John Thoreson obituaries (Rockford, Illinois)

DEATH CLAIMS

JOHN THORESON

OLDEST MEMBER OF NEVIUS

POST, G.A.R., DIES AFTER

LONG ILLNESS

_____

WAS PRISONER IN LIBBY

_____

Confined in Famous Southern Prison

After Battle of Murfreesboro -

Funeral Sunday Afternoon.

_____

John Thoreson, the oldest member of the G. L. Nevius post, G.A.R., and a resident of Rockford for more than a half century, passed away this morning at 6:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter [Matilda], Mrs. A. C. Abramson, 1137 Fourth avenue [Rockford, IL].

His demise was due to senile bronchitis, brought on by advancing age. He had been ill for the past two months and for the last month had been cared for at the home of his daughter.

The deceased was born in Christiania [Oslo], Norway, April 16, 1820. He emigrated from that country in 1853, coming direct to Chicago, and two years late[r] removed to Rockford, this city having been his home since.

Mr. Thoreson was an expert wheel maker and for a number of years was employed by David Miles, who conducted a wagon shop on the East side. Later Mr. Thoreson engaged in the wagon and carriage making business for himself, conducting a large shop on South Main street, just south of where the Mead block now stands. He retired from active work in 1885.
Mr. Thoreson enlisted in Company K. Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteers, in 1862. He was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Murfreesboro and for a time was confined in the famous Libby prison, in Richmond [VA]. He was later exchanged an in 1863 was granted an honorable discharge at Benton Barracks, [St. Louis] Mo., the wound received on the field of Murfreesboro [Stones River battle] disabling him from active service.

He was a favorite among the members of the [G.A.R.] Nevius post and his death will cause much regret among the veterans. He attended meetings of the post as long as he was able but of late had been unable to be present owing to feeble health. He was also a member of the association of Prisoners of War.

Mr. Thoreson was also a member of the Winnebago lodge, I.O.O.F., and had been affiliated with the Swedish M.E. church for many years.

He was a man of rugged constitution and until a few months ago had been able to look after all his own business interests. He owned several store buildings on South Main street, just south of the Nelson hotel.

His wife passed away about twenty years ago and of a family of seven children only one, Mrs. A. C. Abramson, is left to mourn his passing.

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home on Fourth avenue and at 2:30 from [G.A.R.] Memorial hall. Nevius post will be in charge. Interment will take place in the West Side [Greenwood] cemetery.

March 8, 1907

Rockford Daily Register Gazette (Rockford, Illinois)

 

 

 

OLDEST MEMBER

NEVIUS POST

IS DEAD

_____

John Thoreson, Native of Norway,

Who Enlisted With the North in

the Civil War. Died This Morning.

Was Old Time Wagon Maker and

Oldest Member of the Nevius Post G.A.R.

John Thoreson, the oldest member of Nevius Post, G.A.R., passed away this morning at 6:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. C. Abramson, 1137 Fourth Avenue. He had been ill for two months with a bronchial complaint which his enfeebled condition, due to old age, was unable to throw off.

Mr. Thoreson was born in Christiania, Norway, in 1820. In 1853 he came to America and settled in Chicago. Two years later he came to this city [Rockford, IL] where he had made his home until his passing. When the civil war broke out he was one of this first to enlist in Co. K, 74th Ill. Infantry. While in the thickest of the fight in Nashville, he was wounded and later captured by the southerners, to be taken to Libbey [sic] prison. Mr. Thoreson received his honorable discharge at Benton Barracks, Mo., in 1863. At 87 years of age he had been the oldest member of the Nevius Post, No. 1, G.A.R. He was a member of the Winnebago Lodge Odd Fellows and of the Swedish M. E. [Methodist Episcopal] Church.

At 330 South Main Street he conducted a carriage and wagon shop for years, retiring in 1885. He lived at this address until his last illness, when he moved to the house of his daughter, Mrs. Abramson. His wife died 20 years ago. The life of Mr. Thoreson is an example of one who came over from the old country to become a thorough American. He fought for this country and lived the life of a good and patriotic citizen. One daughter, Mrs. A. C. Abramson, and two grandchildren, J. Herbert and Amy Abramson, are left. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home and 2:30 o'clock from Memorial Hall.

March 8, 1907

possibly from a G.A.R. newspaper

 

 

 

 

 

Old Soldier Dead.

 

Senile bronchitis, superinduced by old age, caused the death of John Thoreson, the oldest member of G. L. Nevius Post, No. 1, G.A.R., who passed away yesterday morning at 6:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. C. Abramson, 1137 Fourth avenue. Mr. Thoreson had been sick for two months and since that time gradually sank.

