The Larson Families of Allamakee County, Iowa

Ole Larson, honored as one of the early pioneers and worthy citizens of Allamakee county, took up his above in this section of the state in 1850, at which time he settled in Taylor township, Allamakee county. From that time until his death he was closely associated not only with the material but also with the moral development of the region and left the impress of his individuality for good upon the community. He was born in Hallingdal, Norway, in 181 1, was there reared and in that province married Miss Anne Stenerson, who was also a native of the same locality. At length he determined to try his fortune in America, believing that he would have better opportunities in the United States, the voyage being made under hard and trying conditions. The vessel in which they crossed was known as the Draphna, and Captain Ekersberg, who was in command, told Mr. Larson to take a goat on board the vessel in order that they might have milk to mix with the medicine for the sick. This was accordingly done and the precaution proved its value in the course of the voyage. At length the Draphna dropped anchor in New York harbor, and from the eastern me-

tropolis the Larsons proceeded by way of the Erie canal and the Great Lakes to Chicago. They found very poor accommodations were accorded emigrants there. The children slept on a corded bedstead and in the morning all were on the floor, having slipped through the cords during the night.

The Larsons spent the first winter on Rock prairie in Rock county, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1850 came to Allamakee county, their home being established upon a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land on sections 9 and 17, Taylor township. With characteristic energy the father began the improvement and development of this property and each year witnessed his increasing prosperity until he became one of the substantial farmers and extensive landholders in his vicinity. He made" good use of his opportunities and not only achieved individual success but contributed to the upbuilding and uplifting of his section.

LInto Mr. and Mrs. Ole Larson were born eleven children. Birgitte, who was the eldest of four children brought by the parents to America in 1849, was born at the family home, Unde Bergo, which in peasant parlance means "below mountains," in Gol, Hallingdal. Norway, in 1839. In early girlhood she attended public schools and later continued her studies in Madison, Wisconsin. In common with all pioneer children she assisted in the early '50s in all kinds of farm work, in which men and women engaged, including the milking of the cows and hunting the herd in the primitive pastures which nature provided at that time In common with girls and women of the period she made her dresses by hand, no experienced modiste being needed to fashion the cheap calico garments. The daughters of the household had no time to spend on music and the only musical instrument in the home was the father's monochord "salmodikon," which he played at their Sabbath morning devotions. Arriving at years of maturity, Birgitte Larson, whose name was anglicized to Betsey, taught school for some time and in 1860 she was joined in wedlock to Peter S. Olson (Noes), the wedding ceremony being performed by Judge White in Waukon. For some years they lived on section 35, Center township, and then removed to Rose Creek, Minnesota, afterward to Holt county, Nebraska, and later to Alliance, where Mrs. Olson passed away in 1898, leaving a large family of children and a husband, who followed her to the grave in 1913. Louis O. Larson, christened Lars, was the second in the family. Stener, called Stanley, another of the family, is deceased. Ingeborg, called Isabelle, born in Norway, February 22, 1845, was the fourth and the youngest of the children born in Norway and brought to America by their parents in 1849. She spent her girlhood in the Larson home in Taylor township and in early womanhood taught school for some years. She afterward followed others of the family to the county of Saline, Nebraska, where she became the wife of John V. Ainsworth, who conducted a mercantile business at Friend there for some years and afterward removed to Tobias, Nebraska, where he operates an elevator. He also owns a half section of land joining the town. Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth have a. son, Frank, who is married and lives near his parents, while a daughter, Anna May, is the wife of Dr. W. S. Wiggins, of Dewitt, Nebraska. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Larson, Sr., were as follows: Birgitte and Ragnild. known as Betsey and Rachel, twins, were born January 5, 1850, in Rock county, Wisconsin, and were the first addition to the family of Ole and Anne Larson in America. They spent their girlhood at home and after attaining womanhood Betsey engaged in teaching for a number of years, after which she became the wife of Julius Englehorn and lived in Lansing township for several years. She afterwards accompanied her husband to the west, the family driving a team to Hoquiam, Washington. There Mrs. Englehorn and her two daughters, Mrs. Ada Crawford and Mrs. Eva Johnson, still reside. The husband and father has left home and is presumed to be dead. Rachel, twin sister of Mrs. Englehorn, also taught school in.Allamakee county in iier girlhood. She became the wife of George Campbell and they removed to Saline county, Nebraska. Mrs. Campbell owns a farm near Milford but lives in the city, where she also owns property. Her husband died about a year ago. One son, Washington, lives on a ranch, and another, Andrew, is a resident of Chicago. The only daughter, Lilian, is now matron in the Soldiers' Home at Milford, Nebraska. Ole, Jr., called Olen, the next member of the family of Ole and Anne Larson, died and was buried in New Mexico. Extended mention is made of him on another page of this volume. He was the first of the family born in Iowa. Ambjor, called Emily, was born April 21, 1853, at the family home in Taylor township and in early womanhood engaged in teaching school. She was married on the first of July, 1874, to John S. Englehorn and they lived on the Lansing ridge for a number of years, after which they removed to Alliance, Nebraska, where Mrs. Englehorn passed away, in April, 1903, leaving a son and two daughters, the latter being Minnie, now the wife of Odie Shofield, and Mrs. Hattie DeVenny, of Seattle, Washington. Anne Larson, the next of the family, was born June 17, 1854, and like the other sisters, engaged in teaching school. She became the wife of O. A. Dalberg. at ISaldwin, and died at Dorchester, Wisconsin, in July, 1888, her remains being there interred. She is survived by her husband, a son, Arnold, and three daughters, Edith, Hattie, and Grace, the last named being Mrs. Louis Crane. All of these daughters are graduates of the Stout School at Marinette, Wisconsin, and are domestic science teachers. Sophie Larson was born September 9, 1856, and lived at the parental home until her marriage to Hans Moe in Paint Creek township. Her husband died ten years ago, leaving four young sons: Arnold, Herbert, Olvin. Clement, and two daughters, Hattie and Alice. The family reside on a quarter section of land in Paint Creek township, save Clement, who owns a farm in Amanda, North Dakota. Andreas, called Andrew, was the youngest in the family of Ole and Anne Larson, and after reaching mature age he turned his attention to mining in Colorado. After a few years, however he abandoned that pursuit, was married and took up his above upon a ranch, but is now in business in Antonito, Colorado. They became the parents of four children, but one girl Navada, died in early girlhood.

