| Tekst |
Gerhart Hammer, a member of the firm of Hammer & Rosenberg, proprietors
of a successful garage in Colfax, and now president of this village, was born at-
Spring Valley, Wis., Aug. 18, 1882. His parents, Martin and Siri (Krispenberg)
Hammer, were natives of Trungum, Norway and farmers by occupation. Martin
was reared on the home farm, on which later he began to earn his living. He came
to the United States in 1865, locating in Menomonie and entering the employ of
Knapp, Stout & Co. as cook in their logging camps, in which occupation he con-
tinued for ten winters. In the meanwhile he bought 120 acres of land in Spring
Valley, covered with heavy hardwood timber. On this he built a log house and
barn, and with the aid of oxen cleared and broke the land. For half a century he
continued to improve and cultivate that farm, and he and his wife are still living
on it, he at the age of 87 years and she at that of 79.
They are the parents of five
children: John, of Milltown, Wis.; Julius, a merchant in Sanford, Mont., in part-
wordnership with W. F. Flitcroft, formerly with the Colfax Store Co.; Melvin of Great
Falls, Mont.; Gerhart, of Colfax; and Emma, who married Selmer Gunderson of
Colfax and lives on the home farm, taking care of her father and mother. Ger-
hart Hammer remained at home until arriving at the age of 16 years, attending
school and working on the farm. He then went to Spring Valley, where for two
years he was employed in the creamery and learned the art of butter making.. He
was 18 when he came to Colfax to become butter maker and acting manager of the
creamery here, and he was thus occupied for nine years. In the meanwhile, in
1908, he bought the Albertville creamery, which he operated until 1921, when he
sold it. He owned and operated the Colfax elevator for two years, handling grain
flour and feed, but sold out the business in 1913. He also for some time conducted
a plumbing and steam fitting business in Colfa- laying in all the village water-
mains and pipes, and putting in all the sewers except five blocks; also doing most
of the plumbing in the village. In 1922 Mr. Hammer bought Charlie Paul's in-
terest in the Paul & Rosenberg garage, the style of the firm being then changed to
Hammer & Rosenberg. They carry a full line of auto accessories, handle the
Buick cars, and do a general repairing business, having a good modern building
properly equipped, and aiming to give the public first class service at all times.
Since locating in Colfax Mr. Hammer has identified himself closely with local
affairs and has been called upon on several occasions to serve in public office. He
was for four years a member of the Colfax village council, was clerk of schools for
three years, and in the spring of 1924 was elected president of the village board.
In 1904 he was married in Colfax to Clara Moen, daughter of Ole and Josephine
Moen, her parents, who came to this country from Norway, being early settlers
in Chippewa County at a locality close to the Dunn County line. The mother,
who is still living, is making her home with a daughter in Colfax, the father being
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hammer have four children-three sons and a daughter
-namely: Le Roy, John, Earl and Irene, all of whom are acquiring their education
Le Roy and John being high school pupils in Colfax. |
Familien Fjeldvigs slektsside
