Throndson, Tollef 1835 – 1898

THRONDSON, PETERSON, OLSON, WEEK, WEEK, GUTTONUSON, DOTSETH

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/5/2015 at 13:02:31

TOLLEF THRONDSON.

In the sudden death of Tollef Throndson, which occurred June 3, 1898, Madison township lost one of its most honored and respected citizens, a man who had ever been deeply interested in the welfare of the community in which he had so long lived and labored. Mr. Throndson was born in Norway, October 24, 1835, a son of Thrond and Engri (Peterson) Throndson, who were likewise natives of that country. The father followed farming throughout his entire life and lived and died in the land of his nativity.

Tollef Throndson was reared and educated in his native land and remained there until he attained his majority, when, believing that opportunities awaited him in America, which he could not enjoy in Norway, he came to the new world. His destination was Wisconsin but he remained there for only a short time and subsequently came to Winneshiek county. He began life in the new world in a humble manner, working out for several years at farm labor. He lived economically in the hope of saving sufficient money to permit him some day to become the owner of land, and his hopes were realized, when, in 1880, he became the possessor of one hundred and sixty acres. He later added to this a tract of forty acres, making two hundred acres, located on section 36, Madison township. He improved the place with substantial buildings, made a close study of the soil, planting crops best adapted to it, and each year he gathered rich harvests as a reward for the labor he bestowed upon the fields. He died very suddenly of heart failure, June 3, 1898, having led an active life up to that time.

It was in August, 1880, that Mr. Throndson was married to Mrs. Ragnild (Week) Olson, a daughter of Toster and Segriel (Guttonuson) Week. Mrs. Throndson was born in Norway, in January, 1848, and accompanied her parents on their emigration to America in 1866, the family home being established in Winneshiek county. The father was well advanced in years at the time of his emigration to this country, so that he practically lived retired in Iowa. His death occurred in 1894, but the mother lived only a few years after coming to this country, her death occurring in 1874. Mrs. Throndson was first married to Even Olson, in 1874, and became the mother of two sons: Otto, who died in infancy; and Even, who makes his home in Decorah. Mr. Olson died December 21, 1875. By her second marriage Mrs. Throndson became the mother of six children, namely: Engrie, the wife of Matt Dotseth, a farmer of Minnesota; Sena, who died in infancy; Theodore, at home; Alex, who died in infancy; Alex, the second of the name, who is still with his mother; and Stella, who is engaged in teaching school. Mrs. Throndson is a capable business woman, and with the assistance of her two sons has managed the farm since her husband's death. She has made many improvements and among other things has erected a substantial and modern home.

In politics Mr. Throndson was a republican, and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. He was devoted to his home and his family and was ever deeply interested in their comfort and welfare. He was likewise deeply interested in the best interests of his community, so that at his death he was not only mourned by those nearest to him but by many friends and acquaintances, who had come to respect him for his sterling traits of character.

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

Union Prairie cemetery gravestone
 

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