G. W. Thornvall (1859-1902)

THORNVALL, CARLSON

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/24/2005 at 07:50:09

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, July 17, 1902, page 1, column 3. "OBITUARY - G. W. Thornvall was born in Sweden June 6, 1859, and was drowned near Elwell July 10, 1902, age forty-three years, one month, three days. He came to America in 1881, residing at Des Moines until he moved near Elwell in 1886. He married Miss Hannah Carlson, of Des Moines, in 1884; to them were born seven children, four boys and three girls. Walter, who was killed by lightning August 13, 1896, preceeded his father to the spirit world. He leaves a wife and six children, with many friends to mourn his departure. His brother-in-law, Andrew Carlson, of St. Peter, Minn., was in attendance at the funeral. Mr. Thornvall was highly esteemed by all who knew him, his neighbors all speak well of him. As a neighbor he was always helpful and in the path of service, and came to his death while trying to help others. He had just been out on Skunk river bottom to see how Mr. Glasgow was situated and returning he found Messrs. E. Holland and C. John going to get some cattle out of the water and went along, and as they were walking along Mr. Thornvall stepped off into deep water, and Mrs. Holland being only about ten feet away, jumped in after him but missed him, and only coming up once was lost to his helpers and drowned. As a christian he was consistent. He was a man of strong faith and deep convictions as to man's obligation to his God, the truthfulness of the Bible and the actual worth of the church to the home, community and state. He always had a good deal of interest in religious work; he was a faithful and helpful member of the United Evangelical church at Elwell and will be greatly missed. As a father he was kind and loving and his children were dutiful and industrious and loved their father. He was an industrious farmer and leaves a large crop for the family to gather in, but the neighbors are cutting the hay and will help in their harvest. This is praise worthy on their part. Such is life. The funeral was held July 12th at 3 p. m. in the Evangelical church at Elwell, conducted by the pastor, V. Urbino, assisted by Rev. Bobbitt, of the Maxwell C. P. church. About three hundred people reviewed the corpse. The body was laid away in the cemetery west of Elwell. "And none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come." - Isa. 57, 1."