John A. Thronson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 292-295 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JOHN A. THRONSON.  

	John A. Thronson is president of the First National Bank of Clear 
Lake but this indicates in no wise the limit of his activities in 
financial circles, for he is the vice president of three banks and 
president of still others. In a word, he is one of the leading 
representatives of the banking business in the eastern part of the 
state and his ability enables him to find ready solution for intricate 
and involved financial problems. Moreover, his record indicates what 
may be accomplished when ambition and determination point out the way.  

	He was born in Norway on Christmas day of 1857, a son of Andrew 
and Agnett (Hemma) Thronson, who came to the United States in 1859, 
settling in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, after a brief stay in La 
Crosse county, that state. The father homesteaded a quarter section in 
Trempealeau county, on which he resided until the spring of 1880, when 
he followed his son John to South Dakota and on his arrival in this 
state secured a tree claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Deuel 
county, four and a half miles southwest of Toronto. With characteristic 
energy he began the development of that farm and there resided up to 
the time of his death, which occurred in 1904, while his wife passed 
away in 1906. In addition to our subject there were five daughters in 
the family.  

	John A. Thronson had the usual experiences of the farm lad. He 
was but two years of age when brought by his parents to the new world 
and therefore was largely reared upon the home farm in Wisconsin, 
acquiring his education in the graded schools of Galesville, that 
state. When his textbooks were put aside he determined to come to South 
Dakota and enjoy the opportunities offered in a new and growing state. 
He arrived in December, 1878, settling in Gary, where he secured a 
clerkship in a general store, being employed there at intervals for 
three years, during which time, however, in the spring of 1879, he 
homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres four and a half miles southwest 
of Toronto. The same spring he broke the sod and for several years was 
engaged in farming, his labors resulting in transforming wild land into 
rich and productive fields. In the spring of 1885 he was made the first 
auditor of Deuel county by appointment and held the office for eight 
years, being elected to that position for three consecutive terms after 
serving his first term by appointment.  

	In 1892 Mr. Thronson turned his attention to the banking 
business, becoming one of the organizers of the Farmers State Bank at 
Clear Lake and was made cashier of that institution at the time it was 
established. In 1902 the bank was reorganized into the First National 
Bank and Mr. Thronson continued as cashier, in which capacity he 
remained until January 1, 1915, when he was made president. He is a 
most popular, efficient and obliging bank officer and his efforts have 
contributed much to the success of this institution, which is 
recognized as one of the strong financial concerns of the county. He 
was also the active spirit in the organization of the State Bank of 
Goodwin, of which he is vice president, and he is likewise the second 
officer of the State Bank of Brandt. He is now the president of the 
State Bank of Waverly, of which he was one of the organizers, and he is 
the vice president of the First national Bank of Gary and president of 
the First State Bank of Eagle Bend, Minnesota. He is likewise a member 
of the board of directors of the Minnehaha State Bank of Garretson, 
South Dakota, and thus his opinions figure in the management of various 
financial concerns which have much to do with shaping the financial 
history of the eastern part of the state. 

	On the 26th of June, 1892, Mr. Thronson was united in marriage to 
Miss Clara J. Peterson, of Deuel county, South Dakota, her father being 
Thomas C. Peterson, who at that time held the office of registrar of 
deeds of Deuel county but is now deceased. Our subject and his wife had 
one daughter, Norma Irminnie, at home. The wife and mother passed away 
July 26, 1893, and her death was deeply regretted by many friends as 
well as her immediate family.  

	Mr. Thronson and his daughter are members of the Norwegian 
Lutheran church and they are prominently known in the social circles of 
the city, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them. 
In his political views Mr. Thronson is a republican and for two terms 
has served as mayor of Clear Lake and for years has served as a member 
of the school board, of which he is now the president. He has ever 
recognized the fact that there is always opportunity for advancement 
and each step in his career has been a forward one. He readily 
discriminates between the essential and the nonessential, utilizing the 
former and discarding the latter, nor has he ever feared to venture 
where favoring opportunity has led the way.