Thomas H. Twito

TWITO, JACOBSON, OLSON, HANSON, CHARLSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 2/7/2010 at 17:28:36

THOMAS H. TWITO

Important business interests are carefully directed by Thomas H. Twito, an energetic, enterprising man, who has been connected with mercantile and agricultural interests in Winnebago county for a number of years. He is today occupying a farm on section 10, Center township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. His residence in the county covers forty-three years and therefore he has been a witness of much of its growth and development. He was born in Muskego, Wisconsin, May 15, 1845, a son of Hans and Ausloug H. (Jacobson) Twito, who were natives of Norway, whence they came to the new world, the mother crossing the Atlantic in 1842, while Mr. Twito made the voyage in 1843. Traveling across the country to Wisconsin, he there purchased land which he cultivated and improved until 1855, when he sold that property and removed to Houston county, Minnesota. In that district he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he also brought to a high state of cultivation, giving his remaining days to its further improvement. Upon that place he passed away in February, 1866, at the age of fifty-five years, while his widow, who long survived him, reached the age of eighty-eight years, her death occurring July 16, 1913.

Thomas H. Twito was reared and educated in Wisconsin and in Minnesota, spending his youthful days on his father's farms, where he early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On attaining his majority, which he reached about the time of his father's death, he began farming on his own account on rented land and resided thereon for three years. He afterward went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he purchased land which he farmed for three years, and at the same time he engaged in threshing and in breaking land for others. Afterward he went to Emmet county, Iowa, where he followed farming, purchasing eighty acres, but the grasshoppers destroyed his crops and he sold his property there. In the fall of 1873 he arrived in Winnebago county and for eleven years thereafter was a resident of Lake Mills, during which period he engaged in the sale of machinery and farm implements. He then took up his abode upon a farm which he had purchased some years before. He has cultivated this tract altogether for thirty-three years. It comprises one hundred and thirty-nine acres of rich and productive land on section 10, Center township, and is today a finely improved place. He had to clear about twenty-five acres of this land before he could cultivate it. Today the entire tract is converted into productive fields which respond readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon them. His methods are at once practical and progressive and his farm presents a very neat and attractive appearance. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company, in the Lake Mills Creamery Company and in the Lake Mills Lumber Company. His investments have been wisely and judiciously placed and bring to him good returns.

In March, 1870, Mr. Twito was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Olson, of Dane county, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of two children: Hilda, now the wife of T. S. Tweed, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of Lake Mills; and one who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away in 1874 and on the 14th of May, 1878, Mr. Twito wedded Maggie Hanson, of Racine county, Wisconsin. Six children were born of this marriage: Mattie, the wife of Jens Charlson, a resident farmer of Newton township; Amanda, Josie, Hans and Oscar, all at home; and Josie, who died in infancy. Mrs. Twito passed away October 7, 1916, and her death was the occasion of the deepest regret not only to her immediate family but also to the many friends whom she had won during the period of her residence in Winnebago county. She belonged to the United Lutheran church, of which Mr. Twito is also a member. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and for twenty-two years he has served as a trustee of Center township. He has also been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. In fact his aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement and those who know him entertain for him warm regard, recognizing that his life has at all times been an upright and honorable one.

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. 72-73.