Biographies: Nels EGGEN, Prairie Farm Township, Barron Co., 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: Victor Gulickson 25 July 1999 ==================================================================== Nels Eggen, public official, logging foreman, and industrious farmer of Section 3, Prairie Farm Township, now deceased, was born in Norway, Jan. 18, 1852, and was there reared and educated. At the age of eighteen he decided to make the great experiment and come to America. Accordingly, he borrowed money from good friends, and after a long voyage, landed, and in due time found his way to Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, where he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. Company. For many years thereafter he worked in the lumber woods winters, on the river drives in the springs, and on the company farm in Prairie Farm Township in the summer. After he married in the spring of 1879, his wife went into the lumber camps with him. She worked as cook and he as foreman, their combined wages being $45 a month. In 1881, he purchased 120 acres in Section 3, Prairie Farm Township, and put up a log cabin, 16 by 20 feet, into which he and his wife moved. They started farming with an ox team and a cow, secured from his employer. Mrs. Eggen managed to get a few chickens. Thus they made their beginning. For years thereafter, Mr. Eggen continued to work winters as a logging foreman, while his wife bravely stayed at home, looked after the chores and cared for the children. As time passed they built up a good place. Being a man of forceful characteristics, it is natural that he should have been a leader in his community. For a number of terms he was chairman of the township, and as such a member of the county board. He believed in conservative progress, he was especially a friend of the good roads movement, and he was honored and respected for his judgment and ability not only by his own constituents but also by the voters of the county at large. He also served the township with fairness and discretion as assessor. As a father of children he was naturally interested in education and did good work on the school board. He believed in co-operative effort among the farmers and was a stockholder in the Prairie Farm Co-operative Association. On his farm he successfully conducted general farming and dairying, and had a good herd. After a successful career he died Jan. 26, 1898, and his death was sincerely mourned. He was one of the town's most useful citizens, he took his part in every forward move, and he left behind the memory of an honored name. He was a loving husband, an indulgent father, a good neighbor and a loyal friend. Mr. Eggen was married April 14, 1879, at Prairie Farm, to Agnes Johnson, who was born in Norway, Feb. 11, 1861, the daughter of Martin and Lena (Peterson) Johnson, and there were born: Gustave, Willis, Lena and Nina. Gustave was born Jan. 13, 1880, on the present place. He conducts a part of the home place and makes a home for his mother. He here carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of Guernsey cattle. He is one of the substantial and solid men of the township, a good farmer and a good business man, and highly respected by all who know him. Willis was born June 13, 1882. He has purchased a part of the home farm, erected a set of buildings, and carries on general farming and dairying. He is an enterprising man who stands well throughout the community. Lena was born Aug. 24, 1884, and is the wife of Alfred Johnson, of Prairie Farm Township. Nina was born Sept. 10, 1890, and is the wife of Norman Thompson, of Minneapolis. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 622-623.