Lacrosse County WI Archives Biographies.....Solberg, Charles B. August 20, 1835 - 
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Roxanne Munns rmunns@uwalumni.com April 13, 2007, 10:26 pm

Author: Unknown

CHARLES B. SOLBERG. In and near La Crosse are a very large number of 
Norwegians, and they are among the most industrious and thrifty class of 
people. This is true whether they be farmers, mechanics, professional men or 
merchants. Among the last class of business men in the city of La Crosse, the 
two most successful are Norwegians, and one of them is the subject of this 
sketch. A native of Lillehammer, he was born Aug. 20, 1835. His parents were 
Ole N. and Mary (Anderson) Solberg. His father was a merchant in his younger 
days, but, on immigrating to this country with his family in 1853, purchased 
land near La Crosse and opened a farm; which he still cultivates. Both he and 
his wife are living, and are hale, industrious, well-to-do people. On reaching 
La Crosse, Charles accepted a clerkship from John M. Levy at a salary of $8 
per month; he was afterward employed by the following firms, succeeding each 
other in the same house and business; R. R. Smith & Co., Deming & Francis, 
John B. Crookston, F. M. Rublee & Co. and Dick Sewell. In 1861, Mr. Solberg 
rented a store, and with about $2,000 capital, opened a grocery trade, a 
business which he has since followed with marked success. In 1864, he started 
a branch house in Decorah, Iowa, which he sold to his brothers in 1866. He 
who, twenty years ago, began business for himself in a two-story store, 20x60 
feet, now has a store three stories above the basement, averaging 50x150, and 
usually containing from $40,000 to $60,000 worth of merchandise. This growth 
in business is purely the result of close attention and care, and prudence and 
honesty in all its details. There is not a more thorough business man in La 
Crosse. In politics, Mr. Solberg is an ardent Republican. He discharges his 
duty faithfully as a citizen, but does not covet office. He has, however, held 
some useful positions in the municipality of La Crosse; has been on the 
Republican State Central Committee and was a Presidential Elector in 1876. He, 
however, allows neither politics nor anything else to interfere with his 
business. On the 21st of December, 1861, he was married to Miss Alice Johnson, 
of La Crosse, they have had six children, five of whom are still living.

Additional Comments:
From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 791 - 792.

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