Soren Anderson, 1844

Posted4U@Charter.net on Mon, 12 Feb 2001

Surname: ANDERSON, NIELSEN, MILLER

Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

SOREN ANDERSON, a prominent and respected citizen of Hixon Township, where he has developed a good farm, and has taken a leading part in the affairs of local government, was born in Denmark in 1844. He was brought up as a farmer and was there married to Caroline Nielsen. In 1871, leaving his wife behind, he came to the United States, locating at Racine, Wis., where he engaged as a laborer in railroad construction work, later becoming a contractor for sewers, wells, cellars and other similar constructions.

A year after his settlement in Racine he was joined by his wife and their son Andrew B. On July 2, 1886, Mrs. Andersen died at the comparatively early age of 38 years, leaving, besides the son Andrew, now of Omaha, Neb., six other children, namely: Ole C. B., Carl B., Carrie B., Lettie C., Soren B., and Martin F. After his wife's death Mr. Andersen remained in Racine until 1893, when, learning that there was a Danish settlement at Withee, in the township of Hixon, Clark County, he, accompanied by his son Ole C. B., removed to that place, buying eighty acres of wild land in Section 26. In the same year he was joined by his daughter, Lettie C., Carl B., coming in November, 1894, and Soren B., in 1899. Mr. Andersen's first act when he took possession of his land, was to build a house, 12 by 16 feet in size. It was a small dwelling, but it served as the family residence for some years.

When he began farming he had nothing but his hands and a few small tools, and it was a year before he got a team. In 1894, however, the year after his settlement, he built a barn, 16 by 30 feet, which, two years later, he increased in size by an addition 30 by 36 feet. Through persistent industry he increased in prosperity, and by the year 1900 was able to build a brick veneer house of eight rooms, here he now makes his home. His farm is now well provided with buildings, including a good silo, and its size has been enlarged to 110 acres. He was one of the organizers of the local creamery and has taken an active part in promoting whatever was for the good of the community of which is a resident. In the Danish Lutheran Church, which he helped to organize, he has served as deacon and treasurer, and he has also been on the town board.

Of his children, already mentioned, Ole B. is now county clerk, and resides in Neillsville; Carl B. is a resident Hixon Township; Carrie B. died in February, 1900, at Denver, Colo.; 4,Lettie C. was married to Fred Miller, in February, 1902, and resides in Hixon Township; Soren B. removed to Butternut, Wis., in 1905, and Martin F; born in 1883, died at the age of 6 months, in 1884.