Andrew Torfin's parents came to Decorah, Iowa from Hardanger, Norway in the early 1800's. They were Mr. and Mrs. Torfin Anvidson. Later the last name was changed to Torfin. There were eight children and the oldest son, Arvid, was murdered while on his way home from town by three men at a crossroads where they blocked the road. Many neighbors formed a mob to hang the three men but authorities stopped them and the three were given penitentiary terms.

Andrew Torfin and Mathilda Stenson were married at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church in Winneshish County, Minnesota and came in a covered wagon to Dakota Territory in 1881 and homesteaded in what is now Lenora Township, Griggs County on East half of Section 26. Hope was then the nearest town, 40 miles away. Then Cooperstown was settled later. Andrew Torfin was the first clerk of the Pleasant School District and when a schoolhouse was built near the homestead it was called Torfin School.

There were 10 children:

Alvina, born 1877 in Iowa, married Ed. Barnes

Anna born in 1879 in Iowa, married William Rukke, Kloten, North Dakota

Cyrus born 1881, married Nellie Howden

Fred born 1883, Dakota Territory, married Mathea Erickson, Kloten, North Dakota

Clarence died in 1918

Isabel born Griggs County, married Elmer Goodyear

Lenora born Dakota Territory in 1889 (Lenora Township is named for her), married Charles Lusk

Adrian born 1894 was a veteran of World War I

Myrtle born 1899, married Chester Keeper.

In the early 1900's Andrew Torfin moved to Aneta, North Dakota and they operated a restaurant. Later years Andrew Torfin was elected town constable, which position he held 12 years.

In 1920 they moved to Olympia, Washington. Andrew Torfin passed away in 1927 and Mathilda Torfin in 1938.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 349