BIOGRAPHIES:  Louis M. KNUTSON, Cumberland, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  09 April 2001	
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Louis M. Knutson, expert well driller, agriculturist and dealer in pumps and
engines, was born in Norway, Nov. 25, 1860, the son of Martin and Anna
(Halverson) Knutson, who brought him to Stillwater, Minn., in 1872, and to a
farm in Cumberland in 1875. As a boy he had many interesting experiences
living with his parents in a cabin amid the unbroken woods, where the Indians
still roamed and where the wild animals were still plentiful. He still
remembers one trip which he took to Sand Lake, after salt for the use of the
family. The savage wolves followed the venturesome boy and accompanied his
march with their howls, and now and then he met a group of Indians, no very
cheering sight to a lone boy in a wilderness far from home and far from any
house or settlement. Living thus in a pioneer country, young Louis assisted
his parents in the development of their farm. When he was eighteen he entered
the employ of L. L. Gunderson, as the first clerk in the store, and at the
same time he was made assistant postmaster in the Cumberland office which was
kept there. Mail was brought from Rice Lake, some fifteen miles away, young
Knutson making the trip afoot with the mail on his back, carrying the outgoing
mail, and bringing back the incoming mail. In 1880 he went to Cable, in
Bayfield County, this state, where he entered the employ of L. L. Gunderson in
a general store, and where he was likewise made assistant postmaster, and
later postmaster. In 1881 he returned to Cumberland. At that time he bought
land. He did not, however, at once settle down to exclusive farm work. For
several years he was identified with the lumber industry, in the logging woods
and in sawmills. In 1888 he went to the state of Washington for a year which
was spent at Seattle. Upon his return he bought timber on Hickey Creek, in
Township 35, Range 12, Barron County, and engaged in logging on his own
responsibility. In 1891 he gave up logging, and gave his exclusive attention
to his farm, making a specialty of bee keeping, and building up one of the
largest apiaries in the county. In 1904 he discontinued farming entirely and
put his whole attention to the well business. In 1907 he located in the city
of Cumberland where he still continues in the well business which he has
expanded until it has become very successful. Mr. Knutson. was married at Rice
Lake, March 15, 1884, to Jennie M. Hart, the daughter of Isaac and Jane Hart,
early settlers of Rice Lake, both now deceased. Mrs. Jennie M. Hart Knutson
died in 1908. On March 23, 1910, Mr. Knutson married Rena Lien, daughter of
Christian M. and Agnette M. Lien, natives of Norway, who came to America in
the sixties and settled in Dovre Township this county, where Mr. Lien farmed
until his death in 1894. Mrs. Lien, whose services while on the farm were
greatly in demand as a nurse and as a midwife, by her kindness, courage and
helpfulness in time of need, greatly endeared herself to the whole community
in which she lived. She is now living at Rice Lake at the good old age of
eighty years. By his first wife, Mr. Knutson had seven children: Ostin M.,
Louis E., Jessie H., Robert I., Dora J., Benjamin M. and Clarance R. all
living. By his second marriage he has three children: Louise R., Lawrence M.
and Elodie L., all living.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., &
Co., 1922, pp. 576-577.