FALK, Ole Nelson
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 170-171

Ole Nelson FALK, of Stoughton, Dane County, WI, was born in Amble, Bergens 
Stift, Norway, 26 Aug 1841, and emigrated with his parents to WI in 1852 and 
located in the town of Cottage Grove, Dane County, WI, where his father died 
in 1854. In 1858 he moved to Whitewater, Walworth County, WI, attending the 
public schools there.

In Aug 1861, Ole Nelson FALK enlisted as a Private in Company H, 27th WI 
Infantry, and was promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and later to 2nd and 1st 
Lieutenant. He was present at the following engagements: siege of 
Vicksburg, MS; Sartartia, MS; capture of Little Rock, AR; Spanish Fort and 
Blakely, AL, and in many severe and fatiguing marches and countermarches and 
expeditions usual in war. He was at the surrender of the Confederate fleet 
at MacIntosh Bluff, AL, in May 1865. In the latter part of this month, he 
with the company was sent across the Gulf of Mexico to the Rio Grande, under 
the command of General SHERIDAN, and was mustered out at Brownsville, TX, in 
Sep 1865, after serving three years.

After returning to WI, Ole Nelson FALK opened a drug store, which business he 
still holds. It is now conducted under the name of Falk Brothers. In 1884, 
in company with O. M. TURNER, Mr. FALK organized the Dane County Bank, of 
which he holds the position of first cashier. The business is carried on 
with a banking capital of $60,000. His residence is situated on one of the 
most choice locations in the city and is surrounded by more than an acre of 
ground.

Ole Nelson FALK was married in the winter of 1866 to Mary J. GJERDE, a 
resident of Pleasant Springs, Dane County, WI. They have six children: 
Clara J., Hattie Adelle, Nelson H., Fredrica M., Elmer, and Rolf. Miss Clara 
has made a special study of music, taking a course at Rockford Seminary, 
Rockford, Winnebago County, IL, and in 1800 graduated at the celebrated 
Chicago Musical College, receiving the [p 171] annual Marshall Field diamond 
medal for excellence in the work. Since that time she has met with great 
success in teaching music. Hattie Adelle has also made a specialty of the 
study of music, graduating from the teachers' class of the Lyric School of 
Chicago. Ole Nelson FALK is socially a member of the G. A. R. Post, and 
belongs to the Lutheran Church.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly