WAUThorstensonandMcGregorpapers6635.xml Guide to the Thorstenson and McGregor family papers and photographs Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries 2025
Allen Library BOX 352900 Seattle, Washington 98195-2900 Business Number: 206-543-1929 speccoll@uw.edu http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-01-09. Description is written in: English, Latin script. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries Thorstenson and McGregor family papers and photographs Thorstenson, Odin Thorstenson, Helen McGregor 6635 1.15 cubic feet 3 boxes approximately 1850-2014 Papers and photographs of an Icelandic immigrant's family in Seattle English .

Odin Thorstenson and Helen McGregor Thorstenson met in Seattle, Washington and married there on January 20, 1923. Together, they had one daughter, Rosemary Thorstenson Van Arsdel, who married Paul Parr Van Arsdel, Jr. They had two children, Mary M. Van Arsdel and Andrew Paul Van Arsdel. Odin Thorstenson founded Thorstenson's Pharmacy, which was located at 1000 Madison Street in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle. After Odin's death in 1965, Helen took over the operations of Thorstenston's Pharmacy for 10 years. The couple owned a beachfront summer home in Vashon Island, Washington and were members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle.

Odin Thorstenson (who changed his surname from "Thorsteinson") was born on June 22, 1893 in Seattle, Washington to Icelandic immigrants Thorfinner Thorsteinson and Gudrun Bergsteinsdottir Thorsteinson. He emigrated to British Columbia, Canada in March 1915, living in Vancouver and Trail, British Columbia and earning a degree in pharmacy from the University of British Columbia. Odin moved back to Seattle in 1917 and received his certification from the Washington State Board of Pharmacy in 1921. He owned and operated other pharmacies in Seattle in addition to Thorstenson's Pharmacy. Odin was a member of the American and Washington State Pharmaceutical Associations and the National Association of Retail Druggists. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and life member of Eureka Lodge #20 in Shoreline, WA. Odin passed away on July 27, 1965 at the age of 72.

Helen McGregor Thorstenson was born in Spokane, Washington on February 26, 1901 to Peter W. McGregor and Mary E. Daly McGregor. She grew up in Republic, Washington, and her father was involved in the state's early gold mining industry. Helen moved with her younger sister, Ruth McGregor Barron, to Seattle as a young adult. During World War II, she worked in the Seattle office of the U.S. government's Office of Censorship. Helen was a talented pianist and piano-accordionist, and played in Maestro Tiedemann's all accordion orchestra and Sherman Clay's Seattle Accordion Band. She volunteered in the Mary B. Myers Guild of Children's Orthopedic Hospital, serving as its president. Helen moved into Parkshore Senior Living Community in 1977 and was an active community member there until her death on July 21, 1991 at the age of 90.

Other extended Thorsteinson family members include Maria Maak (or "Maack"), mother of Odin's father, Thorfinner Thorsteinson; Odin's brother, Bragi Thorsteinson, and sisters, Skuld Thorsteinson, and Idunn Thorsteinson Bock; and Idunn Thorsteinson Bock's husband, Ludwig Bock, and daughter, Carol Bock Thorp.

Gift of Mary VanArsdel, January 2025

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Photos, documents, and ephemera related to the lives and families of Odin Thorstenson and Helen McGregor Thorstenson. Four photo albums with photos and ephemera and one folder of photos. Two folders of correspondence, mostly from Helen McGregor Thorstenson to her granddaughter, Mary VanArsdel, and one folder of documents relating to the gold mining activities of Helen's father, Peter W. McGregor.

Paul Van Arsdel papers (Mss 4451)

Arranged in 3 series:

Series 1, Thorstenson and McGregor family photo albums Series 2, Helen McGregor Thorstenson correspondence with granddaughter Mary VanArsdel, 1955-1990 Series 3, Real estate papers pertaining to gold mining activities of Peter W. McGregor, father of Helen McGregor Thorstenson Series 1, Thorstenson and McGregor family photo albums Thorsteinson distant relatives photo album approximately 1867-2014 6635-001 Box 2

Photos of Odin Thorstenson and his named and unnamed relatives in Iceland and in the United States. All photos are labeled. Includes letter and obituary for Carol Bock Thorp, neice of Odin Thorstenson. Includes rudimentary family tree of some Thorsteinson/Thorstenson family members featured in the photographs.

 Unidentified distant Icelandic relatives photos approximately 1850-1899 6635-001 Box 3 1

Received from Cindy Thorp, second cousin of Mary VanArsdel (granddaughter of Idunn Thorsteinson Bock, Odin Thorstenson's sister).

 Helen McGregor Thorstenson and Odin Thorstenson photo album approximately 1880-1991 6635-001 Box 2

Photos and ephemera relating to the families, homes, and activities of Helen and Odin Thorstenson. Includes photos and ephemera related to Thorstenson's Pharmacy. Some photos are labeled. Includes identification documents for Helen McGregor Thorstenson and obituaries and memorial materials for both Odin and Helen Thorstenson. Includes 1921 pharmacy diploma of Odin Thorstenson. Includes materials related to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Laurelhurst, Seattle, WA, the building of which Odin and Helen contributed to. Includes many photos of Helen in late life at Parkshore retirement community in Seattle, WA and photos related to her piano and piano accordian playing.

 Helen McGregor Thorstenson childhood photo album approximately 1901-1921 6635-001 Box 1

Photos of Helen McGregor Thorstenson from her childhood and adolescence. Helen grew up in Republic, WA and Seattle, WA. Includes photos of family members and possibly community members or friends. Some photos are labeled. Some photos have been removed.

 Ruth McGregor Barron, sister of Helen McGregor Thorstenson, photo album of her time waitressing on Mount Rainier approximately 1933-1935 6635-001 Box 1

Photos and ephemera related to Ruth McGregor Barron's time waitressing in Mount Rainier National Park at Sunrise Lodge, including in the winter season. Includes black and white and color postcards of Mount Rainier National Park. Includes newspaper clippings and paycheck from Rainier National Park Company. Includes program for the 1933 Washington Title Association Annual Convention at Sunrise Camp, Mount Rainier National Park and other ephemera.

 Series 2, Helen McGregor Thorstenson correspondence with granddaughter Mary VanArsdel 1955-1990 Note to Paul VanArsdel's sister Ann re: her engagement with mention also of Paul's brother William Ewing VanArsdel 1955 July 24 6635-001 Box 3 2 Report on the health of Odin Thorstenson 1961 November 2 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel from Helen's sister Ruth McGregor Barron with comic clippings 1971 December 8 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel while at college 1971 September 6 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of grandson Andy VanArsdel working at Thorstenson's Pharmacy, now owned by Ralph Alexander 1971 September 13 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letters to Mary VanArsdel with details of Helen's trip to Europe 1971 September 22-1971 November 8 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letters to Mary VanArsdel while at college 1971 November 15-1972 January 19 6635-001 Box 3 2 Valentine's Day card to Mary VanArsdel 1972 February 8 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of Ralph and Ardyth Alexander, who purchased Thorstenson's Pharmacy 1972 February 15 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letters to Mary VanArsdel 1972 January 27-1972 April 9 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel about another trip to Europe 1972 October 30 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel post-election 1972, "Richard Nixon!" 1972 November 8 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of Helen growing up in Republic, Washington 1972 November 25 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of the popular craft of macramé 1973 January 23 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letters to Mary VanArsdel 1973 January 1-1973 April 27 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel and Thanksgiving card 1973 November 11-1973 November 15 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of vacationing in Honolulu, Hawaii 1974 February 18 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with Seattle Post-Intelligencer clipping 1974 March 7-1974 March 8 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letters to Mary VanArsdel 1974 March 25-1974 May 2 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of the Middletons, Elliot Middleton having gone to medical school with Paul VanArsdel, and annotated Seattle Post-Intelligencer clipping 1974 July 23 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with annotated newspaper clipping 1974 August 10 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of Mary picking potatoes with a French-Canadian family in Van Buren, Maine 1974 October 19 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of movie star Olivia De'Haviland speaking in Seattle 1974 October 24 6635-001 Box 3 2 Postcard from Hawaii to Mary VanArsdel 1975 January 23 6635-001 Box 3 2 Letter to Mary VanArsdel 1975 February 25 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of Joan White, a British actress, teaching at the University of Washington 1975 March 16 6635-001 Box 3 3 Easter card to Mary VanArsdel 1975 March 20 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel 1975 March 31 6635-001 Box 3 3 "Happy Traveling" card to granddaughter MaryVanArsdel approximately 1975 May-August 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel while Mary was in London with the Joan White English Theatre School 1975 July 14 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of grandson Andy VanArsdel and his school friend Stan Golub and annotated newspaper clippings 1975 July 16-1975 July 25 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with Mary in Scotland and hoping she met some McGregors 1975 September 9 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel 1975 October 15 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel about Helen enjoying fashion and shopping, with diatribe on New York and its finances, including the phrase "Don't worry your pretty head!" 1975 November 2 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of family friends David Scott, Esther Wagner, Mary Jo and Bullitt(?) 1976 July 20 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letters to Mary VanArsdel 1976 May 11-1976 August 7 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with remarks on Mary's success at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City 1976 September 6 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letters to Mary VanArsdel 1976 October 20-1977 March 4 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of an expensive condo on Queen Anne Hill 1977 March 8 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with discussion of fashion 1977 March 12 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with Mary graduating from drama school and working part time at B. Altman's in New York City 1977 April 29 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of Mary's September 5th birthday approximately 1970-1979 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with mention of Mary's one-day job selling bogus commodities ("She did quit!") 1977 July 22 6635-001 Box 3 3 Funny letter to Mary VanArsdel encouraging Mary to get on The Lawrence Welk Show 1977 August 21 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel encouraging Mary to look into singing in church to get to The Lawrence Welk Show 1977 October 16 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel persuading Mary to leave New York and move to Seattle with Seattle Times clipping 1977 October 22 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with more about getting through to Lawrence Welk 1977 November 26 6635-001 Box 3 3 Letter to Mary VanArsdel with lecture to Mary on moving back to Seattle 1978 April 1 6635-001 Box 3 3 Easter card to Mary VanArsdel approximately 1970-1979 6635-001 Box 3 3 Birthday card to Mary VanArsdel 1990 September 6635-001 Box 3 3 Series 3, Real estate papers pertaining to gold mining activities of Peter W. McGregor, father of Helen McGregor Thorstenson 1892-1938 Donor-provided inventory undated 6635-001 Box 3 4 Small leather binder with Fraternal Order of Eagles dues, paid by P.W. McGregor at Grand Forks, British Columbia 1906 October 15-1910 October 24 6635-001 Box 3 4 Meeting minutes of Lucile Dreyfus Mining Company 1936 May 27 6635-001 Box 3 4 Lucile Dreyfus notice of annual meeting 1907 December 2 6635-001 Box 3 4 From George Kendall Stocker Company, Spokane Charge against Lucile Dreyfus 1904 September 9 6635-001 Box 3 4 Receipt for June 3, 1921 laying of sidewalk and cement curb, from P.W. McGregor to J.H.Collins 1921 June 18 6635-001 Box 3 4 27 receipts of payments made to P.W. McGregor from the Lucile Dreyfus Mining Company 1904-1915 6635-001 Box 3 4 Certificate of Stock, Lucile Dreyfus Mining Company, held by P.W. McGregor, 7150 shares undated 6635-001 Box 3 4 Certificate of Stock, Lucile Dreyfus Mining Company, held by P.W. McGregor, 5000 shares undated 6635-001 Box 3 4 Tax Return Statement, Danville, Ferry County, P.W. McGregor 1917 6635-001 Box 3 4 Statement of Personal Property Tax, Ferry County, Washington 1919 6635-001 Box 3 4 Statements of All Taxes 1919 6635-001 Box 3 4 Statement of Taxes 1920 6635-001 Box 3 4 Real Estate Contract from the Danville Mining Company to P.W. McGregor 1892 July 5 6635-001 Box 3 4