The father of this family died upon his farm in Taylor township at the age of eighty-seven years, and the mother passed away when eighty-two years of age. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and intellectual force, was well educated and widely read, and took a most active and helpful interest in religious work. He made it a custom to hold religious services for the benefit of the children in his neighborhood, and largely through his influence Christianity received its first impetus in this section. He was numbered among Allamakee county's earliest and most worthy pioneers, for at the time of his arrival here the house at Thompson's Corners was the only one between his homestead and

Lansing, a distance of ten miles. In his death the county lost one of its most honored pioneers, a man of high integrity, of unquestioned honor and exemplary moral character.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LOUIS O. LARSON.

Louis O. Larson has been a resident of Allamakee county since 1850 and is therefore numbered among its early pioneers, while his business qualifications have won him a place among its substantial and valued citizens. He has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of this section of the state, for few settlements had been made within the borders of the county at the time of his arrival. He was reared amid the usual conditions and environments of frontier life and experienced the hardships and trials incident to pioneer existence. Since attaining manhood he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of this section and in the course of a long, active and honorable life has made substantial contribution to its agricultural development.

Mr. Larson was born in Rotnem, Gol, Hallingdal, Norway, March 25, 1841, his parents being Ole and Anne Larson, of whom extended mention is made above. He was christened Lars, but later Americanized the name into Louis. The parents brought their family to the new world in 1849, when the subject of this review was a lad of eight years, and at nine years of age he came with the family to Allamakee county. He attended the district school and afterward continued his studies in the Lansing high school. In his childhood he divided his time between the duties of the school room and the work of clearing the land and developing and improving the homestead. He was ambitious to advance intellectually and made such good use of his opportunities that he became a successful teacher, following that profession for ten terms following his graduation from the high school in Lansing, where he had studied under Professor Haven in 1861-2. In the fall of the former year he obtained a teachers' certificate from Professor Loughran, of Waukon, who was then superintendent of schools. He secured the position of teacher for six months in the Climax- Excelsior district and in succeeding years he taught in the Storla, Dahl, Waterville. Little Paint and Climax schools. While teaching in the winter seasons and farming in the summer he also hunted the Wirginia deer in the open seasons and trapped the predatory animals for fur and county, driving also much sport therefrom in the ascents and descent of the precipitous hills in the townships bordering on the Mississippi river. In fact there are few phases of pioneer life with which Mr. Larson is unacquainted. Thirty years ago Tom Dunlevey, associate publisher of the Allamakee Journal, dubbed him "the mighty hunter with sword and pen" and the sobriquet has clung to him in the same manner as "magniloquent vagueness" has been pinned to President Wilson's coat-tail by a Chicago Inter-Ocean cartoon. Mr. Larson has also been designated "the peacemaker" because of his settling lawsuits which had been taken to the district courts, and furthermore has been termed "the savant of Little Paint" because of his contributions to the newspapers. Eventually he concentrated his efforts upon agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with a gratifying measure of prosperity, success steadily regarding his well directed efforts through the years. He now owns and controls four hundred acres of land on sections 17 and 9, Taylor township, operating a quarter section and renting the remainder. Upon the homestead he has made many substantial improvements. He employs the most modern methods in carrying forward his farm work, using the latest labor-saving machinery. He rejoices in his success because of what it enables him to do for his family, yet he has never regarded the acquirement of wealth as the real end and aim of life, the education of his children being his chief endeavor, and he has made heavy sacrifices to achieve this end. That he has realized his ambition is evident from the fact that at the Rema Grove Fourth of July celebration his was pronounced the "nicest family" and Judge L. E. Fellows, of Lansing, said to him: "What a fine family you have raised!" The Larson family have ever been noted for their interest in those things which have a broadening effect and are of educational value. Eleven of the family visited the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, three saw the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis and one the Portland Exposition. In 1905 Louis O. Larson rode over the trails in Idaho as an Argonaut in company with his brother Stanley, viewed the interior of the Mormon Tabernacle in Utah and swam in the great Salt Lake.

