BIOGRAPHIES: Andrew CHRISTENSON, Prairie Farm Township, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  10 June 2001	
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Andrew Christenson, an estimable early settler of Section 19, Prairie Farm
Township, now deceased, was born in Esterdalen, Norway, Feb. 5, 1832, and
was there reared, educated and married. As a youth he learned the
blacksmith trade. In 1869 he brought his wife and children to America and
settled at Whalen, Fillmore County, Minn., where he worked at his trade.
After three years there he came to Barron County, in 1872, and secured a
tract of 120 acres in Section 19, Prairie Farm Township. He drove onto the
place with a rented team, bringing his family and a meager equipment for
household necessities and farm work. His cash assets consisted of just $5.
He built a lean-to of poles, and in this he and his family lived until he
could get a log cabin up. As soon as he got the cabin up, his family
located, and a little clearing made, he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout
& Co. For several years thereafter he continued to work in the lumber camps
winters, spending the rest of his time in getting a start on his place. For
several years he and his wife endured many hardships. He brought in
provisions on his back from Prairie Farm, fording the Hay River, with the
water sometimes up to his armpits. But as more settlers came in, roads were
built, more of the land was broken, and times became better. After a long
and useful life, Mr. Christenson died Sept. 10, 1913. His wife, Gunhild
Hagensdatter, who was born July 22, 1834, died April 16, 1915. Both were
much interested in the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and Mr. Christenson
served as one of the trustees of the congregation at Prairie Farm.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.,
1922, pg. 489.