NORMAN GODFRED TORRISON

Norman Torrison, 76, Last of Merchant Family, Dies
Norman G. Torrison, 76, last member of the family of eight sons and two
daughters of the late Osuld Torrison, who founded the O. Torrison company
here in 1853, died Friday night at the Holy Family hospital.
His death occurred less than a week after his brother, William, 72, whose
funeral took place Wednesday afternoon.
The two brothers, who in late years were inseparable companions, had been
patients at the hospital since early in January. Both retired from the
Torrison company 17 years ago when the business was taken over by the
Henderson-Hoyt Company.
Funeral Monday
Funeral services for Norman Torrison will be held Monday at 2:30 p.m. from
the Frazier mortuary chapel. The Rev. Ernest Zoerb of the First Lutheran
church will officiate and interment will be in Evergreen cemetery.
He was born in this city in 1868, son of Osuld and Martha Torrison, one of
a family of ten children. The others, all now deceased, were Thomas, Isaac,
George, Oscar, Aaron, Gustave and William, Mrs. Adolph (Inandal) Bredesen
and Mrs. Charles (Agnes) Stewart.
The father, Osuld, came to this country from Norway and when a young man
located in this city, taking a clerking positon with E.R. Smith, pioneer
Manitowoc merchant. In 1853 he took over the business, which was located
on York street and in 1860 he established the business of the O. Torrison
company at Eight and Commercial streets.
Played Baseball
Norman Torrison was educated in the north side schools and entered Luther
college at Decorah, Iowa, from which he was graduated. Like his other
brothers, Norman played baseball in
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his younger days and was the catcher on the Manitowoc team that dominated
Wisconsin cities in baseball in the early nineties.
Leaving his employment in the O. Torrison company, Norman accompanied Dr.
Kittleson of this city to Alaska in the gold-rush days. He remained for a
couple of years, came back to Manitowoc and returned to Alaska on a second
trip later.
Joined Brothers In Store
When he came back to this city permanently, he joined his brothers, Thomas,
Gustave, Aaron and William in the operation of the Torrison store. He was
office manager for a number of years.
When the Henderson-Hoyt company took over the business in 1927 Norman and
his brother, William, retired from active business.
He was a member of the First Lutheran church and the Manitowoc lodge of Elks.
The only survivors are a number of nieces and nephews and wives of deceased
brothers.
The body may be viewed at the Frazier mortuary from Sunday evening at seven
o'clock until the hour of the services Monday.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. March 25, 1944 Pages 1 and 2
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[cause: apoplexy/bur. on Thos. E. Torrison lot-his father]