Thorson, Edward 1835 – 1913

THORSON, SELNESS, FLACH, QUANDAHL, BURTNESS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/5/2015 at 07:48:23

EDWARD THORSON.

On April 4, 1913, there departed this life one of the foremost agriculturists of Highland township, Winneshiek county, and one of its pioneers. A son of Norway, Edward Thorson had crossed the deep to the United States in 1861 and soon after his arrival enlisted with the colors of his newly adopted country, valiantly giving his services to the Union cause until the close of the war, when he came to Highland township, where success came to him in the form of a five hundred and sixty acre farm, to the cultivation of which he gave his sole attention for nearly half a century. Mr. Thorson not only gained, however, material success but also succeeded in winning the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, and universal opinion conceded him a place as one of the foremost men of his neighborhood. His death was therefore the occasion of deep and sincere mourning and brought grief not only to his family but to the many who called him friend.

Edward Thorson was born near Namsos, Norway, on October 10, 1835, a son of Thor and Karan Selness, who spent their entire lives in their native country on the family farm. They were the parents of five children: Nicolai, who resides in Hesper township; Johanna Flach, of Norway; Otto, of Highland township; Edward, of this review; and John Edward Thorson came to the United States in 1861. He had always used this name and as such enlisted from Wisconsin, where he had located, for service in the Civil war on November 10, 1861, taking the colors with Company I of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. In later years the family adopted the name of Selness, which had been in use in Norway. Mr. Thorson valiantly fought for the Union cause until the close of the war, participating in all the engagements in which his regiment took part. He located in Highland township, Winneshiek county, in 1865, and here spent the remainder of his life on his farm. At the time of his death, which occurred on April 4, 1913, he owned one of the most valuable farm properties in the county, comprising five hundred and sixty acres of land in one body and located on sections 9, 10 and 16, Highland township. His long years of labor, close attention to matters at hand and his systematic methods enabled him to make his farm one of the best cultivated and most profitable in the section. He built a substantial brick house in 1886 and made all the other improvements, including barns, sheds and outhouses, there being nothing on the land when he came in possession of it. He began his agricultural pursuits with a quarter section and subsequently increased his holdings as his resources permitted. On June 6, 1906, a cyclone devastated about ten thousand dollars worth of property on his place, including two barns and a part of the brick house, besides doing damage to other buildings and to his trees and stock. At the time there were three men in the house—Mr. Thorson, his son Albert and N. P. Thorson, all of whom were injured but none of them seriously. The son Albert was taken care of by neighbors and suffered for about two weeks before he recovered from his injuries. The rest of the family were fortunately away on that day. Hundreds of people for miles around came afterwards to view the destruction. A beautiful example of neighborly feeling was exhibited on that occasion, for over a hundred of the people living in the neighborhood came to his place and donated their labor in helping him to repair the damages. On one day there were as many as fifty who helped him to build up what was destroyed by the elements, and among them were many who themselves had suffered, even if not so severely as our subject, who was the heaviest loser in that castastrophe.

On July 25, 1872, Mr. Thorson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Thorson, who was born in Norway on July 14, 1849. She was brought to this county by her parents in 1853, at the age of four years, and has resided here ever since. She is a daughter of Paul and Thorber Thorson, both of whom passed away in Winneshiek county. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, of whom five children are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Thorson had seven children: Thomas, of Highland township; Petra, the wife of J. S. Quandahl, of Allamakee county; Albert, who now owns and operates the homestead; Julia, who married H. E. Burtness, of Houston county, Minnesota; Clara, at home; Thea, the wife of J. P. Quandahl, of Allamakee county; and Edgar, at home. Mrs. Thorson and all of her children enjoy the highest esteem and respect in this neighborhood, worthily carrying the name which has long stood for good qualities of mind and character in this section.

Mr. Thorson was a lifelong republican and although he never became actively interested in politics to the extent of accepting public office, always took a laudable interest in matters affecting the public welfare. He was a member of the Lutheran church and active in its work. He met his comrades from the battlefields of yore through the medium of the Grand Army of the Republic, being a member of the post at Decorah. A thoroughly reliable man, a kind and considerate neighbor, a good husband and a loving father, his memory is perpetuated in what he achieved along agricultural lines through long years of wearisome toil. As the years passed he became one of the substantial men of the county and became one of those who stood highest in the affection of all who knew him. His tenacity in pursuing a goal should be an inspiration to the younger generation and his memory is a heritage to his widow and children which is to be higher prized than the worldly possessions he left them. His name deserves a high place on the roll of honor of those who did much in building up the agricultural interests of Winneshiek county and his name will therefore ever be connected with its history.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913

Highland Lutheran Cemetery Gravestone
 

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