Biographies from "The History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin," 1881

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From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 781.

LEVI E. OBER, M.D., (deceased); a native of Vermont, was born at Rockingham, Windham Co., July 31, 1819, and was the son of William and Fanny (Fairbanks) Ober. In 1830, the family removed to Ohio and settled on a farm at Claridon, Geauga Co.; Levi remaining constantly at home until 18 years of age, assisting in tilling the soil, and attending school, a part of the time at an academy near by. Having an ingenious turn of mind, he was naturally led into mechanical pursuits; for some years he worked more or less at different trades, in order to procure means for prosecuting his studies, and continued his literary studies, interspersed with manual labor, until about 1843. Mr. Ober began to study medicine with Dr. Storm Rhosa, of Painesville, about 1845. He continued the same with Dr. Richmond, of Chardon, and attended lectures at the Medical Department of Western Reserve College, Cleveland, and at the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati; and in March, 1850, he took the first diploma issued by the last-named institution. Subsequently, he received a homeopathic diploma from the same college. Afterward he attended a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. During the year 1850, Dr. Ober began the practice of homeopathy at Moline, Ill., and continued there for seven years. He removed to La Crosse, Wis., in 1857, and was there constantly engaged in practicing medicine, except when attending medical lectures or traveling to recruit his health, impaired by overwork. Twice he was obliged to retire for a season to recuperate. In 1872, he went to Europe, traveling through England, Belgium, parts of Germany, Switzerland, and spending the winter of 1872 and 1873 in Italy. While abroad he visited hospitals, and in various ways largely extended his researches in medical science. Dr. Ober spared no pains in cultivating himself and in increasing his skill in the healing art, and spent some time in attending clinical lectures, and in the Eye and Ear Infirmary of New York. He was one of the original members of the Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association, and aided in forming the present Homeopathic Medical Society of Wisconsin, and was President of both organizations, and also presided over the National Medical Society. He had an honorary degree from the Hahnemann College, Chicago. Dr. Ober was a very active member of the Baptist Church, a Deacon of the same, and one of its most liberal supporters. In all religious and benevolent matters, he took a deep interest, and was in every respect a kind, sympathizing and true man. In politics, he was Republican, of Whig antecedents, but took little interest in political matters more than to perform his duties as a citizen. Dr. Ober had two wives; the first was Abigail Carr, of Jefferson, Ohio, to whom he was married in November, 1843, and who died in August, 1875, leaving two children; the second was Mrs. Helen M. Burbank Whitney, of St. Paul, Minn.; they were married in September, 1876. Dr. Ober died March 26, 1881. He was a good surgeon, a skillful aurist, and an eminent and successful general practitioner.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 781.

TIMOTHY O'BRIEN, proprietor of the Troy House; has been a resident of La Crosse since 1855, and has been in the saloon and hotel business during the whole time, except when in the army. He was brought up in Troy, N. Y., and learned the cigar-maker's trade of Joseph B. Carr, the present Secretary of State of New York, and came from there to La Crosse in 1855. Oct. 8, 1861, he enlisted in the 14th W. V. I., Co. D, and served till the close of the war as 1st Lieutenant of that company; he was wounded in the hip July 16, 1864, at Tupelo, Miss. He was married in Milwaukee Jan. 1, 1866, to Mary Ann, daughter of Edward O'Kieffe, a merchant tailor, who located in La Crosse in 1857, and still resides there; he was the first merchant tailor to locate in La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have had fourteen children, only three of whom are now living - Mary Ellen, Arthur and Edward. Rev. James P. O'Kieffe, Pastor of the Catholic Church at Mineral Point, Wis., and Arthur J. O'Kieffe of the law firm of Magoon & O'Kieffe, of Darlington, Wis., are brothers of Mrs. O'Brien.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 826.

J. H. ODELL, farmer, Section 33; P. O. Salem. Mr. Odell came to Waupun, Wis., from St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1848; purchased his present farm from Mr. Thomas Leonard in the fall of 1850, where he settled in the spring of 1851. Mr. Odell is a native of Addison Co., Vt., where he was born, May, 1816; removed with his parents to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., when a child. His wife was Miss Caroline Higbel, born in Chittenden Co., Vt., in 1818. They have had three children - William Sherman, deceased; Helen M., now Mrs. James Edwards, and Ellen S., now Mrs. J. P. Jackson, of Steele Co., Minn.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 781 - 782.