Mr. Larson married, on June 29, 1862, Miss Mary Ingebretson, a daughter of There Ingebretson, an early settler of Center township. Allamakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Larson became the parents of thirteen children. Edmond Victor, the eldest, born December 9, 1863, is a graduate of Slack's Business College of Decorah. He was married at the age of twenty-one years to Miss Caroline Ellefson (Turkop) and lives at Pierre, South Dakota. He has a family of one son and four daughters. Clarence Othello Theodore, the second son, was born in Taylor township, February 3, 1866. was there reared and after attaining his majority became a solicitor for the Ladies' Home Journal, traveling in the interests of that publication in every state in the Union and receiving a two thousand dollar prize for getting more subscribers than any other agent in the United States. He had first made his headquarters in Fremont, Nebraska, where he attended a Sunday school class taught by William Jennings Bryan, our secretary of state at Washington, D. C., and he always spoke in the highest terms of praise of Mr. Bryan. He was afterward in Portland, Oregon, and frequently visited his early home in Taylor township. After a visit to his parents he started for his Portland home January 2. 1899, and in the spring of that year started with some Young Men's Christian Association comrades for the Klondike. He was not in search of gold but inquest of knowledge concerning this country. His health succumbed before the rigidity of the Alaska climate, following his arrival in Dawson City, and he returned to Seattle, Washington, spending seven weeks in a hospital there. During his convalescent period he purchased a team of burrows and started for Arizona, thinking that the climate of the southwest would benefit his health. He seemed to improve greatly there for a time, but he was extremely ambitious and energetic and indulged in long walks in the hot sun. During one of these he overtaxed his strength and passed away at Tucson. It is said that to gain strength he would daily walk down the valley for a mile and a half to see a friend, C. Brady, in the cool of the afternoon. Not arriving at the usual hour, on the 24th of May, 1900, Mr. Brady proceeded up the road and to his horror found his friend's lifeless body. In all the relations of life Clarence O. T. Larson was known as a man of integrity, manliness and kindliness, which qualities won for him the fullest confidence and the highest esteem. His life was well worthy of emulation and his words and deeds will live in the memory of all who knew him, more enduring than any chiseled monument or tablet of bronze. The Bible was his constant companion and guide and he lived a model Christian life. He belonged to the Young Men's Christian Association and to the Christian Endeavor Society. With the craving for knowledge, he possessed a very retentive memory and was as well versed in the history of the world as upon topics of current interest. His remains were returned to Allamakee county for interment and the large funeral cortege indicated how highly he was esteemed by those among whom he had been reared. Emma Victoria Larson, the third of the family, was born February 14, 1868, and after attending the home school she studied in the high schools at Waukon and Nora Springs. After teaching for several years she married a cousin, Peter Bieber, of Rock county, Minnesota, where she now resides. She owns four hundred acres of land there and also a house and lot in Jasper, Minnesota, where she and her three sons, Edgar, Clarence and Lloyd, live. Her husband died about five years ago. Lily Idelia, the next member of the family, was born January 12, 1870, attended the home schools and in early womanhood became the wife of David W. Martin. They lived in Waukon for a time, after which Mr. Martin went away. Mrs. Martin is now living in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she is engaged in dressmaking, while her daughters, Ilvarine and Naomi, are attending the State Normal School. Another son of Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Larson was Louis Edward Larson, who passed away in St. Paul in 1907. He was born June 5, 1872, at the family home on section 17, Taylor township, Allamakee county. Thirteen years of his life were spent in St. Paul, five years as a street car conductor and eight years on the police force. He occupied a lofty plane in the police department, being known as one of the most reliable men on the force. Others were dropped from the payrolls when incapacitated by sickness from duty but when the condition of L. E. Larson was mentioned the chief would reply: "Don't worry about Larson, we will take care of him," and this proved true, as his pay was continued until his death. It was written of him: "He was loyal and true to all trusts committed to him, for honor was his guiding star and he trod the path where virtue walks." For four years he battle with the dread disease tuberculosis but at length succumbed to the arch enemy of man, and his remains were interred in the cemetery of the Old East Paint Creek church in.Allamakee county. The profuse floral offerings sent at the time of his death indicated how highly was he esteemed among those who knew him. Following his demise the Policemen's Association of St. Paul acted in the capacity of pallbearers, the chief of police also escorting the remains to the St. Paul depot, where tlie were shipped home for interment. He made friends of all with whom lie came in contact, for his salient traits of character were such as men everywhere admire and honor. The sixth member of the family was Orange A. Larson, who died in childhood. The seventh member, also named Orange, died in infancy. Helen.Annelia, born.-Xpril 26, 1877. attended the public schools and also the schools of Waukon and Decorah. She successfully engaged in teaching for a number of years and then became the wife of Henry Hanson, after which they conducted a store in St. Paul, Minnesota. They are now residents of Lewiston, Montana, and have a family of three sons, Henry, Harold and Russel. Minnie Cornelia Larson was the first of the five daughters of Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Larson to be called from this life, her death occurring in the Swedish Lutheran hospital, Pjethseda, St. Paul, December 2, 191 1. She was born in Taylor township, November 12, 1878, and in her girlhood regularly attended the public schools and also studied at Waukon, Decorah and the Iowa State Normal. Following her graduation from the last named, she taught school for several years in Allamakee county and in Minnesota. She was ever the pride and joy of the family and a favorite among her schoolmates. At the Normal it is said that the faculty as well as the students clustered about her, being delighted to be near her owing to her sweet and loving disposition. It was on the 18th of October, 1905, at the home of her brother, Orange, near Jasper, Minnesota, that she became the wife of A. M. Fields, then of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and entered upon a most happy married life covering six years. She never knowingly offended or wronged anyone nor deviated from the path of rectitude throughout her entire life, so that she did not fear the coming of death. It was said that she was the most perfect embodiment of all those virtues which are the jewels of the soul and which reflect a pure and noble heart. She left beside her husband four children, Helen, Charles, Dorothy and Minnie, and the parents, brothers and sisters with whom she was once so closely associated in the old home in Allamakee county, where her remains were interred in the family burying ground. William Orange, born July I, 1880, supplemented his study in the home school by a course in the Waukon high school and in the Iowa State Normal and for a time he conducted a store at Hardwick, Minnesota. He now owns a section of land near Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, which he has rented out while he makes his home with his I)parents. Clara Luella also studied at Waukon and in the State Normal School and is now the wife of J. J. Martin, of Chicago, and the mother of one son, Jack. Wilmer Lawrence, after attending the district school became a student in the Central high school of St. Paul, from which he was graduated. He also spent some time in the medical department of the Minnesota State University and is now teaching school near Lewiston, Montana, where he owns a quarter section. Lester Arlington, born May 28, 1887, was also a student in the St. Paul central high school and in the Iowa State Normal School at Cedar Falls. He is now at home with his parents. The father lived a strenuous life as a farmer in order to provide for and educate his children and has certainly done a good part by them.

