Life Sketch of Lorenzo Toolson

LIFE SKETCH OF LORENZO TOOLSON

Lorenzo Toolson, son of Lars and Ingra Tuveson Toolson, was born in Smithfield, Utah, August 18, 1863. His parents, Lars and Ingra were natives of Sweden. They came to Utah in 1860 where they were among the first residents of Smithfield. His father, Lars, took up farming and stock raising and was also identified with various public interests and enterprises. He became a director of the Cooperative Mercantile Company--ZCMI and in the church he was a high priest and filled a mission to Sweden when about thirty years of age. Lorenzo acquired his education in the public schools of Smithfield and in the Brigham Young College, which he attended for one term. He then took up farming.

Lorenzo married Alice Harper in the Logan Temple on October 22, 1886. They became parents of four sons and six daughters. The children born to this union are Lorenzo Vern, who filled a two-year mission to England; Allie, who married Ezra Nielson and resides in Smithfield where Mr. Nielson passed away in 1913; Richard, who married Gertrude Ashcroft, and filled a two-year mission to England; Ingra, who married William Hurren; Tacy, who married George Chambers; Sybil, who married Willard Hansen; Salome, who married Lee Hansen; and Adrien and Daphne. Alice passed away November 22, 1914. In 1916 Lorenzo married Helen Pilgrim, a daughter of Thomas and Annie (Peacock) Pilgrim, who were natives of England and came to Utah in the years 1864 and 1859 respectively.

Lorenzo took up farming until 1908 when he purchased a large store at Smithfield becoming a partner of Bishop Winn though he still maintained a large farm. This they conducted together for two years, after which Lorenzo and members of his family purchased the interests of his partner and they then carried on the business alone. He met with substantial success in the conduct of this business. He carried a large and well selected stock and was accorded a liberal patronage.

Lorenzo served for ten years on the irrigation board and was chairman for six of those ten years. He was for four years a member of the city council during the years of 1916 to 1920 inclusive. He exercised his prerogatives in support of all plans and measures for the benefit and building up of his native city. He held a number of other positions of trust in the community and helped lay the foundations of that city and its industries. He was ordained bishop of the Smithfield Second Ward, March 2, 1919 by Apostle Talmage to succeed William Winn. Lorenzo was a very earnest conscientious man, very energetic, yet humble and devoted to his calling in the church and ever put forth his best efforts to magnify his calling to the advancement of the work. He had a distinction of presiding over one of the largest wards of the church at that time, numbering over 1200.

Bishop Toolson died at the LDS hospital in Salt Lake City, Sunday, 24 June 1923, following surgery for stomach trouble and other complications. The operation was considered successful and he seemed to be recovering until Saturday night a change for the worse came. Early Sunday morning the doctors advised a blood transfusion and were preparing for the same when death came suddenly.

His funeral was one of the most impressive and well attended funerals ever held in Smithfield. It was also one of the grandest displays of flowers ever witnessed at a funeral.