BIOGRAPHIES:  Tennes TENNESON, Preston Township, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Tennes Tenneson, proprietor of Lavold farm of 150 acres in sections 13 and 
14, Preston Township, was born near Viroquo (Viroqua), Vernon County, Wis., 
May 22, 1855.  He is a son of Jacob Tenneson Lavold and his wife Johanna, 
whose maiden name was Nuland.  Jacob T. Lavold was born near Flekkefjord, 
Norway, Feb. 28, 1828, and came to the United States in 1852.  Coming west 
by rail as far as Chicago, he drove from that city with an ox team to Vernon 
County, Wisconsin, where he remained until the fall of 1855.  Then, in the 
fall of that year, he continued his westward journey until he reached 
Trempealeau County, settling on a farm in section 14, Preston Township, 
which he had bought in the spring of the same year.  Here he devoted himself 
to agricultural pursuits, spending many years in clearing and improving his 
farm and finally becoming one of the prosperous citizens of the township.  
In 1892 he sold the farm and removed to the village of Blair, where he made 
his home until his death in 1896, at the age of 70 years.  His first wife, 
Johanna, dying in 1876, he afterwards married Grethe Thompson of Blair, who 
is also now deceased.  Tennes Tenneson was given a somewhat better education 
than the ordinary farmer's boy of his day, as, after attending the public 
or district school, he became a student in the business college at La Crosse. 
His industrial education was not neglected, however, for he was well trained 
by his father in all the different branches of farming, learning how to 
cultivate the soil, take care of stock and perform other necessary duties.  
This knowledge he has since put to good use on his own account, beginning 
when a young man by renting a farm on French Creek, which he cultivated for 
two years.  Not perfectly satisfied with that location, however, in 1880 he 
bought his present farm, and has since continued on it, having found it a 
profitable investment.  He raises high grade Holstein cattle, having about 
30 head, of which he milks 12; also keeping Poland-China hogs, and registered 
White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red chickens.  He is a stockholder in the 
Preston Creamery at Blair.  His farm is well improved, having good buildings, 
and he is careful to keep it in good condition, its value having greatly 
increased since he took it in hand.  As a substantial citizen, having a 
landed interest in his township, Mr. Tenneson has consented at various times 
to aid in local government.  Thus he was township treasurer for two years, 
and for 30 years has served on the school board as clerk or treasurer.  He 
and his family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church.  He was 
married Feb. 29, 1876 to Martha Lindrud of French Creek, this county, who 
was born in Norway, Oct. 30, 1854.  Her father, Andrew I. Lindrud, born in 
Norway in 1828, emigrated to this country in 1861, settling first in Vernon 
County, Wisconsin, from which locality he removed in 1864 to French Creek,
Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County.  This latter place was his home until 
his death Oct. 30, 1904.  His wife, whose maiden name was Gunhild Smedhaugen, 
died in December 1915, at the age of 89 years.  Mr and Mrs. Tenneson's family 
circle has been enlarged by the birth of seven children, namely:  Ida, who 
married Henry Thompson, a farmer of Beach, N. D.; Albert, a farmer residing 
two miles east of Blair; John, who is farming in Preston Township; Melvin, 
who conducts a fancy grocery and delicatessen store at St. Paul; Thomas, 
who lives on the home farm; Tillie, who graduated from Blair high school in 
1911, and has been a teacher for three years, and Nora, who lives with her 
parents.

--From the "History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, 1917," pages 472-473.