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Torkel had two brothers
Jon [13 Nov 1857--31 Dec. 1933]
Aslak [7 Mar. 1860-21 May 1861]
Torkel had three half siblings:
Tore, born 3 Apr 1845, emigrated to USA, married Cameron. Her son Kenneth Potten
Cameron lived in Brooklyn, New York.
Halvor born 14 May 1847, was a sailor, who after a few years in the USA moved
to
Curitiba, Brazil, where he planned to start a Norwegian settlement.
Aslak, born 3 Sep 1848 and died 24 Nov 1848.
1858 Signe Groven was born in Gøytil in Laardal, to Aasmund and Margit Groven
1860 Torkel's father purchased Nord Oftelid where Jon and Torkel grew up. This is the farm Torkel would have inherited had he remained in Telemark. Kjetil Ofte bought the farm from his grandfather. Today [2007] Helbjørg, widow of Jon K. Ofte [1914-2000], lives there. Jon K. Ofte is the son of Kjetil.
1873 Graduated from Kviteseid Seminary
1875-1876 Teacher at Morgedal and Kviteseid
1876-1881 Teacher at Vrådal and Kviteseid
1881-1886 Teacher at Høydalsmo and Laardal
1883 Attended Asker Seminary for one year.
1884 Signe immigrated to America with her brother Knut and his family.
1886 [age 30] Torkel emigrated to America after writing to Signe and asking
her to return to Norway
She, in turn, convinced him to come to America.
1886, September 28 Married Signe Groven at the Teisberg home.
Rev. O. N. Fosmark conducted the ceremony
Witnesses were A. G. Teisberg and T. G. Bershot
They lived various places and eventually settled in Fergus Falls MN.
They lived in a two-story home at 521 North Cleveland Avenue.
Osmund sold the home shortly after Torkel's death.
Signe and Torkel had five children: Halvor 1887-1947, Maria 1889-1895, Anne 1890-1975, Margaret 1897-1977, Osmund 1899-1975.
1886-1888 Torkel wrote that during his first two years in America he worked at odd jobs: on the railroad, on a farm, threshing at harvest time, taught religion and singing at Norwegian schools in Otter Tail and Grant counties, Minnesota, in the winters. Decorah Posten
ca. 1888 Co-editor of the Ugeblad; Torkel wrote that after two years in America, he got a job with the Fergus Falls Ugeblad. He earned $35 a month. Decorah Posten.
1893 -ca. 1906 In partnership with Ole Hagen of Crookston established Rodhuggeren in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The paper was populist in politics and considered the strongest paper of its kind in northern Minne sota. The paper merged with other papers and was moved to Fargo in 1898. The new paper circulated as Fram. It is not known how long Torkel wrote for Fram. [Torkel's bio in the 1924 School Calendar ed. Norlie, p. 518 states that he worked at editorial jobs for 15 years.]
1900 Homesteaded in North Dakota and sold at "quite a profit" a few years later. [Decorah Posten]
1906-1910 Somewhere in this time frame Torkel was a member of the Ljom Singing Society of Fergus Falls. The group was organized in 1883. It is not known when Torkel joined nor how long he was a member. He is pictured with the group in a photo believed to have been taken in either 1906 when the beautiful banner was dedicated or in 1910 when they won the loving cup in Sioux Falls SD.
1907 [age 51] Cofounder of Telelaget. Became historian and soga writer for Telelaget. This became his special calling. It was as if all previous jobs led to this one.
1907-1926 From 1907-1926 he traveled by horse and buggy and sometimes on foot or by train through the Telemark settlements in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Montana, the Dakotas, and Nebraska. Some of this time he sold woollen goods for a wool factory in Fergus Falls to raise money for his work.
Torkel did most of the writing for Telesoga himself. In some cases he had others write. He had the artist Gausta illustrate some of the issues. The Telesoga during these years include biographies, histories, sketches, genealogies, anecdotes, poems [some were his own], amusing events, and photographs. He worked at his own expense.
In the Yearbook for Telelaget, Torkel wrote that the movement "began
like a rustling in the corn on summer's day. All this life, which has inspired
the movement, in great gatherings around the North west, and which has filled
the newspapers with announcements and reports of meetings, and with col lections
for distant gifts and memorials, grew in just a few years less than twenty years
ago. Sons of Norway, The Norwegian Society, The Northman's League and district
groups all began about the same time. Prior to his commitment to Telelaget,
Torkel had been active with the Sons of Norway, attending a weekend convention
in Fargo in 1906. Another early interest was the establishment of a Norwegian
Literary Society intended to discuss the literature, folk music, and history
of Norway. At least two meetings were reported in the Fergus Falls newspaper
with Torkel mentioned as part of a temporary committee in charge of preliminary
work. No doubt Torkel's work for Telelaget took precedence over his involvement
in both the Sons of Norway and the literary society.
1909 -1924 The first issue of Telesoga appeared in 1909. Between the years 1909-1924,
53 issues were
circulated..
1926 [age 70] Torkel wrote and published a 128-page yearbook for Telelaget.
1935 Leaving in late May, Torkel spent 3 months in Norway. The people in his
home district held three large public meetings in his honor. On his return he
spent three days
in Washington and was given a guided tour by Senator Shipstead's secretary.
1936, July 2 Signe died, just months before their golden wedding anniversary;
she had been in poor health for several years.