ISIDOR OESGHER, saloon-keeper; was born in Baden, Germany, in 1833; son of Joseph Oesgher; came to America in 1852, and has resided in La Crosse Co. ever since; he followed farming in the town of Greenfield till 1873, then sold out and came to the city; has been in his present business about ten years. He was married in La Crosse in 1860, to Octavia Oliver, and has seven children - Jennie, Mary, John, Mattie, Louis, Louisa and Bruno.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 751.

ENERSON & OLSON, saloon-keepers on Third street; have been in business in present location since March 13, 1880. Henry Enerson was born in Norway in 1843; son of Ener Hendrickson, who died in Norway; came to America in 1867; was in Indiana a few months, and has resided in La Crosse since. He kept hotel on corner of Third and Jay streets from 1873 to 1875; then went into the Nora House, corner King and Third, till July, 1879, and has since been in the saloon business. His partner, Christ Olson, was born in Norway in 1844, son of Ole Hansen; came to America in 1870, lived in Clark Co., Wis., three years, then went to California and engaged in lumbering there till 1878, when he returned to Wisconsin and tended bar for his present partner till they went into business together; both unmarried.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 782.

HANS N. OLSON, cooper and stockholder in the La Crosse Co-operative Barrel Manufacturing Co.; was born in Denmark in 1851; came to the United States in 1870, and has resided in La Crosse ever since, except three years in Chicago working at the plasterer's trade in 1871-72-73. He was married, June 12, 1875, to Abbie Johnson, and has two children - Eddie and Henry W. Mr. Olson has been in his present place of business since the spring of 1880; his father, Ole Nelson, died in La Crosse Aug. 1, 1872.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 816.

IVER OLSON, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Half-Way Creek; born in Norway March 18, 1832; came to Wisconsin, 1862; owns 205 acres, on which he has made the improvements, and made all since he came to this State. His wife was Caroline Johnson, born Oct. 25, 1850; married Dec. 17, 1868. They have six children - Adolph, born Sept. 20, 1869; Oscar, born Sept. 8, 1871; Georgon, born Dec. 16, 1874; Amanda, born April 4, 1877; Ellen, born Nov. 8, 1879; Ida, born Feb. 12, 1881. In politics, Republican; in religion, Lutheran.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 816.

JOHN I. OLSON, farmer, Sec. 10; Postmaster of Half-Way Creek; was born in Norway, March 12, 1849; came to Wisconsin, 1872; now owns 200 acres, on which he has made all of the improvements, and made all since he came to this country. His wife, Julia Anderson, was born in Wisconsin Feb. 1, 1858. They married Nov. 17, 1879. They have one child - Clara Betre, born July 29, 1880. Appointed Postmaster April, 1880.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 862.

PETER OLSON (Saghogun), farmer, Section 25; P. O. Coon Valley, Vernon Co.; was born in Norway in 1840; emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1849, and came direct to Wisconsin, living in Dane Co. one year; then in Jefferson Co. five years; after which, in 1855, they came to La Crosse Co., purchased land, and commenced farming. Mr. Olson lived with his parents, helping till the soil, etc. In 1865, he was married to Ingebur Stenersen, born in Norway in 1842. In 1863, he purchased his father's farm of 160 acres, but he now owns 300 acres, and has good buildings. He has been Supervisor seven terms; is a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church. The children are Christina, born July 9, 1866; John, born Dec. 22, 1867; Emma, born Feb. 10, 1870; Henry, born Dec. 8, 1873.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 782.

PETER N. OLSON, foreman and Treasurer of the La Crosse Co-operative Barrel Manufacturing Co.; was born in Denmark in 1847. His father, Ole Nelson, came to the United States in 1869; settled in La Crosse and died in 1872. Mr. Olson came in 1868, and has resided in La Crosse since that time. His first wife, Sophia Larson, died in 1870, two years after marriage, leaving no children; he was married again in 1871, to Miss Mary D. Ondell, and by the second marriage has four children - Albert W., Ella Lovina, George William and Harry.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 841.

LARS O. OLSTAD, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O. Holmen; born in Norway, July 22, 1835; came to Wisconsin in 1853; now owns 120 acres of land, and made the improvements. His wife, Margaret Sunders, was born in Norway, March 25, 1841; married, 1861. They have had five children - Columbus, Albertson, Amelia, George (deceased), and George. A Lutheran and Republican.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 782.

M. O'MALLEY, wheat inspector, and in charge of the elevator at the mill of A. A. Freeman & Co.; is a native of Canada, born in 1846; came to Minnesota with his parents in 1856, and lived in Austin, Mower Co., till the 1st of September, 1880, when he came to La Crosse. He was married in the fall of 1873, at Austin, to Miss Eliza Maney; has two children - John H. and Mary Elizabeth. His father, Martin O'Malley, died in the spring of 1871, and his mother is still living in Minnesota.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 845 - 846.

