Bjorn Holland | |
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Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Iowa district | |
In office January 1899 – January 1903 | |
Preceded by | William A. Jones |
Personal details | |
Born | Rogaland, Sweden–Norway | July 5, 1841
Died | April 7, 1930 Blanchardville, WI, United States | (aged 88)
Political party | Republican |
Children | 7 |
Bjorn Sjursson Holland (July 5, 1841 – April 7, 1930) was a Norwegian American immigrant, farmer, merchant, teacher, and politician.
Also known as "Ben Holland," he was born July 5, 1841, in Rogaland, Norway.[1] In 1846, his family emigrated to the United States and settled in the town of La Grange, Walworth County, Wisconsin Territory.[1] The family soon moved to York, Green County, followed by Primrose, Dane County.[2] Holland worked on neighboring farms and went to district schools before attending Albion Academy in Dane County, Wisconsin from 1861 to 1863. Following his studies, he was a teacher and a principal in a private school in Chicago, Illinois in 1865, 1867, 1871, and 1879. Between that position, he conducted a milling and merchandise business with his brothers in the villages of Moscow[1] and Adamsville in Iowa County, Wisconsin, and served as town clerk of Moscow Township in 1867. In 1882, he purchased a farm upon which the Illinois Central Railroad soon built a line. A depot was established on his property and the village that grew, Hollandle, was named for him. He continued to work as a merchant, farmer, and cattle dealer here for more than 30 years. As a Republican, Bjorn Holland was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly, serving from 1899 to 1903.[3] He died at his home in Blanchardville, Wisconsin after being in poor health. He outlived all seven of his children and left no known descendants.[1][4]