BIOGRAPHIES:  Ole H. KLEVEN, Elk Mound, 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 <wabood@msn.com>  11 May 2005
*********************************************************************

Ole H. Kleven, a contractor and builder doing business at Elk Mound,
was born in Norway, Feb. 22, 1881, son of Hans and Marit (Rusten)
Kleven.  The parents were also natives of Norway, the father being a
farmer by occupation, and he is still living there though now
retired; the mother is deceased.  Their children, nine in number,
were:  Ingeborg, who married a Mr. Myrensten and lives in Norway;
Ever, also in Norway; Marit, residing in Canada, the wife of a Mr.
Byrhagen; Amund and Knute, in Norway; Ole H. of Elk Mound, Wis.;
Mary, who married a Mr. Saastad and lives in Norway; Hans, also in
Norway, and John, who is in St. Paul, Minn.  Ole H. Kleven attended
school in his native land, where he subsequently learned and followed
the mason's trade.  At the age of 23 he came to America, landing at
Halifax, N. S., on May 20, 1904, and coming directly to Eau Claire,
Wis.  In that city he remained for five years, during which time he
followed his trade, not only as a journeyman but also as an
independent contractor.  in July, 1908, he came to Elk Mound and in
partnership with S. A. Sorenson and Archie Stahlman established the
Elk Mound Concrete Co., building a plant a mile and a half west of
the village on the farm of Arne Tilleson.  They manufactured concrete
blocks for building purposes and continued in that business until
1918, when they were forced to give up operations owing to the
difficulty of obtaining the necessary material.  Since then Mr.
Kleven has been in business for himself as a building contractor.  He
has built several residences in Elk Mound, the Rosenberg garage, and
several farms, dwellings and barns; also three houses for himself,
which he sold, and he is now (April 1924) building a seven-room,
brick dwelling, with outside dimentions of 32 x 34 feet, and with a
concrete-block garage of 20 x 28 feet.  He is building up a good
reputation as a reliable workman and business man, and is one of the
substantial and respected citizens of the village of Elk Mound.  Mr.
Kleven was married in Norway, Nov. 10, 1902, to Anna Paulson and he
and his wife enjoy a good social standing.
 
Transcribed from the "History of Dunn County Wisconsin, 1925" pages
545-546

© All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm