BIOGRAPHIES:  Soland OSTGAARD, Arland Township, Barron Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  24 February 2004
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Soland Ostgaard, one of the pioneer settlers of Arland Township, who still
resides on his old homestead in Section 32, was born in Norway, Nov. 5,
1843. After attending school he became a farm laborer, which occupation he
followed in his native land until 1872, when he came to America, landing at
Quebec June 21. From that port he came directly to Madison, Wis., thence
going to Menomonie, Wis., where he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout &
Co., who employed him in their sawmills for about two years. In 1874 Mr.
Ostgaard came to Barron County and took a homestead of 80 acres in Section
32, Arland Township, the country being so wild that he had to cut a trail
to his property. His provisions he had to bring from Prairie Farm, carrying
them in a pack on his back, and he frequently carried his butter to
Cumberland to sell. For many years he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co.,
logging and driving. During the first five years on his farm he used oxen
for the draught work, and then got a horse team. He also helped to build
roads, and his first road in the township went by his farm on the Hay
river. Mr. Ostgaard cleared 40 acres of his land and erected a full set of
buildings. Some of the original log structures are still standing on the
place. He also helped to build Concordia church, donating some of the
lumber for it. One of the active and stirring citizens of his township he
took a prominent part in everything calculated for its advancement and was
widely known and respected as one of its most useful citizens. After
carrying on his farm successfully until 1920, Mr. Ostgaard sold it to
Martin P. Miller and retired from active work, but continues to reside on
the old homestead. He was married in 1872 to Argot Grue, who passed away
April 13, 1918. They had but one child, John, who passed away when three
years old.

--Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper,
Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 892.


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