The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-09-05
THOMAS TORRISON PASSES OVER.

! A flag at half-mast on the o. Tori
son Company store building last Fri
day morning informed the city with
out further notice that Thomas h.
Torrison had departed this life. The
community had been prepared in a
measure for the evil tidings by what
was supposed for weeks past to be a
fatal illness.
Mr.. Torrison was born at Manitowoc
sixty-two years ago He graduated
from Luther college, at Decorah. Ia,
in 1876, and has since been connected
with the varied o. Torrison interests
founded by his father in pioneer days
Since the founders death over twenty
| five years ago Thomas has been the
president and manager of the bus1-
ness.
When a young man he served in the
city council and the county board For
twenty-four years he was member
of the north side district school board
and for four terms was mayor OF the
city.
He was married in 1884 to Jorgiana
Tostensen, who with son Anker sur
wives him. There also survive MS
aged mother of this city and seven
brothers, Rev. Isaac of Decorah, Ia,
Oscar. a circuit judge at Chicago, Dr.
George and Aaron of Chicago ana
Gustav, Norman and William OF this
city and one sister, Mrs, Charles Ste
wart of Chicago.
1t would be idle to attempt 10 draw
pen picture of Thomas Torrison.
The thought that recurs is Edwin
Markham's comparison of Lincolns
going to the loss of lordly cedar on
.he hills that leaves a lonesome place
against the sky
The trite, overworked phrases that
are usually thrown together to serve
as an obituary for the prominent citi-
zen" would but lily serve this occa-
sion. They are meaningless from over
nse. To the present generation OF
readers Thomas Torrison needs mo-
eulogy, and those who might in the
future read a column of fulsome
praise would be unable to distinguish
The recital from the general mass OF
oost-moterm appreciations couched in
he superlative.
The memory of him will linger long
in the public mind as probity and
honor personited. Citizens gathered
,or any purpose of civic betterment
will miss his wholesome, sane advice
voiced in the familiar, deep. mellow
tones.
What he might have risen to in a
arger opportunity or spurred by q
yaulting ambition one can only sur
mise. Certain it is that in our COM
nunity he had attained in the fullest
measure all that can be hoped for. He
vent to his rest followed by as nearly
universal regret at the departure as a
Mortal can arouse. No one who came
into the sphere of his influence but
was the better for it; every acquaint-
ance had an abiding respect for the
man. Those whose good fortune it |
was to have had more intimate rela-
lions with him perforce loved the
calm, kindly soul. He had the sim
plicity and directness of greatness.
Many a person relieved in distress
could testify to his charity and not
few youthful persons detected in dere-
lotions have only his great heart to
hank for their escape from publicity
and disgrace.
Since his youth he has been unable
10 serve in all the fduciary trusts that
have sought him, for the thought of
aim rose instinctively to the mind
when a position of confidence was con-
templated.
He died the head of business
house long a big institution of Mani |
towoc; a successful businessman in
the best sense of the term whose sue
cess was built upon commercial
acumen and probity; citizen hon
ored by his community and respected
in all of his personal relations. For
he was a business man; understand
ing that those with whom he had
dealings were men, whether in front
Of or behind his counters.
The community he loved will often
think of him in the next few months.
Gradually the impression will grow
DINNER in our conscious minds but
the effect of his having been here,
marked indelibly upon the characters
of many of our people and stamped
into the community, will go on and on
long after all those who cherished
memories of him have been gathered
to their fathers, A sentiment from a
great funeral Grafton would appropri-
ately describe Manitowoc's thought as
Thomas Torrison was laid to rest:
There was, there is, no gentler,
stronger, manlier man"
The funeral was held Monday after
noon, Rev. Boyd officiating Inter
ment was in Evergreen cemetery.
| SUGAR CARDS FOR ENTIRE COUNTY