Marie Torbenson Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-599

Scope and Contents

The Marie Torbenson Papers consist of a photocopy of Marie Torbenson’s undated, eleven page manuscript entitled The First Ten Years of Pioneer Life in Moore Township. Torbenson discusses the adventures, joys and hardships of pioneer life in Ransom County from 1880 to 1890. Also included are several newspaper clippings which provide genealogical information on the Syverson and Torbenson families.

Dates

created: 1914 - 1975
Other: Date acquired: 07/09/1980

Creator

Torbenson, Marie (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

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Marie Louise Syverson was born June 28, 1880 in rural North Dakota. She was the daughter of Thore and Karina Syverson, Norwegian immigrants who were married in Decorah, Iowa, on July 21, 1879. Thore Syverson was born in Valdres, Norway, on April 20, 1854; Karina Syverson was born June 27, 1853, also in Norway. On October 20, 1880, the family moved to a homestead claim in Moore Township, Ransom County. A son, Albert, was born in 1885, while a second daughter, Millie, arrived on September 4, 1888. Thore Syverson was a driving force behind the 1885 founding of Fillmore Lutheran Church in Enderlin, North Dakota. Many settlers came from Fillmore County, Minnesota. In 1908, Thore retired from farming and moved the family to Enderlin. Thore died in 1941, and Karina died eight years later, in 1949. In 1907, Marie Syverson married Oscar Torbenson, son of Norwegian immigrants who settled in Moore Township. The ceremony took place at Fillmore Lutheran Church. They farmed in Moore Township and raised two daughters, Cora and Mildred, and three sons: Osmond, Richard and Donovan. Marie Torbenson died in 1966, preceded by her husband, Oscar, in 1965.

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