Mr. Larson has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, loyal to its teachings and exemplifying in his life his Christian faith and belief. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He inherits his father's love of learning, is an extensive reader, a student and deep thinker, and is considered one of the best educated men in his section of the state. His well developed qualities and talents have made him one of the forceful, representative and honored men of his community. He delights in recalling the incidents of pioneer times, which are still fresh in his memory, and since 1850 he has lived in Allamakee county, his life forming a connecting link between the primitive past and progressive present. He is a most public-spirited citizen, taking an active interest in community affairs, although he does not seek public office as he is too independent and would never condescend to importune anyone to vote for him as a reward for party fealty. He has given hearty cooperation to many movements for the general good and Allamakee county owes her development to such men, who have dared to face and endure the hardships of pioneer life and who have reclaimed this region for the purpose of civilization.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Members of the Larson family have indeed reason to feel proud of the family history, for representatives of the name have been most loyal to all the principles of honorable manhood and citizenship. Ole Larson, the founder of the family in Allamakee county, had eleven sons and daughters, who spent their childhood in Taylor township. Those who grew to maturity proved in later years their worth in various localities in different walks of life. Of this number was Stener, called Stanley Larson, the third child in his father's family. He was born at Rotnem, Gol, Hallingdal, Norway, December 4, 1842, and was the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Larson, whose emigration to America in 1849 was followed by removal from Wisconsin to Iowa in the spring of 1850.

