LARSON, Albert E. - 1912 Bio (1874-1933)

LARSON, NELSON, OLSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/20/2007 at 20:48:17

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II
Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 266-268

Albert E. LARSON, who engages in general farming and stock-raising in Lockridge township, and who is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of this locality, was born in this township on the 28th of February, 1874, a son of Andrew J. and Matilda (NELSON) LARSON. As their names would imply, his parents are natives of Sweden, where the father was engaged as coachman for many years. He came to the United States in 1868, locating in Jefferson county where he cleared a tract of eighty acres, receiving as a reward for his work the use of the tract for seven years. During that period, he obtained seven good crops from the place, the sale of which enabled him to accumulate sufficient money with which to purchase a sixty-acre tract in Lockridge township. This he at once began to cultivate and improve, and another seven years was spent in its operation. At the end of this time, he sold out and bought one hundred acres, also in this township, to which he later added forty acres. Under his management, this was also brought under a high state of cultivation, and he maintained his home upon it until 1895 when he partially retired from business life, renting one hundred acres of the land to his son, while he continued to operate the other forty acres. In 1903, however, he retired altogether and moved to Salina, where he purchased and improved a twenty-acre tract upon which he now makes his home.

During his boyhood days, Albert E. LARSON worked on his father's farm and passed through the usual experiences which make up the life of the country boy, engaging in the general routine of the farm during the summer season, and attending the district school during the winter. Upon completing his education, he went to Moline, Illinois, where he was employed in a lumberyard for one year. He then accepted a position at the hospital in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he remained for two years. At the expiration of that period, he returned home and rented his father's farm, which he continued to operate for seven years. Later, he rented another tract which remained the scene of his activity for three years. Subsequently, he purchased eighty acres of land in Lockridge township, upon which he established and still maintains his home. To the cultivation of this property he is now devoting all his energies. Under his supervision it has become a finely improved tract and the fields, naturally rich and fertile, have yielded substantial harvests which annually bring Mr. LARSON a good financial return, and this is further supplemented by the profit that he gets from his stock-raising. He raises on an average of seventy head of hogs per year, and keeps about seven head of horses and forty head of cattle on the place.

In October, 1895, Mr. LARSON was united in marriage to Miss Amanda J. LARSON, a daughter of Martin and Matilda (OLSON) LARSON, both natives of Sweden who came to the United States in 1872, taking up their abode in Michigan. In that state, and also in Colorado, the father engaged in mining for some time and, later, removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, taking up his residence on a tract of thirty-five acres in Lockridge township, which he had purchased some years previous. Later, he added more land as his means permitted, and he continued to engage successfully in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in May, 1908. His widow still survives at the age of sixty-six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Albert E. LARSON were born four children, but the eldest, Clarence, passed away in 1900 at the age of four years. The surviving children are: Clifton, Fern and Virgil, aged ten, seven and one, respectively. Mr. LARSON is a man of high moral character; the rules guiding his life having their root in his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. He gives loyal support to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have never held attraction for him. He has preferred rather to devote his entire time and attention to his personal affairs, and in the wise management of his farming interests is found the secret of his prosperity. Since the above was written Andrew J. LARSON has sold his place at Salina, and is building a home in Fairfield, Iowa.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.