BIOGRAPHIES:  Ole O. GRAVERMOEN, Vance Creek Township, Barron Co., WI

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Transcribed by Kate Wilson. 
Edited and submitted by  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  14 September 2003
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Ole O. Gravermoen, a well-to-do farmer of section 26, Vance Creek
Township, is representative of the early settlers who came to this region
with no resources save their energy, integrity and ability, and by
unremitting toil achieved success. He was born in Norway, Jan 13, 1855, and
there grew to manhood as a farmer. He married Helena Drolsum in 1879, and
one child, Olaf, was born in that country. In 1881 he brought his wife and
son to this country. When he reached Deer Park, in St. Croix County, this
state, he had only a few cents in money. He at once found employment and
worked on a farm for four months. Then he located at Clear Lake, in Polk
County, where for six years he was employed in the sawmills. While there
another child, Anna, was born. Shortly after her birth, his wife died, and
Dec. 24, 1883, he married Kari Hilson, who was born in Norway, April 8,
1863, the daughter of Peter and Kari (Johnson) Hilson, who brought her to
this country in 1869. A year or two after his marriage, he took his family
to Ashland Junction, Ashland County, this state, where he was employed as a
railroad section hand. Two years later he came to Vance Creek Township, and
rented a farm for two years. In 1891 he bought 80 acres of his present
tract of 160 acres in section 26, Vance Creek Township. This was all wild
and no buildings had been erected. He started in to develop a farm with but
little more than his hands and a few tools. He put up a log house and moved
his family into it. Provisions had to be brought in from far away stores
and the trip through the woods was made afoot, ofttimes amid real dangers.
At first his only domestic animal was a cow. Later he bought a pair of
six-months-old colts and in time trained them as a pair of horses. For some
years he continued to work in the woods winters, leaving his wife to look
after things at the little cabin. Gradually he built up a good place and
achieved success. He has a pleasant home, a good barn and suitable
outbuildings, and his equipment is adequate. He carries on general farming
and dairying and has a good herd. As one of the representative men of the
community he has done good service on the town board and on the school
board. The Norwegian Lutheran Church has found in him a loyal supporter,
and he is now serving as one of the trustees of the congregation at West
Akers Church in Dunn County. Mr. and Mrs. Gravermoen had twelve children:
Helma, Susie, Odin, Edward, Clara, Mabel, Georgia, Gust, Ida, William,
Harry and Olga. These with Olaf and Anna constitute as fine a family as
will be found in the county. All are doing well in their respective walks
in life, and all are highly regarded by all who know them.

--Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper,
Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 506.

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