BIOGRAPHIES: Simon CHRISTESON, Barron, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Transcribed by Peg Lamkin Edited and submitted by Vic Gulickson 28 March 2002 ==================================================================== Simon Christeson, formerly a hotel keeper in Barron, but who for a number of years has been engaged in agriculture, is well known in Barron, a part of his land lying near the city, which he formerly served as alderman. He was born in Gulbrandalen, Norway, March 22, 1855, son of Christian and Marie Christeson. The father dying when Simon was a child, the latter accompanied his mother to America in 1868, the family including the mother and four children, namely, Anna, Christian, Simon and Andrew. The daughter, Anna, is now deceased. Christian and Andrew are deceased. Mrs. Marie Christeson had scarcely been settled in the strange land to which she had come to make a new home--not more than three months--when she was called away by death, her son, Simon, being then about thirteen. The latter had attended common school in Norway, but only during a part of the winter, as he was early obliged to help support himself. After his mother's death he went to work on the farm of Henry Van Buren in Waukesha County for five dollars a month and his keep, and remained with him for about two years, or until the fall of 1870. Soon after that he found employment in lumbering under John Quaderer, working for Knapp, Stout & Co., as team driver, hauling logs and supplies, and he continued in that occupation under the same boss for about ten years, or until the time of his marriage, which event took place Dec. 25, 1882, his bride being Mattie Moffet, daughter of Laurin and Eliza Moffet of Dallas, Barron County, Wis. She was born in Necedah, Juneau County, Wis., July 2, 1862. Her father, who was a farmer, was of Scotch ancestry, but was born in New York State. He died in Barron, Wis., March 17, 1895. His wife, who was of French origin, survived him nearly nine years, passing away Jan. 5, 1904. Their children were Emily, William, Laurin, Amelia, Alvert and Mattie. The first four mentioned are now deceased. Alvert is a resident of Cloquet, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Christeson operated the old Quaderer House and also the new Quaderer House, which Mr. Christeson helped to build. Mr. Christeson also built a nice residence at the corner of La Salle and Eleventh streets. After giving up the hotel he became a farmer, in which occupation he has since continued, owning a farm of 160 acres a mile and a quarter from Barron, and 109 acres of timber land in Arland Township. His operations have been successful and he is recognized as a prosperous and substantial citizen. Politically he is a Republican with independent tendencies, and for nine years served as alderman of Barron. He and his wife are affiliated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Christeson have been the parents of seven children: Raymond A., born July 4, 1885; Florence M., Oct. 15, 1887; Maude A., Nov. 29, 1890; Clifford L., April 22, 1892; Howard L., Aug. 12, 1895; Lester S., Aug. 18, 1899, and Russell E., Aug. 12, 1902, who died Oct. 26, 1906. Raymond A., who graduated from the Barron High School, is now a farmer. Florence M., also a graduate of the high school, is a bookkeeper residing at home. Maude A. is the wife of Francis G. McGrath, a railroad freight conductor, and has two children, Annis Arleen and Marion Moreen, twins, born Sept. 26, 1914. Clifford L., a graduate of the Barron High School, is a structural steel worker and at present is residing at home. He served in the World War, enlisting in July, 1917, in the aviation corps, and training in Texas camps. In March, 1918, he crossed to France, where he remained until October, 1919. He was with the Army of Occupation in Germany, serving as a mechanic with the rank of sergeant. Howard L., also a high school graduate, and now a farmer, in the early period of the war, as participated in by this country, was drafted into the United States' service July 23, 1918, and sent to Camp Grant, Illinois. He crossed to France in August, 1918, returning home in September, 1919. He was in the Army of Occupation and while in Germany served in the Medical Corps. Lester S., the youngest surviving son, is engaged in farming and resides at home. The family are affiliated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal Church. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 104-105.