Upon the old homestead farm on section 17, Taylor township, Stanley Larson grew to manhood with the usual experiences that fall to the farm lad, his time being divided between the acquirement of an education in the district schools and the work of the fields. He continued to assist his father until he was about twenty-one years of age, when he turned his attention to the insurance business and in connection therewith removed to the west. In 1879 he became a resident of Saline county, Nebraska, locating at Friend, where he conducted a general merchandise store for several years. At length, however, he tired of the business and, having in the meantime saved considerable money, he removed to Tobias, Nebraska, in 1884. and there established the People's Bank. For twenty years he was at the head of that banking institution and in that time became acquainted with and was known to nearly every person in his section of the state. About two years prior to his demise he disposed of his interests in Nebraska and because of his health removed to Boise, Idaho, hoping to be benefited thereby. He held extensive interests in several mining properties in that state and was also financially connected with numerous industries. Still seeking health, he went to Pendleton, Oregon, but the change did not bring the benefit that he desired and on the 7th of June, 1906, he departed this life, his remains being returned to Saline county, Nebraska, for interment in the J. V. Ainsworth lot in the Tobias cemetery.

He was spoken of in terms of highest praise and warm regard by all who knew him, and it is said that he never turned a deaf ear to the appeal of the needy and that no one ever left his door hungry. He was a member of the Presbyterian church but displayed no narrow denominational spirit. No good work done in the name of charity or religion sought his aid in vain. He was always among the foremost in the support of any good cause and he gave most liberally of his means to any worthy project tending to the moral development of the community. He was for several years, prominently connected with Sunday school work and did much to further that branch of Christian activity. Thus he left behind him a good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. He was also a most earnest advocate of the temperance cause and at one time was prohibition candidate for secretary of state in Nebraska. It seemed that no one need ever question his position, it was a foregone conclusion that he was to be found on the side of right, truth and justice.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

OLEN O. LARSON.

A pioneer family in Allamakee county, the Larsons have long been widely and prominently known and members of the family well deserve mention in its history, being respected, worthy citizens of Allamakee county during the period of their residence there and also of other sections in which they have lived. Many friends cherish the memory of representatives of the family who have passed away, which number includes Ole, called Olen O. Larson, a son of Ole and Anne Larson and a brother of Louis O. Larson. He was born February 27, 1852, at the family home on section 17, Taylor township, Allamakee county, where his parents had taken up their above in 1850. His youthful days were spent in farm work and in attendance at the district schools, while for a long time he also studied under the tutorship of Professor Thomas J. Healy, of Lansing. On attaining his majority he started to the west and after reaching Colorado began operating in the mines. He was well known in Antonito, Ouray, Silverton, Salida and Animas Forks, owning some valuable claims in those mining districts. He also engaged in merchandizing in partnership with his brother Stanley and with J. V. Ainsworth in Friend, Nebraska, and for a time he edited the Rio Grande Sentinel in Del Norte, Colorado. His position in business circles is indicated by the following except from a Salida (Colo.) paper, written some time prior to his death:

"Twenty-six years' successful experience as mining engineer in the mining camps of Colorado, supplemented by years of scientific study, has eminently fitted Professor Larson to take his place in the front rank of mining experts. To his superior judgment and sound advice are due in a large measure the present prosperous conditions in Turret and many other leading Colorado mining camps. As a mineralogist he occupies a front rank in the mining domain and his opinions are eagerly sought and acted upon by the capitalists and mine operators of the state. Being conservative in his methods, he is thoroughly competent to discriminate in the matter of mining investments on a safe and prudent basis. His wide experience with the peculiar mineralogical formations of the various Colorado mining districts, renders his judgment profound, his reports unquestioned and his reputation without blemish."

