Torkel Henryson (1822-1911)

HENRYSON, GRONSTAD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/13/2024 at 15:03:47

From Story City Herald August 3, 1911 (page 1)

TORKEL HENRYSON HAS PASSED AWAY

AGED PIONEER COMES TO END OF LIFE'S JOURNEY LAST THURSDAY NIGHT

Torkel Henryson died last Thursday night at the home of his son, T. T. Henryson, after an illness extending over about ten days. The funeral services were held in the St. Petri church Monday afternoon, Rev. Vangnes officiating. The church was crowded with people from both far and near who had come to pay their last respects to this old father in Israel and pioneer settler. The pastor, in his funeral sermon, took occasion to call attention to the debt we owe to those who in breaking the way into a new country also carried with them the Bible and the church organization, thus assuring to their descendants communion with the Living God and the comforts of the preached Word.

OBITUARY

Torkel Henryson was born at Etne, Norway, March 27, 1822, and died in Story City July 27, 1911, having thus attained to the age of 89 years and 4 months. At the age of twenty he became a school teacher, which vocation he abandoned in the spring of 1847, when he was married and immigrated to America.

He was married April 11, 1847 to Guri Gronstad, and they set sail for America the following month. To this union were born ten children, only three of whom survive the parents, namely, O. T., T. T. and H. T. Mrs. Henryson died a little over two years ago.

The newly married couple settled in Kendall county, Ill., where they made their home for eighteen years, moving to Story county July 1, 1865. Mr. Henryson had, however, been out here ten years before and had bought the farm on which he resided so long in the northeast part of town. He also bought a section of land of town, near Kegley branch.

From the very start he took an active interest in the affairs of the young community, and in every position of trust that he occupied he showed himself a man of probity and honor. In business, in the church and in the family circle he made his influence count for good in every way. It is largely owing to the efforts of such as he that we have had a uniformly law abiding and progressive community from the very beginning.

His death calls to mind that the ranks of our pioneers are growing thinner very rapidly. May the influence of their lives be an incentive of their lives be an incentive to their descendants to better living and higher aims.