Larson, J. P. 1861-1930

LARSON, NIELSEN

Posted By: Linda Mohning (email)
Date: 2/8/2006 at 21:56:16

TWP. RESIDENT
SUMMONED

J.P. Larson was born near Veile, Denmark, August 4, 1861. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church there. He immigrated to the United States in the fall of the year 1883 and came directly to Plymouth county where he spent his early manhood and in 1889 he began farming for himself. In 1893 he was united in marriage with Engeborg Nielsen. After their marriage they moved to their farm in Fredonia township where he made his home until his death, April 14, 1930. He suffered a paralytic stroke and died very suddenly having attained the age of 68 years, 8 months and 10 days.

To this union were born thirteen children, four dying in infancy.

He had always been an ideal husband and father, respected and loved by every one with whom he came in contact.

He had taken an active part in religious, social and civil affairs of this community. He was a member of the Lutheran church of Fredonia township, being a charter member of the congregation. He had been president of the church for the last twenty-five years and still held that position at the time of this death. He is survived by his wife, and nine children; six sons and three daughters, Louis P., Nis N., Elsie, Herbert L., Henry D., Niels C., Martin L., Herlig and Viola. Two sons, Louis and Haerbert are married and reside on farms in Fredonia township, the remaining children being at home. He is also survived by two brothers and one sister, Morton, Thomas and Marian, and many other relatives and friends in the vicinity.

A death which caused lumps in the throat of numberless people and which brought tears of sorrow and grief was that of J.P. Larson, who died in his home near here Monday morning, while lying down to rest because he had not been feeling as well as usual that morning. There has seldom been a man more sincerely loved and cherished as Mr. Larson was for he never willingly harmed a soul or was inconsiderate of anyone’s feelings. He was one of nature’s gentlemen, square, honest and kind and the people who knew him longest an appreciated him most are finding his loss poignant and deep. We wish Mr. Larson could have known of the big place he filled in the hearts of all of his devoted friends and of his family but we, at least, can offer this final tribute to a great man, of love and reverence that our lives were made more thoughtful and more beautiful because of the pleasure of knowing him. Our understanding and sympathy in his death is extended to his family, who can be consoled in the knowledge that his memory will always be something to be proud of, one that few can boast of—the memory of J.P. Larson one of the finest men any of us will ever know.