The Larson Families of Winneshiek County, Iowa

KNUTE H. LARSON.

Although a quarter of a century has passed since Knute H. Larson died upon his farm in Winneshiek county, there are many in this part of Iowa who still remember his genuine personal worth, his sterling integrity and the substantial contributions which he made to the agricultural development of this section of the state. He was numbered among the honored and respected pioneer citizens and for thirty-eight years he cultivated his fine farm in Military township, becoming one of the leading figures in the promotion of the progress and advancement of the community.

Mr. Larson was a native of Norway, born in January, 1822, and he spent his boyhood and early- youth in that country, crossing the Atlantic to America in 184c). He settled first in Wisconsin and there remained for one year, at the end of which time he removed to Iowa, settling in Winneshiek county in pioneer times. He purchased land which he sold at the end of a year, buying afterward another tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Military township, to which he later added another one hundred and sixty on section 2. With characteristic energy he began the improvement and development of this property, tilling the fields, and erecting the necessary buildings, which included the fine residence that he made his home for a number of years. General farming and stock-raising engaged practically all of his attention, and his practical methods and unremitting industry brought him well deserved success, both branches of his activities becoming important and profitable.

Mr. Larson married Miss Matilda Freeburg, a native of Sweden and a daughter of John and Lena (Malburg) Freeburg, also born in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Larson became the parents of seven children: Laura, who lives at home; John F., who is operating the homestead for his mother; L. Kent, assisting with the work of the home farm; Anton L., who also lives at home; Gustave, who is associated with the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; Martin and Henry, who live at home. Since Mr. Larson's death, the widow has added eighty acres to the home farm and has supervised its management, ably carrying forward with the help of her sons the work which her husband began.

Mr. Larson was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and was a republican in his political beliefs. His influence was always on the side of progress and improvement and it was found that at all times his business activities balanced up with truth and justice.

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

LAURIZE KENT LARSON.

Laurize Kent Larson is carrying on general farming and stock-raising on a fine property of two hundred and forty acres in Military township, constituting the homestead upon which he was born and on which his entire life has been spent. He is numbered among the most progressive and able agriculturists of this part of Winneshiek county and. although still a young man, has gained a high place among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in the community. He was born September 5, 1880, and is a son of Knut 11. and Matilda Larson, the former born in Norway in January, 1822. He came to America in 1849 and after spending one year in Wisconsin came to Winneshiek county, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred September 17, 1888. He and his wife became the parents of seven children: Laura, who lives at home; John F., who is engaged in farming; Laurize Kent, of this review; Anton L., who lives at home; Gustave, who is connected with the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; Martin, and Henry.

Laurize Kent Larson was reared at home and from his childhood assisted his father with the work of the farm. He has spent has entire life upon the homestead and in 1911 assumed control of the property, owning today two hundred and forty acres of well improved and valuable land. Upon this he engaged in general farming and stock-raising and by his practical methods, his straightforward business dealings, his industry and well directed labor has made both branches important and profitable.

Mr. Larson married, on the 12th of September, 191 1, Miss Levida Kiel, a daughter of Ole Kiel and one of a family of seven children, as follows: Herman, who resides in North Dakota; Elbert, of Minnesota; Julius, who lives at home; Leonard, Agnes and Olga, also at home; and Levida, the wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have one son, [name withheld], born in 1912.

Mr. Larson is a member of the Lutheran church and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party. In the community where he was born and where his entire life has been spent he is widely and favorably known, having in the course of his upright and honorable career gained recognition as a substantial and progressive farmer and a public-spirited and loyal citizen.

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

EVEN TIENDERHOLDT LARSON.

For over fifty years Even Tienderholdt Larson has carried on general farming and stock-raising upon his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Ossian and each year has witnessed an increase in the success which has rewarded his industry, perseverance and well directed labors. He is now in control of an excellent property and is one of the best known and most popular farmers of Military township, his half century of upright living and fair dealing having gained for him the confidence and respect of all who are in any way associated with him.

He was born in Norway on the 17th of January, 1833, and is a son of Lars and Christine Maria (Bamble) Nelson, also natives of that country. The parents came to America in 1844 and located first in Wisconsin, where they remained for several years, finally removing from that state to Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father was a farmer by occupation and engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising in this locality until his death, becoming one of the prosperous farmers and representative citizens. He died in 1893 and his wife passed away in 1885. To them were born seven children: Nels, deceased; Hans, who has also passed away; Peter, who resides in Winneshiek county; Rosina, deceased; Even T., of this review; Soren, also of Winneshiek county; and Maria, the widow of Martin Myhre.

