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Nearly 1500 People Assembled Last Thursday to Pay Tribute to the Memory of a Beloved Pastor

The remains of Rev. T. A. Torgerson, whose death we chronicled last week, was laid to rest in the Somber cemetery last Thursday afternoon. The largest gathering ever witnessed in Winnebago County or Worth counties at a funeral had assembled to pay their solemn respects to the dear departed. It is estimated that between 1200 and 1500 people were present. The services opened at the family residence at 11 o’clock by the reading of the funeral ritual by Rev. O. Sauer of Glenville, Minn. The coffin was then carried from the house by the five sons and a brother of Rev. Torgerson. Upon entering the lane leading to the church another set of pall bearers, chosen one from each of the different congregations served by the departed, took charge.

The church had been most artistically decorated. The floral offerings sent from far and wide had been arranged in a semi-circle in front of the altar and was a most beautiful testimony to the esteem and love in which Rev. Torgerson was held.

About 500 people were accommodated with seats in the church. About fifteen ministers and professors were present. These were seated on each side of the altar. Rev. Malmin of Thompson presided at the organ.

Prof. Dr. H. G. Stub of Luther Seminary, Hamlin, Minn., preached a short and very impressive funeral sermon. This was followed by short speeches of condolence and respect from the following ministers and professors: Rev. St. Reque of Spring Grove, Minn.; Prof. O. Brandt of Luther Seminary; Prof. L. Reque read a letter of condolence and respect from the Synod president, V. Koren of Decorah who could not be present on account of ill health; Rev. O. Wagsness of Story City; Prof. C. K. Preus, president of Luther college, Decorah; Rev. Severs, president of Minn. district of the Missouri German Luth. Synod; Prof. E. Thoen of Luther Academy, Albert Lea; Rev. H. J. Strand of Albert Lea; Prof. Xavier of the Sioux Falls Luther Normal School. Rev. O. H. Smedby of Albert Lea closed with a talk in American.

The services at the church began 12 o’clock and continued until 3 p.m. All throughout this long period the cast throng of people listened with deep interest and scarcely a murmur was audible in the audience.

At the close of the services the… by the following ministers: A. J. Lee, O. T. Lee, St. Reque, Severs, H. J. Strand and O. Wagsness. Rev. St. Reque performed the rites at the grave which had been beautifully decorated with white linen and evergreens. Rev. A. J. Lee read a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, written by Rev. N. A. Quammen of Farmington, Minn.

Biography of a Well Spent Life

He was born the 26th day of January 1838, in the southern part of Norway, at the ‘iron works of Ness,’ one of the most beautiful spots in that romantic kingdom. His father managed a fine botanical garden with greenhouses containing plants from the remotest lands of the globe. His kind hearted mother died two years and a half after the deliverance of this her third child, and he was brought up by her parents in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, with great tenderness and care. He was baptised in infancy, as customary in the Lutheran church, and taught the Evangelical Lutheran doctrine. When he was three years old, his grandparents sent him to a private school and from the age of six he went to an excellent public school of the place about eleven months every year, until he was confirmed, in the spring of 1853, when he emigrated to this country, together with his father, stepmother, brothers and sisters and other relatives. The winter 1853-4, his parents residing in the village of Winneconne, Winnebago county, Wis., he spent by going to school in the country a few miles distant, in order to be instructed in the English language. The summer following he moved with the rest of the family to Scandinavia, Waupacca county, Wis., where his father finally settled as a farmer, and where he is still living and doing well. The next three years he earned money in the city of Stevens Point, and other places, assisting his father in providing for his large family. After that time he worked on the farm at home until the fall 1858. Through the instrumentality of his pastor, Rev. O. F. Duns, whose memory is ever dear to him, his heart was revived by the sacred power of the word of the only living God, and he became zealous to spend his life in the service of his dear Lord Jesus Christ, who had shed his precious blood for him, a poor sinner, and has bestowed his bountiful mercy upon him through living faith in him, his beloved Savior. Incited by this reverend gentleman, and with the consent of his parents, he concluded to study theology and prepare for the ministry.

In pursuance of that purpose Mr. Torgerson entered the college of the so-called Missouri Synod, on September 1, 1858, and graduated from its theological seminary in June, 1865, having completed its nine years [worth of study in only] seven years. 19 August, 1865, he was ordained as an Evangelical Lutheran minister and installed as pastor to the congregations of Shell Rock, Silver Lake and Lime Creek, a wide field which was soon after greatly enlarged. In fact it was not long before he was serving congregations through a district 150 miles long by 50 miles wide, equivalent in area to upwards of fifteen counties the size of Worth. His life in this community for upwards of forty years has been an open book, and the work which he has accomplished had been prodigious. In the early days of almost impassible roads he appears to have looked upon a ride of 100 miles as a mere trifle. He has been a pastor in the true sense to an army of people, and it is safe to say that the influences for good started by him are living on in hundreds of hearts and lives.

For many years before his death he was president of the Iowa district of the Norwegian Synod of America and secretary of the church council. He literally died in harness, for on New Year’s day, six days before his death, he preached twice, carried consolation to a poor widow, and incidentally made a drive of thirty miles. Two weeks ago last night, while in Northwood to participate in a marriage service, he seemed in his usual splendid health. But doubtless the strong machinery was breaking down under the strain of his more than sixty years of strenuous life, for it appears that he died of a general collapse of all the vital forces. His mind, however was clear to the very last and his faith burned bright while heart and flesh were failing. More than twenty years ago he wrote this of himself: “His dearest hope on earth is that he, together with many dearer souls committed to his care, shall praise the Lord of mercy in the heavenly mansions.” Who can doubt that he is now realizing that Christian hope?

In his family life Pastor Torgerson was most happy. He was married on June 10, 1866, to Dina Anderson, a sister of Hon. Rasmus Anderson and an accomplished lady who proved to be a helpmeet indeed. Six sturdy sons who were born to them, now educated men in good positions. May the eulogies, the music, the lavish floral tributes, and above all the love of the Heavenly Father bring consolation to the sorrowing widow and relatives.

The community feels that a splendid, mighty man has fallen, leaving a memory which will ever linger with us and will blossom in the dust.

(Picture: T. A. Torgerson, back left; St. L. Reque, back right; Jacobson, front left;
O. Juul, front right. Source of newspaper article unknown)