Biographical and Genealogical information about Tostenson family
The Tostenson family emigrated from Arendal, Norway around 1870.
A photo from about 1873 of the family
The passenger list for 16, June, 1873
(the ship is the St. Olaf) shows the Thorstenson family, including Ole,
Anne, Tora, Gesine Marie, and Sofie. (starting at line 8)
The spelling of the last name sometimes appears as Torstenson or Thorstenson;
Ole Tostenson purchased the east half of Lot 11, Block 16 in mound cemetery.
None of the Tostensons buried there have plot markers.
They are: Ole, Anna, Cenia, Olga, and Louis. In addition, Cora M. Johnson
and Charles Johnson are buried in this lot (markers exist for them)
The 1880 census information shows some name changes: Tora became Cora,
Cenia became Sina, Olga became Lilly.
The 1897 Racine city directory also shows Cora Tostenson living
at the same address (1045 Franklin) as Sophy Tostenson.
Naturalization records listed at
[RHM] say that Ole Thorstensen, born
Norway 1835, landed NYC June 1872; renounced Oscar, King of Norway and Sweden,
and was sworn 1 Nov. 1875.
Known dates of death are:
| Name | Date of Death | Age |
| George | 7/28/1881 | 47 |
| Anna | 2/22/1891 | 46 |
| Cenia | 4/10/1887 | 17 |
| Olga | 11/28/1880 | 6 |
| Louis | 11/20/1883 | 8 |
Mound Cemetery records show that Ole died July 28, 1881 of Consumption at age 47;
Anna died Feb 22, 1891 of Heart disease at age 46.
Interesting to note that Ole got converted to George on the
headstone.
Entries in Racine City directories for Ole show that he worked as a machinist
for J.I. Case for 1875, 1876; and for JIC TM Co (JI Case Threshing Machine Co)
in 1881.
Norwegian records have some of the details of Ole's family:
Ole Torstensen, b 29 Jan 1836 in Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway, son of
Torsten Thomassen and Aase Marie Larsen, married at unknown location
just before the census of 1865. Anne Oline Gregersen, 27 Jan 1845
in Austre (Eastern) Moland parish, Aust-Agder county. The daughter
of Gregers Olsen and Maren Pedersen. He moved around a bit before
marriage. Registred in churchbook, ob Bamble parish near
Porsgrunn, 21 Aug 1862 having moved to Arendal two years ago .
They lived at Hafstad Ironworks.
This (with anonymous assistance) from:
http://www.digitalarkivet.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&sidenr=8&filnamn=f60918&gardpostnr=620&personpostnr=4092#nedre
Ole Torstensen's brothers:
Name: Thomas Torstensen
Christening date: 03 Nov 1833
Christening place: PORSGRUNN, TELEMARK, NORWAY
Residence: Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway
Birth date: 08 Sep 1833
Father's name: Torsten Thommesen
Mother's name: Aase Marie Larsdr
Name: Zacharias Torstensen
Christening date: 26 Dec 1838
Christening place: PORSGRUNN, TELEMARK, NORWAY
Residence: Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway
Birth date: 14 Oct 1838
Father's name: Torsten Thommesen
Mother's name: Aase Marie Larsdr
Cora Tostenson
Some additional details about Cora exist: a notice of marriage,
and an obituary. The marriage notice:
At Green Bay, Wis., yesterday, Miss Cora Tostenson and Mr.
Charles Johnson, both of Racine, were united in marriage by
Rev. Mr. Week, a. brother-in-law of the groom. After the
ceremony the newly wedded pair departed for a brief wedding
trip, and will reside at 913 eleventh street upon their return.
The bride is a prominent and well known on the the south side,
and the groom is a trusted employe of the J. I. Case T. M. Co.
10 Jun 1905
The obituary:
JOHNSON. MRS. CORA Formerly of 1703 Boyd Ave. Age 85.
Passed away Dec. 25, 1951 after a long illness.
She was born June 27. 1866 in Norway and came to the U.S.
and settled in Racine in 1873. She was the widow of
Charles Johnson who preceded her in death. Mrs. Johnson
is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday 10 a. m. at
Christiansen's Chapel. 1650 Washington Ave.
Dr. M. R. Siemens officiating. Burial will be in Mound
Cemetery. Friends may call at Christiansen's Chapel
Friday evening.
Copyright, 2004 - 2015 Richard Gorton - rcgorton@verizon.net
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