THORSON, O. E.

THORSON, MOE, ANDERSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 2/5/2011 at 22:11:30

O. E. Thorson, a successful and enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Mitchell county, living in section 15, Newburg township, where he owns a valu­able and highly improved tract of land, was born April 25, 1867, upon his present place, his parents being Erick and Rosa (Anderson) Thorson, who were natives of Norway, the former coming from Hallingdal, while the latter was born in Valders. Erick Thorson crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1851 and resided for a time in Wisconsin and in Illinois, but in 1853 came to Mitchell county, Iowa, with the colony that arrived here under the direction of the Rev. Clauson. He continued to live in Mitchell county for eleven years and in 1864 he returned to Norway, where he resided until 1866, when he again came to the United States, accompanied by his parents. He was thereafter prominently and closely associated with the agricultural interests of Mitchell county to the time of his death, which occurred December 28, 1907, while his wife passed away in 1895. He had long been recognized as a leading farmer of Mitchell county and as a self-made man who won his prosperity entirely through his own unaided efforts.

O. E. Thorson, the only child born to Erick and Rosa Thorson, acquired a common school education and when not busy with his textbooks worked in the fields upon his father's farm, continuing to assist in its cultivation until the death of his father, whose example of unfaltering enterprise and diligence has ever been a stimulus to him. The father was a shoemaker by trade but throughout his entire life in the United States followed the occupation of farming. He never neglected his duties in other connections and became one of the first mem­bers of the Norwegian Lutheran church of his locality, assisting in building the house of worship and also contributing generously to. St. Ansgar's Seminary. His political allegiance was given to the republican party but he did not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. O. E. Thorson has ever followed in his father's footsteps and has at all times been actuated by a progressive spirit in the conduct of his business affairs. He took over the old home farm upon his father's death and is today the owner of an excellent property comprising one hundred and sixty acres. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and in connection with raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he is successfully engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of pure­bred Duroc Jersey hogs. He is likewise a stockholder of the creamery company of St. Ansgar and also of the Cooperative Lumber & Grain Company.

On the 4th of January, 1889, Mr. Thorson was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Moe, of St. Ansgar, and they have become the parents of nine children: Le Roy, residing in Carpenter, Iowa; Earl C., who makes his home in Otranto township; Alma, who studied music in the State College at Ames and is now at home; and Leon W., Arthur D., Herbert A., Mildred A., A. J. and Rose M., all at home.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Thorson has given stalwart support to the republican party and its principles, believing that its plat­form contains the best elements of good government. His religious faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church and his life has been guided by its teachings. He is a man of genuine worth, progressive in business, loyal and patriotic in citizenship and faithful in friendship. All who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms of warm regard.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 397.