TOLLEFSON, Abraham Theodore 1847-1921

TOLLEFSON, BERG, HALVORSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 11/3/2009 at 14:33:29

Abraham Theodore Tollefson, 1847-1921

PROMINENT CITIZEN CLAIMED BY DEATH

OBITUARY OF A. T. TOLLEFSON
(by his brother, A. K. Tollefson)

Abraham Theodore Tollefson was born at Berg, near the city of Kragero, Norway, May 1st, 1847, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Halvorson, three miles north of St. Ansgar, Iowa on the 17th day of September, 1921, aged 74 years, 4 months and 16 days.

In 1849, when little Theodore was scarcely two years old, the hopeful young couple, Knute and Tarand Tollefson Berg, sailed for America in the sailing vessel, Favorite. Among other relatives on this vessel was Theodore's sister, Ingeborg, now Mrs. L. H. Johnson of St. Ansgar. This vessel, after nearly three months on the Atlantic landed them at Quebec, from whence they were transported in various ways to Dixon, Illinois, where they abode some two years and then moved to Rock Prairie, Wis.

On the 17th day of May, 1854, Theodore, being seven years old, drove a yoke of oxen the distance of 200 miles to St. Ansgar, Iowa, and hauled the logs for the first log house on the prairie for his father.

In the spring of 1854, he, together with one of the largest classes in the history of the St. Ansgar Lutheran church, was confirmed by the Rev. C. L. Clausen. On December 28th, 1870, he was married to Liv Tollefson Rust. To this union were born four children; Carl T., Mikkel G., Alfred L., and A. Helena, now Mrs. George Halvorson. Alfred L. died in May, 1916.

He was actively engaged in farming until October 17th, 1905, when they moved to town, where they lived until October 29th, 1920, when his loving faithful wife passed away, since which time he has been tenderly cared for by his children.

He was well and favorably known throughout this part of the country. During his lifetime he filled many local offices of trust; for many years he was a member of the County Board of Supervisors, and at the time of his death was a director of the Mitchell County Mutual Insurance Company. He was a kind and affectionate father, a loyal friends and took great interest in all church affairs.

Besides a host of friends and relatives Theodore leaves to mourn his departure his three remaining children, Carl T. Tollefson, Mikkel G. Tollefson, Mrs. George Halvorson, and families, and Mrs. Adel Tollefson; two remaining brothers, A. K. Tollefson of Groten, S.D., and George P. Tollefson of Gongo, Africa; two sisters, Mrs. L. H. Johnson of St. Ansgar, Iowa, and Mrs. Mary Berg of Waubay, S. D.

The funeral was held Monday, September 19th, 1921, and all that was mortal of A. T. Tollefson was laid to rest in the Norwegian Lutheran cemetery, Rev. M. E. Waldeland officiating. Rest in peace father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

Those from away who came to the funeral are: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Johnson, Miss Mae Johnson and A. G. Hansen of Northwood, Iowa; A. K. Tollefson of Groten, S. D.; Miss Carrie Tollefson of Summit, S.D.; Mrs. Adel Tollefson of Austin, Minn., and N. E. Fedson of Lyle, Minn.

[Submitted to IaGenWeb 2005, Don Grell]