MARTIN ONDELL, P. O. Rockland; son of Peter Ondell, who was born in Norway Dec. 25, 1814; he came to this country when a young man; first came to Milwaukee, Wis.; thence to Whitewater; now resides in the town of Leon; he built the warehouse and a store in Rockland, the latter being occupied by his son, Lewis Ondell. Has four children, three sons and one daughter - Charlie, born July 28, 1851; Lewis, born in Milwaukee, Dec. 15, 1852; Mary, born Nov. 5, 1854, and Martin, born in Whitewater Dec. 9, 1857. Lewis engaged in the mercantile business in Rockland March, 1879; married Anna Barber; has two children - Alton William and Elsie. Martin is engaged in the grain business at Rockland.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 782.

JOHN O'NEIL, proprietor of the saloon and billiard-room opposite the North La Crosse Depot, has been a resident of La Crosse since November, 1853. He worked on the river as pilot till 1873; was then in the grocery business four years, and purchased his present place of business in 1877, which he has since occupied. He was born in County Kildare, Ireland, March 28, 1833; came to the United States when 12 years of age, and lived in New York City and vicinity till he came to La Crosse in 1853. He was married in 1865, to Mary Monday, and has six children - Henry, Willie, Jacob, Annie, Lizzie and John. His father, Michael O'Neil, died in the old country.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 782.

F. OPITZ, saloon-keeper, on Pearl street, near the International Hotel, has resided in La Crosse since Aug. 15, 1853. He is a tailor by trade, and followed that business till 1866, since which time he has been in the saloon business. He was born in Saxon, Altonburg, Germany, in 1827; son of Christian Opitz, came to America in 1849, arriving in New York City on the 23d of June; came direct to Wisconsin, and lived in Janesville six months; then went to Galena, Ill., where he remained till the spring of 1853; then lived three months in St. Paul, Minn., and came from there to La Crosse in August of that year. He has eight children - Carl, Louisa, John, Peter, Eta, Mena, Emma and Alfred. His wife was Christina Hotmann, also a native of Germany.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 782.

R. E. OSBORNE, of the firm of Edwards & Osborne, lumber dealers, has been a resident of La Crosse since November, 1858. He was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1842; lived in Cortland Co., N. Y., for three years previous to coming to Wisconsin. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the 14th W. V. I., Company D, and was in the service eleven months, when he was discharged for disability. He was afterward in the hundred-day service as Orderly Sergeant of Company G, 40th W. V. I., in the summer of 1864. He has been paymaster and book-keeper for C. C. Smith, railroad contractor, most of the time since 1871. The firm of Edwards & Osborne has lumber-yards at Caledonia, Mabel and Canton, Minn., and Wadena, Volga City, Littleport and Strawberry Point, Iowa.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 782.

CHARLES OTILLIE, M. D., was born in Germany, and educated at the Universities of Berlin and Munich; came to America in 1860, and practiced medicine at West Bend, Wis., and, after being commissioned as Assistant Surgeon of the 9th W. V. I., served three years and six months during the rebellion; taken prisoner at the Sabine River, and remained seven months in the lines of the rebel army; was mustered out of service in 1866, and went to Germany, from which he again came to America in 1869, and, after practicing medicine again at West Bend, settled at La Crosse. During this time, he served two years as City Physician of the city of La Crosse, and is at present United States Marine Assistant Surgeon, which office he has now held for three years.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 782 - 783.

BENEDICT OTT was born in Bavaria June 3, 1836, and emigrated to America in 1843, with his parents, who located at Milwaukee. His father was there employed as a stone-cutter. Benedict learned the trade of a machinist, and worked there until the spring of 1856, when he came to La Crosse and found employment with George M. Leach, the proprietor of the pioneer machine-shop. His skill as a workman was soon recognized, and he was promoted to foreman of the Leech machine-shops. He served in this capacity through the different changes of the firm, from 1866 to 1875 with C. C. & E. G. Smith, and from 1875 to 1879 with Thornely & James. In 1879, he formed a partnership with Frederick Thornely, and established the West Wisconsin Iron Works, under the firm name of Thornely & Ott. Mr. Ott has full control and management of the works in this city, his associate, Mr. Thornely, being engaged in business in Dubuque. Mr. Ott was married, Feb. 14, 1857, to Theresa Ulrich, of Milwaukee. They have nine children - Benedict, John, George, Theresa, Willie, Frederick, Gustave, Ida and Matilda. Mr. Ott is a member of the A., F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., Germania Singing Society and La Crosse Schutzen Society.

These biographies submitted by Roxanne Munns.