Sever Johnson Sommervold
Orkedalen, Norway
Extracted from the History of Dunn County, Wiscon (1925), p. 864.
Sever Sommervold, proprietor of the Sommervold cabinet
works on Sixth Avenue West, Menomonie, was born in Orkedalen, Norway,
March 30, 1883, son of John and Millie (Amundson) Sommervold. The
parents lived and died in Norway, their native land, the mother passing
away in 1900 and the father in 1923.
After attending public and high school in Norway, Sever Sommervold
learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet-maker. In 1902, a youth of
19, he came to the United States to better his fortune, and like the
majority of his countrymen, naturally gravitated to the Northwest.
Having an aunt, Martha Brerad, in Menomonie, he came first to
this city and stopped with here for a while. From July until October
that year, he worked for farmers, being busily engaged during the
threshing season. In October he went to the woods with the Chippewa
Lumber & Boom Co. and was in their employ until March 1903. Then he
began working for Sever Olson, a carpenter and contractor with whom he
remained that summer. His next employment was with the Dunn County Sash
& Door Co., and lasted three years, at the end of which time the
concern went out of business.
After that and until 1913, Mr. Sommervold was with Govin & Hanson,
who also were contractors and builders. He terminated his service with
them by buying them out and going into business for himself in the Govin
& Hanson shop, and here he has since remained. He manufactures sash
and doors and does all kinds of cabinet work to order. A highly skilled
workman, and thoroughly reliable in business matters, he has built up a
large trade which is still gradually increasing. His shop is equipped
with all necessary machinery, such as a jointer, moulder, tenon mortiser,
rip saws, and a large collection of hand tools.
Mr. Sommervold was married Dec. 1, 1906, to Amelia Johnson, who
was born in Menomonie, Nov. 10, 1884, a daughter of John and Hanna
(Larson) Johnson, who settled in Menomonie in 1880. The father died in
1916 but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Sommervold have one
child, Melvin John. Mr. Sommervold is a member of the Knights of Pythias
and the Scandinavian American Fraternity. In 1920 he made a trip to
Norway to see his father and other relations and old friends, being away
three months. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran
Church.
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