Lars J. Larson

As printed in 1913

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 Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.