Leonard Durham Larson (1901-1924)

LARSON, CHANCE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/19/2022 at 14:11:17

From Nevada Evening Journal November 14, 1924 (page 3)

The funeral service for Leonard Larson, 23, only son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Larson, who met a tragic death here Monday forenoon, were held from the home Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, after which he was buried in the Nevada cemetery with military honors.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Jackson Giddens, the family pastor, who also spoke a few words to the family and friends upon the life of the young man.

A sketch of the life of the young man had been prepared and was read by Colonel Herbert E. Hadley, a life-long friend of the deceased, after which C. H. Hall sang "Some Day You'll Understand."

After the firing squad had fired their volley, "taps" were sounded by John Ambrose.

The pallbearers were all friends of the deceased, they being Ted Evers, Glen Dickey, George Armstrong, Ralph Cessna, Chester Larson and J. O. Owens of Ames, the latter who served with Leonard in the Hawaiians.

The sketch was read by Colonel Hadley follows:

Leonard Durham Larson was born on the 31st day of October, 1901 in Nevada, Iowa. He attended the public schools of this city and grew to manhood in Nevada. After leaving high school he became an electrical worker and followed that occupation until November, 1920, he enlisted in the 13th Field Artillery of the United States Army.

He served in Battery E of that organization for three years. In the Artillery he became a First Class Gunner with a year, a very unusual distinction in the Army, as this position in one that can only be attained after much hard work an the passing of long and difficult examinations. He became a Corporal in this Battery, and later was promoted to the grade of Sergeant, and as Sergeant of Artillery he was Honorably Discharged from the Army. Men who served with him in the Field Artillery tell of the high esteem in which he was held by him comrades, and of the splendid confidence that was reposed in him by his superior officers.

On his discharge from the Army in the early part of 1924 he returned to Nevada. He then resumed his occupation as an electrical worker and followed it until the morning of November 10th. On that day he fell at his post of duty in that great and dangerous industry which has become such an essential part of our modern civilization. The public even of our own city but little appreciate the fact that out efficient twenty-four hour electric service is made possible because service is made possible because a corps of modest and fearless young men are daily and hourly handling the "hot" wires over which are passing the most powerful and deadly force ever discovered by man.

We who have resided in Nevada during the years saw Leonard grow from a babe in the arms into a splendid specimen of physical manhood. He was friendly, kind and generous, he was strong, courageous and loyal. The good will and esteem and love of his comrades in the army and his fellow workers in the civil life furnish convincing testimony to his kindly and generous spirit. On the football fields of the army he attained distinction as an athlete. The dangers of electricity did not deter him. He entered the army and served his entire three-year enlistment in a period when active service and war were at all times imminent. He was only deterred by his youth from entering the army in the late war. He was never deterred from any enterprise because of danger. And in every field of his endeavor his services were marked by that most valuable attribute--Loyalty. Had he possessed less of these qualities he might still have been with us, but being endowed with these attributes that make men "do and dare" he hastened to duty, that duty which was only halted by death, halted when another of the loyal and bravest had given his all in the service of industry.

Leonard leaves to mourn him his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Larson of Nevada, Iowa, his sister, Clara Larson, a teacher in the public schools of Shipley, and his grandmother, Mrs. Clara Chance of Des Moines. A sorrowing community today joins them in their grief and in paying honor to the memory of a most worthy native son of our city and community.