Jacob THORKELSON, Congress, MT (1876-1945)

THORKELSON, Jacob, a Representative from Montana; born in Egersund, Norway, September 24, 1876; attended elementary schools; immigrated to the United States in 1892 and studied navigation; engaged as a navigator in 1896 and served as master of ocean-going ships 1900-1907; served with the Virginia Naval Reserve 1897-1899; was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, University of Maryland, at Baltimore in 1911, and served as a member of the faculty 1911-1913; moved to Dillon, Beaverhead County, Mont., in 1913, to Warmsprings, Deer Lodge County, Mont., in 1915, and to Butte, Silver Bow County, Mont., in 1920, and practiced medicine and surgery; served in the United States Naval Reserve 1936-1939 with rank of lieutenant commander; elected as a Republican to the Seventy-sixth Congress (January 3, 1939-January 3, 1941); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1940; resumed the practice of medicine and surgery; unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for United States Senator in 1942 and for Governor in 1944; died in Butte, Mont., November 20, 1945; interment in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present