Lars J. Larson
Lars J. Larson, now serving his second term as assessor of
Jefferson 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 tact 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 framing 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 engages 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
member 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 United 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 engages 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 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 ad 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 of 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 of this community.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index