LARSON, John O. 1858-1948

LARSON, LARSEN, HANSON, NELSON, BIGELOW

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 8/25/2011 at 14:56:16

John O. Larson (or Larsen) 1858-1948

#1:
John O. Larson was born in Grue, Solar, Norway March 20, 1858, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Larson, having attained age of 89 years, 10 mo and 28 days. He died on the 17th day of February 1948 at the home of his daughter and son inlaw, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Nelson where he lived for 20 years.

He was baptized in infancy in Grue, Solar, Norway and in the year 1867 at the age of 9 he came to America with his uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Arne Larson and made his home with them during his boyhood days. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at St. Ansgar by the Rev. Johan Olson.

On December 2, 1880, he was united in marriage to Martha Hanson at St. Ansgar, by the same pastor who confirmed him. To this union were born 8 children. Preceding him in death are his wife and three children, Ole, Emma and Hattie.

Those left to mourn his departure are his children; Mrs. Peter Nelson; Alfred; and Lewis Larson of this community; George Larson of Osage; and Mrs. Newton Bigelow of Austin; 10 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and a sister; Mrs. John Hanson of Plymouth, Iowa.
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#2:

From the Illinois Central Railroad Magazine -- date unknown -- Retirement

"We publish the following article, from the Illinois Central magazine for the month of June. Mr. Larson is well known to many of the readers of the Tribune, and is the father of L.E. Larson of the Commercial Hotel, and also Alfred Larson, referred to in the following account, and also a Lyle resident.

"John O. Larson of Osage, Iowa, retired trackman, was born March 20, 1858, in Norway. He left his native country when he was nine years of age and came to America with his uncle, leaving his father and mother in Norway. He had to work all the time, therefore had very little chance for an education. He was married in 1880 and raised eight children, three of whom have died. Two of his sons are working for the Illinois Central at the present time, George being section foreman at Osage, Iowa, and Alfred assistant trackman at Lyle, Minnesota. Mr. Larson worked as a farm hand after landing in this country until 1885 when he entered the service of the Illinois Central as trackman at Mona, Iowa. He has worked ever since for our railroad, with the exception of five years, when he worked for the C.G.W. and G.N. as extra gang foreman. Rheumatism forced him to retire from the service, which he regretted very much, but now that he has been placed on the pension roll he hopes ha may live and enjoy his pension, which he appreciates. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Larson was working as yard man in Osage yard. Mr. Larson was one of our most faithful employees and will be greatly missed by all his friends and associates."
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#3:
John O. Larson was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Mona, Mitchell, Iowa

NOTE: The town of Grue is located in Hedmark county, Norway, and in the autonomous region known as Solor.