USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 34
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Knudtson married in Lansing Miss Rhenild Ambrose, a native of Norway, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Mrs. Cor- nelia Banks, a widow, residing in Tacoma, Washington ; Mrs. Anna Johnson En- grav, of Waukon, Iowa, who has a son, Robert Johnson Engrav, a talented pianist ; Thomas, of this review ; and Charles, who owns the old home farm.
Thomas Knudtson was reared upon the home farm and acquired his educa- tion in the country schools and in Decorah College. In his childhood and youth he helped to improve and operate the farm and upon his twenty-first birthday his father gave him one hundred and sixty acres of the estate, upon which he has since resided. The land lies on sections 15 and 16, Makee township, and Mr. Knudtson has carried forward the work of development in an intelligent and able manner, erecting substantial barns and outbuildings and installing modern machinery. The farm is valuable and well improved in every particular, its owner being a practical and able agriculturist who never neglects anything that will add to the attractive appearance or value of his place. In addition to raising grain Mr. Knudtson does an extensive dairy business and has important stock- raising interests. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery of Waukon, of which he served as first vice president, and also in the Farmers Stock & Produce Company, and in business circles is regarded as a resourceful, far- sighted and able man.
In Makee township, on March 8, 1893, Mr. Knudtson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Hansen, who was born and reared in Winneshiek county, and they have become the parents of five children : Rosa M., of Waterloo, Iowa ; and Lulu K., Anna C., Hazel J., and Thomas C., at home. Mr. Knudtson gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, having cast his first vote for Grover Cleveland and his last for Woodrow Wilson. He has never sought nor desired public office. preferring to devote his attention to his business affairs, which, being carefully and capably conducted, have brought him a gratifying measure of success.
OLE LARSON.
Ole Larson, honored as one of the early pioneers and worthy citizens of Alla- makee county, took up his abode in this section of the state in 1850, at which time he settled in Taylor township, Allamakee county. From that time until his death he was closely associated not only with the material but also with the moral development of the region and left the impress of his individuality for good upon the community. He was born in Hallingdal, Norway, in ISII, was there reared and in that province married Miss Anne Stenerson, who was also a native of the same locality. At length he determined to try his fortune in America, believing that he would have better opportunities in the United States, the voyage being made under hard and trying conditions. The vessel in which they crossed was known as the Draphna, and Captain Ekersberg, who was in command, told Mr. Larson to take a goat on board the vessel in order that they might have milk to mix with the medicine for the sick. This was accordingly done and the precaution proved its value in the course of the voyage. At length the Draphna dropped anchor in New York harbor, and from the eastern me-
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MR. AND MRS. OLE LARSON
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tropolis the Larsons proceeded by way of the Erie canal and the Great Lakes to Chicago. They found very poor accommodations were accorded emigrants there. The children slept on a corded bedstead and in the morning all were on the floor, having slipped through the cords during the night.
