BIOGRAPHIES: Torval CHRISTOPHERSON, Elk Mound Township, Dunn 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: Laura Abood 16 March 2004 ************************************************************************ TORVAL CHRISTOPHERSON, proprietor of a well stocked dairy farm in Section 27, town of Elk Mound, a trustee of the village of that name, also a town supervisor and a member of the county board, and better known to his friends as "Tom" Christopherson, was born on this farm May 2, 1865. The parents were Christian and Sophie (Thorson) Christopherson, born in Ringerike, Norway, the father on Sept. 24, 1828, and the mother on March 15, 1827. Both came to the United States in 1852, while yet single, locating in Waupun, Fond du Lac County, Wis., where they were married May 12,1854. In June, 1860, they set out with a wagon and ox team for the town of Elk Mound, Dunn County, bringing a few useful articles with them, together with some cows. In the party were several other families, namely, those of Martin Howe, Ludwig Tilleson and Lars Anderson, and they all journeyed together, doubtless with bright anticipation of future success and prosperity. The present story, however, concernsthe fortunes only of Mr. Christopherson and his family. He was in possession of a land warrant, purchased for $150, that entitled him to select any piece of government land of 160 acres in the town of Elk Mound not already taken, which gave him an extensive choice, for as yet there were but few settlers here. He selected as his homestead the northeast quarter of Section 27, land that is now with in the corporation limits of the village of Elk Mound. Naturally at that time it was all wild land, and after he had made a clearing and built a log house and barns, he got busy with his oxen clearing the land. The events of past and present are linked together in an unbroken chain and to the thoughtful mind by-gone scenes and figures show a close relationship with the present. There are those now living who can recall such pioneer scenes in Dunn County as the starting of the Christopherson farm, the little log buildings, the furrows in the rough and heavy soil, with perhaps the additional figure of the equally busy housewife as she prepared the frugal meal, looked after the little ones, or perhaps went forth to help her husband in the fields or forest. Wherever the pioneer cabin was located, with whatever advantages of soil or weather, the keynote of success was work, and this Mr. Christopherson realized and acted in accord therewith. No rolling-stone or shirker, he stuck to his job day by day, month by month and year by year, and, with the assistance of his busy and faithful wife, made sure if gradual progress. Thus they lived their lives until the time came when their journey nearly finished, they could look back and rejoice in their achievements. To enter into all the details of their progress is unnecessary; the pioneer manner of life is known to many in the county from their own experience or that of their parents--the gradual conquest of the soil, with each year a little less of brush and timber and a little more of grain-sowed fields, a new barn or corn crib, or an addition to the house until modern buildings were gradually evolved; the increase of stock, building of fences, and sowing, reaping, threshing, and gathering and marketing of crops. The ox in time yielded place to the horse, and the Christopherson farm was a modern farm and Mr. and Mrs. Christopherson modern and thoroughly up-to-date farmers when, in 1897, they rented the place to their son Torval and rested from their hard labor. But Mrs. Christopherson's sands of life were already running out, and on Jan. 13, 1899, she passed to the Great Beyond, leaving husband and children bereaved indeed. Several years later, on Aug. 23, 1903, he followed her to the grave. They had done their work well and fairly won a place on the roll of honor of Dunn County's hardy and successful pioneers. Of the six children, Johanna, the first born, died in infancy, and Thomas, the second, at the age of five years. The other children, who all survived, are: Lena, now Mrs. Martin Olson, of Prairie Farm, Barron County; Carl, now treasurer of the town of Elk Mound, and a prominent farmer; Torval, the direct subject of this sketch; and John L., now proprietor of a grocery store in Eau Claire. Torval Christopherson acquired an education in the public schools of Elk Mound and began to assist his father on the home farm as soon as he was old enough. There he remained until 1890, in which year he changed his occupation, going with his brother-in-law, Martin Olson, to Eau Claire, where for about six years they were in partnership in a mercantile business. In 1896 he returned home and in the following year rented the home farm from his parents, as already mentioned, it having the original area of 160 acres. After operation it under rental until 1903 he bought it and since then he sold about 30 acres in small tracts or lots, having 147 acres left. In 1907 the barn and several out-buildings burned down, by which disaster he sustained quite a loss, but he at once rebuilt the smaller buildings, and in 1909 he erected a fine large cattle barn of 34 x 62 feet, with full basement and provided with patent stanchions and individual drinking cups. in the same year he erected a cement-block silo of 12 x 35 feet, and now has another one under construction. His place is very conveniently situated the house being but half a mile from the main business street of Elk Mound village, and the farm as a whole is well representative of the agricultural progress to be found in this part of Dunn County. Mr. Christopherson is one of the most prominent citizens of both Elk Mound village and town, and as such he has been called on more than once to perform public service. He was one of the village trustees for several years, in 1923 he was appointed village trustee to fill out the unexpired term of Mr. Dunham, and at the spring election of 1924 was elected to the same office, by virtue of the same being also a member of the county board. He was married Aug. 10, 1895, to Eline Marie Tondel, who was born in Norway, Jan. 28, 1868, daughter of Lawrence Hawkinson and wife, the latter's name in maidenhood being Junette Olson. Both parents died in Norway, and their daughter Eline Marie came to America in 1892, locating in Eau Claire, Wis., where she was married to Mr. Christopherson. The four children who have been born to them are: Stella, May 20, 1896; Cornelia. Aug. 25, 1897; Myrtle, Dec. 14, 1898, and Arnold T., Feb. 3, 1903. Stella is now Mrs. Louis Dahl, her husband being a carpenter and contractor in Elk Mound, and they have three children, Layton R., Orrin T. and Allen L. Cornelia, who took a course in the Menomonie Training School, was later graduated from the Eau Claire State Normal School, and is now a successful teacher. Myrtle A. is assistant supervisor at the Eau Claire Central Telephone Exchange, and Arnold T. is helping his father on the home farm. The religious affiliations of the family are with the Lutheran Church. -Transcribed from the "History of Dunn County Wisconsin, 1925," pages 625-626 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm