BIOGRAPHIES:  John O. MELBY, Whitehall, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Submitted by: Nance Sampson, Trempealeau Co. WIGenWeb CC  19 February 2005
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**Posted for informational purposes only. I am not related to the subject 
of this biography, nor do I have any further information on this family.

John O. Melby, for many years a leader in the business, political
and financial integrity of Trempealeau County, was born Oct. 15,
1845, at Askim, Smaalenenes Amt, Norway.  He was reared to farm
pursuits and received acommon school educaiton.  As a young mane he
was employed for five years in a clerical position in Christiania,
and during this period attracted the favorable attention of several
prominent citizens.  But at the advice of his friends, who saw in the
young clerk those talents which in after years were to be the
foundation of his success, he determined to seek the wider
opportunities of the new world.  Accordingly, bidding farewell to his
old associates, he embarked for America in 1869, and found his way to
Omaha, Neb., where he remained but a short time.  Thence he came to
La Crosse, Wis., where he was employed for a short time in the saw
mills.  It was in 1870 that he came to Ettrick, in this county, and
secured work as a clerk in the general store of Iver Pederson, in
whose employment he remained for five years.  While a resident of
that town he was elected to the office of town treasurer, a position
he held for four years.  His character as a man, his ability as an
official, and his willingness to render services to his fellowmen
whenever needed made him well known throughout the county, and in
1874 he was elected registrar of deeds of Trempealeau County, which
office he held continuously until 1887.  He was a conscientious
official, and discharged the duties of his office with dignity and
ability.  Especially was his influence marked among his fellow
countrymen, who, finding themselves in a new land with new laws and
customs, constantly sought his competent advice.  From 1887 to 1888
he was cashier of the Bank of Galesville, and it was upon retiring
from this office that he entered upon his notable career as near the
end of the latter year as such until 1894.  In 1894 he organized a
stock company and incorporated this as a state bank under the name of
John O. Melby & Co. Bank.  In 1906 the charter of this bank was
extended and the capital stock increased to $50,000.  He was
president of this institution from its creation to the date of his
death, June 12, 1909.  The Times Banner, in summing up his life and
work after his death said of him:  "In the death of Mr. Melby,
Trempealeau County loses one of its leading citizens and Whitehall
its most lofty type of a Christian gentleman.  For almost a quarter
of a century he has been identified with the business, political and
social life of the county, and perhaps no man in all its history has
enjoyed such a wide circle of personal friends as he.  From every
section of the county people came to him with their problems and
troubles, and this is especially true of those of his own nativity,
whose inability to speak the English language or whose lack of
knowledge concerning our laws made them hesitate to confide in
others.  To those he gave his time and the benefit of his intimate
business knowledge with a patience and kindly interest that early in
life endeared him to all who knew him.  How much of this time he has
thus devoted gratuitously to others will never be known, nor can we
ever estimate what his advice and help thus taken from his busy life
has done for the peace of communities, the tranquility of homes, and
the upbuilding of characters in the county and even beyond its
borders.  With a modesty becoming his generous nature, these are all
closed incidents of which he made no charge and kept no record.  Only
once has he held public office, that of registrar of deeds of
Trempealeau County, and his services in that capacity were so highly
appreciated that it was with difficulty that he could retire at the
end of twelve years of continuous service.  Time and agin in later
life he refused the offers of high political honors to devote his
time to his business and his family.  Perhaps no stronger testimonial
of the clean and rugged character could be written than the record of
the birth and steady growth of the banking institution that bears his
name.  For twenty-one years this institution has been almost the sole
depository for the wealth of the county seat and the surrounding
territory.  During all those years it has stood with the strength of
Gibraltar.  Whether the financial tide ran high or low, the people's
faith in his bank never faltered, chiefly because of their
unquestioned faith in the man at its head.  He died possessed of a
comfortable fortune, and always gave with a liberal hand to every
worthy charity and to every cause looking to the improvement of the
social and educational conditions in the village of Whitehall.  In
his boyhood he joined the United Lutheran Church of Norway, and has
always been an earnest Christian worker, giving liberally to the aid
of church work, regardless of denominations.  The Methodist Episcopal
Church of Whitehall owes much to his enthusiastic work and liberal
support.  The best epitome of the life and character of John O. Melby
was his request, as the end drew near, for a simple Christian burial,
and his acceptance without fear and with quiet resignation of the
infinite decree.  John O. Melby is gone, and the light of his kindly
presence on the streets of Whitehall is dimmed by death, but the
influence of his upright Christian life will remain with us to cheer
and guide the generations yet to come."  Such encomiums but briefly
skim the surface of the real depths of his character, his worth and
the meaning his life had on the community.  He furnished backing for
several financial and business institutions throughout the county; he
encouraged many a worthy business enterprise that had a part in the
upbuilding of Trempealeau County villages.  In Whitehall there was
scarcely any phase of the village's activity in which he did not have
a part.  His benefactions were widespread, his hand was ever open.
The blessings which the people of Whitehall will received from the
park which he and his wife presented to the village will increase
yearly.  Mr. Melby was especially happy in his domestic life, and in
his home and family he took his greatest pride.  At the beginning of
his career Nov. 3, 1875, he married Jennie L. Beach, at Ettrick, and
her influence and encouragement were important factors in his
success.  Their home was brightened by five children.  Two died in
infancy.  Kathryn F. is the wife of Judge Robert S. Cowie of
Whitehall, Charles B. is cashier of the John O. Melby & Co. Bank of
Whitehall, Marie A. is the wife of Harold W. Dawdy of Onalaska, Wis. 

-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin,
1917," pages 283 - 284. 


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