BIOGRAPHIES: Andrew DRAMDAHL, Crystal Lake Township, Barron Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, 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. Transcribed by Kate Wilson. Edited and submitted by Vic Gulickson 14 September 2003 ************************************************************************ Andrew Dramdahl, an early settler, in Barron County, and now a respected resident of Crystal Lake Township, was born in Norway Nov. 22, 1858. He attended school in his native land and subsequently became a common laborer, being thus occupied until 22 years old. Then, resolved to seek a land of fuller opportunities, he came in 1880 to America, landing at New York and thence coming west to Pierce County, Wis. There he entered the employ of the Ols and Lord Lumber Co. and for three years worked in the woods and in sawmills. In 1883 he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres of wild land in section 36, Crystal Lake Town, later adding to it 80 more. He was not yet ready, however, to settle on his land, but for several years worked for the Beaver Lake Lumber Co. In 1889 he began the development of his farm, a task that occupied him for many years, but which he effectually accomplished, breaking 100 acres and himself erecting a set of buildings. Here he is still engaged in mixed farming and dairying, keeping Guernsey cattle with a full blooded sire at the head of his herd. He is also a stockholder in the Comstock Co-operative Creamery. For many years Mr. Dramdahl has been a man of mark in his township and at various times has served in public office. As early as 1888 he was elected supervisor of Cumberland Township, when it included what are now four separate townships, and served three years in that office. Subsequently he was supervisor of Crystal Lake Township several years and chairman of the board six years. Also for twelve years he has been treasurer of the school board of Joint District No. 9, including Cumberland and Crystal Lake townships. In these public positions he has shown good business capacity and a close comprehension of the needs of the community in which he resides. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church and of the Cumberland Old Settlers Association. Mr. Dramdahl was married at Comstock March 29, 1885, to Caroline Christopherson, who was born June 6, 1862, in Norway, and who, after eleven years of happy wedded life, passed away June 27, 1896. She was the mother of four children: Carl H., born July 15, 1886; Anna, born January 15, 1888, who died in May, 1889; Ragnhild A., born Nov. 21, 1889, and Alvin, born July 3, 1893. Ragnhild A. was married May 20, 1913, to Arthur Bloom and they make their home with Mr. Dramdahl. They have two children: Almena K., born March 15, 1914, and Annice E., born Dec. 22, 1916. Alvin Dramdahl was drafted into the United States service Sept. 3, 1918, becoming attached to the medical department. He was sent first to Camp Greenleaf, Ga.; thence transferred to Debarkation Hospital No. 52, and afterwards to Richmond, Va. Later he was transferred to General Headquarters No. 43, National Soldiers' Home, at Hampton Roads. He was discharged at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., October 23, 1919. --Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 802-803. © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm