BIOGRAPHIES:  Thomas STAFNE, Vance Creek Township, Barron Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  2 March 2005
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Thomas Stafne, veteran of the Spanish-American War and of the Filipino
Insurrection, prosperous proprietor of the Valley View Farm, section 12,
Vance Creek, and a leading man of this township, was born in Norway, Sept.
14, 1871, the son of Peter H. and Anna (Uro) Stafne. He came to Menomonie
with his mother in 1884, and was then brought to this present farm by his
father with the rest of the family. He had attended school for a while in
Norway. Upon reaching here, although a boy of but ten, he helped with the
farm work, and when his father was away, assumed many responsibilities. He
was but a youth when he himself went into the woods. As a young man he went
to North Dakota and did farm work there. April 28, 1898, he enlisted at
Wahpeton, N. D., in Company I, First Regiment, North Dakota Volunteer
Infantry. From there he went to Camp Briggs, Fargo, where he drilled until
May 29, when the regiment was sent to San Francisco, Calif., for further
training and equipment. On June 28 the regiment embarked on the U. S.
Transport "Valencia," and after a trip of 35 days was landed at Manila, P.
I., Aug. 1. There with many other western regiments of militia and several
units of regulars, encampment was made at Camp Merritt until Aug. 13, when
the regiment assisted in the capture from the Spaniards of the city of
Manila. Thereafter the regiment was assigned to police duty in Manila. Feb.
4, 1899, the Insurrection having broken out, the regiment went into action
and participated in 22 engagements. July 31 the regiment embarked on the U.
S. Transport "Grant" and after a trip of 28 days reached San Francisco.
There the men were given a period of rest, recreation and a general good
time after their strenuous experiences. The muster-out was, on Sept. 25,
1899. Upon his return, Mr. Stafne located at Abercrombie, N. D. In 1903,
having married, he brought his wife to the old homestead. Here they have
since resided. To the original place Mr. Stafne has added 40 more acre so
that he now has 120 acres. He has built up a good place indeed, with
sightly buildings, well tilled acres and excellent equipment. He has named
his estate the Valley View Farm, and everything about it bespeaks the
thrift and good judgment of the owner. He has a good herd of Holstein
cattle and belongs to the Barron County Holstein Breeders' Association. As
a man of wide experience, who has fought in his nation's uniform under his
country's colors, it is natural that Mr. Stafne should be a leader among
his fellow men. He has been chairman of the township, and as such did most
excellent service for both town and county. He has also been a member of
the board of supervisors. For twelve years he was a most efficient school
clerk, and he is now giving general satisfaction as town treasurer. In each
of these positions he has served with dignity, integrity and ability, and
his work has been highly valued. He is a liberal supporter of the Norwegian
Lutheran Church. Mr. Stafne was married at Abercrombie, N. D., on Oct. 11,
1900, to Toneta Johnson of Starbuck, Minn., who was born in Starbuck,
Minn., on Nov. 7, 1879, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Johnson. This
union has been blessed with seven children: Anna, Edna, Jennie, Alice and
Mabel (twins), Clifford and Evelyn.

--Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper,
Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 497-498.

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