Storla, T. O. 1860 – 1912

STORLA, LEE, BAKKE, RAMSEY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/4/2015 at 12:29:55

T. O. STORLA.

Among men who did much for the growth and improvement of Winneshiek county, and particularly Decorah township, was T. O. Storla, whose death on February 1, 1912, was an occasion of deep and widespread regret, for it took from an active and useful life one who had made many friends and who had proven his value by the high qualities of his mind and character. For twenty years he was actively engaged in the operation of his fine farm on section 36, Decorah township, and he did much toward improving agricultural standards in this section. A native of Allamakee county, Iowa, he was born in Paint Creek township on January 25, 1860, a son of Ole and Thora (Lee) Storla, both of whom were born at Hallingdal, Norway. The parents at an early date came from their native country to America and located at Rock Prairie. Wisconsin, in 1850, for a short time before going to Allamakee county, where they purchased land in Paint Creek township. This the father operated with ever increasing success during the remainder of his life, passing away in August, 1886, standing high in the estimation of the general public. His wife died about five years later, her demise occurring in March. 1891.

T. O. Storla was reared under the parental roof and educated in the district schools of Allamakee county and later at Luther College of Decorah. He was confirmed by the Rev. O. J. Hjort, at Paint Creek. He later attended Breckenridge Institute at Decorah and then returned home, well prepared for life's work. He assisted his father and remained with his parents until his marriage, when he rented the home place, in the cultivation of which he continued for two years. His father-in-law then purchased for him a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 36, Decorah township, to the improvement and cultivation of which Mr. Storla devoted his attention. He brought his land to a high state of productivity, erected modern and substantial buildings and in every way improved the value of his property, being so occupied for the remainder of his life.

On October 17, 1883, Mr. Storla was united in marriage to Miss Carolina Bakke, a daughter of Erick and Gunhilda (Ramsey) Bakke, natives of Norway. Her father was one of the first settlers of Winneshiek county, having come to America in 1851, first locating in Koshkonong, Dane county, Wisconsin, whence after a short time he came to Frankville township, Winneshiek county, where he operated a farm until the death of his wife, which took place March 10, 1903, when he retired from active labors and made his home with his youngest daughter, Mrs. T. O. Storla. He was born April 1, 1824, and passed away January 29. 1908, having reached the age of eighty-three years, nine months and twenty-nine days. The mother was eighty-five years of age at the time of her death. Mr. and Mrs. Storla became the parents of seven children: Isabella Olivia, Erick Olaf, Theodore Clarence, Norman Alexander, Sevat Alfred, Theresa Gunhilda, and one child, who died in infancy. It was on the 1st of February, 1912, that the family circle was broken by death, when the demise of Mr. Storla occurred after two weeks of severe illness. Not only was his going a deep loss to his immediate family, but caused widespread regret among all who knew him and esteemed him as a worthy man of high principles. Mr. Storla, who was politically a republican, was active along that line in the interests of his closer locality, serving as a trustee of Decorah township. His religion was that of the Lutheran church and he ever gave his faithful adherence to that organization. He kept alive in him the spirit of his ancestors as a member of the Norske Selskab Club, in which he had many friends and was popular. As prosperity had come to him Mr. Storla had made judicious investments and was a stockholder and a director of the Decorah State Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. His life record is an example of what may be attained when industry and energy lead the way, and the high esteem and confidence that was conceded him on every hand was but justly bestowed upon him. He was as considerate of the community's welfare as of his own interests, and there was never undertaken any worthy enterprise along public lines of which he was not an ardent supporter.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913

Washington Prairie Lutheran gravestone
 

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