BIOGRAPHIES: Thomas GREGERSON, Chetek Township, 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: Victor Gulickson 19 March 2000 ==================================================================== Thomas Gregerson, a farmer who is prosperously engaged in general agricultural pursuits in section 18, Chetek Township, was born in Tellemarken, Norway, Dec. 29, 1840, son of Greger and Margretta (Oleson) Halverson. The father died in Norway, and the mother brought the three children to America and settled in Jefferson County, this state. From there Thomas went to Michigan, where he worked in the woods for some five years. Then he went back to Jefferson County, and with his mother went to Winnebago County, where they purchased 80 acres and farmed for three years. He came to Barron County in 1869, and located in section 12, Chetek Township. This was all wild land. There were no roads and no bridges, white settlement was represented only by lumber camps and a few scattered cabins. Indians were still ranging the woods and streams. Trading points were far away, and there was little opportunity for obtaining the comforts or even the necessities of life. Mr. Gregerson erected a log house, broke about two acres of land, and lived the life of a typical pioneer. He sold the place in 1886, and acquired his present place of 40 acres in section 18. He also owns in his wife's name, 56 acres across the road. He has cleared the land and made general improvements. He has a comfortable home, a cement block barn 32 by 60 feet, a fine granary, and other suitable buildings. On this place he conducts general farming, stock raising and dairying. Being a pioneer, Mr. Gregerson is much interested in the early history of the county. He has seen it grow from a wilderness to its present prosperous condition, and has taken his share in this development. He was acquainted with all the pioneers of this region, and remembers all the details in the story of the early settlement. Mr. Gregerson was married March 27, 1877, to Caroline Erickson, who was born in Norway in 1859, and was brought to this country by her parents when she was eight years old. Mrs. Gregerson was reared by Hans and Georgena (Peterson) Erickson, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Gregerson have had twelve children: George died in infancy. Mary is the wife of Sidney Dickerson, of Carey, Ohio. Matilda lives in Oklahoma. Julia died in infancy. Albert is on the home farm. Cora is the wife of William F. Hartman, of Minneapolis. Ella lives in Zimmerman, Minnesota, and is the wife of Winfield Heath. Ida is at Spooner, Wis. Lilly is the wife of John Muerman of Chetek Township. Gertrude Frances teaches school in Minnesota. Oliver Alexander is at home. Theodore Malcolm is also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Gregerson are members of the Lutheran Church, and Mrs. Gregerson is prominent in the Ladies' Aid Society. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 966-967