Mr. Larson passed away on the 26th of August, 1909, at Pojuaque, near Espanola, New Mexico, after an illness of but three days. He was then fifty-seven years of age. He left a son, Claude, twenty-three years of age, who was at the time looking after his father's mining interests in Colorado, for Olen Larson had gone to New Mexico to purchase a fruit ranch. It was while in the southwest that he was taken suddenly ill and passed away. He possessed many sterling qualities of character, was thoroughly reliable at all times and his many qualities endeared him to all who knew him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ANTON C. LARSON.

Anton C. Larson, a prominent real-estate dealer in Waukon and well known in business and political circles of the city, is a native of Allamakee county, born June 2, 1857. His father, Christian Larson, was born in Norway and there grew to maturity and married. He and his wife emigrated to the United States in 1853, coming direct to Iowa, where they settled in Hanover township, Allamakee county. The father entered an eighty acre tract of land which he broke, fenced and improved, later purchasing more property to which he added from time to time until he owned a fine farm of two hundred acres. Upon this he made substantial improvements, erecting a good residence, barns and other outbuildings and installing all of the necessary machinery and equipment. He made his property valuable and by his practical and progressive methods secured for himself a place among the prosperous and successful farmers of Hanover tow-ship. He spent his last years upon the homestead, dying at the advanced age of eighty-two. His wife survives him and makes her home with one of her sons on the old farm where she has lived for the past fifty-nine years. She is now in the eighty-seventh year of her age.

Anton C. Larson was reared upon his father's farm in Hanover township and as a child aided in the operation of the homestead. He attended the district school and later supplemented this by a course in a commercial college in Minneapolis. He afterward went to Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota, where he clerked for three years, at the end of which time he returned home and clerked in a general store for five years, receiving during this time a thorough and practical business training. Returning to Yellow Medicine county, he engaged in business at Canby, where he made his home for five years, disposing of his interests at the end of that time in order to come to Waukon, where he has since remained. He soon became prominent in local politics, winning the appointment to the office of deputy county treasurer, a capacity in which he served ably and efficiently for six years, resigning only to accept the office of county treasurer. At the end of his first term his able work was rewarded by reelection and in all he served in this office for four years. Upon the completion of his last term he opened a real-estate office in Waukon and has since given his entire time to the conduct of his business. He deals in Allamakee county improved farming lands and town properties and handles also Dakota and Canadian real estate. He has bought and sold numerous farms in this section of Iowa and has negotiated the sale of a great many business houses and residences in Waukon. Possessing a just comprehension of land values, he has so conducted his business as to make it profitable not only to himself but to his clients also.

On the 17th of November, 1885, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Larson, a native of Norway but reared and educated in Iowa and Minnesota. To their union were born three children: Myrtle, who lives at home; Ralph, who is a student in the Waukon high school; and Alden, also pursuing his studies.

Fraternally Mr. Larson is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, with which he has been affiliated since casting his first vote. Aside from the public offices before mentioned he was for five years a member of the common council while a resident of Canby and he is known as an eminently public-spirited and progressive citizen. For many years he has been a force in public affairs in this section and his efficient services in various positions of public trust have had an important effect upon local political conditions. His interests have been thoroughly identified with those of Waukon and Allamakee county and no progressive public project seeks his support in vain. In business and politics he has won success and at the same time has gained the regard and esteem of all who are associated with him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALBERT D. LARSON.

Albert D. Larson, who since 1912 has served with credit and ability as sheriff of Allamakee county, has for a number of years past been identified in an important way with agricultural interests of Hanover township and still owns his valuable farm of three hundred acres in that locality, although he makes his home in the sheriff's residence in this city. He was born in Hanover township, December 31. 1867, and is a son of Christian Larson, one of the earliest settlers in Allamakee county, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.

Albert D. Larson was reared upon the family homestead and acquired his primary education in the district schools, supplementing this by two years" attendance at the Waukon high school. When not engaged with his books he assisted in the operation of the homestead and when he was seventeen years of age assumed entire charge of the farm, acting as manager until after his father's death, when he purchased the interests of all the other heirs. He thus came into possession of one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land and to this he later added other tracts, owning today three hundred acres. Upon it he built a fine new residence, a barn, a silo and other outbuildings and he fenced and cross-fenced his place into convenient fields with woven wire. He gave his attention to general farming and stock-raising and was also a shipper on an extensive scale. Success steadily attended his well directed labor and in the course of time he gained an enviable degree of prosperity, winning recognition as one of the prominent, substantial and representative farmers of his locality. He was one of the promoters of the Farmers Stock & Produce Company of Waukon and is still a stockholder and director in the concern.

