Luther & Adele Lindberg, Columbia, SC:Information about Lars Per Larson
Lars Per Larson (b. Sep 03, 1823, d. Apr 17, 1895)
Notes for Lars Per Larson:LARS PEHR LARSON
Lars Pehr Larson came from Sweden in a sailboat in 1854.It took six weeks to cross the Atlantic.He settled in Knoxville, IL.He worked in Basset's shop making wagons.He sought work where only English was spoken so tehata he might learn to speak the language correctly and quickly.He was finally able to speak without a brogue.He took out his first citizenship papers at once and also subscribed to the local newspaper.He attended political rallies and was a great admirer of Abe Lincoln.He heard the famous Lincoln-Douglas debate in Galesburg and never stopped talking about it.Because his wife was ill he delayed enlisting in the army.When he decided to enlist the news came that the war was over.
He experienced the depreciation of continental currency.He said thata pair of boots cost $600 (the phrase "it isn't worth a continental" was popular).He had three small children when his wife died.
He bought a farm in Saunders county, Nebraska in 1874 and took possession.He was faced with the hardships of pioneer life; prairie fires, drought, grasshoppers, hog cholera, hail storms, etc.His chief interest was church work.He grew up in the neighborhood of Dr. T.N. Hasselquist and came to this country specifically to become a member of his congregation.He joined the Lutheran Church in Mead, NE when he arrived in Nebraska.
Lars remarried, this time to Mary Johnson who had just come over from Sweden.Previous to her coming she was engaged as a servant girl in a parsonage in Sweden.After her arrival in Knoxville she was employed in a girl's school for some time.She also faced the rigors of pioneer life and lovingly reared a family of eight children.
-Taken from notes in files of Paul M. Lindberg
NOTES FROM LUTHER AND ADELE'S TRIP TO SWEDEN, 2000
The Vinslöv congregation is now part of the Västra Göinge Kontrake, Lunds Stift
LARS PEHR LARSON FAMILY
Lars Pehrson was the father of Lars Pehr (Peter) Larson. In Sweden the son takes the father's first name indicating himself as his son, hence Lars son.
Lars Larson, a blacksmith and wagon maker by trade, took his tools and sailed by sailboat to New York in 1854. It was a six week journey. He settled in Knoxville, Illinois, and sought work where he would be forced to learn and speak English without a brough. He worked in Bassil's shop making wagons. Two of his hard Swedish steel hammers are still in our possession and are virtually indestructable.
He was a great admirer of Abe Lincoln and heard the famous Douglas-Lincoln debate in Galesburg, Illinois, and never tired of telling about it. Because his wife was ill, he delayed enlisting in the army and then when he did enlist the war was over. He experienced the depression of the Continental currency and said that once he paid $60 for a pair of boots.
He had married Lisa Bengston in April, 1854, and together they had three children. In 1868 Lisa died leaving him with three small children. In 1870 he was married to Mary Johansson (Maria Johnson). She was the daughter of Per Johansson of Hörja, Sweden. She also came by sailboat by way of Quebec, Chicago and Galesburg, Illinois. In our possession we still have three wooden trunks one of which bears the carved lettering "M J.Quebec - Chicago - Galesburg."
Before coming to America, Mary Johansson was employed as a servant girl in a parsonage in Sweden. She worked in a girls' school for sometime also. She took the responsibility of rearing his
motherless children.Together they had nine children, two of which died at a young age.
In 1874 Lars decided to become a farmer and bought at Mead, Saunders county, Nebraska,As soon as he got there he faced the hardships of pioneer life such as grasshoppers, hog cholera. hail,
storms, etc. His chief interest was the church. As soon as he arrived at Mead he joined the Augustana Lutheran Church. Dr. Hasselquist, pastor of the church at Galesburg and one time president of the Augustana Church, and Lars were raised in the same vicinity in Sweden.
Two of Lars and Mary's children were born in Knoxville, Illinois, and the remaining seven were born in Mead, Nebraska.Lars made all their furniture at Knoxville. He made a high backed rocker which served also as a cradle for his first born child Emma born in 1855. It is still in the possession of his greatgrandson, Ross Larson. Also while living in Mead he purchased an organ for his three daughters to play. It is now in the possession of Jean Larson Loring. In 1891 Lars moved his family from Mead to
Swedeburg, Nebraska, where he died in 1895. Arthur Larson was only 14 years old at this time and since the older brothers were gone (Oscar to college and seminary so that he later became a missionary to
India and Edwin to Canada) he farmed this farm for his mother Mary for a number of years. Arthur married Hulda Brostrom in 1903. Archie was born on this farm in 1912. In 1913 Arthur bought a neighboring farm and moved there. Archie's son, Ross, still liveson this farm.
For a long time, I have felt that a record should be made of dates and events regarding the activities of our ancestors. Unless this was done they would be forever lost. So I began by asking various relatives about their families and learnedthat it was later than I thought.
I have been fortunate to learn of some dates and events from my sister, Hulda. She was born in a "dug-out" and recalled many events and I am glad I had the forethought to Jot them down (25 years ago). In addition to her stories, I have obtained material from historical sketches of the Swedeburg Lutheran Church, from newspaper clippings and from the Saunders county Register of Deeds.In the story on pages 1-1-2-3, (Andrew Eliason history), I have tried to describe the life and some of the hardships of all the pioneers. Similar and varied hardships were experienced by all of the pioneers mentioned in this history.
