Bio of THORHAUG, Peter (b.1869), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 557-558
PETER THORHAUG
Peter Thorhaug, author, inventor, funeral director and practical demonstrator,
embalmer and derma-surgeon, is one of the representative citizens of
Minneapolis. A native of Wisconsin, his birth occurred on the 23d of October,
1869, a son of Nels and Annie (Severson) Thorhaug, both natives of Norway. The
father came to this country in 1851 and his wife came in 1853.
In the acquirement of his education Peter Thorhaug attended the public schools
of Wisconsin, and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in teaching school
for five years. He then took up the study of undertaking and for some time was
active in that business in the western part of this state. In 1900 he came to
Minneapolis and became associated with the Washburn Undertaking Company. This
business was started in 1856 by William Glessner, who was succeeded by his son,
Frank Glessner. Frank Glessner subsequently formed a partnership with W. P.
Washburn and the business was conducted as the Glessner & Washburn Company, they
being both under- takers and furniture dealers. In 1916 Mr. Washburn took over
the undertaking depart­ment and formed a partnership with Mr. Thorhaug and James
A. Donaldson, under the name of the Washburn Undertaking Company. Mr. Thorhaug
is recognized as one of the leading men in his line in the United States. He is
a graduate of the Chicago College of Embalming and through his progressiveness
and innate ability he has contributed in a great degree to the mortuary
business. He is a constant contributor to six or seven magazines and is a
derma-surgeon and inventor.
After twenty years of continuous practice of embalming Mr. Thorhaug has invented
and placed on the market two instruments-one known as the Thorhaug cavity
drainage tube, used for the removal of all liquid or semi-liquid from the
cavities and organs of the body; and the other the Thorhaug combination vein
tube, constructed for the injection of a blood solvent into the veins, which are
filled by a thick, black, coagulated and clotted blood which causes
discoloration of the exposed parts of the body and which cannot be properly and
entirely removed and the parts cleared up without the us of some solution of
blood solvent to liquefy it so it can be drained. There is no safer and more
reliable method known, and with that end in view Mr. Thorhaug invented a
combination contrivance, consisting of one inner tube for the injection of this
fluid or blood solvent and through the outer tubing the blood so liquefied by
the mixing of the two, in the veins, is drained automatically. These instruments
are now sold by many of the leading dealers in embalmers' supplies and have
brought to Mr. Thorhaug added fame. Mr. Thorhaug was the only delegate from
Minnesota to the National Convention of Undertakers in San Antonio, Texas, in
1921.
On the llth of July, 1922, occurred the marriage of Mr. Thorhaug to Miss Sarah
Eaver, a native of Wisconsin. They are both consistent communicants of the
Lutheran church, to the support of which Mr. Thorhaug is a generous contributor.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given his political
allegiance to the republican party, having firm belief in the principles of that
party as factors in good government. Although he has never sought nor desired
public office, he is essentially a public-spirited citizen and his aid can
always be counted upon in the furtherance of any movement for the upbuilding of
the city, county and state. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen
of America, and he is president of Dovre Lodge, No. 3, Sons of Norway. He is
likewise a member of the Purple Cross Club. Mr. Thorhaug well merits the success
he has achieved in his chosen line of work and he has won a most enviable
reputation in this connection throughout the country.