Soren H. Larson

LARSON, BERG, BOLSTAD

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/5/2006 at 04:05:05

Soren H. Larson, the efficient president of the Farmers State Bank of Lake Mills, Iowa, was born in Boone county, Illinois, March 14, 1857, a son of Halvor and Kari (Berg) Larson, the former a native of Siljord prestegjeld, Ovre Telemarken, Norway, and the latter of Søvde prestegjeld, Nedre Telemarken, that country. About 1850 the family emigrated to Boone county, Illinois, where the father worked as a laborer for some time. Later he invested his ravings in land in that county and improved and operated his farm until 1864, when he removed to Winnebago county, Iowa. There he purchased land which he farmed until he retired from active life. His last years were spent at the home of his son, Soren H. His death occurred in May, 1909, when he was nearly eighty-five years old. The mother died in the same month, when nearly eighty-three years of age.

Soren H. Larson was reared and educated in Winnebago county, as he was but six years old when brought here by his parents. In 1881, in early manhood, he went to North Dakota with one of his brothers and his brother-in-law and there they farmed, ran a threshing outfit, dealt in horses and also conducted a country store and post office for three years. In 1887, however, Mr. Larson returned to Iowa and purchased the home place, which be operated until he was elected treasurer of Winnebago county in 1892, at which time lie removed to Forest City, the county seat. Six years later, at the expiration of his term of service as county treasurer, he removed to Lake Mills and, in company with others, organized the First National Bank at that place and served as assistant cashier of that institution until 1902, when he became cashier. In the same year the First National Bank absorbed the P. M. Joice private bank. While connected with the First National Bank of Lake Mills be, with others, organized the First National Bank of Hannaford, North Dakota, in which he retained his interest for two years.

In 1905 he severed his connection with the First National Bank at Lake Mills and purchased an interest in the Farmers State Bank of Lake Mills, whose business policy he has since directed as president. It was organized in 1898, has a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars surplus and undivided profits amounting to twenty-five thousand dollars, and about four hundred and thirty thousand dollars in deposits. The other officers are: Ole Hovie, vice president; T. S. Tweed, cashier; and G. T. Tweed and Frank Streeter, assistant cashiers. The excellent condition of the finances of the institution is due to the sagacity and enterprise of the officers and to their fine spirit of co-operation, each seeking to co-ordinate his work with that of the others so as to further the best interests of the bank. Mr. Larson brings to his important work as president a detailed knowledge of banking practice, a thorough understanding of the basic principles of finance and resourcefulness in dealing with unusual situations.

In February, 1894, Mr. Larson was married to Miss Anna D. Bolstad, and they have three children: Kenneth H., born January 7, 1895, and Earl B., born September 19, 1896, both of whom attended St. Olaf College for two years and are graduates of the Minneapolis Business College; and Adeline S., born January 21, 1903, who is attending school.

In his political belief Mr. Larson is a stanch republican and he has served his community as a member of the town council and is now serving as treasurer of the school board. In those capacities he has made a highly creditable record, giving the same close attention to his official duties that he has always given to the management of his business affairs. His integrity has always been beyond question and his personal friends are many.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917,Vol II, page 162