"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



Thomas Offerdal was born at Long Lake, Watonwan county, July 30, 1875, He is of Norwegian ancestry, his parents being among the large number of Norwegian families who found a home in this, and in other counties of Minnesota, in the early history of the state, and who contributed so large a part in the state's physical and social development.

The parents of the subject of this sketch were Ole and Mary (Jensen) Offerdal, both natives of Norway. The father was a farmer in his native country. He came with his wife to America in 1867, and followed the footsteps of other of his neighbors and countrymen to Minnesota. In the case of these worthy emigrants "following the footsteps," is not altogether a figurative expression, for their means to pay travel expenses were exhausted when they reached Mankato, and they walked all the way from that place to Watonwan county, Minnesota, carrying a small child. Their meager belongings were hauled by Hans Johnson Berdell, who was fortunate enough to own a yoke of oxen. They found a desirable location in Long Lake township, Watonwan county where they took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Here they established a home and lived the rest of their lives. They both died the same year, 1910. They were a frugal, industrious people and their industry was rewarded with a very desirable competence. They were the parents of seven children: Jens, Sarah, Thomas, Mary, Nelius, Carl and Emma. They were both members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Thomas Offerdal was educated in the public schools of Long Lake township, Watonwan county, and in the high school at St. James, from which he was graduated in 1892. During his school days he worked with his father on the home farm, and afterward engaged in farming on the same on his own account. From 1889 to 1914 he bought grain and conducted a general store at Echols, Watonwan county. In 1914 he moved to St. James and the following year he engaged in the real-estate business, and also acted as agent for the Studebaker automobile. In 1915 he was elected vice-president of the Citizens National Bank, of St. James, and in September, of that year, he became actively engaged in the business of the bank.

Mr. Offerdal was married, in 1901, to Hilda Schoyen, daughter of H. M. Schoyen of Long Lake township, Watonwan county, Minnesota. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.



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