The Larsons spent the first winter on Rock prairie in Rock county, Wis- consin, and in the spring of 1850 came to Allamakee county, their home being established upon a tract of one hundred and sixty aeres of wild land on seetions 9 and 17, Taylor township. With characteristic energy the father began the improvement and development of this property and each year witnessed his increasing prosperity until he became one of the substantial farmers and ex- tensive landholders in his vicinity. He made good use of his opportunities and not only achieved individual success but contributed to the upbuilding and up- lifting of his seetion.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ole Larson were born eleven children. Birgitte, who was the eldest of four children brought by the parents to America in 1849, was born at the family home, Unde Bergo, which in peasant parlance means "below mountains," in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway, in 1839. In early girlhood she attended public schools and later continued her studies in Madison, Wisconsin. In com- mon with all pioneer children she assisted in the early '50s in all kinds of farm work, in which men and women engaged, including the milking of the cows and hunting the herd in the primitive pastures which nature provided at that time In common with girls and women of the period she made her dresses by hand, no experienced modiste being needed to fashion the cheap calico garments. The daughters of the household had no time to spend on music and the only musical instrument in the home was the father's monochord "salmodikon," which he played at their Sabbath morning devotions. Arriving at years of maturity, Bir- gitte Larson, whose name was anglicized to Betsey, taught school for some time and in 1860 she was joined in wedlock to Peter S. Olson (Noes), the wedding ceremony being performed by Judge White in Waukon. For some years they lived on seetion 35, Center township, and then removed to Rose Creek, Minne- sota, afterward to Holt county, Nebraska, and later to Alliance, where Mrs. Olson passed away in 1898, leaving a large family of children and a husband, who followed her to the grave in 1913. Louis O. Larson, christened Lars, was the second in the family. Stener, called Stanley, another of the family, is deceased. Ingeborg, called Isabelle, born in Norway, February 22, 1845, was the fourth and the youngest of the children born in Norway and brought to America by their parents in 1849. She spent her girlhood in the Larson home in Taylor township and in early womanhood taught school for some years. She afterward followed others of the family to the county of Saline, Nebraska, where she became the wife of John V. Ainsworth, who conducted a mercantile business at Friend there for some years and afterward removed to Tobias, Nebraska, where he operates an elevator. He also owns a half section of land joining the town. Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth have a.son, Frank, who is married and lives near his parents, while a daughter, Anna May, is the wife of Dr. W. S. Wiggins, of Dewitt, Nebraska. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Larson, Sr., were as follows: Birgitte and Ragnild, known as Betsey and Rachel, twins, were born January 5, 1850, in Rock county, Wisconsin, and were the first addition to the family of Ole and Anne Larson in America. They spent their girlhood at home and after attain-
161 11-17
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ing womanhood Betsey engaged in teaching for a number of years, after which she became the wife of Julius Englehorn and lived in Lansing township for several years. She afterwards accompanied her husband to the west, the family driving a team to Hoquiam, Washington. There Mrs. Englehorn and her two daughters, Mrs. Ada Crawford and Mrs. Eva Johnson, still reside. The husband and father has left home and is presumed to be dead. Rachel, twin sister of Mrs. Englehorn, also taught school in Allamakee county in her girlhood. She became the wife of George Campbell and they removed to Saline county, Nebraska. Mrs. Campbell owns a farm near Milford but lives in the city, where she also owns property. Her husband died about a year ago. One son, Washington, lives on a ranch, and another, Andrew, is a resident of Chicago. The only daughter, Lilian, is now matron in the Soldiers' Home at Milford, Nebraska. Ole, Jr., called Olen, the next member of the family of Ole and Anne Larson, died and was buried in New Mex- ico. Extended mention is made of him on another page of this volume. He was the first of the family born in Iowa. Ambjör, called Emily, was born April 21, 1853, at the family home in Taylor township and in early womanhood engaged in teach- ing school. She was married on the first of July, 1874, to John S. Englehorn and they lived on the Lansing ridge for a number of years, after which they re- moved to Alliance, Nebraska, where Mrs. Englehorn passed away, in April, 1903, leaving a son and two daughters, the latter being Minnie, now the wife of Odie Shofield, and Mrs. Hattie DeVenny, of Seattle, Washington. Anne Larson, the next of the family, was born June 17, 1854, and like the other sisters, en- gaged in teaching school. She became the wife of O. A. Dalberg, at Baldwin, and died at Dorchester, Wisconsin, in July, 1888, her remains being there interred. She is survived by her husband, a son, Arnold, and three daughters, Edith, Hattie, and Grace, the last named being Mrs. Louis Crane. All of these daughters are graduates of the Stout School at Marinette, Wisconsin, and are domestic science teachers. Sophie Larson was born September 9, 1856, and lived at the parental home until her marriage to Hans Moe in Paint Creek town- ship. Her husband died ten years ago, leaving four young sons: Arnold, Her- bert, Olvin, Clement, and two daughters, Hattie and Alice. The family reside on a quarter section of land in Paint Creek township, save Clement, who owns a farm in Amanda, North Dakota. Andreas, called Andrew, was the youngest in the family of Ole and Anne Larson, and after reaching mature age he turned his attention to mining in Colorado. After a few years, however he abandoned that pursuit, was married and took up his abode upon a ranch, but is now in business in Antonito, Colorado. They became the parents of four children, but one girl Navada, died in early girlhood.
The father of this family died upon his farm in Taylor township at the age of eighty-seven years, and the mother passed away when eighty-two years of age. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and intellectual force, was well educated and widely read, and took a most active and helpful interest in religious work. He made it a custom to hold religious services for the benefit of the children in his neighborhood, and largely through his influence Christianity received its first impetus in this section. He was numbered among Allamakee county's earliest and most worthy pioneers, for at the time of his arrival here the house at Thompson's Corners was the only one between his homestead and
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Lansing, a distance of ten miles. In his death the county lost one of its most honored pioneers, a man of high integrity, of unquestioned honor and exem- plary moral character.
LOUIS O. LARSON.
Louis O. Larson has been a resident of Allamakee county since 1850 and is therefore numbered among its early pioneers, while his business qualifications have won him a place among its substantial aind valued citizens. He has wit- nessed almost the entire growth and development of this section of the state, for few settlements had been made within the borders of the county at the time of his arrival. He was reared amid the usual conditions and environments of frontier life and experienced the hardships and trials incident to pioneer exist- ence. Since attaining manhood he has thoroughly indentified his interests with those of this section and in the course of a long, active and honorable life has made substantial contribution to its agricultural development.
Mr. Larson was born in Rotnem, Gol, Hallingdal, Norway, March 25, 1841, his parents being Ole and Anne Larson, of whom extended mention is made above. He was christened Lars, but later Americanized the name into Louis. The parents brought their family to the new world in 1849, when the subject of this review was a lad of eight years, and at nine years of age he came with the family to Allamakee county. He attended the district school and after- ward continued his studies in the Lansing high school. In his childhood he divided his time between the duties of the school room and the work of clearing the land and developing and improving the homestead. He was ambitious to advance intellectually and made such good use of his opportunities that he became a successful teacher, following that profession for ten terms following his graduation from the high school in Lansing, where he had studied under Professor Haven in 1861-2. In the fall of the former year he obtained a teachers' certificate from Professor Loughran, of Waukon, who was then superintendent of schools. He secured the position of teacher for six months in the Climax- Excelsior district and in succeeding years he taught in the Storla, Dahl, Water- ville, Little Paint and Climax schools. While teaching in the winter seasons and farming in the summer he also hunted the Virginia deer in the open sea- sons and trapped the predatory animals for fur and bounty, deriving also much sport therefrom in the ascents and descents of the precipitous hills in the town- ships bordering on the Mississippi river. In fact there are few phases of pioneer life with which Mr. Larson is unacquainted. Thirty years ago Tom Dunlevey, associate publisher of the Allamakee Journal, dubbed him "the mighty hunter with sword and pen" and the sobriquet has clung to him in the same manner as "magniloquent vagueness" has been pinned to President Wilson's coat-tail by a Chicago Inter-Ocean cartoon. Mr. Larson has also been designated "the peacemaker" because of his settling lawsuits which had been taken to the dis- trict courts, and furthermore has been termed "the savant of Little Paint" because of his contributions to the newspapers. Eventually he concentrated his efforts upon agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with a gratifying meas-
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ure of prosperity, success steadily rewarding his well directed efforts through the years. He now owns and controls four hundred acres of land on sections 17 and 9, Taylor township, operating a quarter section and renting the remain- der. Upon the homestead he has made many substantial improvements. He employs the most modern methods in carrying forward his farm work, using the latest labor-saving machinery. He rejoices in his success because of what it enables him to do for his family, yet he has never regarded the acquirement of wealth as the real end and aim of life, the education of his children being his chief endeavor, and he has made heavy sacrifices to achieve this end. That he has realized his ambition is evident from the fact that at the Rema Grove Fourth of July celebration his was pronounced the "nicest family" and Judge L. E. Fellows, of Lansing, said to him: "What a fine family you have raised !" The Larson family have ever been noted for their interest in those things which have a broadening effect and are of educational value. Eleven of the family visited the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, three saw the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis and one the Portland Exposition. In 1905 Louis O. Larson rode over the trails in Idaho as an Argonaut in com- pany with his brother Stanley, viewed the interior of the Mormon Tabernacle in Utah and swam in the great Salt Lake.