Payments recorded as 1902

 Property Lease to George Wolverton from Jacob Meyer 1900 March 1 6635-001 Box 3 4 Property Lease to P.W. McGregor from H.J. Miller 1910 November 1 6635-001 Box 3 4 Property Lease to P.W. McGregor from A.L. Felginhauer 1909 June 8 6635-001 Box 3 4 Abstract of Title, Eureka Mining District 1901 January 25 6635-001 Box 3 4 Bill of Sale for property, $75 to J.M. Donnely from P.W. McGregor 1909 June 8 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed to William Crandall 1899 November 28 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed from William Crandall to P.W. McGregor 1900 July 13 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed from Henry White to Mrs. Annie Huff 1901 December 14 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed to P.W. McGregor 1902 December 18 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed from John T. Jewell to Charles and Annie Huff 1907 July 16 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed from John and Alice Jewell to Mary McGregor 1910 May 3 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed from Thomas Dulin to Mary McGregor 1911 May 31 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed from Jacob Wyer, John and Lena Austad to P.W. McGregor 1901 January 22 6635-001 Box 3 4 Warranty Deed from Mary Jaskulck to Mary McGregor 1901 June 16 6635-001 Box 3 4 Letter from Bank of Walla Walla re: Lucile Dreyfus Mining Company 1938 October 11 6635-001 Box 3 4 Envelope from Star Insurance Company of America to Mrs. P.W. McGregor 1919 July 30 6635-001 Box 3 4 Envelope from Lucile Dreyfus Mining Company to Mrs. P.W. McGregor 1907 November 10 6635-001 Box 3 4 Last Will and Testament, P.W. McGregor 1905 August 4 6635-001 Box 3 4