Torres Hansen Haavig (1827 - 1901)

Born 19 Jul 1827 in Moster, Hordaland, Norway

Ancestors

Husband of Berta (Eversdatter) Haavig — married 7 Nov 1860 in Decorah, Iowa

Husband of Torbjørg Larsdatter (Ramsøy) Haavig — married 29 Nov 1867 in Decorah, Winneshiek, Iowa, United States

Descendants

Died 24 Sep 1901 at age 74 in Stonybrook Twp, Grant Co., Minn.

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Biography

Torres was the eldest of the Haavig brothers who decided to emigrate to the United States. The brothers probably first settled at Rock Prairie, Wisconsin; later they moved to Iowa. Eventually, these brothers and their families were among the first settlers of Stonybrook Township, in Grant County, Minnesota.

Torres was born 28 July 1827 at Moster, Hordaland, the son of Hans Kalavaag and Guri Okland. He was baptized 29 July 1827 at Finnås. ^[1] He was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith on 25 October 1843 at the Moster Church at the age of 16 1/4. ^[2]

According to the Finnås Parish Church Book, Torres departed his home in Norway 9 April 1856 for a new life in America.^[3] He first settled in Decorah, Iowa, along with the rest of his family who had emigrated. He was listed in the U.S. Federal Census as Thurs Hanson, a farmer, living in Decorah. Also living in the household were his brother, Knud, and his sister-in-law Oline. Torres was single.^[4]

A few months later, Torres married Brita "Bertha" Iversdatter on 7 November 1860 at Decorah, Iowa. ^[5] They were the parents of three children, all born in Decorah, Iowa: Anna; Gurina; and Hans. Sadly, his wife, Berte, died about 1866, because on 29 November 1867, Torres married for his second wife Torbjørg Larsdatter Ramsjoy in Decorah.^[6] Torres and his second wife were the parents of one child, a daughter, named Bertha Louise.

The Haavigs came to Stonybrook at the urging of John Nielson Hoff, who was the brother-in-law of Hans Hanson Haavig, Torres's half-brother. The whole bunch of them decided to leave Iowa and start new lives for themselves. They must have been adventuresome, tough, and resourceful. Foss's "History of Stony Brook Township" relates a great deal of history of the Haavigs.

"Torres Hansen Haavig," according to Foss's history, "was a member of the Hoff immigrant party and one of the first white settlers of Stony Brook.He took an active part in the affairs of his township and church, and in his school district. The first school in the English language was kept at the house, which was one of the largest log-cabins in the township for many years. He was elected the first treasurer of his township and was re-elected the next year. He donated more money than any of the other members for the building of the log-cabin church."^[7]

Torres, according to Foss, was better-off financially than most of the early pioneers: Torres was "able to make small loans to his less fortunately situated neighbors. Most of the new settlers had but little capital, except a pair of strong and willing arms an indomitable will and an unshakeable belief in the future."^[8]

Torres and his family were a vital part of the new town, where he remained for the rest of his life. Torres must have seen considerable changes in his new home. He lived to see the turn of a new century and died at Stonybrook in 1901 at the age of seventy-four.^[9][10] As a part of his legacy, he left many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Sources

1. ↑ Record of the Birth and Baptism of Torres Hansen. Finnås sokneprestembete, H/Ha/Haa/Haaa/L0005: Ministerialbok nr. A 5, 1823-1835, s. 23.
2. ↑ Record of the Confirmation of Torres Hansen. Finnås sokneprestembete, H/Ha/Haa/Haaa/L0006: Ministerialbok nr. A 6, 1836-1850, s. 195.
3. ↑ Record of the Emigration of Torres Hansen, Norway to America. Finnås sokneprestembete, H/Ha/Haa/Haaa/L0007: Ministerialbok nr. A 7, 1850-1862, s. 333.
4. ↑ 1860 United States Federal Census. Birth date: abt 1830 Birth place: Norway Residence date: 1860 Residence place: Decorah, Winneshiek, Iowa, United States.
5. ↑ Iowa Select Marriages, 1809-1992; ; Torres Hanson; marriage date 7 November 1860; Winneshiek County, Iowa; spouse: Berte Ivarsdatter; FHL Film Number 1026659.
6. ↑ US Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records; Torres Hansen; marriage: 29 Nov 1867; Decorah, Iowa; spouse: Torbjør Larsdatter; church name: Decorah Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran in Decorah, Iowa.
7. ↑ "The History of Stony Brook Township," by Louis O. Foss.
8. ↑ "The History of Stony Brook Township," by Louis O. Foss.
9. ↑ Death:Records of the Rock Prairie Church, Stonybrook Township, Grant County, Minn.
10. ↑ Find a Grave Memorial for Torres Hansen Haavig.