Individual Details

Birth

Although born in Russia, his parents were German.

Occupation

Furnishing $60,000 of the capital, along with $40,000 supplied by Isaac Staples, the firm of Torinus, Staples & Co., began operating in a brick block built by Louis Torinus. The firm, of which Col. W. G. Bronson and I. Edwin Staples were put in charge, carried a large stock of groceries, hardware and general supplies. In 1873, Louis bought out Mr. Staples' interest; placing Joseph and Albert Wilkinson in charge of the store.

Census

Louis E. Tornus was enumerated as head of household, age 35, male, white, lumberman and merchant, owned real estate valued at $50000 and personal estate valued at $50000, born in Russia, father of foreign birth, mother of foreign birth, and was a male citizen of U.S. of 21 years of age and upwards. Other members of the household were Helen M. Torinus [wife], Grace F. Torinus [daughter], George E. Torinus [son], Martin E. Torinus [son], and Charlott Langren (age 24, female, white, domestic, born in Sweden, father of foreign birth, and mother of foreign birth).

Occupation

Organized in 1873 with members consisting of Louis Torinus who was chosen president, William Graves who was chosen vice-president, and William Chalmers chosen as general manager. They purchased Nelson mills in South Stillwater and invested heavily in repairs, making it one of the finest mills in the St. Croix valley. However, a fire in 1875 resulted in a total loss with no insurance in force; a loss valued at $70,000. Within a week of the fire, the firm leased the Gaslin mill, carrying on business. They additionally ran a general store in South Stillwater. Later in 1879, the company began construction on what was known as the "Big Mill" on the site of the mill that had been destroyed by fire.

Census

Louis Torinus was enumerated as head of household, white, male, age 45, married, hardware merchant, born in Russia, father born in Russia, and mother born in Russia. Other members of the household were Helen Torinus (wife), Gratia Torinus (daughter), George Torinus (son), Martin Torinus (son), Louis Torinus (son), Albert Torinus (son); Kate Falk (white, female, age 17, single, house girl, born in Sweden, father born in Sweden, mother born in Sweden), Anna Day (white, female, age 30, single, seamstress, born in Ireland, father born in Ireland, mother born in Ireland), Anna Noyer (white, female, age 22, single, servant, born in Prussia, father born in Prussia, mother born in Prussia), and Peter Jewel (white, male, age 22, single, hired man/laborer, born in Denmark, father born in Denmark, mother born in Denmark).

Death

Louis Torinus' health had been failing for a few years. He had gone to California during the winter of 1879-80 and had gone south during the winter of 1882-83 to try to regain his health.

