BIOGRAPHIES: Edward FALKENBERG, 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 8 April 2002 ==================================================================== Edward Falkenberg, of Barron, road master for the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, and proprietor of a flourishing hardware store in this city, was born on a farm at Trondhjem, Norway, Nov. 20, 1865, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ole E. Falkenburg. His mother, whose maiden name was Karen Skjerdingstad, came of one of the oldest Norwegian families, the members of which could trace their genealogical line back to the eighth century. She died in her native land and Ole E. Falkenburg subsequently contracted a second marriage. About 1880, when Edward was 15 years old, he accompanied his father and step-mother to the United States, he being then the only living child of his father. The family located on a farm near Baldwin, St. Croix County, Wis., and there in 1905, Ole E. Falkenburg died. In addition to his son, Edward, he had by his first wife, two daughters, Helen Caroline and Petra, both of whom died in Norway. By his second wife he had seven, all born in America, namely: Hilda, residing at Baldwin; Emil, of Minneapolis; Clara, now Mrs. Emil Olson, of Ogalla Township, St. Croix County, Wis.; Otto, who is on the home farm at Baldwin; Carl, of Pasadena, Cal., and Petra and Benjamin, both living at Baldwin. Edward Falkenburg acquired a common school education in his native land. He remained at home till the age of 16, and then began work as a railroad laborer on the Omaha line, being thus occupied for four or five years. Then he becam a section foreman on the Northern Pacific and after that a freight brakemen. His next position was as section foreman with the road for which he is now working, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie, and after remaining as such until February, 1892, he was made road master, which position he still holds. For about 18 years he served the "Soo" road in North Dakota, with headquarters at Enderlin, coming back to Barron in June, 1909. Mr. Falkenburg is well advanced in the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Enderlin, N. D., the Commandery at Lisbon, N. D., and Zagel Temple of the mystic Shrine at Fargo, N. D. He also belongs to Birch Camp of Modern Woodmen at Barron, and to the Odd Fellows' Lodge of the same city. Politically, he is a Republican, but reserves the right to vote for the best candidate regardless of party. Mr. Falkenburg was married June 28, 1891, to Marthina Selvig, daughter of Lars and Louise Selvig of Prairie Farm Township, Barron County. She was born in Menomonie, Wis., April 17, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Falkenburg began domestic life in Barron. They have had six children, Carrie Lenore, Louis Oliver, Philip Edward, Eva Louise, Oliver Selvig and Mavis Leona. Carrie Lenore was born June 11, 1893. Louis Oliver, born Oct. 15, 1898, died May 6, 1900. Philip Edward, born Oct. 15, 1898, was graduated from the Barron High School and is now a student in Ripon College. He enlisted in the U. S. Army May 1, 1917, trained at Key West, Fla., as a member of the 2nd Company, Coast Artillery, and crossed to France in March, 1918. There he was transferred to headquarters of the 32nd Brigade and served as chauffeur until the armistice. He left France for the United States Nov. 11, 1918, landed at Newport Dec. 31, 1918, and arrived home Feb. 5, 1919. Eva Louise, born Sept. 9, 1903, is a graduate of the Barron High School. Oliver Selvig, born Sept. 6, 1907, is attending school. Mavis Leona was born Nov. 24, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Falkenburg were reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church but are now members of the Episcopal Church of Barron. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 109-110.