Bio: Nygaard, John H. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org.

Surnames: Nygard, Jacobson, Thompson, Baker, Logan, Esch

----Source: History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (1914) pages 807-808

John H. Nygaard, the popular county clerk of Eau Claire county, a position he has continuously held since 1904, was born in Norway, January 19, 1863, the son of Halvor H., and Maren (Jacobson) Nygaard.

Halvor H. Nygaard, father of John H., was born in Norway in 1828, and was one of the prominent and successful men of his native town, where he was engaged in the merchant tailoring business until 1890. In that year he came to this country and settled in Eau Claire, and for a number of years followed the occupation of tailor. He afterward moved to Washburn, N. D., where his son, Hans C. had preceded him and where he now lives in retirement. He is a devoted member of the Lutheran church and in politics believes in the doctrines of the Republican party. He married Maren Jacobson, of Norway, who is now deceased, and the following children were born to them: Hans C., who resides in Washburn, has been prominent in polities all his life in and around Washburn, N. D., and where for twelve years he has been Register of Deeds. John H., the subject of this sketch; Annie married John Thompson, a merchant in Tacoma, Wash., and Carl, who is engaged in the merchant tailoring business in Tacoma.

John H. Nygaard was educated in the common schools of Norway, and in early life learned the trade of cutter in his father's tailoring establishment, where he was employed until 19 years of age. Learning of the tempting opportunities for advancement in this country, he set sail in 1882 for America, and upon his arrival, he came to Eau Claire and was employed as cutter for eight years in a tailoring establishment. In 1892 he formed a partnership with Mr. John Baker in the same business under the firm name of Nygaard & Baker, at which he continued until the Fall of 1904, when he was elected county clerk of Eau Claire county on the Republican ticket, and by re-election without opposition has held the office ever since. He is one of Eau Claire's most prominent officials, progressive and up-to-date, and has done much in the line of his duty to place Eau Claire among the banner counties of the state, and has been the means of causing to be published several directories of the county officials and maps, for the convenience and benefit of his constituents.

Mr. Nygaard is a man of pleasing personality and readily wins the good will and holds the confidence of those who come within the range of his influence. He is a man of genial, social temperament, loyal to his friends and is actively identified with the Free Masons, Knights of Pythias, the I. S. W. A., Sons of Norway, the Beavers, the Eau Claire Rod & Gun Club and the County Clerks' Association. He is also a member of the Lutheran church. In 1888 he married Miss Julia Logan, daughter of John Logan, of Eau Claire, and they are the parents of four children, as follows: John Richard, a graduate of the high school, was appointed to the West Point Military Academy through the influence of Congressman John Esch, of La Crosse; Mildred S. is a graduate of the common and high schools of Eau Claire, and in 1913, graduated from the Normal School of Superior, and during this year, 1914, has taught school at Chippewa Falls; Eva N. and Julia S. Nygaard live at home with their parents.