Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Northern Wisconsin pub: The Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1881 [page 162] ERIK ALME, County Treasurer, Alma, was born in Bergenstift, Norway, Jan. 29, 1837. He immigrated to America in 1854, and landed in New York City. His first permanent location was in the town of Nelson, this county, in 1856, on Sec. 11, 23, 13, and his occupation has been farming, until he took the duties of County Treasurer, which position he was elected to in 1879. He was also a member of the County Board in 1870. He was not burdened with cash on his arrival to this country, but by in- dustry and economy he has accumulated considerable money, and is in comfortable circumstances. He married ELLEN ERIKSON, Oct. 6, 1860. She was born in Norway in 1835. They have seven children - ANNIE, CHRISTIE, ERIK, CARRIE, THOMAS, EMMA S. and JOHN O. Members of Lutheran Church. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Buffalo & Pepin Counties, Wisconsin - Vol. 1 pub. H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, MN - 1919 [page 292-293] ERIK ALME, one of the earliest Norwegians to settle in Buffalo county, was born in Lyster, Bergens Stift, Norway, Jan. 29, 1837, son of THOMAS and CHRISTIE ALME, He was a young man of 17 years when, in 1854, he came to the United States, accompanied by his sister, MARY. After a voyage of five weeks and two days in a sailing vessel, they landed at New York. From that city they proceeded up the beautiful Hudson river by steamer to Albany, and then took train to Buffalo, where they embarked on a lake steamer for Milwaukee. From the latter place they went by rail to Madison, Wis., where they remained two years, or until 1856, when they came to Buffalo county as members of a party which made the jour- ney in three wagons, and consisted of ERIK and MARY ALME, with the members of three other families, namely: OLE HANSON, wife and two children; JENS HOVELAND, wife and four children, and ARNE OTTESEN, then single, with his uncle, SHAK OTTESEN, also a single man - in all fourteen people. They brought with them cows, sheep and chickens, and drove to the valley in Nelson township, which has since been known as Norwegian Valley. The land was wild, but they cut their way in and made a settlement. There the HANSON family are still living, but the others finally scattered and took up other locations. ERIK and MARY ALME lived with the HANSONS for the first year, and at the end of that time he pre-empted 160 acres of land in section 11, Buffalo township, his present location. Here he built a log house, and began pioneer farming, having an ox team and two cows, besides an old wagon. Like most of the pioneers he had to carry his supplies a long way on his back, buying them at Reed's Landing. Among his earlier recollections are those of the winter of 1856-57, when the snow was five feet deep on the level, and when he was obliged to use snow shoes, as it was impossible to use a team. In October, 1860, MR. ALME married ELLEN SOFDE, who had come to this country from Norway, in 1855, locating first in Dane county, Wisconsin, and later coming to Buffalo county. They were married on the farm and began domestic life in the little log house he had first erected. Later he built a better log house, and in 1855, the present frame residence, having built a frame barn in 1874. He also stocked his farm with good cattle and increased in prosperity until he was numbered among the successful and well-to-do men of his township. He was one of founders of the Burnside creamery and served as a member of its board of directors. He was also active in promoting the settlement of Buffalo county, inducing other Norwegians to locate here, and aiding them with advice and in other ways until they were able to make a good start for themselves. As was natural for a man of his good qualities of citizenship, he was called upon to take part in public affairs. In 1869-70 he was chairman of the town board; he also served as town treasurer four years, was county treasurer from 1879 to 1884, and for 45 years was a member of his district school board, having helped to organize the district. He is now a stockholder in the Nelson bank, and is a man in comfortable circumstances, widely known and esteemed through this section. On Aug. 13, 1916, Mr. Alme suffered a bereavement in the death of his wife. He has since sold his farm and resides in Nelson with his daughter, Mrs. SYNSTAD. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. ALME were as follows: ANNA, who is single, and resides in Alma; CHRISTIE, now MRS. LOUIS SYNSTAD; CLARA, deceased; ERIK, JR., of McHenry, N.D.; THOMAS, a farmer of Canton township; EMMA, widow of GEORGE ERNES, formerly a farmer of Canton, who has rented her farm and now lives in Nelson; and JOHN, who is deceased. MR. ALME has thirteen grandchildren living. Transcriber's Note: Historical inaccuracies are sometimes found in these biographies. In this case the maiden name of his wife changes. ERIK ALME died on 6 August, 1920, and is buried in Church Valley Cemetery, Nelson, Buffalo County. He shares a monument with his wife whose first name is inscribed as "Ingri." ===========================================================================