FINSAND, Tosten Olsen

OLSEN, FINSAND, HALVORSDATTER, TOSTENSDATTER, MONSEN

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 11/26/2012 at 15:50:06

Tosten Olsen Finsand was born June 9, 1836 at Viker in Adal, Buskerud, Norway to Ole Monsen and Christi Tostensdatter of Finsand. Tosten was baptized on July 7, 1836 and confirmed September 18, 1852 at Viker in Adal. Confirmation record found at the Norwegian Digital Archives on-line for Viker in Adal, Buskerud, Norway 1840-1861, page 149, entry # 13.

Tosten Olsen Finsand left Norway to emigrate to America in April of 1869, at age 35, traveling on to settle at Wisconsin. He married Margarethe Halvorsdatter in 1870 at Monroe, Wisconsin. The couple had their first child, Olava (born February 19, 1872 at Albany, Green, Wisconsin, married Olaus George Moe, died November 11, 1958 Osage, Mitchell, Iowa).

The same year, 1872, the family moved to Rock township, Mitchell County, Iowa, probably following after Reverand Claus Clausen and others who were leaving Wisconsin for Mitchell County, Iowa. The family lived north of Tingelstad's farm when they arrived. Four children were born in Rock township:
Christi (October 29, 1873 - May 27, 1878),
Hans (September 22, 1875 - September 21, 1942),
Peder (October 12, 1876 - February 23, 1955) and
Christian Tosten (October 22, 1878 - December 29, 1959).

Family found in the 1880 census living at Rock, Mitchell, IA: T. Fendsand 43, Margaret Fendsand 33, Olivia Fendsand 8, Hans Fendsand 5, Peter Fendsand 3, Christian Fendsand 1.

Then Tosten bought a five acre tract of land along Rock Creek, east of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church, in the woods. Seven more children were born at Cedar township:
Martin (July 17, 1880 - January 30, 1966);
Ole (September 26, 1882, stillborn, twin to Maria);
Maria (Marie, Mary) (born September 26, 1882 - February 19, 1928);
Thea (born July 28, 1884 - September 20, 1889 );
Gina (born April 22, 1886 - October 9, 1889);
Oscar (born May 4, 1888 - November 6, 1976); and
Theodore (born June 5, 1890 - December 26, 1964).

For nearly 31 years, Tosten was the janitor of the church and sexton at the Rock Creek Lutheran Cemetery. His land remained in estate until Oscar Finsand became the owner. After he passed away in 1976, it belonged to his son, Omer Finsand of Walnut Grove, California. Little remains of the house but a foundation, overgrown with brush and trees.
Excerpt from booklet "Meroa" by Gertrude Norby Crowell: Margrethe Finsand served as a mid wife and Tosten was a laborer. Tustin and Margarethe worked for Lars Eidnes (a farmer). They owned a small race horse and would hitch him to a racing cart. When it was time to quit work for the day, the horse would hardly give Margarethe time to get in the cart. She had to hang on for dear life as they were off and on their way before any good byes could be said. When this horse was too old for use, Lars took it, killed and skinned it and made a robe to give to Tosten.

Found in the 1895 to 1905 censuses at Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, IA:
1900: Torsten Finsand 63, Magrethe Finsand 53, Peder Finsand 23, Chrestian Finsand 21, Martin Finsand 19, Maria Finsand 17, Oscar Finsand 12, Theodor Finsand 9, Annie Olsen 78 (renting a room).
1905: T O Finsand.

Tosten O. Finsand died April 4, 1906 at Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa and was buried at the Rock Creek Lutheran Cemetery there.

Osage Press News Obituary (also at Mitchell County Gen Web site "Obituaries"):
Mr. Thorsten Finsand was born in Norway, June 9, 1836, and died April 4, 1906. In 1860 (error, 1869), he left his native land and came to Albany, Wisconsin, where he stayed four years. Here he was united in marriage to Margaret Halvorson in 1871. To them twelve children have been born, seven boys and five girls. One boy and three little girls have gone before. Six sons and two daughters and his wife survive him. He has resided in Rock Creek this county, thirty-three years. For nearly thirty-one years he has been janitor of the church and sexton of the cemetery of the Rock Creek Lutheran Congregation. This work he has done faithfully and he will be greatly missed by the church. That his labors have been appreciated was manifested by various tokens of gratitude. The funeral services were held in Rock Creek Lutheran church at two o’clock last Saturday afternoon and his body was interred in Rock Creek Cemetery.

Find a Grave Memorial #:62727857.

(Censuses transcribed as found without fixing spelling errors.)