Tollef Oleson Thompson (1850-1943)

THOMPSON, CALLECOD, KNUDSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/22/2020 at 17:20:48

From Nevada Evening Journal January 25, 1943 (page 3)

Thompson Funeral Services Today at Methodist Church

Funeral services for T. O. Thompson, 92, well known retired farmer, who passed away at his home at 802 Seventh street early Thursday, after suffering several weeks from injuries sustained in a fall on the ice, were held this afternoon at the Nevada Methodist church of which he had been a member for many years.

The services were in charge of his former pastor, Dr. C. D. Loose, now of Grinnell, assisted by Rev. Reynolds C. Murdock. While there was no singing, Mrs. Normwan Dobson, lifelong friend of the family, was at the organ.

Burial was in the Nevada cemetery by the side of the wife who passed away January 23, 1940.

Neighbors and friends who bore the casket were R. A. Davis, O. R. Solem, Jay K. Banks, Corey Kurtz, Gus Ludvig and Frank H. Kinsman.

Those in charge of the many and very beautiful floral offerings were Mrs. R. A. Davis and Mrs. Albert Olson.

"T. O. Thompson was born near Stavanger, Norway, July 18, 1850. His parents were Ole and Maren Callecod. During his early years he lived on a farm adjoining a large fjord, where his parents were engaged in livestock farming and fishing. His schooling was received by attending sessions held in the homes of the community.

"When he was eighteen years old, his father, mother and their children emigrated to the United States, locating at Leland, Ill. Here, as new immigrants they began to adapt themselves to the customs of their newly chosen country. Mr. Thompson's first occupation was that of a farm worker. He was frugal and soon purchased a team of horses and began to farm. During the seasons when not busy with the farm work he engaged in other kinds of work that could be secured in the neighborhood. Commercial trapping was his occupation for several winters. He also did team work in the construction of the Illinois Central railway.

"He became a citizen of the United States on Oct. 21, 1878 at Paxton, Ill. The opportunities and privileges of citizenship were greatly appreciated. He never failed to exercise his voting franchise. Mr. Thompson was well informed in current events and was keenly interested in local and public affairs.

"On March 28, 1879 he was united in marriage to Martha Knudson of Leland, Ill. To this union were born nine children, Anton of Cogewell, N. Dak.; Chester, of Spanaway, Wash.; Dan of Spokane, Wash.; Jasper, of Iowa Falls; Ruby, in China; and Otto, Eunice and Lillian of Nevada. Another son, Myron was drowned Jan. 16, 1914, while attending Grinnell college. Mrs. Thompson passed on January 23, 1940. He is survived by a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. All of his brothers and sisters have preceded him in death, the last one two years ago at the age of ninety-three.

"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary on March 28, 1939.

"After his marriage Mr. Thompson and his bride located on a farm near Paxton, Ill., and later moved Champaign county in the same state. In 1890 he and his family left Illinois and located on a farm in Richland township, north of Nevada, where they lived until the spring of 1909 when they moved to Nevada, and lived here till his death. During his early residence in Nevada he united with the Methodist church, where he was a faithful attendant. Mr. Thompson was known as a kind and considerate man with his family and everyone with whom he came into contact.

All of the six surviving sons some of them accompanied by their families, were here for the service, as were the two daughters, Lillian and Eunice, who have been in the home. The only one absent is the daughter Ruby who has been in the missionary service in China for many years.

Other relatives and friends here for the service are the grandson Francis Thompson, son of Otto Thompson of Nevada, who arrived this morning from the coast guard station near New York City; A. S. Thompson, a cousin of the deceased, from Ada, Minn.; Mrs. Ona Freeland, Melvin Ugland and Harry Nelson, all of Sheridan, Illinois; Mrs. Edna Skogman of Red Wood Falls, Minn.; Mrs. Ethel Clikeman of Albert Lea, Minn.; Mr, and Mrs. John Watt of Dows, Iowa, and possibly others.

In the death of T. O. Thompson, Nevada and Story county lose a valued and highly respected citizen and members of the family a beloved father.

Mr. Thompson was a man of fine characteristics and very high ideals. His memory will linger long with the people of Nevada who have known him best.