Haldor Torkel "Oliver" Henryson (1850-1923)

HENRYSON, THOMPSON, SYDNESS, HENDERSON, ANDERSON, MORTVEDT

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/21/2024 at 23:08:04

From Story City Herald February 22, 1923 (page 4)

O. T. HENRYSON

Oliver T. Henryson was born at Lisbon, Kendall county, Ill., Feb. 26, 1850, and died at his home in Story City Feb. 14, 1923, being thus within twelve days of 73 years of age.

In 1865, at the young age of fifteen years, he joined a company of prairie schooners bound for Iowa. Returning to Illinois by train he made another trip here by wagon, which he drove. For the next few years he lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Torkel Henryson.

In 1873 he made a trip to Norway and there met Martha Thompson [Sydness], whom he married in 1876. Two years later he settled on the farm north of town, which was his home until a few years ago when he moved to town. He made another trip to Norway in 1914.

That he had the spirit of adventure is shown by his early trips over the endless prairies in his youth, and later this spirit found vent in his two trips to Norway. Old timers mention the fact that Mr. Henryson had the first "hog-tight" fence in this neighborhood. He used six-inch boards, and for that day his fence was one of the noteworthy sights. He had a strong sense of orderliness, and his farm and yard were always kept in fine shape.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. A. E. Henderson, Mrs. J. O. Anderson, Mrs. O. A. Mortvedt, Clara T. S. and M. H., all of this place. Two brothers, T. T. and H. T. Henryson, also survive him.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon in the St. Petri church, of which he had been a life-long member, Rev. Andersen officiating. The pall bearers were: Albert Sowers, Andrew Owenson, Ben Holm, T. T. Olson, A. M. Henderson and Theo. Carpenter.