Thomas (Tormod G. Reierson) RYERSON

   Other names for Thomas were Tormod Reiersen GISMARVIG, Tormund Reiersen GISMARVIG, Thomas Ryerson JISMERVIG, Thomas REARSON, Thomas REIERSON, Tormod G. REIERSON, Thomas RIERSON and Thomas RYERSON.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Immigration: from Norway, 1856, America. ³ leaving Avaldsnes 30 April 1856...

12, Ægte folk Ole Reier, 25 1/2, Amerika [brother]
sen Gismervig og
13, Quinde Anne Christi, 22 1/4 [sister-in-law]
ne Larsdatter
14, ungkarl Torund, 20 1/2
Reiersen Gismarvig

• Census: Bruce, 1860, LaSalle County, Illinois, USA. line 10

5207 5734 Thos Richardson 22 Farmer Norway
Halva [Halver] Larson 25 " Norway [his brother Ole's brother-in-law]

[page 10 of 31]

• Military Service: Civil War, 1862, LaSalle County, Illinois, USA. RYERSON, Thomas
IL 104th Inf Co F. Residence: Bruce, La Salle County, Illinois. Born in Gismervig, Augvaldsnæs, Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 27. Unmarried. Blue eyes, red hair. sandy complexion, 5'7". Enlisted for three years on 10 Aug 1862 at Ottawa, Illinois. Mustered there on 27 Aug 1862. Private. Discharged from the service for disability on 27 Apr 1863 at Nashville, Tennessee. Post war: Lived at Pontiac, Illinois. Sources: (ILSA reel 9 p54) (Ulvestad p326)

• Military Service: Civil War, 1862, Illinois, USA. Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name RYERSON, THOMAS
Rank PVT
Company F
Unit 104 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence BRUCE, LASALLE CO, IL
Age 27
Height 5' 7
Hair RED
Eyes BLUE
Complexion SANDY
Marital Status SINGLE
Occupation FARMER
Nativity NORWAY

Service Record
Joined When AUG 14, 1862
Joined Where OTTAWA, IL
Joined By Whom HIMSELF
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where OTTAWA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks DISCHARGED APR 27, 1863 FOR DISABILITY AT NASHVILLE TENN

[ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES, Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls, Illinois Civil War Detail Report,Company F, Unit 104 Infantry]

• Notes: Military Unit, 1862, LaSalle County, Illinois, USA. Also in Thomas' military unit is his cousin, once removed, Oliver Larson, who enlisted on the same day.

• Reference: The History of Livingston County, Illinois, 1878, Livingston County, Illinois, USA. ⁴ THOMAS RYERSON, farmer; P.O. Cornell; was born in Stavanger, Norway, in 1834; in 1855, came to America, locating in La Salle Co., near Otter Creek, living there about twelve years. During this time he was in the army, enlisting in 1862, in Co. F, 104th Ill, Vols.; he was wounded in the hip at the battle of Hartswell, and soon after was mustered out on account of wounds. In 1866, came to Amity Tp., but moved in 1875, on to land owned by him in Rook's Creek; he owns 224 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. He married Elizabeth Larson in La Salle Co. in 1862; she was born in Stavanger, Norway, in 1843; they have had eight children, six living - R. Lewis, Annie (deceased), Caroline A. (deceased), Anna Bell, Theodore, Oliver M. S., R. Adolph and Leonard M.

[The History of Livingston County, Illinois: containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. ... W. Le Baron, 1878, p795]

• Census: Rooks Creek > 101, 1880, Livingston County, Illinois, USA. Thomas Ryerson 44
Elisa Ryerson 35
Ransard Ryerson 16
Ann Ryerson 12
Theadore Ryerson 9
Oliver Ryerson 6
Rubin Ryerson 4
Lenord Ryerson 2
David Ryerson 3m

[page 13 of 22]

• Census: Rooks Creek > District 0115, 1900, Livingston County, Illinois, USA. Thomas Ryerson 65, Sep 1834 Norway
Lizzie M Ryerson 55, Apr 1845 Norway
Olnier M Ryerson 26, Jul 1873 IL
Adolph R Ryerson 24, Nov 1875 IL
Millard Ryerson 22, Feb 1878 IL
David E Ryerson 20, Mar 1880 IL
Clara M Ryerson 18, Apr 1882 IL
Mabel P Ryerson 15, Aug 1884 IL

[page 5 of 22]

• Reference: Livingston County, Illinois Biographical Record for, 1900, Livingston County, Illinois, USA. ⁵ p367-368 [320 and 321 of 508]
THOMAS G. RYERSON.
Thomas G. Ryerson has witnessed almost the entire development of Livingston county, and has contributed his full share to this grand work. By concentrated effort and indefatigable energy he has wrought out success, and now, in his declining years, is reaping the just rewards of his long years of toil. Commencing life, a stranger in a strange land, without a dollar, and, indeed, in dept for the cost of his voyage across the Atlantic, he certainly has displayed a fortitude and application to business amounting to heroism.

