Herman Thorson (December 18, 1880 – December 11, 1960) was a North Dakota Republican Party politician who served as the Secretary of State of North Dakota from 1941 to 1942.[1] He first won election in 1940, but was defeated in 1942 by Thomas Hall, also a Republican. Before serving as Secretary of State, he served in the North Dakota Senate from 1929 to 1940.

Herman Thorson
10th North Dakota Secretary of State
In office
January 1, 1941 – December 31, 1942
GovernorJohn Moses
Preceded byJames D. Gronna
Succeeded byThomas Hall
Personal details
BornDecember 18, 1880
Houston, Minnesota
DiedDecember 11, 1960 (aged 79)
Bismarck, North Dakota
Political partyRepublican

Biography edit

Herman Thorson was born in 1880 on a farm near Houston, Minnesota. His parents were of Norwegian descent, and he was educated in the schools of Minnesota. He operated a creamery in Sheldon Township, Minnesota for three years before moving to a homestead in 1908 in Adams County, North Dakota. He served on his township board, and was Chairman of the county board of the Farmer's Union before he began his legislative career in the North Dakota Senate in 1928. He served in the Senate until 1940 when he was elected as the North Dakota Secretary of State. He served in that position for just one two-year term; he was defeated in his bid for a second term. Thorson married Sophia Moen, also of Houston, and had one boy and three girls (Obert Thorson, Berget Arndorfer, Minnie Larson and Clarice Henrickson).[2] He died in Bismarck, North Dakota at the age of 79 in 1960.

Notes edit

Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for North Dakota Secretary of State
1940, 1942
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of North Dakota
1941–1942
Succeeded by