Even Tienderholdt Larson was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to America and a great deal of his childhood was spent t-1 upon his father's farm, where he assisted with the work of cultivation, becoming a practical and able agriculturist. In 1855 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Military township, Winneshiek county, and to this he has since added forty acres, being today in possession of a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres. Upon this he has resided since 1862 and has engaged continuously in general farming and stock-raising, success steadily attending his well directed efforts. He has made substantial improvements upon his farm in the course of years and it is now splendidly equipped with buildings and machinery, nothing being neglected which will add to its attractive appearance or its value. Its excellent condition at the present time is a striking evidence of the many years of care and labor which have been bestowed upon it by the owner, who is not only a progressive and practical farmer but a resourceful, farsighted and discriminating business man as well.

Mr. Larson married Miss Barbara Nordhous. a daughter of Andrew and Anna ( Anderson ) Nordhous, natives of Norway, who came to America about the year 1875 and located in Fayette county, Iowa. To them were born nine children; Ole and Carrie, deceased; Ellen, who has also passed away; Barbara, twin to Ellen, and wife of the subject of this review; Andrew, who resides in Claremont, Iowa; Anna, the wife of H. Gottleman of North Dakota; Gundwar, who married Harry Lee of Denver, Colorado; Ivan of Steele, North Dakota; and Halvarina, the wife of Lars Polsen of Claremont, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have become the parents of three children; Anna Louisa, the wife of Hans Teigen of Lake Mills, Iowa; Fridtjof Cornelius, who lives at home; and Cora Agnetta, who died November 29, 1910.

Mr. Larson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party. Although he neither seeks nor desires public office he is interested in the cause of education and has done much constructive and beneficial work in promoting it during his term of service on the school board. He is a progressive, able and upright citizen, and the high place which he now holds in the respect and esteem of his neighbors has been worthily won by many years of honorable and straightforward dealing.

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

CARL L. LARSON.

One of the foremost industries of Decorah, Iowa, is the Lutheran Publishing Company, and one of the oldest, most faithful and most capable employes of that large institution is Carl L. Larson, foreman of the extensive bookbinding department of this publishing house. Born in Christiania, the beautiful capital of the kingdom of Norway, November 25, 1847, ne is a son of Christian and Mary (Hanson) Larson, natives of the northland. The father was a musician, an art which he always followed in the old country, where he passed away in 1872, his wife surviving until 1878.

Carl L. Larson was reared in his native land and received his education in the excellent schools of his native country. He there subsequently learned the bookbinder's trade, and when in 1868 he came to America he located at Madison,

Wisconsin, where he followed his vocation for two years, at the end of which period he returned to Norway, there remaining two years. In 1873. however, he returned to America, seeking the large opportunities held out by the middle west, and located in Decorah. where he entered the employ of a Mr. Isberg, with whom he remained for four years, his employer selling his interests to the Lutheran Publishing Company in 1877 and Mr. Larson remaining with the new concern. For thirty-six years he has faithfully fulfilled his various duties and has gradually risen to the position of foreman of the large bookbinding department of this important publishing house, having charge of a large number of employes and directing the many operations of the department.

In August, 1867, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Pederson, a daughter of Lucas and Anna Pederson. both natives of Norway, where they spent their entire lives. Air. and Mrs. Larson were the parents of ten children: Frank; Louis; William; Hjalmar; Sophia, the wife of William B. Ingvoldstad. of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this work; Carl; Herman; and three, who died in infancy. Mrs. Larson passed away in 1887 and in 1891 Mr. Larson wedded again, his second union being with Miss Paulina Pederson, a sister of his first wife. She also passed away in 1910.

Politically Mr. Larson is a republican and his religious adherence is given to the Lutheran church. At one time he owned presidential property in Decorah, but of late has disposed of his holding and now makes his home with his daughter and son-in-law, Air. and Mrs. Ingvoldstad. He is well known and popular in Decorah. where he has made his home for many years, and where he is highly esteemed and respected for his sterling traits of character.

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