The career of Mr. Ryerson possesses much that is worthy of emulation by his posterity, and his many friends will take pleasure in tracing this record. Born in Stavanger, Norway, September 8, 1834, he grew to manhood there, and obtained a fair education in his mother tongue. In company with an older brother, Ole Ryerson, he emigrated to America in 1855, and, at the end of a voyage that consumed six weeks and six days, they arrived at their destination - Quebec. Coming to Chicago by way of the great lakes, our subject then proceeded to Ottawa, where he witnessed the celebrations attendant on the fourth of July. He was stricken with the typhoid fever, and during that summer was in very poor health in consequence. As soon as he was able to work, the brave youth obtained a position on a farm, and for several years thereafter worked for others.

On the 14^th of August, 1862, Mr. Ryerson enlisted in the defense of his adopted country, which was placed in the Army of the Tennessee. At the first severe engagement in which our subject was engaged he was wounded by a shell in the right hip, and being to disabled, was sent to the hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee. Subsequently he was transferred to the hospital in Nashville, and thence to the one in Chicago. When he was convalescent he was honorably discharged from the army and returned to La Salle county in April, 1863.

When he had recovered a measure of his usual health, Mr. Ryerson resumed agricultural labors, and in 1865 came to Livingston county, Here he bought eighty acres in Amity township, only thirty acres of which property had been broken and placed under the plow. A small cabin served as a home for a period, but in time this was supplanted by a large, pleasant house, which was built under the owner's supervision. He also built barns, sheds and fences, and planted an orchard and find shade trees. As he could afford it, he invested his surplus founds in more land, and to-day is the owner of four hundred and seventy acres. Most of this is productive and valuable land, yielding a generous return for the labor expended upon it.

The marriage of Mr. Ryerson and Lizzie Larson, a native of Norway, took place in La Salle county in 1863. The wife was a child of, yerhaps [sic], twelve years, when she came to the United States, and, with her husband, she has been a faithful member of the Lutheran church since youth. To her helpfulness and brave spirit during the years of their struggle for a home and competence, Mr. Ryerson attributes much of his success in life. Two of their children died in infancy, but nine survive. Louis is married and is a prosperous farmer in this district. Anna Belle is the wife of Rasmus Aarvig, of Pontiac,. Theodore is the agent and telegraph operator of the Illinois Central Railroad Company at Cullom, Illinois. The younger children who are at home are named as follows: Oliver, Adolph, Mildred [Millard], David, Clara and Mabel.

Mr. Ryerson is especially desirous of giving his children good educations, knowing that thereby they will be fitted for the battle of life. He is deeply interested in the maintenance of schools of a high standard, and for three terms has officiated as a member of the school board, doing all within his power to increase the efficiency of our educational system. In political creed he is a true-blue Republican, and since casting his first presidential ballot for Lincoln, in 1864, he has ardently supported the party of his choice.
[The Biographical Record of Livingston County Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1900.]

• Reference: A History of the Norwegians of Illinois, 1905, Illinois, USA. ⁶ pp89-90

The Pontiac or Rowe Settlement
[...]
1866 - Thomas Ryerson (Jismervig) was born near Stavanger, Sept. 8, 1834. In company with an older brother he emigrated to America in 1855 and came to La Salle county, where he worked on farms until, on Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted in the defense of his adopted country, becoming a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, which was placed in the Army of the Tennessee. At the first severe engagement in which Mr. Ryerson was engaged he was wounded by a shell in the right hip, and being io disabled, was sent to the hospital at Gallatin, Tenn. Subsequently he was transferred to the hospital in Nashville, and thence to one in Chicago. When he was convalescent he was honorably discharged from the army and returned to La Salle county in April, 1863. In 1866 Mr. Ryerson came to Livingston county. Here he first bought eighty acres in Amity township. A small cabin served as a home for a period, but in time this was supplanted by a large and pleasant house. He also built barns, sheds and fences, and planted an orchard and fine shade trees. As he could afford it he invested in more land, and to-day he is the owner of 470 acres. With his wife he is now spending his declining years in
p90
A HISTORY OF THE NORWEGIANS OF ILLINOIS
Pontiac. He was married to Lizzie Larson in 1863. Two of their children died in infancy; nine survive. Louis is married and is a prosperous farmer in this district. Anna Belle is the wife of Rasmus Aarvig, whose sketch appears in the biographical part. Theodore is the station agent for the Illinois Central Railroad at Pontiac. Oliver is the telegraph operator for the same road at Gibson City, Ill., and the younger children -- Adolph, Mildred, David, Clara and Mabel -- are at home.

