T. A. Sorbon

SORBON, SCAR, LINDELEY

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/3/2010 at 06:18:23

T. A. SORBON

T. A. Sorbon, who is living retired in Lake Mills, was born in Norway, May 3, 1854, but when fourteen years old accompanied the rest of the family on their emigration to the United States. His parents, Andreas and Ellen (Scar) Sorbon, believed that better opportunities awaited them in this country than in their native land and found their hopes more than realized. They came here in 1868 and for a year resided in Dane county, Wisconsin, after which they removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, where the father purchased a farm which he operated until 1891, when he removed to Lake Mills. He lived retired there until his death in 1896 and a year later the mother also passed away. They were buried in the North cemetery.

T. A. Sorbon, who is the oldest in a family of four children, received his education in the common schools of Norway and through assisting his father with the farm work received valuable training in the cultivation of the fields and the care of stock. When twenty-five years old he purchased land in Mitchell county and his time and attention were taken up with its cultivation until 1891, when he disposed of the place and took up his residence in Lake Mills. He became a member of the firm of Sorbon & Aasgaard, dealers in hardware, and remained in that connection for four years. In 1896, however, he bought out the Nelson interests in the Scar-Nelson clothing store and was part owner of that business for fourteen years. Upon disposing of his interest in that store he purchased a farm near Scarville and for five years followed agricultural pursuits there. He then retired from active life and took up his residence in Lake Mills, where in 1915 he erected a fine modern home.

Mr. Sorbon was married in 1886 to Miss Carrie Lindeley, a daughter of O. O. and Carrie Lindeley, of Mitchell county, Iowa, by whom he has four living children: Edward K. and Louis H., who are residents of Rapid City, South Dakota; and Cora E. and Alma O., both at home.

The democratic party has a stanch supporter in Mr. Sorbon, who, however, has limited his participation in politics to the exercise of his right of franchise. He is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, in which he has filled all the chairs, and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the United Lutheran church. The competence which he has gained, which enables him to rest from further labor, has been acquired solely through his own efforts and is evidence of his enterprise and sound judgment.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. p. 286-287.