Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 576
A. THEODORE LARSON

The man to whom the reader's attention is now directed was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but he came a stranger to our shores and in spite of his handicaps, by perserverance, industry and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and is well and favorably known throughout Harrison county as a result of the industrious life he has led here for four years, being regarded by all who know him as a man of sound business principles, thoroughly up-to-date in all phases of agriculture and a man, who while advancing his individual interests, does not neglect his general duties as a citizen.

A. Theodore LARSON is a native of Sweden, having been born on December 4, 1869, in Seffle, parish of Botilsater. He is a son of L. D. and Caroline LARSON, both of whom have passed their entire lives in the same place. They were born to neighboring families, grew to years of maturity, married and settled down on her father's old farm and there they still reside, he at the age of seventy-one and she, sixty-eight. While giving his main attention to farming, the elder LARSON has also worked at the blacksmith and carpenter trades and is, in fact, very handy with any sort of tools and considered an especially good workman in several different lines. A. Theodore LARSON is the eldest of a family of five children. The second child, Martin Julius, died in his native land in 1912, at the age of thirty-five years, as the result of an operation. The three daughters of the family died in childhood, Elfreda at the age of nine, Elizabeth at the tender age of six months and one little daughter in earliest infancy. Mr. LARSON is, therefore, the only surviving member of the family and the elderly father and mother are alone in their native land.

When a youth, Mr. LARSON attended the schools of his native land and at the age of seventeen years he started out in life for himself and soon decided that he would try his fortune in the land of America. He set sail from Gottenberg, Sweden, on November 30, 1887, and was landed at Halifax. He came to Dow City, this state, where two of his uncles resided, reaching there on December 24, of the same year, and remaining with them for a short time. As soon as he got his bearings in his chosen land, he set about to secure employment and his services were engaged by different farmers by the month for a period of two years. By that time he had saved sufficient money to set himself up with farming implements, etc., and he secured an eighty-acre tract of land in Willow creek township, Crawford county, and there laid the foundation for his later success. This was prairie land and he improved the place, bringing his bride there in the spring of 1890. She was Nora ANDERSON, also a native of Sweden, coming from Olserud, and a daughter of Andrew and Mary E. Johnson, the former of whom was a farmer in his native land until the time of his death. The mother is still living in her old home and two daughters are in this country, while three brothers and one sister still live in Sweden and three brothers are deceased. There were three girls came here, one being Mrs. LARSON, another Hannah, who married Adolph Honz, of Dow City, this state, and the third was Carrie, who died in Wisconsin.

After marriage, A. Theodore LARSON and wife located southwest of Charter Oak, this state, where they farmed until the spring of 1895, when they sold out and purchased one hundred and twenty acres east of Sioux City. There they continued to farm for seventeen years, meeting with excellent success and in the spring of 1911 they purchased the tract of land in St. Johns township, Harrison county, known as the W. T. Roden farm. This farm contains three hundred and seventy-one acres and is considered one of the best farms in this section. Mr. LARSON gives his chief attention to general farming as conducted by the best agriculturists throughout this section and also gives considerable attention to the raising of grade cattle, buying and feeding for the market. Previous to coming to Harrison county he was known as a breeder of full blood Poland-China hogs, but has not gone into this line since coming here. He is considered one of the successful farmers of this section and is well entitled to the honor and high regard which is granted him by those who know him best. Recently he has made extensive improvements to his place, which is known by the name Glenhurst. He has a fine, modern home and has built a new barn and other farm buildings to match and a silo, the whole giving indisputable evidence of careful and expert management.

Physically, Mr. LARSON is a man of large and strong physique who has not spared his muscles in his endeavor to win success. In his dealings with his fellowmen he is known as a man of unimpeachable integrity, thoroughly reliable in every respect. He keeps well posted on current events and is a constant student of such things as pertain to his chosen vocation. Mr. LARSON votes the Republican ticket and has always taken a lively interest in political matters. His religious membership is held in the Swedish Mission church of Sioux City, Iowa, and he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. and Mrs. LARSON are the parents of three children, Ellen Carrie, wife of Carl J. Anderson; Mabel Elvera and Albert Julius, the two latter of whom as still at home.

Return to 1915 Biographical L Surnames Index

Back to 1915 Biographies Index