Edne Odin Thorson

M, (1896 - 1970)
Edne Odin Thorson,
1896-1970
Father*Kolbjorn "Colbin" Thorson (1865 - 1962)
Mother*Inger Thrulson Thorson (1869 - 1937)
Birth*18 Jun 1896 Pilot Mound tp, Fillmore, Minnesota (MN), United States (US)1 
Marriage*5 Jan 1922 Chatfield, Fillmore, Minnesota (MN), United States (US); Bride=Grace Margaret Tuohy Thorson1 
Death*1 Jul 1970 Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota (MN), United States (US)2 
Note*2 Jul 1970 obituary: Rochester (Minnesota) Post-Bulletin, Thursday 02 July 1970/p.161 
Burial*3 Jul 1970 Calvary cemetery, Chatfield, Fillmore, Minnesota (MN), United States (US)1,3 
Biography* Edne Odin Thorson, 1896-1970:
Edne, an only child, was a first generation Norwegian-American, his mother having been born in Norway. His father was also a first generation Norwegian-American born in Minnesota. Edne was born and grew up on a rented farm in Pilot Mound township, Fillmore County, Minnesota. He was educated through the eighth grade. When Edne registered for the WWI draft in 1918, he was employed as a clerk at the First National Bank in Chatfield. Edne was described as being a tall man of medium build with blue eyes and light hair. He signed the registration on the 5th of June and on 26 July entered the U.S.Army. On 30 August, Edne was shipped overseas to France from Newport News, Virgiinia on the troopship Caserta4. He was a bugler in Company G of the 54th Pioneer Infantry A.E.F. (American Expedition Forces). On 13 June 1919 Edne left Saint Nazaire, France on board the Artemis5 and arrived at Newport News, Virginia on the 26th of June. He was mustered out of the service at Camp Grant, Illinois on the 5th of July. By 1920, he was living alone in a Chatfield rental and clerking at the bank. In 1930, married and a veteran of WWI, Edne and Grace and their three children were renting at 402 Winona Street in Chatfield City for $155/month. Edne was the Chatfield postmaster for six-years. By 1940, he and Grace owned a $4,000 house and Edne worked as an auditor for Northwestern Underwriters In Chatfield.
In 1939, he earned wages of $2,220. In 1942, when Edne, age 45, registered for the World War II draft. He was 5 feet-8½ inches tall, weighed 170 pounds, had blue eyes, gray hair and a light complexion. Edne was a charter member of the Chatfield American Legion, was also a member of the Chatfield Volunteer Fire Dept and the Chatfield Commercial Club.

Edne, 74, died on a Wednesday at Saint Mary's hospital in Rochester. Cause of death was abdominal retroperitoneal hemorrhage, ruptured abdominal atherosclerotic aneurysm, old right cerebral infarction. An autopsy was performed. Edne was attended by physician K. E. Holley (MD) of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He was survived by wife Grace, one son, two daughters and six-grandchildren. The funeral was held on Friday at Saint Mary's Catholic church in Chatfield with the Rev N. F. Grulkowski officiating. Boetzer-Akeson Funeral Home was in charge.

Edne's picture is from "In The World War, Fillmore County, Minnesota" published in 1920 by Ola M. Levang, Lanesboro, Minnesota. Some of this bio is from that book as well. 
Last Edited2 Jul 2023

Citations

  1. [S18] Obituary,.
  2. [S592] Minnesota death certificate.
  3. [S8] Tombstone.
  4. from Wikipedia: SS Caserta was an Italian ocean liner ... During World War I she was employed as a troopship carrying United States troops to France as part of the United States Navy Cruiser and Transport Force.
  5. from Wikipedia: ... the USAT Artemis, was a German passenger liner seized by U.S. Customs at New York City at the start of American involvement in World War I... She served the United States Army as the transport USAT Artemis, and, at war’s end, she was transferred to the United States Navy as a transport for returning American troops and military equipment from Europe.