I am sure these pioneers felt that they would never become land owners in Sweden so they looked to America - the land of opportunity - therefore they emigrated to this country in spite of knowing the indescribable hardships that they would likely encounter.
While they were seeking a better life for themselves, they were especially mindful of the future welfare of their children and children's children and because of their courage, hard work and faith in God, we are enjoying the benefits and blessings that we have today.
In this book, I have made a copy of all material given me and I wish to thank all who have contributed any information.A special thanks to Mrs. Alfons Eliason who typed my final copy for me. Am hoping that each family will continue the history, for we, as well as the pioneers, are making history each and every day.
Written by Alma Eliason, November 12, 1973
FROM TYPED NOTES OF PAUL M. LINDBERG
Lars P. Larson came from Sweden in a sail boat In 1654. It took six weeks to cross the Atlantic. He settled in Knoxville, IL. Worked in Basset's shop, making wagons. Sought work where only English was spoken so that he might learn to speak the language correctly and quickly, and he did learn to speak, and made it without a brogue. Took out his first citizenship papers at once, and also subscribed for the local newspaper. He attended political rallies. Was a great admirer of Abe Lincoln. Heard the famous Douglas-Lincoln debate in Galesburg and never tired telling about it. Because his wife was Ill he delayed to enlist In the army, and when he decided to enlist wordcame that the war was over. He experienced the depreciation of continental currency. Said a pair of boots cost $ 600--it is not worth a continental." Had three small children when his wife died. Bought a farm in Saunders county, NE, In 1874 land came out to take possession of It. Faced the hardships of pioneer life:prairie fires, drought,, grasshoppers, hog cholera, hall storms, etc, His chief interest, however, was church work. He was reared In the neighborhood of Dr. T.N. Hasselquist, and came to this country "to join his church."Joined the Lutheran Church In Mead, NE.When he arrived In Nebraska. L.P. Larson remarried. This time to Miss Mary Johnson who some time before had immigrated from Sweden. Previous to her coming she was engaged as a servant girl in Sweden, and after her arrival in Knoxville she was employed in a Girl's School for some time. She, too, nobly faced the rigors of pioneer life and lovingly reared a family of eight children.
More About Lars Per Larson:
Birth diocese: 1823, Lund diocese.
Birth district: 1823, Västra Göinge.
Birth parish: 1823, Vinslovs parish.
Burial: 1895, Swedeburg, NE.
Emigrated: 1854, Emigrated from Vinslovs, Sweden on a sailboat to Knoxville, IL after crossing the Atlantic in a sail boat.Wagon maker in Bassil's Shop.6 week sailing trip..
First wife: No information..
Moved 1: 1874, To Mead, NE and bought a farm.Joined Lutheran congregation where Dr. Hassselquist was pastor..
Moved 2: 1891, To Swedburg,NE.
Second wife: 1870, Mary Johansson (AKA Maria Johnson).Mother of nine children..
Third wife: Apr 02, 1854, Lisa Bengtson.Three children..
Twelve children: Father of twelve children..
Vocation: Blacksmith and wagon maker.Worked at Basset's wagon shop, Knoxville..
More About Lars Per Larson and Lisa Bengtson:
Marriage: Apr 02, 1854
More About Lars Per Larson and Maria Johansson:
Marriage 1: Jul 09, 1870, Hörja parish, Skåne, Sweden.
Marriage 2: 1870
Children of Lars Per Larson and Lisa Bengtson are:
- +Emma Pauline Larson, b. Nov 04, 1855, Knoxville, IL, d. Aug 21, 1933, Omaha, NE.
- +Albert W. Larson, b. Jun 30, 1858, Knoxville, IL,d., Omaha, NE.
- Anna Louise Larson, b. Feb 23, 1861, Knoxville, IL, d. Oct 1871, Knoxville, IL.
Children of Lars Per Larson and Maria Johansson are:
- +Sena Amanda Larson, b. Mar 12, 1871, Knoxville, IL, d. 1960, Colon, NE.
- Anna Charlotte Larson, b. Dec 17, 1872, Knoxville, IL, d. Apr 04, 1880, Knoxville, IL.
- +Karl Edwin Larson, b. Jan 09, 1875, Mead, NE, d. Jun 14, 1944, Canada.
- +Oscar Leonard Larson, b. Jul 02, 1876, Mead, NE, d. Jul 05, 1960, Omaha, NE.
- +Esther Louella Larson, b. Jan 08, 1878, Mead, NE, d. Nov 15, 1953, Wahoo, NE.
- Wilhelmina Maria Larson, b. Nov 16, 1879, Mead, NE, d. Jun 06, 1960.
- +Arthur Emanuel Larson, b. Jul 27, 1881, Mead, NE, d. Nov 27, 1952, Wahoo, NE.
- +David Cornelius Larson, b. Mar 22, 1884, Mead, NE, d. Mar 10, 1965, Wahoo, NE.
- Mary Rosella Larson, b. Dec 08, 1885, Mead, NE, d. Dec 31, 1886, Mead, NE.