Olmsted-Dodge County MINNESOTA Biographies.....Jorgen A. Thorson September 12 1838 - 
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File contributed for Minnesota Biographies Project by:
Mike Oiseth MOISETH@mn.rr.com March 10, 2005, 11:04 am

Author: Joseph Leonard, History of Olmsted County, Minnesota

REV. JORGEN A. THORSON, pastor of St. Olaf's Lutheran church at Rock
Dell , and one of the highly respected citizens of that locality, is a
native of Norway, his birth occurring September 12, 1838, at Telemarken.
The father, Thor Ackre, followed farming all his life in the old
country, and upon his death the widow, Mariken Ackre, left the old
country and came to America, where she located in Rock Dell Township,
and spent the remaining days of her life.
     Rev. J. A. Thorson was educated and reared to early manhood in his
native country. He was confirmed early in life and until 1867 taught
school in Norway. He then came to America, went to St. Louis, and
subsequently entered Concordia, a German theological seminary, and was
ordained by H. A. Preus, September 2, 1869. at Koshkonong, Wisconsin.
Reverend Thorson's first pastorate was at Rock Dell, and the growth of
this church under his teachings and directions show how faithfully and
well he has performed his duties. He and his work in the community are
very highly spoken of throughout the county. After coming to America
Rev. Thorson was married at La Crosse, Wisconsin, to miss Bernhardine
Nicoline Haugan, and to this union the following children were born:
Maria, of Los Angeles, California; Dr. Axel A., of Rochester, Minnesota;
two deceased; Anna (Little), of Kasson, Minnesota; August, of
Minneapolis; Ella, of Seattle, Washington; Nels Jorgen, of Minot, North
Dakota. In 1884, Mrs. Thorson was carried to her last resting place in
St. Olaf's Cemetery. On December 25, 1885, Rev. Thorson remarried, his
wife being Miss Agnes Borresen, and the following eight children
children blessed this union: Helga, a graduate trained nurse of St.
Paul, now in Minot, North Dakota; Matildia, a teacher, at home; Susanna,
a teacher, at home; Adolph; Ragna; Olaf; Valborg and Agnes. In his
political views Mr. Thorson is a Republican and he is identified with
the Norwelgian Synod of America. He is one of the public spirited men of
Olmsted county and can point with pardonable pride to the immense amount
of good derived from his teachings in the community. [Submitter's note: Rev. Thorson
was pastor of 
both East St. Olaf in Rock Dell, Olmsted Co., and West St. Olaf, in Vernon Twp.,
Dodge Co.]

Additional Comments:
Joseph Leonard, History of Olmsted County, Minnesota: together with sketches of many
of its pioneers, 
citizens, families, and institutions. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association,
1910. 

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