Mohn, Thorbjorn Nelson Rev. 1844 – 1899

MOHN, RINGSTAD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45

Source: Decorah Republican Nov. 23, 1899 P 4 C 2

The Head of St. Olaf College, dies at His Home near Northfield
Rev. Thorbjorn Nelson Mohn, a well-known clergyman of the United Lutheran church whose life work it was to build and bring into full fledged collegiate maturity St. Olaf’s Academy, died at his home near Northfield, Minn., on Saturday last, after an illness of several months. Death resulted from consumption of the kidneys. An obituary in the Pioneer Press of Sunday supplies the following information as to the life of the deceased.
Rev. Mr. Mohn was born July 15, 1844, in Saude parish, Lower Thelemarken, Norway. In 1853 his family emigrated to America, settling in Otsego, Wis., where they remained seven years. In 1860 the family moved to Minnesota, settling on a farm in Vernon township, Dodge county, where they joined St. Olaf's congregation. The father died in 1883 and the mother in 1894. On Oct. 14, 1864, young Thorbjorn entered Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, where he completed the classical course, graduating in 1870. In the fall he entered Concordia seminary, in St. Louis, where he graduated in 1873. Having received a call from St. Paul's Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church in Chicago he was ordained in Norway Grove church, Dane county, Wis., on May 28, 1873.
On Nov. 6, 1874, St. Olaf’s school was incorporated, and from that date until July 27, 1899, Rev. Mr. Mohn was president of the institution, since 1889, known as St. Olaf college. He also became pastor of the St. Johannes Lutheran congregation in Northfield, serving many years. He was chairman of the ministerial conference of the Norwegian synod for the district of Minnesota, until 1888, when he, together with many others, severed his connection with the synod and joined in forming the Anti-Missourian Brotherhood (since known as the United Lutheran church). He was married to Miss Anna Elizabeth Ringstad, of Decorah, Iowa, July 15, 1875. Six children were born to them, five boys and one girl.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he died Nov. 18, 1899 and that he is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery in Northfield, MN.