Although Mr. Larson is an able farmer and an influential business man it has not been along these lines alone that he has accomplished useful and beneficial work, for he is one of the leaders in local politics and an active force in republican circles of this vicinity. He has served as assessor of Hanover township and as township trustee and for a number of years was deeply interested in school affairs, serving for twelve years as president of the board of education. In the fall of 1912 he was nominated sheriff of Allamakee county and after a hard fought campaign against two opponents was elected to the office by a gratifying majority. He is now serving and has proved capable, efficient and businesslike in the discharge of his duties. He moved to Waukon upon assuming office and, although he owns the old Todd homestead in the city, he now occupies the sheriff's residence.

In Waukon, on the 4th of October, 1899, Mr. Larson was married to Miss Louisa M. Todd, who was born and reared in the city and who was later for nine terms a teacher in the Waukon schools. She is a daughter of Frank and Margaret Todd, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Larson, having no children of their own, have adopted and reared two, a son and a daughter: Oscar Williams, whom they adopted at the age of thirteen and who has now reached maturity and is in business for himself; and Julia Flather, whom they took into their home when she was a child of four and who is now a student in the Waukon schools. Mr. Larson's mother is also a member of this family. She has now reached the age of eighty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are members of the Waukon Presbyterian church and fraternally Mr. Larson is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is widely and favorably known throughout the section where he was born and where his entire life has been spent and in his various responsibilities as a business man and as a public official has discharged his obligations so as to merit and receive the respect of all who know him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LARS J. LARSON.

Lars J. Larson, now serving his second term as assessor of Jeft'person township and connected with agricultural interests in this locality as the owner of a valuable and well improved farm on section 11, has been a resident of Iowa since 1854, his birth having occurred in the vicinity of Christiania, Norway, January 6, 1850. His father, John Larson, was also a native of that country and there grew to maturity and married Karen Johnson. Later he and his wife crossed the Atlantic and located in Wisconsin, where the mother passed away in the summer of 1853. In the fall of that year Mr. Larson and his children came to Iowa, making a permanent location in Jefferson township, Allamakee county. He was numbered among the pioneers in this locality and homesteaded an eighty-acre tract of land, upon which he built first a log house in which he resided while the work of improving and developing the farm was carried forward. He married here in 1857, Miss Anna Bondelie, also a native of Norway, and he continued to make his home upon his farm in Jefferson township until his death in 1866. His wife survived him many years, living to be almost a hundred years of age. By his first wife John Larson had two children: Lars J., of this review; and M. J., a substantial farmer in Jefferson township.

Lars J. Larson was reared in this vicinity and acquired his education in the district school. His childhood was spent among pioneer conditions and he early became familiar with the best methods of farming and developing raw land. After the father's death the brothers carried on the operation of the homestead for some time, but later Mr. Larson of this review purchased his brother's and his mother's interests and succeeded to the home place. This he has since greatly improved, having erected a neat and modern residence, a large barn, a granary, corncribs and sheds, and having installed the necessary labor-saving machinery. He engaged in general farming and is an extensive stock-raiser, keeping high-grade shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and good horses. He was one of the promoters of the Waterville Cooperative Creamery Association and is still a stockholder in this concern, of which he was one of the first members of the board of directors. He has also of late years been extensively interested in dairying and his ability and resourcefulness are recognized and respected in business circles.

In April, 1872, in Jefferson township, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Anna P. Osgard, who was born in Norway, and who lived in that country until she was sixteen years of age. She then moved to the LInited States with her parents and settled in Allamakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Larson became the parents of nine children. The eldest son, Julius, who is married and engaged in farming near Stillwater, North Dakota, has three children. Albert, Paul and Ludwig are all known in business circles of Waukon as joint proprietors of the Model Restaurant in that city. Carrie married Ole Albert, a railroad engineer in Minnesota, and they are the parents of a daughter. Annie became the wife of Albert Johnson, who assists Mr. Larson in the operation of his farm. Henry passed away when a young man of thirty-two years. Another son died in infancy, and Carrie passed away at the age of two years.

It is not alone in agricultural circles that Mr. Larson has gained prominence and recognition, for he has always taken an active part in politics and has rendered his township excellent service in various positions of trust and responsibility. He served for a number of years as township trustee and as justice of the peace and has been a delegate to state, county and congressional conventions. For a number of terms he was on the grand and petit juries. He was elected assessor of Jefferson township and after serving one term was reelected in 1912, his return to office indicating the value of his work and its acceptability to the public. His influence is found always on the side of right, reform and progress, and his cooperation is never lacking in any movement to promote general advancement. In Jefferson township, where he has spent practically his entire life, he is regarded as a conscientious and progressive citizen and one whose record is a credit to a name that has long been an honored one in this community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MARTIN I. LARSON.

