Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1038

 896 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY ship, where he now resides, September 6, 1879, son of Thorsten and Sigrid (Satren) Thoreson, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1858 and located in Wanamingo township, where they purchased eighty acres of land, adding more from time to time, until they owned in all 400 acres, the home being located in Section 13. The father broke and improved most of this land, built a fine brick house and other outbuildings, and followed general farming until in 1901. when he retired from active life, enjoying the result of his diligent labors, until he was borne to his last resting place July 18, 1908. His wife is still living on the old homestead. Haagen received his education in the common schools of Wanamingo, and worked with his father on the farm until in 1902. when he rented the farm which he has since con- ducted. He also owns and works 120 acres of land in Minneola township. Mr. Thoreson was married November 29, 1906, to Gurena Johnson, daughter of Burtenus and Randy (Satren) Johnson, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Goodhue county, later removing to Lac qui Parle county, where they engaged in farming. The mother died in October, 1877, and the father. October 11. 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Thoreson have one child, Thorney. born August 11, 1908. Mr. Thoreson is an independent Republican in politics, and is a treasurer of school district No. 99. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Ele- vator of Wanamingo. The family are communicants of the Lutheran Free church. John J. Tiller, of Wanamingo township, was born in Chicago, 111.. June 19, 186."). son of .John and Marith (Skjervold) Tiller, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1864, settling in ( "hicago, where they remained for two years. In 1866 they came to Red Wing, where the father secured employment in Dens- more Bros', foundry, where he worked nine years, after which they removed to Wanamingo township and engaged in farming and blacksmithing, purchasing 150 acres of land in Section 26, where he remained until his death. January 28, 1908. The mother still lives on the old homestead. John received his education in the common schools of Wanamingo, and, after leaving school, entered business with his father and learned the blacksmith and woodworking trade, which he has since followed. Mr. Tiller has never married. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and belongs to the United Lutheran church. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of Wanamingo, the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Com- pany of Wanamingo, and in the Farmers' Elevator of Wana- mingo. Lauritz Z. Johnson, of Wanamingo township, was born in Fillmore county. Minnesota. August 18, 1872. son of Edward and Guri (Tew) Johnson, natives of Norway, who came to America