Mr. Larson married, on June 29, 1862, Miss Mary Ingebretson, a daughter of Thore Ingebretson, an early settler of Center township, Allamakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Larson became the parents of thirteen children. Edmond Victor, the eldest, born December 9, 1863, is a graduate of Slack's Business College of Decorah. He was married at the age of twenty-one years to Miss Caroline Ellefson (Turkop) and lives at Pierre, South Dakota. He has a family of one son and four daughters. Clarence Othello Theodore, the second son, was born in Taylor township, February 3, 1866, was there reared and after attaining his majority became a solicitor for the Ladies' Home Journal, traveling in the in- terests of that publication in every state in the Union and receiving a two thou- sand dollar prize for getting more subscribers than any other agent in the United States. He had first made his headquarters in Fremont. Nebraska, where he attended a Sunday school class taught by William Jennings Bryan, our secre- tary of state at Washington, D. C., and he always spoke in the highest ternis of praise of Mr. Bryan. He was afterward in Portland, Oregon, and frequently visited his early home in Taylor township. After a visit to his parents he started for his Portland home January 2, 1899, and in the spring of that year started with some Young Men's Christian Association comrades for the Klondike. He was not in search of gold but in quest of knowledge concerning this country. His health succumbed before the rigidity of the Alaska climate, following his arrival in Dawson City, and he returned to Seattle, Washington, spending seven weeks in a hospital there. During his convalescent period he purchased a team of burros and started for Arizona, thinking that the climate of the southwest would benefit his health. He seemed to improve greatly there for a time, but he was extremely ambitious and energetic and indulged in long walks in the hot sun. During one of these he overtaxed his strength and passed away at Tucson. It is said that to gain strength he would daily walk down the valley for a mile and a half to see a friend, C. Brady, in the cool of the afternoon. Not arriving at the usual hour, on the 24th of May, 1900, Mr. Brady proceeded up the road and
MR. AND MRS. LOUIS O. LARSON
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to his horror found his friend's lifeless body. In all the relations of life Clar- ence O. T. Larson was known as a man of integrity, manliness and kindliness, which qualities won for him the fullest confidence and the highest esteem. His life was well worthy of emulation and his words and deeds will live in the memory of all who knew him, more enduring than any chiseled monument or tablet of bronze. The Bible was his constant companion and guide and he lived a model Christian life. He belonged to the Young Men's Christian Association and to the Christian Endeavor Society. With the craving for knowledge, he possessed a very retentive memory and was as well versed in the history of the world as upon topics of current interest. His remains were returned to Allama- kee county for interment and the large funeral cortege indicated how highly he was esteemed by those among whom he had been reared. Emma Victoria Lar- son, the third of the family, was born February 14, 1868, and after attending the home school she studied in the high schools at Waukon and Nora Springs. After teaching for several years she married a cousin, Peter Bieber, of Rock county, Minnesota, where she now resides. She owns four hundred acres of land there and also a house and lot in Jasper, Minnesota, where she and her three sons, Edgar, Clarence and Lloyd, live. Her husband died about five years ago. Lily Idelia, the next member of the family, was born January 12, 1870, attended the home schools and in early womanhood became the wife of David W. Martin. They lived in Waukon for a time, after which Mr. Martin went away. Mrs. Martin is now living in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she is engaged in dressmaking, while her daughters, Ilvarine and Naomi, are attending the State Normal School. Another son of Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Larson was Louis Edward Larson, who passed away in St. Paul in 1907. He was born June 5, 1872, at the family home on section 17, Taylor township, Allamakee county. Thirteen years of his life were spent in St. Paul, five years as a street car conductor and eight years on the police force. He occupied a lofty plane in the police depart- ment, being known as one of the most reliable men on the force. Others were dropped from the payrolls when incapacitated by sickness from duty but when the condition of L. E. Larson was mentioned the chief would reply: "Don't worry about Larson, we will take care of him," and this proved true, as his pay was continued until his death. It was written of him: "He was loyal and true to all trusts committed to