Thorvil A. Thorvilson

THORVILSON, GULBRANDSON, TWETEN

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/16/2010 at 07:26:59

THORVIL A. THORVILSON

Thorvil A. Thorvilson is now occupying the homestead in Center township, Winnebago county, and ranks high both as a grain raiser and stock raiser. He was born upon that place on the 4th of November, 1868, of the marriage of Aslak and Ture (Gulbrandson) Thorvilson, who came to America from their native Norway in 1861 and located in Fillmore county, Minnesota. After farming there for five years they removed to Winnebago county, Iowa, and the father purchased a relinquishment of one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Center township, to which he subsequently added an adjoining eighty acres. He at once set about clearing and improving his place, which became in time one of the highly developed farms of the county. He devoted his attention to its operation until his death, which occurred in Man-h, 1895, when he was sixty-four years old. His wife survived him until January 1, 1913, passing away at the age of seventy-eight years.

Thorvil A. Thorvilson was reared upon the homestead and is indebted for his education to the district schools. After attaining his majority he became his father's partner in the operation of the farm, and this relationship was maintained until the death of Mr. Thorvilson, Sr. Later our subject bought the interests of the other heirs in one hundred and eighty acres of the home place and has since farmed that property independently. He has placed unusually good improvements thereon and taken advantage of all inventions that simplify the work of cultivating the fields. He not only grows large crops of grain annually but also raises about sixty head of hogs a year. He is interested financially in the Farmers Elevator Company at Lake Mills, in the Lake Mills Lumber Company and in the Lake Mills Creamery Company.

On the 17th of March, 1903, Mr. Thorvilson was married to Miss Andrea Tweten, a daughter of Ole O. and Susanna Tweten, pioneers of Iowa, an account of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Thorvilson have been born seven children, namely: Adolph O., Stella, Bernice, Horace, Mabel, Thelma and Obert. The four oldest are attending school.

Mr. Thorvilson is a stanch republican in his political belief and loyally supports the candidates and measures of that party at the polls. He is serving as trustee of Center township, which office he has held for two years, and his efficiency and devotion to the public welfare are generally recognized by his constituents. He holds membership in the Lutheran church and the highest moral principles have guided his life in all its relations.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 409-410.