He was born in Christiania [now Oslo], Norway, April 16, 1820, and in 1853 came to America, settling in Chicago, where he remained for two years, after which he came to Rockford. He had lived here ever since, with the exception of the time he served in the Union army. It was in 1862 that he enlisted in Company K, Seventy-Fourth Illinois Volunteers. Being wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro, and serving a time in Libby prison were among his war experiences. From the noted prison he was exchanged and in 1863 was given an honorable discharge, this being at Benton Barricks [sic], Mo. The wound received at the battle of Murfreesboro disabled him for service.

As a member of Nevius post he was highly revered by the comrades. It was not only his pleasing address and genial companionship, but the distinction of being the oldest member of the post added to the reverence accorded him. Aside from being a member of the local post he also belonged to the association of Prisoners of War, and was a member of Winnebago Lodge, I.O.O.F., and the Swedish M. E. Church. He was a property owner, having possessed buildings in South Main street, directly south of the Nelson house.

For many years Mr. Thoreson was engaged as a wheel maker for David Miles, who owned a shop on the East Side. After quitting here Mr. Thoreson conducted a similar shop, which was located south of where the Mead block is. In 1885 he retired.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday from the home in Fourth avenue and at 2:30 from Memorial hall, and will be in charge of Nevius post. The remains will be taken to the West Side cemetery, where burial will be made.

Mrs. Abramson is the only surviving member of Mr. Thoreson's family.

March 8, 1907

unknown publication

 

 

 

 

Härmed tillkännagifves, att Herren
uti sitt allvisa råd genom döden
åter gästat vår församling och vänkrets.
Denna gången vara det en
för himmelen fullmogen kärfve, som
blef bärgad för den himmelska ladan,
då gamle broder
JOHN THORESON
lugnt och fridfullt insomnade uti
sin Frälsares armar den 8 mars 1907,
i en ålder af 86 ar, 10 månader och
20 dagar. Den hädangångne var
född i Christiania, Norge, den 16
april 1820. Ingick äktenskap med
Martha Oslund 1848. Anlände med
sin familj till detta land och staden
Chicago 1853. Två år senare flyttade
de hit till Rockford. På våren
1862 ingingo broder och syster
Thoreson uti vår församling här,
Under pastor V. Wittings tid; och
allt sedan voro de trogna Gud och
vår församling till sin död. Syster
Thoreson ingick uti sin Herres
Hvila för tjugu år sedan.
Br. Thoreson deltog uti inbördeskriget
och tillhörde “G. A. R.”;
och ett hundratal af de gamle medkämparna
följde sin gamle kamrat
till det sista hvilorummet, med den
öfriga stora skaran som var samlad
vid begrafningen, för att hedra minnet
af den hädangågne och visa sin
sympati för de sörjande. Fyra barn
hafva gått öfver gränsen med föräldrarna,
och endast en dotter, Mrs.
C. A. Abramson, är efterlämnad.
Uti hennes hem slutade den gamle
Fadern sina dagar under öm omvårdnad.
Frid öfver den hädangångnes minne!
Rockford, Ill., i mars 9107.
P. M. Alfvin

Translated using Google on 25 Jan 2023:

It is hereby announced that the Lord, in his all-wise counsel, has again visited our congregation and circle of friends through death. This time it was a sheaf ripe for heaven, which was saved for the heavenly barn, when old brother
JOHN THORESON
calm and peacefully fell asleep in the arms of his Savior on March 8, 1907, at the age of 86 years, 10 months and 20 days. The decedent was born in Christiania, Norway, on April 16, 1820. Married
Martha [Olslund/Olsdatter] in 1848. Arrived with [his] family in this country and the city of Chicago in 1853. Two years later they moved here to Rockford. In the spring of 1862 Brother and Sister Thoreson joined our congregation here, during Reverend V. Witting's time; and after that they were faithful to God and our congregation until their death. Sister Thoreson entered into his Lord's Rest twenty years ago.
Bro. Thoreson participated in the civil war and belonged to “G. A. R.” [Grand Army of the Republic]; and about a hundred of the old comrades followed their old comrade to the last resting-place, with the rest of the large crowd that had assembled at the funeral, to honor the memory of the departed and show their sympathy for the bereaved. Four [Six] children have crossed the border with their parents, and only one daughter, Mrs. [A. C.] Abramson, [survives]. In her home, the old father ended his days under tender care. Peace to the memory of the departed!
Rockford, Ill., in March [19]07.
[Rev.] P. M. Alfvin

[Pastor, Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago]

 

 

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