Emil Lilgerose is vice president and manager of the Lincoln Lumber Company at Kemmerer, in which connection an extensive business has been built up, the efforts of Mr. Lilgerose contributing in large and substantial measure to this result. A native of Sweden, he was born at Linkoping on the 21^st of January, 1880, a son of Anders Gustave and Caroline (Anderson) Lilgerose, who were likewise natives of Sweden. The father was a carpenter and builder by trade and followed that pursuit with a substantial measure of success. He spent his entire life in Sweden, where he passed away in August, 1905, at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife is still living there. They had a family of four children: Emil, of this review; Anna; Dave; and Ed, who is a resident of Kemmerer.
    Emil Lilgerose was fourteen years of age when he put aside his textbooks having hitherto attended the public schools, to become an apprentice at the carpenter's and builder's trade. He served for a term of five years and between the ages of nineteen and twenty-eight years followed his trade as a journeyman. He also pursued a special course of study in a night school in his native country, devoting his attention to drawing and architecture in the State College, which was an endowed school that had been established in order to provide means of education for those who had ability but had no funds with which to meet their tuition. The benefactor of this college later became prominent in military circles and was a captain and major in the Swedish army.
    After devoting many years to business in his native country, Emil Lilgerose crossed the Atlantic to the new world and arrived in Rock Springs, Wyoming, on the 8^th of June, 1908. He was there employed by Victor Smith, a leading builder, in whose service he remained until the following year, when he removed to Kemmerer.
    In 1911 he established the present business as a partnership affair, the partners in the undertaking being Victor Smith, Oscar Gustafson, G. S. E. Johnson, Axel Johnson, Jack Larson, T. A. James and Emil Lilgerose. In 1912 the business was incorporated under the style of the Lincoln Lumber Company, with Victor Smith as the president and Mr. Lilgerose as vice president and manager, while A. Klingman became secretary and treasurer. This company deals in lumber and manufactures all kinds of mill material. They have the first and only plant of the kind in Lincoln county and they employ on an average of from six to twenty people. The plant covers an area of three-fourths of an acre and is modern in every detail and equipment. The business covers not only Kemmerer but also extends to neighboring towns and their patronage is large and gratifying.
    On the 13^th of November, 1916, Mr. Lilgerose was married in Kemmerer to Miss Harriett Dense, a native of Illinois. His political endorsement is given to no party, for he prefers to follow an independent course. He was made a citizen of the United States on the 16th of September, 1913. Fraternally he is connected with the Loyal Order of Moose and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. Mr. Lilgerose came to America with limited means, but he believed that he might have good business opportunities on this side of the Atlantic and he has been more than satisfied with the results. He believes that Wyoming has a great future before it and is putting forth every effort in his power to advance its interests as well as to promote his individual success.