Knut M. Larsen

LARSEN, KNUTSON, PECK, LUNDA, SLETTEN, BAKKEN

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 04:37:34

KNUT M. LARSEN

Knut M. Larsen is a self-made man who has won success through indefatigable effort and persistency of purpose. He resides on section 19, Norway township, Winnebago county, where he has a valuable farm property, and he is also officially and financially connected with several business enterprises of this section of the state. He was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, June 10, 1864, a son of Michael and Martha (Knutson) Larsen, who were natives of Norway but were married in the United States. They had a family of five children: Louis, who is living in Stockholm, South Dakota; Mrs. Betsey Peck, a resident of Salem, Oregon; Knut M., of this review; Lena, the wife of Andrew Lunda, whose home is near Parker, South Dakota; and Martha, the wife of M. O. Sletten, of Norway township.

In the year of his birth Knut M. Larsen was taken by his parents to Worth county, Iowa, where the father purchased a small farm, and there both he and his wife passed away when their son, Knut M. Larsen, was but seven years ago, their remains being interred in Silver Lake cemetery. The boy, thus left an orphan, afterward lived with his uncle, Hans Ingebritson, an early settler of Norway township, Winuebago county, with whom he remained until he reached the age of fourteen years. He then started out to earn his living by working as a farm hand and was employed in that way until he reached the age of twenty-nine years, when he was married and began farming on his own account. He purchased the northeast quarter of section 19 and the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of the same section in Norway township and thus became the owner of two hundred acres of rich and productive land which he has since owned and occupied. His labors are manifest in the highly cultivated fields and in the good improvements which he has put upon the property. Almost his entire time is devoted to its further development and improvement and annually he gathers good crops which are the reward of his industry and perseverance. He has had other business interests and connections. He is now a trustee and was formerly the manager of the Scarville Creamery. He acted as manager for eight years and at the present time is vice president of the company. He is also a director and the vice president of the Farmers Elevator at Scarville and is a director of the Lake Mills Lumber Company.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Larsen chose Miss Betsey Bakken, her parents being Harry and Tilda Bakken, of Winneshiek county, who are now deceased and lie buried in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Larsen have eight children, namely: A. Melvin, Harry O., John C., Tilda, George A., Benjamin, Kalmer L., and Clifford L.

Mr. and Mrs. Larsen hold membership in the United Lutheran church and he votes with the republican party. For one term he served as township clerk and for eight years he filled the office of school director. He stands for all that is beneficial to the community and heartily cooperates in many plans and movements for the general good. At the same time he has carefully managed his business affairs and energy and reliability have brought him success. While he started out emptyhanded, he is now in the possession of a comfortable competence. His home place is a highly improved farm in the midst of which stands a fine modern residence, indicating that he is now able to surround himself with all of life's comforts and some of its luxuries.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 377-378.