Torkel's daughter Anne Thurneau, whose husband died in 1918, came to live
with Torkel. She was his constant companion until his death.
1943 , November 4 Torkel died from diabetes complications. Anne and Torkel had
gone to Burbank, California, to spend
[age 87] the winter with his daughter Margaret.
His body was brought back to Fergus Falls for burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. A service was held at Bethlethem Lutheran Church with Rev. Skepstad officiating.
EMPLOYMENT AND INTERESTS
Teaching: Torkel taught for 11 years in Norway and for several winters taught religion and music during his first few years in America.
Politics and Journalism: For more than 15 years Torkel had editorial jobs with three papers: Ugeblad, Rodhuggeren, and Fram.
Music, Art, Literature and Dancing: Torkel published a book entitled Tiriltunga
about Norwegian folk music in Telemark. His writing has references to Norse
Mythology. He taught music, and for at least two years was a member of the Ljom
Singing Society of Fergus Fall. He admired poets, such as Vinje, and wrote poetry
himself. "When I read Vinje's poems, I could almost weep, because I couldn't
write anything like that." He included some of his own poetry in issues
of Telesoga. Here are some of his amusing verses written in reflection of Robert
Burns.
In public I wish heartily
To see myself as others see me;
Then I would see what never was clear,
And find my faults both there and here.
In 1907 he was part of a planning committee of the Norwegian Literary Society
whose objective was to perpetuate the literature and history of Norway.
In his travels visiting the settlements, he often described the art work in
the churches and homes. The artist Herbjørn Gausta was a good friend,
who illustrated some of the Telesoga. When Gausta died, Torkel was instrumental
in raising money for a monument for Gausta.
Dancing was a controversial issue at the early stevner. Although he had no liking
for American dancing and considered the music painful to listen to, he liked
the traditional dances from the Norwegian mountain villages and Hardanger fiddle
playing. "At home in Telemark," he wrote, "they danced both beautifully
and decently. There was not clinging in those dances. It is such dances I like
to see at the Tele-meetings, not so much of it, and only for performances….
He who wants to dance halling and springar well must have excellent rhythm;
he must be strong and agile and enjoy life."
Documenting Telemark settlement history in America:
Torkel was 51 years of age when he began his soga writing for Telelaget. It
seems that all his special interests and experience prepared him for this 20-year
commitment. From the start of his work as historian, he was concerned that Norwegians
were too quick to drop their native customs, especially in the naming of children.
Addressing the first stevne, he said, "A day will come when we are proud
of our ethnic heritage." "There are many who will ask," he said
"'What do we gain by doing this work?' I am certain this is of great value
for our people. This must be done if we are going to be aware of family and
ancestors among our people in the coming generations."
"The day will arrive," he said, "when Norwegians will not be
embarrassed about being Norwegian and the work we have started will then be
appreciated. It is then that people will understand our nationalistic tasks
and that we can or should set our mark here, as our ancestors did when they
traveled in Europe." "We need to leave an impression. This nation
is composed of many different people, like the rainbow with its distinct colors.
Let there be a Norwegian color in the American rainbow." [Addressing the
first stevne in 1907]
It has been 100 years since Torkel spoke those words. We are today not only proud of our Norwegian heritage but also extremely grateful to Torkel for the twenty years spent visiting the Telemark settlements and recording the history.
TORKEL OFTELIE by Bjørgulv Bjørnaraa
I greet you, Torkel; praise I speak,
Saga-writer, from the North.
You, steadfast, like a mountain peak,
Motherland's voice stood forth.
You were an honor for this land -
A blossom from Norway's green;
Who wove a beautiful heritage band
Father and son between.
You followed the Teler's courageous trail
And deeds in this land;
And told the ever-inspiring tale
Of Old Norse in Vinland.
Yes, from their birthright's legal due
You followed them all the way.
They earned the highest praise; and you
Such words of praise could say.
As Rjukan's thundering waterfall
Sings out a conqueror's song;
As trolls, high in their mountain hall
Often shouted loud and long;
So you called out from this new shore
In Telemark's own tongue;
And Telesoga offered more
Inspiring old and young.
You conjured up a treasure trove
Of sagas - living gold;
From people's past, you, skillful, wove
A vision they could hold.
You traveled round for many a day,
So curious and intent;
When Telers met to say their say
You joined their merriment.
The pay you got was thanks, alone,
But what to us you gave
Shall be inscribed in timeless stone
To stand above your grave!
Then will our people stand in grief,
Knowing what now must end,
And lay each flowery tribute sheaf
To honor their lost friend.
So you must live in joy and grace,
Live to a ripe old age.
We need such champions of our race
To preserve our heritage.
You were a faithful messenger,
Your "call" a demanding one;
We thank you for each "priceless pearl"
And all that you have done.
The following verses are from the final stanza of Rev. J. O. Sæter's memorial
poem honoring Torkel.
So takk då, Torkel! Ditt namn skal minnast
So lenge nordmenn i vesten finnast.
Du elska Norig, di gamle mor.
No søv du signa i vestens jord.
So thank you, Torkel, your name will be remembered
As long as there are Norwegians in the West.
You loved Norway, your old mother,
Now you sleep, blessed, in western earth.
Note: Family information is from Tarjei Førstøyl.
