Obit: Sorenson, Andrew (1856 - 1947)

Contact: Linda Mertens
Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Sorenson, Miller, Hunt, Wigstadt, Genrich, Skerbeck, Herman, Hinke, Bush, Brecke, Jensen, Quarme, Ballard, Robison, Larson, Johnson

----Source - Private Collection

Andrew Sorenson (23 Aug 1856 - 3 Nov 1947)

Funeral services for Andrew Sorenson, a pioneer resident of the community (Dorchester, Clark Co., WI) who died Monday, were held from Salem Evangelical United Brethren church at 2 p.m. today. The Rev. V.R. Miller, pastor, officiated at the rites, and burial was in Dorchester Memorial Cemetery.

Mr. Sorenson had been in active good health until last August, when he placed himself under a doctor's care but continued his activities until about two weeks ago when his illness confined him to his home. He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, Saturday afternoon and died there at 3:15 a.m. November 3.

Business places in the village were closed for one hour, from 2 to 3 p.m. today, as a final tribute to the pioneer businessman of this community.

Pallbearers at the funeral were Frank Hunt, Colby; Ben Wigstadt, Louis Wigstadt, Otto Genrich, Joe Skerbeck and Art Herman. Jacqueline Hinke, Elsie Bush, Mary Lou Brecke, and Marian Miller served as flower girls. The body lay in state at the Fuchsgruber Funeral Parlor until noon today, and then at the church until time of services.

Andrew Sorenson was born in Auhus, Denmark, on Aug. 23, 1856, son of Soren and Marie (Jensen) Sorenson. In 1877 he immigrated to the United States with his parents and four brothers to join an older brother, Soren, who had come to this country two years earlier. The Sorenson family first settled at North Lake, 20 miles north of Milwaukee, before coming to Dorchester in August of their year of immigration. The elder Mr. Sorenson purchased a quarter section of land, the first parcel of railroad land sold in this vicinity (inaccurate), one and one-half miles west of the village. The original quarter is now owned and occupied by Alfred Hinke.

Mr. Sorenson, besides helping his father and brothers with land-clearing and farming, worked in logging camps in winters and in sawmills during the summer.

In 1885, he and his brother, Martin, opened a butcher shop in Phillips and operated it until July 27, 1894, when a fire which razed the city claimed their building and entire stock of business.

Mr. Sorenson was married to Anna Quarme in 1890, and five children were born to them. Two sons died in infancy while the family lived in Phillips; Mrs. (Anna) Wheeler Ballard, who died in 1940; Mamie, who died in later years while the family lived in Kansas; and Mrs. (Esther) Turpin Robison, Auburn, Calif. The first Mrs. Sorenson died in May of 1895.

Mr. Sorenson and Mrs. Bertha Larson were married in Dorchester Feb. 21, 1897, and three children were born to them: Edgar, Burlington; and Maurice and Lloyd of Dorchester.

Mr. Sorenson and his brother Hans purchased a butcher shop here, where Schreiber Bros. Market now is located, in 1895. In 1910 the family moved to Kansas, where they lived for three years before returning here, where Mr. Sorenson has since resided.

He was the first treasurer of the village of Dorchester, and also had served as treasurer of the Town of Mayville. He also was street commissioner for the village and had been village constable for 20 years.

Survivors include his widow; three sons, Edgar Sorenson, Burlington; Maurice Sorenson and Lloyd Sorenson, Dorchester; a daughter, Mrs. Esther Robison, Auburn, Calif.; a brother, Hans Sorenson, Mt. Morris, Mich.; a step-son, Iver Johnson, Medford; and two grandsons, Dale Sorenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Sorenson, and James Sorenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Sorenson.

Edgar Sorenson, Burlington and Hans Sorenson, Mr. Morris, Mich., attended funeral services for their father and brother. Mrs. Robison was unable to attend.

North Lake, Waukesha, WI

[Postcard showing a Birdseye view of North Lake, WI]