• Cemetery: Pontiac City Cemetery (aka South Side Cemetery), 1919, Livingston County, Illinois, USA. ⁷ RYERSON, Thos. Aug 12, 1919 Army Civil War Pvt Co F 104 Ill Inf

• Reference: Emigrants from Karmøy. [google translation]
Thomas Ryerson Jismervik Avaldsnes was born 08/09/1834. He emigrated in 1855 with an older brother [Ole]. They came to La Salle co. [Illinois]where Thomas worked on the farm. 14. August 1862 he reported himself voluntarily in co. F 104 Ill. infantry were placed [stationed] in Tennessee. In the first battle he participated in he was wounded in the right hip. He was then sent to the hospital in Gallatin Tenn. From there he was sent to a hospital in Nashville and from there to Chicago. He was afterward an honorable dismissal [discharged] and returned in April 1863 to La Salle co. In 1866 he [went] to Livington co. Ill. He bought 80 acres of land here in Amity Township. He built a small shed [shack?] to live in, but later he set up temporal house. He later bought more land and eventually became the owner of 470 acres. He also planted a lot of trees. He was married to Lizzie Larson in 1863. They moved to Pontiac [Illinois] when they were older. They had 11 children and two of them died as small [young]. Children: Louis, is married and has farm in Livingstone co. Anna Belle is married to Rasmus Olsen Årvig (see Tysvær), Theodore, Oliver, Adolph, Mildred, David, Clara and Mabel. Theodore was born in 1870. He was on his father's farm until he was 25 years old. He received in 1896 a friend in "The Ill. Central Railroad". Was telegraphist and station operated in several villages. In 1905 he became the valet station in Pontiac Ill. 1901 Were married Sarah Amacher, born in Cullom Ill. They had a son soon after called Murtin Delbert. Oliver was born 1873. When his parents moved to Pontiac, he took over father's farm. Besides farmer working driver he as a mechanic.

Thomas Ryerson is Tormod Reiarsen from Gismarvik, page 103 Karmøy Avaldsnes II Lizzie Larson can be Lise Magrete Larsdtr. Page 322 Karmøy Avaldsnes In On Ancestry.com Lizzie is recognized as Maryetta Elizabeth Larson. Christopher L. Aygarn was born in Avaldsnes 04/09/1850 by parents Lars and Martha (Helleikson) Aygarn. He emigrated with an older brother when he was 16 years old. They came to Ottawa Ill. 23.nov. 1866. The work on the farm here in 3 years. Come to Minnesota in 1870, where he served for one year. Come back and settled himself in Livinstone Co.. Were there married Isabella C. Mitchell in 1872. He Pact a farm in Livingstone co. in 3 years. When he had earned some money he bought in 1874 a 160 acre farm. The first three years beating harvest error. He must relinquish it to the first owner and lost the money he had put into in the farm. He continued die on the farm that rents and in 1886 he bought it new and sold it two years later with good benefit for 19 dollars acren. In 1888 he came to Rowe, a small station near Pontiac Ill. There he began medhandel and also ran grain trade. He built up a factory, where they fabricated roof and brick. He had many men in the work and the annual pruduksjon was 250,000 valuation and 1 million bricks. He was practically the founder. He had build two grain elevators outside the business quarter and habitable housing. In 1900 he sold the factory and drove most of grain trade. He was criticized when other grain traders and railway company was working against him. It was case about this and Aygarn aqueous. Each of his elevator took 20,000 bushel (1 bushel ca. 33 kg). There was three children in the family: Oliver Lewis, born 1873, married Anna Nelson. Martin Melanchthon, born 1879 and married Mabel Lillian Michell and Christian Thomas Millard, born 1886.

Christopher L. Aygarn are Christian Larssen from Southern Minke (Bergen), page 322 Karmøy Avaldsnes In Isabelle Cecilia Mitchell was born August 1851 in Illinois Picture taken from Ancestry.com This is an excerpt from the book "Emigrants from Rogaland"

[http://www.slektsforumkarmoy.no/Artikler/UtvandrereFraKarmoy.pdf]

Thomas married Lise Margrethe Larsdatter ØGAARD, daughter of Lars Larson ØYGARDEN and Marta Kristina Helleiksdatter ODLAND, on 16 Apr 1863 in LaSalle County, Illinois, USA.¹ (Lise Margrethe Larsdatter ØGAARD was born on 9 Apr 1844 in Karmoy Island, Avaldsnes, Rogaland, Norway, baptized on 21 Apr 1844 in Avaldsnes, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway ⁸ and died on 17 Oct 1937 in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois, USA ⁹.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Alt. Marriage, 23 Apr 1863.

  Marriage Notes:

married his brother Ole's sister-in-law