Bio: Evenson, Edward (Commemorative Bio - 1895)

Bio: Evenson, Henry O. (Commemorative Bio - 1895)

Poster: Crystal Wendt

Edward & Henry O. Evenson

Edward and Henry O. Evenson, hardware merchants of Tomahawk, Lincoln County comprise the first of Evenson Brothers, and carry on the leading store in their line in that city. They are men of energy and good judgment; finely adapted to their present business, which they take pride in conducting on the best known plans. Their stock is of the best grades, and they thus enjoy liberal patronage.

These brothers were born in Waupaca County, Wis., Edward on January 6, 1861, Henry on October 23, 1863. Their father, Harold Evenson, was born in Norway, in June, 1824, and is a son of Aaron Evenson, also a native of the same country. The grandfather was married in Norway and in his family were Harold, Halver, Erick and Ole, who accompanied their parents to America in 1845. The latter both died in Dane County, Wis. The maternal grandparents with their children also came to the United States at the same time. Harold Evenson, the father, married Carrie Helgeson, in Norway, in 1845, and they immediately set sail for the New World. Locating near Madison, Wis., the father began contracting on the railroad, but later moved to Waupaca County, Wis., where he purchased land from the government, and there still resides. He had a family of ten children, all born in Wisconsin; Edwin H., who graduated from the college at Decorah, Iowa, and the university at Madison, Wis., was superintendent of schools in South Dakota, and professor of Greek and Latin in the State Normal there, and in Milton College of Wisconsin, but now lived in Seattle, Wash., Edward and Henry O. come next in the order of birth, Clara H., is now Mrs. Frogner, and lives in Iola, Wis.; Joseph T. comes next; four children died in infancy; Gustave A., who was also a graduate of college at Decorah, Iowa, died at the age of twenty-eight years. Politically, the father is a Republican and a leader in his party in the county where he makes his home. He has held many public offices in his town, where he is an influential and high-esteemed citizen, and the fine improvements on his place indicate him to be a progressive and prosperous farmer. Educational matters have always received his earnest support, and he has given his children the best of school privileges. He is now passing his declining days at this pleasant home in Scandinavia Township, Waupaca County.

The brothers, whose names stand at the beginning of this sketch, were reared upon the home farm, their childhood days being passed in attendance at the country school, and later in the village of schools of Iola, Wis. Henry also became a pupil in the high school of Waupaca, Wis., after which they both took a business course in Milton College. On leaving the schoolroom they assisted their father, who was a natural mechanic, mason, carpenter, and painter, and with him learned those trades, but soon started out, in life for themselves. They followed those occupations to some extent during the succeeding four years, and Henry also clerked in a hardware store, during which time he partially learned the trade of a tinner. Edward was employed in the lumber woods during the winter seasons, and for one year conducted a general store for T. Thompson, in Iola, Wis. They were very saving with their earnings, and in the fall of 1887, with their combined capital, Henry built and opened up a hardware store in Tomahawk, under the name of Evenson Brothers, and Edward who was clerking at the time soon gave up his position and joined his brother. It was the first store of the kind established in Tomahawk, and they have since continued business with excellent success. For two years they also dealt quite extensively in lumber and real estate-both city property and pine lands.

Henry O. Evenson was married in June, 1891, to Miss Blanche Spaulding, who was born in Outagamie County, Wis., daughter of James and Matilda (Hulbert) Spaulding, farming people, who have two children, Charles and Blanche. The parents are both natives of Maine; the father served as a soldier during the Civil War, in which he was wounded. The Evenson brothers are Republican in politics, and though neither of them are politicians, Edward was prevailed upon his friends to accept the office of school commissioner, which he held for two years, and is now serving on the county board, being elected from the Third Ward. Religiously, they are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. They are industrious, energetic and progressive in nature, and are highly esteemed and respected by all who know them.

---Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties of Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade and Shawano. publ. 1895 by J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago 1110 pages, illustrated; Page 172-173