1918 Clark Co., WI History

ANDREW EMERSON, in his day one of the notable figures of Clark County, was born in Norway, June 24, 1844, son of Lars and Paulina (Johnson) Emerson, the father being connected with the saw and grist mill industries. In 1854 Lars came with his family to America, landing in this country after a thirteen weeks' voyage in a sailing vessel, and locating in La Crosse County, Wis., where he homesteaded 160 acres of wild land. There both he and his wife died, his death occurring not long after his settlement in the county, and being due, it was thought, to his having drunk some poisonous spring water. He left eleven children: Emory, John, Henry, Emma, Andrew, Nettie, Julia, Bender, Mathias, Eliza and Julia (second). Andrew Emerson was a boy of 10 years when he came with his parents to America. He received a good common school education in La Crosse County and was brought up to farming, working on the home place until his father's death, when he purchased the property. When quite a young man he engaged in logging, then one of the leading industries in Wisconsin, and was always more or less connected with it. For twenty years he managed a lumber camp and was associated with the La Crosse Lumber Company.

In 1875 Mr. Emerson purchased 320 acres of choice farm land in Clark County, the tract lying in Loyal and Beaver townships, and from time to time he added to his holdings until he owned 2,000 acres, all free of debt. Of this land he cleared about 300 acres himself. He also in time became one of the leading and most representative men in Clark County, serving as chairman of the school board, and being one of the founders of the creamery in Greenwood. From the time he set foot on America's shores in childhood to the time of his death Mr. Emerson was surrounded by all that makes life desirable in the way of means, health and friends.

He was held in high respect for his energy, persistence and wisdom which brought about so happy a consummation, and his death, which occurred Jan. 24, 1904, deprived Clark County of one of its most loyal and helpful citizens. He was married Oct. 13, 1873, to Helen Johnson, a native of Norway, born in Christiana, Oct. 10, 1860. The children born to them were: Julia, Lawrence, John, Frank and Elsie. Mrs. Emerson's father, John Johnson, was, like his daughter, a native of Christiana, Norway, and came to America with his family about 1862. Settling in La Crosse County, Wis., he there engaged in farming.