Carrol Torgerson was raised in Lenora Township, Griggs County where his parents, Herman Torgerson and Margaret Huso Torgerson were farmers. His grandfather, Torbjorn Huso, was an early pioneer in Griggs County.
Maxine Rhodes Torgerson is a native of Cooperstown. Her parents were Alonzo Rhodes and Louise Tabeaux Rhodes. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were early settlers in Griggs County where they farmed and owned Rhodes Hardware in Cooperstown.
Carrol farmed and was employed by the Griggs County ASC prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy. After serving three years during World War 11, he came home to a job as manager of Shepard Farmers Elevator in 1946. Six years later he entered into a partnership with Gerald Davison and they purchased the Ford dealership from Otto Rebhahn and Abe Thime. The business was located in the Palace Motor Garage where Sheyenne Valley Tool and Die is now doing business.
The dealership was called Main Motors and they continued until 1960 when Carrol and his wife, Maxine, purchased Gorseths Variety Store and Carrol attended the Reisch School of Auctioneering in Iowa. Maxine tended the store while Carrol went into the auctioneering and real estate business. In 1965, Maxine Torgerson purchased the J.C. Penney Store building and moved the variety store to that building. This building is now the present Coast to Coast Store. Maxine purchased the Mamselle Dress Shop from Orpha Cussons and renamed it Maxine's. Soon after that she sold the Variety Store to Orrin Hammerschmidt from Minot. From 1970 to 1976, she also owned and operated a fabric shop.
In 1976 she moved the dress shop into the building across the street adjoining the Oasis and owned by the Cooperstown Municipal Association. In late 1979, Maxine sold the clothing store to Patricia Erickson of Cavalier who operates it under the name of Patricia's.
Carrol has his real estate - auctioneering - builders office in the building just north of the Farmers and Merchants Bank. Michael Torgerson, son of Carrol and Maxine is also associated with the Torgerson Builders business.
Source: Cooperstown, North Dakota 1882-1982 Centennial Page 223