Bio Note

"Louis Ernest Torinus, one of the shrewdest, far-seeing business men of this time, was born in Russia, though his parents were Germans, December, 1834. His early advantages for securing an education were extremely favorable, of which he availed himself in a thorough manner. He came to this country while yet a boy, locating for a time in Sandusky, Ohio. He came to Stillwater in September, 1855. He came with his cousin and three other young men, with whom the immigrants had become acquainted in Ohio. They were unfamiliar with the English language, as well as with the manners and customs of the people among whom they had chosen to abide. But they were accustomed to a busy life, and that is what commanded a premium in the times of which we write, and the six newcomers immediately found employment. Their first service was with John D. Ludden, who was a contractor on the government road, from Point Douglas to Superior City - between Sunrise and Kettle River crossing - then in the process of construction. The veteran William Chalmers was employed in the same job and early formed the acquaintance of the boys. They were all ambitious, always ready at the call for work, and Mr. Chalmers says he noticed a remarkably eager desire on the part of the boy Louis, not only to acquire a knowledge of our language, but to familiarize himself with the work in which he was employed, and asked many questions of Mr. Chalmers, to which he invariably responded cheerfully - never for a moment entertaining the thought that they would become partners in the not-far-distant future in the management of a large and profitable business. Later, Mr. Chalmers was transferred to one of Mr. Ludden's logging camps, and at the same time Louis was sent to the logging camp of the late James H. Spencer, on Groundhouse, for the winter, where he was employed, like the other men, in "swamping," sawing logs, etc. In the following spring, 1856, Mr. Spencer made a contract with Isaac Staples, by which he, Staples, was to drive Spencer's logs, and Louis went on the Staples' drive. That summer Louis worked in the old John McKusick sawmill, and also in the following summer, 1857. Then he decided to become a book agent and canvassed this section, and it was while in the performance of this work that he met Miss Helen M. Mower, who subsequently became his wife. Not being entirely satisfied with this work he accepted a position with the late Joseph A. Bates, who was operating a general merchandise establishment on lower Main street. Afterwards he and the late Henry Westing engaged in the same line of trade, in what is now known as the Hospes building. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Mower, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Mower, who survives him. About this time, or a few years later, he built the brick block, now occupied by the Stillwater Hardware Company, Mr. Torinus furnishing $60,000 of the capital, while Isaac Staples supplied $40,000, and placed Colonel W. G. Bronson and I. Edwin Staples in charge of the business. The firm carried a large stock of groceries, hardware and general supplies, and the firm name was Torinus, Staples & Co. During these years Mr. Torinus was engaged in logging on a large scale, and in 1873 he bought out the interest of Mr. Staples and placed the Wilkinson boys, Joseph and Albert, in charge of the store. The St. Croix Lumber Company was organized in January, 1873, the members of the company consisting of L. E. Torinus, William Graves and William Chalmers. Mr. Torinus being chosen president, Mr. Graves vice president and Mr. Chalmers general manager. They bought the Nelson mills, at South Stillwater, on which they expended a goodly sum in repairs, making it one of the finest equipped mills in the valley. The entire establishment was totally destroyed by fire in 1875; loss $70,000, with no insurance. However, within a week after the fire the firm leased what was known as the Gaslin mill, and business proceeded as usual. The firm, in addition to this, operated a general store at South Stillwater. In 1879 the company commenced the erection of what was known as the "Big Mill," on the site of the one destroyed by fire, which was completed in the following year, and which is now the property of the Eclipse Saw Mill Company. A few years later Mr. Torinus' health failed, and he went to California in the winter of 1879-80, and the winter of 1882-83 he spent in the south. He failed, however, in regaining his health and his death occurred June 2, 1883. The firm was incorporated in 1873, and at the expiration of time fixed - thirty years - Mr. Chalmers withdrew from the firm. Before his death, however, Mr. Torinus sent for his brother, G. A. Torinus, who had charge of the lumber yards at Yankton, and gave him power of attorney, which authorized him to take charge of the business. G. A. Torinus was then chosen president, a position he retained four years, or until his death, March 14, 1887. After which Mr. Chalmers was chosen president, holding the office until his retirement in 1903. During the busy life of Mr. Torinus there never was any movement tending to the upbuilding of Stillwater or the advancement of its general interests that he did not enter into both with money and individual effort. The death of Mr. Torinus removed from our midste a man remarkable for untiring industry and wonderful resources. He encountered reverses, but waited for no man to assist him in turning the tide of misfortune. There were, in fact, times when he seemed to stand alone, but seemingly gathered strength from forced self-reliance, he kept on, and single handed, wresting victory from apparent defeat. Such lives as his have their lessons."

Property

"The St. Croix Lumber company, one of the pioneer concerns of this city and made up of the heirs of the late Louis E. Torinus, has sold its timber holdings in St. Louis and Lake counties. The purchase is the Edward Hines Lumber company of Chicago. The sale includes standing timber, the big mills at Winton and a lot of dwellings used by employees in Winton. The standing timber is estimated at 300,000,000 feet besides about 50,000,000 feet of logs. The consideration is $2,500,000. The sale does not include the iron ore and water power rights of the company in St. Louis and Lake counties that are very valuable. Neither does it include the manufactured lumber in the years at Winton nor the residences of the Torinus brothers in that town. The company representatives have considerable timber in western states. The St. Croix company has as principal stockholders M. A., Louise E., Burdette E. Torinus, Mrs. Gordon Tolen, and the heirs of the late George E. Torinus. The Fall Lake Boom company is a subsidiary company in the hands of the Torinus family. It recently amended its articles of corporation so as to handle mineral lands and water power rights and to establish electric power plants. It contemplates furnishing electric power and light to ironn mines, villages and cities in St. Louis and Lake counties. It covers property in those two counties along Stony river with its tributaries, including Sand Lake, Greenwood lake and a number of other lakes in Lake county as well as along the stream connecting White Iron lake with Kawishiwi lake and about a number of other lakes and streams in St. Louis county."