canadian Pacific 
railroad from Winnipeg to Calgary. From there he came to Oregon, locating in 
that part of Wasco county which is now Gilliam county, where he rode the range 
for about five years. In 1890 he came to Columbia county and took up a 
homestead on section 26, township 4 north, range 5 west, located six miles 
south of Veronia. It was covered with a heavy growth of timber and after 
building a log cabin he began clearing the land and planted an orchard, but 
the bears were numerous and broke the trees down. In 1904 Mr. Bergersen sold 
that place and bought one hundred and twenty acres of the old William 
Mellinger homestead, to which he later added ten acres adjoining. He has 
cleared off between sixty and seventy acres of this land, a large part of 
which is in pasture, and he keeps a fine herd of fifteen dairy cows, retailing 
milk in Vernonia. His principal crops are hay and potatoes, of which he 
obtains an abundant yield from the rich soil. He has a fine set of farm 
buildings, including a commodious barn and an attractive and comfortable home, 
the farm is well fenced and carefully tilled and is rated as one of the best 
farms in this section of the county. He also owns thirty acres of bottom and 
timber land on section 31, township 5, range 4.

     In 1904 Mr. Bergersen was united in marriage to Miss Emma Pederson, who 
was born in Wisconsin and is a daughter of Gunder and Olea (Tapan) Pederson, 
the former born in Norway and the latter in Wisconsin, in which state the 
father, who was a farmer, died. Mr. and Mrs. Bergersen have seven children: 
Wallace G., who is at home; Ethel Blanche, who is the wife of Don B. Grabel, 
of Long View, Washington, and has two children, Kenneth and Rawlin; Doris 
Mildred, who is the wife of Dane S. Brady, of Vernonia, and has a son, Larry; 
Charles Gilbert, Jr., a senior in high school; Helen, Harold and Frances. Mr. 
Bergersen has taken an interest in the welfare of his community and has served 
as road supervisor for a number of years, and for twelve years served as a 
member of the school board at Vernonia. His life has been marked by persistent 
industry, sound business judgment and square dealing, and throughout the 
community in which he lives he is held in high regard for his sterling worth.

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