TORGERSON, Thomas T. c1871-1895

TORGERSON, RUSLEY

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 1/4/2013 at 16:17:53

Thomas Torgerson, who has been working at carpentering for H.A. Paine during the past summer, fell from a ladder on the third floor of the new opera house last Wednesday, August 14th, about 11:30, a.m., from the injuries of which he died about an hour after. Mr. Torgerson was at work on the third floor of the building directly over the opening for a stairway to the second floor and he had just put a board across it on which he placed one foot of the ladder and starting to climb the same he got up about five or six feet when he stopped and looked back and as an effect of this act the ladder swayed to one side and tumbled Mr. Torgerson into the aforesaid opening, a distance of eighteen or twenty feet. He struck on his left shoulder but the concussion to the head was of sufficient force to fracture the skull, from the effects of which he died.

The deceased was twenty-four years old and has a brother and sister residing at Forest City, Iowa, and an uncle in St. Ansgar, Iowa, with whom he has been making his home, his parents residing in Norway.

The remains were conveyed the next day to St. Ansgar, Iowa. T.F. Thurston and A.O. Malmer, representing Chincopin Camp, M.W.A., this city, accompanying the same, a large number of the members acting as escorts from the undertaking rooms of the Home Furniture Company to the C.M.& St.P.R'y. depot, the deceased being an honored member of the order, in which he carried an insurance of $1,000. Mr. Torgerson was a quiet, unassuming young man of industrious habits and was highly esteemed by all whose acquaintance he had made while here.

Albert Lea Enterprise

Item#2
One of the saddest of recent accidents is the one that robbed Thos. T. Torgerson of his life as is described in the article copied from the Albert Lea Enterprise. Tom, as he was familiarly called, was one of St. Ansgar's most popular young men and his death caused a sadness to strike every heart.

The funeral which was conducted by Rev. Olsen Friday afternoon was very largely attended by sympathizing friends.

Thomas T. Torgerson was born at Moe, Tellemarken, Norway, where he resided with his parents until the age of 17. In June 1887 he arrived in America, stopping at the home of his uncle, T.K. Rusley, near Froest City, Iowa. After living there for a few months he came to St. Ansgar to make his home with his uncle, A.O. Rusley and he has made this place his home until his death, having been away only a few months at a time when at school or at work. He always was an industrious young man and being anxious to obtain a good education he attended the St. Ansgar Seminary and Institute for two years and afterwards entered a commercial school at Decorah, Iowa, from which he received a diploma. He went to Albert Lea in the spring to work at the carpenters trade and was working on the Opera House when the accident occured. Just before leaving here in the spring he joined the Modern Woodman and took out a $1,000 insurance so that if he should be taken away his sister and brother who came to this country a year ago might have the benefit. While in Albert Lea he was identified with the Woodmen and when the terrible accident befell him, that society, which is carrying out the spirit of the life of Him who went about doing good, did all for him that human hands could do. They called a doctor and when his spirit had taken its flight to the life which is beyond, the embalmed and prepared his body for burial and two of the members came as escorts, and remained for the funeral.

There remains to mourn his loss, his father and mother and six brothers and sisters in Norway and his sister Emma, two years younger than him, and his brother Louis aged 17, in this country, besides other relatives and friends.

RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCE
Whereas, our all wise and loving heavenly Father has seen fit to call from amoung us to his eternal home Thos. T. Torgerson, a faithful member of the Y.P. Luther League, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that we herein express our apreciation of his services in our League and of his true manly character.

RESOLVED, that we exteen our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and friends whose loved one is at rest, and be further

RESOLVED that a copy of these resolutions be sent to his relatives, that a copy be published in the ST. ANSGAR ENTERPRISE; that a copy be pulished in the Christian Youth, and that a copy be spread upon the minutes of the League.

Anna Olson, Jennie Tollefson, Jno. P. Lund, Comm.

Card of Thanks
Through the medium of the ENTERPRISE we wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all who so kindly aided us and to those who showed us so much kindly sympathy, by word and action, in the funeral services of Thos.T. Torgerson, our nephew and brother.

A.O. Fusley and Family
Emma and Louis Torgerson

Place of Burial
Norwegian Cemetery, St. Ansgar, Iowa

St. Ansgar Enterprise