died 18 Mar 1938.

The Torresdal family farmed near Platte, SD from 1906-1914. They returned to Winneshiek Co. because it was dry in SD and the crops were very poor.

Elizabeth was baptized and confirmed at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. She continues to be a member of this church. Elizabeth lived at home and helped on the farm until her parents died. She then moved to an apartment in Decorah where she did cleaning at the “Parkway Beauty Salon’’ for 40 years.

Elizabeth had a brother and a sister: Thor “Osmund" Torresdal (m. Alma Bolson) and Thea Marie ( m. Guy Nelson). In her leisure Elizabeth enjoys tatting and crocheting. She also likes to sew and makes some of her own clothes. Elizabeth presently resides at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah.

Tosten, Alfred and Gertrude (Merrit)

(Carrie Houck Lee and Harvey Houck)

Alfred Tosten was born 4 Dec 1890 in Pleasant Twp. the son of Tosten and Christina (Johnson) Tostenson. Tosten was born in Norway 20 Nov 1850. He came to Pleasant Twp. Winneshiek Co. with his parents Tosten and Sigrid (Ode) Tostenson, 2 brothers Ole and Peder, and 2 sisters Sigrid and Annie, when he was about 18 years old. Alfred’s mother Christina Johnson was born 23 Jul 1862 in Pleasant Twp. the daughter of Carl and Martha Nelson Johnson. Carl was paid to go to the Civil War in place of another man. He was a Sergeant in the 38th Regiment Co. D. and died due to a disease. He is buried in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks, MO. Martha was left to raise her children on a government pension of $8.00 a month. Alfred had 4 brothers and 3 sisters: Olaf, Sam, Carl, Clara Short, Mathilda Rolland, Stella Houck and her twin brother Teddy who died at 3 weeks of age and is thought to have had pneumonia.

Alfred married Gertrude Merrit in Detroit Lakes, MN 19 Aug 1925, the daughter of Newton and Gertrude (Frobig) Merrit. They had 7 children: Norman. Nathan. David. Ruth (Cornell), Vivian. Naber. Jeanette (GreenV and Lavonne (Masters).

Alfred got his early education in the Daubney School in Pleasant Twp. He graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA in Mar 1928 and received his license. While still a young man he was ordained into the ministry after completing studies at the American Bible College of Chicago. He was actively engaged in ministerial and evangelistic endeavors in this area. He served the people as a Doctor of Chiropractic for 30 years.

Gertrude also graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1928 and was a member of the Iowa Chiropractic Assn. Their first Chiropractic Office was located in Guttenberg, IA in 1929. Then they moved to Decorah where they had their office in the front of their home at 604 W. Water St. Following this they practiced in Waukon, Riceville and Cresco where Alfred passed away 19 Feb 1959. Gertrude sold her house in Cresco and moved to Minneapolis, MN where she lived in the Mary

Greeley Medical Center until her death on 16 Aug 1986. They are both buried at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Cresco, IA.

Tosten, Sam and Belle (Hegge)

(Harvey Houck)

Sam Tosten was born 13 Mar 1881 in Pleasant Twp. Winneshiek Co., the son of Sam and Christina Tosten. His brothers and sisters were: Clara (m. Monroe), Tillie (m. Rolland), Olaf and Carl, all of whom lived in Great Falls, MT and Stella (m. Houck) of Decorah, IA and Alfred of Cresco, IA.

Sam married Belle Hegge of Blackhammer, MN 28 Dec 1904. Sam and Belle had 2 children: Pearl (m. Foss) and Ruth (m. Stanley Ask). Ruth makes her home in Decorah. Pearl has 3 children: Norma (m. DeLong of Portland, OR); Donald of Lino Lakes, MN and Allen of Tulsa, OK. Ruth has a step-daughter LuVerne Blanc of Houston, TX.

Sam was known to all as the “Gentle Giant” big, tall, huge-all three categories fit him well. He stood about 6'2" tall and tipped the scales in the neighborhood of 260 pounds. Sam shod horses both big and small. At one time a big horse weighing between 1,600 and 2,000 pounds started crowding Sam and he put his shoulder against him and forced the horse to move over.

Sam spent some years in the blacksmithing business as a partner of Gust Gullickson, George Schamel and Helmer Thompson. They shod a large number of race horses during fair time. Decorah had as many as 50 race horses at one time.

Sam was a blacksmith for 45 years until his death 15 Aug 1949.

Traaserud, John Olson and Margit (Andersdtr)

(Evelyn Zingula)

Margit and John Olson Traaserud

Johannes (John) Olson Traaserud was born 19 Mar 1820 on Helium Farm, Heddal Parish, Telemark, Norway, the 3rd son of Ole Olsen and Helge (Kittilsdtr) Traaserud. He emigrated from Norway in 1847. Upon arrival in America he continued to Milwaukee, Wl and lived a short