Fred Torma (b. 1888 ) was born in Kihniö province, Finland, and came to Nashwauk, Minnesota in 1906, where he married Hilma Lempea. He was involved in formation of the Elanto Cooperative (Nashwauk, Minnesota) in 1908 and was a board member of the Central Cooperative Wholesale (Superior, Wisconsin). He was also active in the Minnesota Finnish-American Historical Society. Richard H. Silvola (b. 1899 ) was born in Soudan, Minnesota. He was in the armed forces and was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for ten years. In 1932, he married Sylvia Torma, daughter of Fred and Hilma Torma. Silvola was active in many organizations including the Finlandia Foundation, Suoma Seura, the Minnesota Finnish-American Historical Society, and cooperative organizations.
From the guide to the Torma-Silvola family Papers, 1901-1979, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Immigration History Research Center [ihrc])
