Mens Arntsen Skaarvold (Mike Score)
Skålvoll, Støren, Norway

From the History of Dunn County (1925), p. 946-947:

Michael Score (in Norway: Mens Arntsen Skaarvold), formerly a lumber worker and pioneer farmer, and now engaged in the pleasant and congenial occupation of raising vegetables and fruit, being otherwise retired, is a resident of North Menomonie and for 44 years has lived in Dunn County. He was born July 5, 1854, in Norway, that country that has given so many hardy workers to help build up the Northwest, and his parents were Arnt and Kari Score. There were six children in the family, Mary, Gertrude, Michael, John, Evan and Betsy, all of whom but Michael are now deceased. The parents died in their native land. Michael was educated in Norway and did railroad work there until he came to America in 1880.

It takes some enterprise for a youth to say goodbye to his parents and other relations and friends and go to a far distant foreign land, the language and customs of which he does not understand, and to know that he will arrive there with very little money, if indeed, he has anything left after paying his passage. But Mr. Score did it. Landing at Philadelphia, he came directly to Menomonie, which place he reached in May 27. Here he joined the little army of workers employed by The Knapp, Stout & Co. Company, and was with that company for several years, working in the mills during the summer months and driving a team in the woods in winter.

In 1887 he bought 64 acres of wild land on the Hudson Road about three miles from Menomonie. There he made his home for six years, during which time he erected a set of buildings and cleared 25 acres of the land. Then, having sold the property, he worked for one summer in the brick yards. Next he bought 80 acres of land on Little Elk Creek in Section 17, of the Town of Red Cedar, and began to build up another farm. His life and work on that place covered a period of 22 years, during which he carried on general farming, erecting buildings as they were required.

In 1916 he retired, renting the farm to his son Alex, and in 1919 he sold it. When he left the farm, he came to North Menomonie, buying a nice residence at 226 Douglas Street, which he has since occupied. He has an 8-acre tract of land just west of his home, where he does a little truck gardening and raises fruit in season, for which he finds a ready market. This adds a little to his income, which is amply sufficient for himself and wife, and also gives him agreeable occupation and exercise.

Mr. Score was married in Menomonie, July 13, 1883, to Gena Rongness (correction: Gunhild Ellevsdatter Rognesli), who was born in Norway, July 24, 1863, daughter of Alex and Gertie (Ropstad) Rongness [correction: (Refseth) Rognesli], both of whom died in Norway. She came to the United States in 1883, being married on her arrival. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Score was rounded out and perfected by the birth of 11 children, of whom nine are now living.

The family belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran congregation at North Menomonie.

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Obituary of Mike Score, Dunn County News, Dec. 2, 1925, p. 3:
Mike Score, aged 71, died of pneumonia at his home in North
Menomonie Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock. Funeral services will be
conducted at the home at 1 o'clock and at 2 o'clock at the Norwegian
Lutheran Church in North Menomonie Saturday afternoon. Rev. Hans
Allen will read the services. Burial will be made in the Halvorson
cemetery.

Mr. Score was born in Norway July 5, 1854 and came to this country in
1880. In the year of 1883 he was married to Miss Gena Rogness and
this union was blessed with nine children.

Those surviving to mourn his loss are: Mrs. Score and the nine
children, Alex, Gust, Emil, Sigwald and Melvin of this city, Mrs. John
Moe of Hudson, Mrs. Peter Rostad of Eau Claire, and Mrs. John Dahl
and Esther Score of this city.

Contributed by Linda Schwartz