WI BIO - Dane Co - ELLESTAD, Niels J.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 486-487

Niels J. ELLESTAD, a member of the Town Board of Blooming Grove, Dane County, 
WI, was born in Norway on 09 Aug 1841. His father, John N. ELLESTAD, who was 
also born in Norway, in 1805, learned the trade of shoemaker, and followed 
that calling in Norway until 1848. He then came to America, sailing from 
Bergen, 17 May 1848, accompanied by his family, consisting of his wife and 
four children. The little party landed at NY, 04 Jul 1848, and came directly 
to Dane County, WI, settling in Blooming Grove, where the father purchased a 
tract of land in section 23. A greater portion of the land was timber, and 
all was uncultivated. On this land John N. ELLESTAD built a log house, 
immediately commenced to improve his property, and continued to reside on 
this land until his death, 11 Nov 1891. The mother of our subject is still 
living. She reared 10 children, nine of whom are still living, and three of 
these nine are in Blooming Grove. The other six have chosen IA as a place of 
residence.

Niels J. ELLESTAD was seven years of age when his parents emigrated to 
America, so he remembers the incidents of the ocean journey. After arrival 
the family made their way across the country to WI, via the canal from Albany 
[NY] to Buffalo [NY], thence via lakes to Milwaukee, WI, when the remainder 
of the journey was made with ox teams. The country was sparsely settled, and 
deer and other kinds of wild game were plentiful. All the grain had to be 
hauled to Milwaukee with ox teams. The parents of Niels J. ELLESTAD were in 
very limited circumstances, so he commenced at once to assist his father on 
the farm, and made the best of opportunities offered him to secure an 
education in the pioneer schools. Those early days of industry were of 
incalculable benefit to him, as they inculcated habits of usefulness and 
frugality that have never been forgotten. He has always followed his calling 
of farmer, and is now the successful owner of 214 acres of land on sections 
23, 26, and 27.

In 1862 Niels J. ELLESTAD married Annie NELSON, born in Norway, daughter of 
Tolef NELSON. Niels J. and Annie (NELSON) ELLESTAD have 11 children: Julia, 
Mary, Annie, John, Tolef, Niels, Peter, Martin, Willie, Albert, and Emma. 
Our subject and his family are [p 487] members of the Lutheran Church. In 
politics he is a Democrat, and has served as Town Treasurer and member of the 
Town Board for several years. He is also a member of the Cottage Grove 
Insurance Company. Mr. ELLESTAD and family are highly respected throughout 
the entire community.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly