Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Edward Larsen is one of the substantial residents of Buena Vista county, who for a number of years has been actively engaged in business in Alta.  He is numbered among the early settlers of the county, having resided within its borders since 1874, and within this period he has labored as effectively and earnestly for the public welfare as he has for his individual success.

A native of Norway, he was born near Christiania, May 5, 1865.  His father, G. Larsen, was also a native of the land of the midnight sun and after attaining his majority, was there married to Guena Gunmanson.  They emigrated to the new world in 1870 and were residents of Chicago for about four years, after which they came to Iowa and took up their abode on a farm.  The father spent his last days in Alia, however, passing away here in 1894, but the mother still survives.  Their family numbered ten in all, of which four sons and two daughters are yet living.  Edward Larsen was but a young lad when he accompanied his parents on their voyage across the Atlantic, and with them he came to Iowa in 1874, since which time he has lived in Buena Vista county.  He pursued his education in the Alta schools and before he had put aside his text-books he devoted a portion of his time to clerking.  He afterward secured a position as salesman in the store of S. L. Hall & Company, with whom he learned the drug business, making a profound study of pharmacy.  He continued with that firm for nine years, on the expiration of which period he bought out the drug store and continued the business alone.  He carries a good line of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, tobaccos and cigars, has a soda fountain, and also serves ice cream.  He has built up a good business and has one of the leading establishments of this kind in his section of the country.  Possessing considerable mechanical skill and ingenuity he has wrought out a number of fine pieces of cabinet work for his store and home.  In early life he learned architecture and plumbing, and followed those lines of business for a number of years.  He possesses much musical talent and because of his love for the art organized a band, and is now the leader of the Alta orchestra.  He has been connected with various business enterprises, which have proven elements in the substantial development of the town, and he erected here a good brick business block and also one of the most neat and attractive homes of the city.

On the 29^th of June, 1894, Mr. Larsen was united in marriage to Miss Ina M. Conner, a sister of A. M. Conner, one of the prominent business men of Alta.  Mr. and Mrs. Larsen have two children, Hubert C. and Guena M.  Politically, Mr. Larsen is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party.  He has been elected to several positions of honor and trust in which he has discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.  He and his wife attend and support the Alta Presbyterian church, and he is a Master Mason of Alta Lodge. A. F. & M., while both are connected with the Eastern Star.  Mrs. Larsen has served through the various chairs of the order and is a past worthy matron.  Her home is justly noted for its gracious and warm-hearted hospitality, and is the center of a cultured society circle.