PEDER LARSEN
Peder Larsen, who is actively engaged in farming on section 14, Barton township, Worth county, came to the new world from Denmark, where he was born on the 23d of June, 1850, his parents being Lars Hanson and Gertrude (Hanson) Larsen. The parents were also natives of Denmark, where they were reared, educated and married. The father then took up the occupation of farming and both he and his wife died in that land.
Peder Larsen spent his youthful days in his native country, there remaining until 1880, when at the age of thirty years he sailed for the United States. He Worked at the cooper's trade for a time in Denmark before he came to America. He took up his abode at St. Ansgar, Mitchell county, Iowa, but later he became a resident of Osage and was employed at farm labor in that locality. He was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and afterward rented a tract of land of eighty acres east of his present farm in Barton township, Worth county. He then concentrated his efforts and attention upon the cultivation of his fields, and after three years spent upon that place he operated another farm, upon which he lived for two years. On the expiration of that period his savings justified his purchase of land and he became owner of a farm. He also rented adjoining land and by additional purchase extended the boundaries of his farm until he now has one hundred and eighty acres, constituting a valuable place. He has erected new buildings and still occupies the home, which is today one of the attractive farm properties of Barton township, equipped with all the accessories and improvements found upon the model farm of the twentieth century. He is energetic and determined in all that he does and his wise business management is manifest in his growing success.
On the 15th of November, 1873, Mr. Larsen was united in marriage to Miss Laurentina Carlson, the wedding being celebrated in Denmark, of which country the latter was a native. Her parents were Carl and Joregana (Larson) Carlson and the father passed away in Denmark. The mother afterward emigrated to the United States and took up her abode in St. Ansgar, Iowa, where she spent the remainder of her life. Mr. and Mrs. Larsen became the parents of three children, namely: Charles, Peter M. and Anna. The wife and mother has passed away, her death occurring very suddenly July 15th, 1917.
Mr. Larsen is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He votes with the republican party and he has filled the offices of road boss and school director but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his time and efforts upon his business affairs. His unfaltering diligence and his wise use of his time and opportunities constitute the salient qualities in his increasing prosperity.
SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Page 513
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, August 13, 2006