Parents: Truls Olsen Helgerud & Mari Andersdatter Bjerke
Lanesboro Leader May 11 1916
It was the sad task of this newspaper last week to chronicle the passing away of an old pioneer to whose early and untiring labor is due much of the present prosperity enjoyed by residents of Fillmore county.
Thomas Trulson Ask who died on May 3rd, was one of God's noblemen. He was beloved by all who knew him and his acquaintance was large as he was one of the earliest settlers of this county. Of a sunshiny disposition, kind and tender, scrupulously honest and absolutely on the square he had endeared himself to everyone. The immense attendance at the funeral services on Monday conclusively proved this. Not only were the services in the family home here in Lanesboro largely attended, but the services at the Elstad church had brought together a larger gathering than usual. All wished to join in showing the last sad honors to a man who was honored and respected by all.
The late Mr. Ask was born March 4th 1827, in Ringerike, Norway. At the time of his death he was therefore in his ninetieth year. He came to America as a young man of twenty-four years. He worked at his trade of blacksmith in Wisconsin and Iowa until he came to Minnesota in 1855. First he took a claim in Amherst township, where he made his home for two years, after which he moved to Section one, Preston township. Here he erected a log cabin, in which he and family lived for seven years, but in 1864 it was replaced by the present substantial and comfortable home. His farm was wild land when he first homesteaded it, and he broke and cultivated it and carried on general farming for many years until he owned 238 acres. His wife, nee Carrie Holt, died on January 16th, 1907. To them were born fourteen children, of whom only six survive. These are Martin T. Ask, a prosperous North Prairie farmer; John T. Ask, the president of the First National Bank of Lanesboro; Thorvald Ask and Miss Lizzie E. Ask, also of Lanesboro; Mrs. Anton Dammen and Mrs. Halvor A. Ness, wives of well-known Fillmore county farmers. There are also 24 grandchildren. Since a year ago last fall the deceased had been a resident of Lanesboro. Among those from outside points who attended the funeral were O.L. Ask of Osage, Iowa.