him, for honor was his guiding star and he trod the path where virtue walks." For four years he battled with the dread disease tuberculosis but at length succumbed to the arch enemy of man, and his remains were interred in the cemetery of the Old East Paint Creek church in Allamakee county. The profuse floral offerings sent at the time of his death indicated how highly was he esteemed among those who knew him. Following his demise the Policemen's Association of St. Paul acted in the capacity of pallbearers, the chief of police also escorting the remains to the St. Paul depot, where they were shipped home for interment. He made friends of all with whom he came in contact, for his salient traits of character were such as men everywhere admire and honor. The sixth member of the family was Orange A. Larson, who died in childhood. The seventh member, also named Orange, died in infancy. Helen Annelia, born April 26, 1877, attended the public schools and also the schools of Waukon and Decorah. She successfully engaged in teaching for a number of years and then became the wife of Henry Hanson, after which they conducted
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a store in St. Paul, Minnesota. They are now residents of Lewiston, Montana, and have a family of three sons, Henry, Harold and Russel. Minnie Cornelia Larson was the first of the five daughters of Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Larson to be called from this life, her death occurring in the Swedish Lutheran hospital, Beth- seda, St. Paul, December 2, 1911. She was born in Taylor township, November 12, 1878, and in her girlhood regularly attended the public schools and also studied at Waukon, Decorah and the Iowa State Normal. Following her grad- uation from the last named, she taught school for several years in Allamakee county and in Minnesota. She was ever the pride and joy of the family and a favorite among her schoolmates. At the Normal it is said that the faculty as well as the students clustered about her, being delighted to be near her owing to her sweet and loving disposition. It was on the 18th of October, 1905, at the home of her brother, Orange, near Jasper, Minnesota, that she became the wife of A. M. Fields, then of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and entered upon a most happy married life covering six years. She never knowingly offended or wronged any- one nor deviated from the path of rectitude throughout her entire life, so that she did not fear the coming of death. It was said that she was the most perfect em- bodiment of all those virtues which are the jewels of the soul and which reflect a pure and noble heart. She left beside her husband four children, Helen, Charles, Dorothy and Minnie, and the parents, brothers and sisters with whom she was once so closely associated in the old home in Allamakee county, where her re- mains were interred in the family burying ground. William Orange, born July 1, 1880, supplemented his study in the home school by a course in the Waukon high school and in the Iowa State Normal and for a time he conducted a store at Hardwick, Minnesota. He now owns a section of land near Regina, Sas- katchewan, Canada, which he has rented out while he makes his home with his parents. Clara Luella also studied at Waukon and in the State Normal School and is now the wife of J. J. Martin, of Chicago, and the mother of one son, Jack. Wilmer Lawrence, after attending the district school became a student in the Central high school of St. Paul, from which he was graduated. He also spent some time in the medical department of the Minnesota State University and is now teaching school near Lewiston, Montana, where he owns a quarter section. Lester Arlington, born May 28, 1887, was also a student in the St. Paul central high school and in the Iowa State Normal School at Cedar Falls. He is now at home with his parents. The father lived a strenuous life as a farmer in order to provide for and educate his children and has certainly done a good part by them.
Mr. Larson has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, loyal to its teachings and exemplifying in his life his Christian faith and belief. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He inherits his father's love of learning, is an extensive reader, a student and deep thinker, and is considered one of the best educated men in his section of the state. His well developed qualities and talents have made him one of the forceful, representative and hon- ored men of his community. lle delights in recalling the incidents of pioneer times, which are still fresh in his memory, and since 1850 he has lived in Allama- kee county, his life forming a connecting link between the primitive past and progressive present. He is a most public-spirited citizen, taking an active inter- est in community affairs, although he does not seek public office as he is too in-
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