Martin T. Larson, who has resided in Allamakee county since 1854. is today numbered among the prosperous, substantial and progressive agriculturists of this part, owning and operating the lug Spring Stock Farm, a fine property of eighty acres which in its neat and attractive appearance is a visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift. He was born in Norway, near Christiania, Februarv 4, 1852. and is a son of John and Karen (Johnson) Larson, who came to America at an early date and settled in Wisconsin in 1853. There the mother died and the father afterward came as a pioneer to Iowa, making a permanent location in left'person town.ship, Allamakee county.. more extended mention of his career will be found on another page in this work.

Martin J. Larson was reared upon his father's farm in Jefferson township and after his father's death operated the homestead in association with his brother for a number of years. After his marriage, which occurred in 1875. ' rented land and continued to develop it until he went to North Dakota, where he spent one season. Upon his return he purchased the property which he now owns and turned his attention to breaking the soil and clearing it of timber. His property is known as the Big Spring Farm and comprises eighty acres of land, well tilled and equipped with substantial improvements. It was Mr. Larson who made this farm what it is today, for he broke the soil, filled the trees and has since carried forward the work of development with characteristic energy and with e.excellent results. He has divided his land into''fields of convenient size enclosed with barbed wire fences, has erected a neat residence, a large barn with a basement, and a spring house and has neglected nothing that will add to the attractive appearance or value of the place. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising high-grade stock and controls also extensive dairy interests, selling the dairy products to the Waterville Cooperative Creamery, in which he is a stockholder. He is connected in the same way with the Peoples National Bank of Waukon, the Farmers Cooperative Stock & Produce Company and the Farmers Paint Creek Telephone Company, and his business ability has been a helpful factor in the development of these concerns.

On the 20th of May, 1875, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Sando, a native of Norway, who came to the United States when she was thirteen or fourteen years of age and grew to womanhood in Allamakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have become the parents of six children: John E.; Helmer, of Berlin, North Dakota; Melvin R.. who is aiding in the operation of the homestead; Caroline L., the wife of Ed Smeby, of Jefferson township; Rosa, who married A. A. Koontz, of Berlin, North Dakota; and Alma J. The last named supplemented a public-school education by three terms at a college in Austin, Minnesota, and has been for fifteen terms a teacher in Winneshiek and Allamakee counties.

Mr. Larson is a member of the old West Paint Creek United Lutheran church and he is a republican in his political beliefs, having served for about twelve years at different times as township trustee. He is a progressive, loyal and enterprising citizen, a capable business man and a progressive farmer and during the many years of his residence in Allamakee county has commanded and held the respect and high esteem of all who have come in contact with him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN E. LARSON.

Among the citizens of Allamakee county who have made substantial contributions to the general agricultural development of this section of the state is numbered John E. Larson, who was born in the township and on the farm where he now resides in 1861. He is a son of Easton and Johanna Larson, natives of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1854 and in the same year settled in Allamakee county, Iowa, the father turning his attention to farming. He purchased government land and added to it from time to time, being an extensive property owner and a prosperous farmer at the time of his death, which occurred in 1888. His wife survives him and resides upon the homestead, having reached the age of eighty-eight years. To them were born three children: Mrs. Dorothy Engan, of Winneshiek county; Lucy, deceased; and John E., of this review.

The last named was reared under the parental roof and from his childhood has been familiar with the best methods of farming, having assisted his father with the operation of the homestead. After the latter's death he purchased the farm, comprising one hundred and twenty-seven acres in Waterloo township, seventy-five of which are in a high state of cultivation. Here he engaged in breeding and raising stock in addition to the cultivation of the fields and is meeting with that success which always rewards earnest and persistent labor.

In 1885 Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Swenson, who was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, a daughter of John O. Swenson, who came to this state in the early '50s, among the first settlers. He had previously attempted settlement in Jackson county, Minnesota, but had been driven away by the Indians. After his arrival in Allamakee county he turned his attention to farming here, residing on a valuable and productive property until his death. He and his wife became the parents of ten children, eight of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Larson were born six children, two of whom have passed away. The others are: Emelia, born in 1889; Carina, born in 1892; Edgar, whose birth occurred in 1900; and Ida, whose birth occurred in 1905.

The family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Larson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for four years rendered the township excellent and effective service as trustee. He is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, among whom his entire life has been spent, not only by reason of the success he has attained along agricultural lines but also because of his many substantial qualities of manhood.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.