Bio of Tomforde, John (b.1862) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Tomforde, John (page 442), a respected resident of Lake City whose
successful career as a farmer in Mt. Pleasant Township has placed him
beyond the need of further toil, was born in Hanover, Germany, February
28, 1862, son of Lawrence and Anna (Popp) Tomforde. He had some schooling
in his native land, and at the age of eleven years lost his mother. In
1883, having attained his majority, his father being yet living, though
now deceased, he came to the United States, locating at Red Wing, Minn.,
where he found work as a common laborer. On December 25, 1884, he married
Mattie Henn who was born in Hanover, Germany, August 12, 1858, and who had
come in 1881 to this country, where she had brothers. Mr. and Mrs.
Tomforde began domestic life in Red Wing, but soon removed to Hay Creek
Township, Goodhue county, where they resided two years, later being
residents of Burnside Township for twelve years. During a part of this
time Mr. Tomforde worked two years for a Mr. Meyer in the milk business,
and eight years in a tannery at Red Wing. In the fall of 1896 he began his
independent career as a farmer, buying 280 acres in section 24 and 25, Mt.
Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, moving to the farm in the spring of
1897, and he and his family taking up their residence in a frame house
which stood on it, which owing to improvements made by himself, is now a
comfortable two-story dwelling of nine rooms. His other improvements
included the erection of a frame barn, 38 by 60 by 18; a granary, 20 by 30
by 12, with a lean-to on both sides for tools; and a steel windmill.
Favored with a productive soil, Mr. Tomforde followed general farming very
successfully until 1912, getting 240 acres of his land under the plow,
when, finding himself in possession of a competence, he transferred the
operation of the farm to his son Louis and took up his residence in Lake
City, where he and his wife are living in a home of their own, at No. 417
North Prairie avenue, enjoying a period of well-earned leisure. Mr.
Tomforde has always been a Republican and served his township as
supervisor for four terms, also serving on the school board for many
years, his ability as a farmer being matched by his usefulness as a
citizen. All that he has was gained through his own efforts, with the
assistance of his wife and children, and his record is one to command
respect. To Mr. and Mrs. Tomforde six children have been born: Anna, now
Mrs. Joseph Fick, of Hyde Park Township; Louis, operating the home farm in
Mt. Pleasant Township; Minnie, who is the wife of William Wiebush of
Belvidere Township, Goodhue County; John, of Lake Township; Mary, now Mrs.
Bernard Carlson of Lake City, and Ella, residing at home with her parents.