Gilbert Thoreson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1221-1222 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				GILBERT THORESON. 

	Gilbert Thoreson, deceased, was one of the most prominent and 
influential citizens of Minnehaha county, taking a leading part in 
public affairs. He was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, March 28, 
1869, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Lorentz Thoreson, of Dell Rapids, 
South Dakota. in the state of his nativity he passed the days of his 
boyhood and youth, attending public schools and later the Red Wing 
Seminary at Red Wing, Minnesota, and completing his education at the 
Normal School at Sioux Falls. Being reared to agricultural pursuits, he 
was well fitted to take charge of a farm on completing his education 
and at once turned his attention to farm work. In 1886 he accompanied 
his parents on their removal to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, and 
subsequently secured a homestead on the Sisseton reservation in Roberts 
county. Success attended his efforts and at the time of Ids death he 
was the owner of four and a half sections of very valuable land in this 
state. In connection with general farming he was quite extensively 
engaged in the stock business and upon his farm could be found good 
grades of cattle and hogs. The place is still stocked with forty head 
of cattle and one hundred and seventy-five hogs. Mr. Thoreson was a 
very progressive farmer and in the operation of his hand used the most 
modern and up-todate machinery. He was a stockholder in elevator and 
creamery companies in both Baltic and Dell Rapids. 

	In 1894 Mr. Thoreson was united in marriage to Miss Annie 
Thompson, a daughter of Gunder and Annie Martha Thompson, who were 
early settlers of this state. Mr. and Mrs. Thoreson became the parents 
of seven children, namely, Godfred, Alice, Arthur, George, Lester, 
Palmer and Walter. The family still reside on the farm and Mrs. 
Thoreson now superintends its management and is aided in the work by 
her sons. 

	In religious faith the family are Lutherans and they are held in 
the highest esteem by all who know them. On attaining his majority Mr. 
Thoreson became identified with the republican party and his fellow 
citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, soon called him to office 
For some years he served as town clerk and since his death his wife has 
filled that position. So acceptably did he fill all minor offices that 
in 1906 he was elected to the state legislature and two years later was 
sent as a representative to the state senate, being the incumbent in 
that position at the time of his death, which occurred on the 8th of 
May, 1910. His public life was above reproach and he never withheld his 
support from any enterprise which he believed would prove of benefit to 
his county or state. His home life was one of love and devotion to his 
family and his death was both widely and deeply mourned.