Thorson, Edwin Ole 1881-1938

THORSON, BAK, HAAVIG, GADD

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/20/2024 at 20:41:34

Note: His mother's maiden name was Bak. His step-father's last name was Haavig.

PROMINENT AKRON BUSINESS MAN IS CALLED BY DEATH

Last Rites for E. O. Thorson are Largely Attended Monday Afternoon

The final summons came to E. O. Thorson at his home in this city Saturday morning, March—26, 1938, at 1:05 o’clock, after an illness of about two years that baffled medical science and caused him great suffering at times. Nearly two years ago he went through the Mayo clinic at Rochester, Minn., but the exact nature of his affliction could not be determined. The past two winters he had spent in Phoenix, Arizona, and the change to a warmer and drier climate seemed to bring him some relief.

Last January, while in Phoenix, he suffered a severe setback; Dr. J. H. Karr was hurriedly called from here and, after consultation with physicians there, it was decided to operate at once. This was done on January 26 and a tumor was removed from his liver. Mr. Thorson made a surprising rally from the operation and appeared to be gaining for a time; but the improvement was only temporary , and early in March it was decided to bring him home, his wife accompanying him on the train. The railroad trip proved a very trying one for him, and Mrs. Thorson wired for the Rossow ambulance to meet them in Omaha. Getting as far as Sioux City; it was found necessary for Mr. Thorson to rest in a hospital there the remainder of the day and night, and he arrived home the morning of March 9, there to remain until his earthly pilgrimage was ended.

An autopsy showed that Mr. Thorson had been suffering from cancer in one lung, which was not revealed in x-ray examinations that had been made. Through all his illness and suffering Mr. Thorson made a valiant fight for recovery, maintaining a cheerful, patient and uncomplaining attitude that might have brought him through a struggle where the odds were not so strongly of 57 years, 1 month and 7 days.

Edwin O. Thorson was born February 19, 1881, in Kristiansund, Norway. At the age of about one year he came with his parents to America and settled on a farm near Forest City, Iowa, where he grew to young manhood and obtained his schooling. At the age of fifteen years he started work in a drug store and later graduated in pharmacy from Highland Park college, Des Moines, Iowa.

In 1912, Mr. Thorson formed a partnership with J. F. March in the drug business here, and later he bought the interest of Mr. March and had since continued in the business here. On June 15, 1910 Mr. Thorson was united in marriage with Miss Ethel Gadd, of Highmore, S. D., and to this union two children were born, Naomi and MacDonald.

When a young man Mr. Thorson became much interested in Masonry and was made a Master Mason at Corwith, Iowa, in 1912, demitting to Freedom lodge, No. 434, Akron, in 1914 He was also a member of Vesper chapter, No. 61 Order of Eastern Star, in Akron, and of Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, and Abu-Bekr Shrine, of Sioux City. Mr. Thorson was twice Worshipful Master of Freedom lodge and had a large and responsible part in the building of the present beautiful Masonic Temple in Akron. He was for a number of years active in the councils and ceremonials of Sioux City Consistory, hold a high office in the 32nd degree, and being but a step distant from the 33rd degree, the highest distinction that Masonry can confer.

Mr. Thorson was a staunch Republican in politics well grounded in his opinions but always tolerant of the views others. His counsel and influence were sought and valued by party leaders. In community and public affairs he was always active and prominent, having served as president and director of the Akron Commercial club, president and director of the Akron Country club, and was for several years general chairman of the big Watermelon Day celebrations held in Akron. He was progressive and successful in his profession as a pharmacist and druggist, and was a worker and leader in the driggists’ organization in district and state, being at the time of his death second vice president of the Iowa Pharmaceutical Association. He was known by hundreds of people in this section of the state and was held in high esteem for his many fine qualities and pleasant personality.

Through the years he had lived an honest, upright and useful life, and often had said, “I would rather be known and remembered as a good man than as a wealthy man.” To know Mr. Thorson was to love and honor him, which fact is attested by his wide circle of friends, as well as by the many anxious inquiries as to his condition during his long illness and by the splendid tribute of respect paid at the final rites.

His was religious by nature and received much comfort during has extended illness from the sacraments and ministries of the church. In his boyhood he was confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran church and remained a faithful member.

Mr. Thorson was a true and faithful husband, a kind and considerate father and a helpful and understanding friend and neighbor. He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Ethel Thorson, a daughter, Mrs. C. R. Mason, and a son Mac Donald Thorson, all of Akron; by his mother, Mrs. A. O. Haavig, of Forest City, who is 93 years of age; three brothers, Thorwald, of Forest City; Ole, of Cornell, Wis., and Theodore, of Farmersburg, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. O. J. Severson, of Forest City, and Mrs. O. L. Echols, of Sioux City, Iowa, besides many other relatives, and a host of friends, who tender their sincerest sympathy to those bereaved. A man who has occupied such a large and useful position in the affairs of a community over a period of years will be sorely missed and genuinely mourned, and his place will be difficult to fill.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, at 2:30 o’clock from the home and at 3 o’clock in the Akron M. E. church. Every seat in the main auditorium was occupied and about a hundred people were seated in the church parlors where a loud speaker brought to them the services from a microphone on the pulpit. Rev. Ernest G. Svenson, pastor of Immunuel Lutheran church, read from the Scriptures and offered prayer. Rev. J. F. Moore delivered a most comforting and fitting sermon, taking his text from Hebrews 11:27, “Moses endured seeing him who is invisible.” Vocal duets “Saved by Grace” and “Sometime, Somewhere,” were sung beautifully by Misses Mary and Eunice Burket, with piano accompaniment by Mrs. Max Pollock. The Masons attended the services in a body, and the pallbearers, also Masonic brethren, were Dr. J. H. Kerr, Dr. George Mattison, Dr. W. J. Brunner, Max Pollock, John H. Earnest and E. H. Youngstrom. At Riverside cemetery, the solemn and impressive Masonic burial service was exemplified by V. G. Adamus, Dr. G. H. Wooton and A.N. Williams, assisted by the brethren.

Relatives who came from a distance to attend the funeral were; Mrs. A. O. Haawig, Mr. and Mrs. O. J. Thorson, all of Forest City, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Ole Thorson and son, Harley, of Cornell, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Thorson, of Farmersburg, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. O. I. Echols, of Sioux City; Miss Julia Severson and Mrs. Tillie Anderson, of Forest City; Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Gadd, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Gadd, Mrs. H. C. Harris all of Highmore, S. D.; Mrs. Ed Henson, of Sioux City.

Officials of the druggists; organizations present were: A. E. Thomas, of Des Moines, state president; J. W. Slocum, of Des Moines, state secretary; Geo. Brown, of Onawa, state vice president; Otto Bjorustad, of Spencer, past state president; R. J. Allen, of Sioux City, past state president; C. H. Slumberger, of Denison, president Group 9; V. Gasins, of Sioux City, secretary Group 9. Druggists were also present from Sioux City, LeMars, Sioux Center; Orange City, Rock Rapids and Hawarden.

Near friends who attended from out of town were; Ed. H. Campbell, of Battle Creek, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Matt Faber, of Remsen; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. C. Gilespie, of LeMars; Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield, of Sioux City.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, March 31st, 1938
Akron, Iowa pages 1,4