Aage Thomassen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on March 22, 1892. Here he attended lower school and at fourteen was confirmed in his church. He then decided to become a blacksmith and served four years as an apprentice in Germany.
In 1910 Aage came to New York and slowly worked his way westward, working as he moved and learning the American language. He finally stopped at Luverne, North Dakota where he worked for a blacksmith named Kris Madsen.
When America entered World War I, Aage enlisted in the Army in June 1917, and was part of the first boat load of American soldiers to land in France. He became a Master Engineer and Photographer. When the war ended, Aage returned to Luverne but soon came to Valley City to work for the Davidson Machine Shop. It was at dinner at the Davidson home that Aage met the oldest daughter, Martha. They were married August 24, 1922.
John Thilmony Family. Back Row: Julia, Albert and Theresa. Middle Row: Henry, John and Mrs. Thilmony (Anna), Joseph. Front Row: Tony, Marie and Frank.
Aage Thomassen, Master Engineer, U.S. Army WW I
Aage worked for the Davidson Machine Shop until World War II, when he moved to Vallejo, California to work in the Navy Shipyards.
The war over, the family returned to Valley City and Aage returned to work at Davidson's Machine Shop until retirement at age sixty-five in 1957.
A man of many hobbies, all demanding great skill, Aage then kept busy doing wrought iron work, drawing pictures, etc. He drew the portraits of all of the past commanders of the local American Legion Post and then made the wrought iron frames and presented the finished portraits to the Legion Post.
Aage and Martha celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1972. Aage passed away on March 23, 1973.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 246