Otto J. Larson
One of the thrifty sons of Sweden who have assisted in the agricultural development of Crawford county is Otto J. Larson, a son of Carl J. and Lottie (Varnie ) Larson, his natal day being the 24th of May, 1880.
His parents emigrated from their native land in 1882 and on their arrival in the United States made their way directly westward, locating on a farm in Crawford county, Iowa. The father passed away on the 18th of April, 1908, but the mother still survives and makes her home in the village of Kiron. They were the parents of eight children, all but one of whom are living, the order of their births being as follows: Minnie, the wife of Gust J. Larson, residing in Otter Creek township; Charles, who lives in South Dakota; Mary, who became the wife of John Hellstrom, of Sac county, Iowa; John, residing in South Dakota; Clara, deceased, the wife of John Engberg, of Kiron; Erick, a resident of Ida county; Otto J., the subject of this sketch; and Alfred, who lives in Kiron.
Otto J. Larson was but a child of two years when the family came to the United States, so that practically his entire life has been spent in this country. He obtained his education in the common schools of Crawford county and later the text-books gave way to the work of the field. He first assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm but is now engaged in farming for himself.
On the 18th of December, 1902, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lindberg, a daughter of Carl and Annie Lindberg. Six children have been born of this union but only five are now living, the eldest having died in infancy. The others are as follows: Howard, Cora, Edgar, Fay and Bernice.
The family attend the services of the Baptist church, the parents holding membership in that denomination. The prohibition party and its candidates are given the support of Mr. Larson as he is thoroughly in sympathy with its principles and policy. He is not an office seeker but is a man possessing sufficient public spirit to feel that the demands of good citizenship require the casting of a ballot on election day and acts accordingly. He is highly regarded in the community where he lives, the comrades of his boyhood having become the friends of his manhood.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.