BIOGRAPHIES: Engebret H. STAFNE, Prairie Farm Township, Barron Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, 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. Submitted by: Vic Gulickson 2 March 2005 ************************************************************************ Engebret H. Stafne has developed a good farm in Section 7, Prairie Farm Township, and Section 12, Vance Creek Township, where he has lived for some thirty-five years. He has won the respect of his fellow men, and attained a position of worth and integrity. He was born in Norway, Sept. 22, 1860, the son of Hagen and Anna Stafne. He was reared and educated in his native land. At the age of 20 years, in 1880, he set out for the United States. and in due time reached Menomonie, Dunn County, this state, where he entered the employ of the Knapp, Stout & Co. He worked in their mill for a while and was then sent into the woods as a sawyer. In all he worked in lumber camps twenty winters and on the spring drives two springs. After a few years he secured 40 acres of railroad land in Section 7, Prairie Farm township, and in 1886 put up a log cabin, which is still standing. For a time he lived alone. Then he sent the money for his parents to join him. They took up their home with him, and here spent the the remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age of seventy-five and the mother at the age of eighty-two years. They had three children, Ole H., Peter H. and Engebret H. When the subject of this sketch settled on this place, it was all wild land. No roads had been built, no building had been erected, and the place had little promise of the rich farm which it was to become. He had but little with which to work. Everything he had on the place had to be brought in on his back. In time he secured a pair of steers, and then the work went a little faster. As his means permitted, he purchased 80 more acres in the same section and 160 in Vance Creek Township. He has developed a most excellent farm, and erected a set of modern buildings. The frame house which he put up for his second home, was struck by lightning, and he then erected the present modern home. He also has a good barn and other suitable structures. He is a man who has worked hard, ever looking to the future, and his efforts have met with well deserved success. He carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of cattle. Mr. Stafne was married Aug. 31, 1889, to Gertrude Kastberg, who was born in Norway, Sept. 19, 1865, the daughter of Louie and Carrie Kastberg. This union has been blessed with four children: Hagen, Carrie, Benedik and Olida. These young people are all well thought of in the community, and take their part in social and religious affairs. The home is a hospitable one, and their doors are always open to their friends. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. --Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 521-522. © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm