Lars P. Andersen

ANDERSEN, PETERSEN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/22/2011 at 19:44:24

Lars P. Andersen makes his home on his farm on section 3, Center township, but is practically living a retired life, leaving to others the more arduous work of the fields. In the course of an active and well spent career he has accumulated a substantial fortune and his record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through persistent and honorable effort. The many sterling traits of character which he has displayed have won for him high regard. He born in Denmark, February 17, 1849, and is a son of Andrew and Henrietta Andersen, who were also natives of the same country. The father reached the advanced age of one hundred and four years and nine months ere death called him and his wife has also passed away. In their family were eleven children.

Lars P. Andersen, who is the only one now living, was reared and educated in Denmark and came to the United States in 1867, being at that time a youth of eighteen years. He made his way at once to Iowa settling in Black Hawk county, where he was employed as a common laborer for some time, but laudable ambition prompted him to save his earnings and at length his industry and economy brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm. In 1891 he invested in land Emmet county and in 1893 he took up his abode upon his place on section 3, Center township, where he has three hundred and seventy acres of fine land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. His fields well tilled and annually produce good crops of corn, wheat and other cereals. To the farm he has also added many substantial improvements in the way of good buildings, having a pleasant home and large barns and sheds, which furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. In a word has made good use of his time and opportunities and his labors have been rewarded by a very substantial competence.

In 1871 Mr. Andersen was united in marriage to Miss Anna Elizabeth Petersen, a native of Denmark and a daughter of Peter C. and Elsie Y. Nielsen. They came to America in 1868 and established their home in Butler county, Iowa, where the father carried on farming until his death, after which the mother became a resident of Kansas, where her last days were spent. Their family numbered five children, four whom are yet living. By her marriage Mrs. Andersen has become mother of ten children: Henrietta, now the wife of Nels Ling; living in North Dakota; Anna, who is teaching school; Nels C, home is in Ransom county, North Dakota; Jens, also residing in state; William D., of Emmet county, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of Rathman; Thorwald, who is upon the home farm; Emma E., now attending high school; and one deceased.

Mr. Andersen has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and they enjoy the esteem of all with whom they have come in contact. At the time of their marriage financial resources were quite limited but they worked together, utilizing every possible effort to advance their fortunes, and today they are the possessors of a very substantial and gratifying competence. Moreover, no one can grudge them their success, so honorably has it been won and so worthily used.

Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917.