Holland, P.O. (Peter Olai), 1878-1939,

Harald Thorson was born in the parish of North Aurdal in Valdres, Norway, on November 16, 1841. He was the son of Thore Olson and Sigrid (Gigstad) Olson. He came to America at the age of 16, settling in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he attended school and established a small country store. He soon sold the store to Osul Torrision, and continued as Torrison's employee until 1865 when he moved to Northfield, Minnesota, where he opened a general merchandise store with his brother Knut. That partnership was dissolved after one year, and Harald continued the business alone. The store apparently grew and prospered, and Thorson evidently became a wealthy man. He is said to have owned many farms in the Northfield area, and sold horses and mules in Northfield. He was one of the organizers of St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield. He was one of the incorporators of St. Olaf College (1874) and served as secretary of the board of trustees. He also helped establish and became a director of the First National Bank in Northfield (1872).

Around 1885 Thorson closed his Northfield business interests and moved to St. Paul, where he was involved in organizing the Northwestern National Bank. He was also involved in establising the Columbian National Bank, Minneapolis. Thorson later moved to Elbow Lake, Minnesota, and became president of the bank there. While at Elbow Lake he made real estate investments in North Dakota, and held shares in several banks there.

Thorson's first wife and child died in childbirth soon after the couple moved to Northfield. He later married Karen Lajord. The couple had eight children, including Minnie, Elmer, Clara, Theodore, Cecile, and Henry. Two others died in infancy. Thorson died in St. Paul on February 18, 1920, and was buried there. His wife had passed away a few years earlier. At the time of his death he was said to have owned a chain of about thirty banks located in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Upper Michigan. The bulk of Thorson's estate was left to St. Olaf College. A lawsuit brought by his heirs following his death resulted in great animosity between them and the college.

Thorson is said to have been a large financial contributor to St. Olaf College. He also made contributions to Concordia College (Moorhead, Minn.) and to Luther College (Decorah, Iowa). He was an active member of the Valdres Sambad.

From the guide to the Harald Thorson banking files., 1910-1998 (bulk 1920-1944)., (Minnesota Historical Society)