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History of Story County Iowa L JAMES H. LARSON submitted by Dick Barton One of the highly esteemed business men of Roland is James H. Larson, who is also serving his second term as mayor of the village. He is the son of Lars and Joanna Haugen, both natives of Norway. The father was born in Norway in 1827 and came to the United States in 1867, locating in Kendall county, Illinois. During his first five years of residence in the United States he worked by the day and then rented a place in Howard township, Story county, Iowa, which he cultivated until 1879. By thrift, careful management and untiring application he acquired the means which enabled him to become a property owner and in 1879 he bought eighty acres of land on which he lived until 1896, when he added to his holdings another one hundred and sixty acres. Shortly after this he withdrew from active farming and is now living retired in Huxley, Iowa, enjoying the fruit of his early labors, his realty yielding him a sufficient income to provide him with the necessities of life and some of the luxuries. Mr. and Mrs. Haugen were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living: James H., our subject; John, residing in Salem, Oregon; Louis, living at Lakefield, Minnesota; Belle, a resident of Colorado Springs; Cornelius, of Devil's Lake, North Dakota; Eddie, residing in Seattle, Washington; and Louise, who is the wife of Elmer Thompson. Mr. Larson spent his boyhood and youth on a farm, performing such work as paternal authority dictated. His education was mainly acquired in night school and he enjoyed the sports and games usually favored by young people. He remained at home assisting his father until he was eighteen years of age, when he began business for himself by drilling wells. He continued in that business for thirteen years, doing some farming at intervals, but in 1900 he embarked into the grain business. After he had engaged in that for seven years he sold out and went into the lumber business, which he is now following. In addition to his lumber interests Mr. Larson is a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank and the Story Independent Telephone Company. Mr. Larson established a home for himself by his marriage to Miss May Erickson, a daughter of Michael Erickson. Unto them have been born five children: Leonard, Severt, Malcolm and Mildred, all of whom are at school; and Avis, who is at home. The family always worship with the Lutheran denomination in which church the parents hold membership and are ardent workers. Mr. Larson is one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of his community, who well deserves the esteem which his fellow citizens entertain for him. JOHN H. LARSON submitted by Dick Barton
Photo of John H. Larson submitted by Linda Cron It is an old saying that perseverance wins success and in countless circumstances the truth of this statement has been fully demonstrated. An additional evidence is presented in the life of John H. Larson, ex- mayor of Slater and widely recognized as one of the substantial business men in Story county. As president of a flourishing bank, he has shown his ability in the field of finances and for years he has been at the head of one of the leading mercantile establishments of his part of the county. He was born in Norway, July 30, 1862, a son of Lars and Anna Haugen. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1866 and spent two or three years near Lisbon, Illinois, then removing to Polk county, Iowa, but in the fall of the same year took up their residence north of Ames in Story county. Two years later Mr. Larson rented a farm in the northeast part of the county and after cultivating this place for four years purchased a farm in Hardin county, upon which he lived until his retirement to Slater. After the death of his wife he took up his home with a daughter at Huxley, where he now lives. John H. Larson came to America with his parents when four years of age and remained at home, securing such education as was available in the district schools until he arrived at the age of fifteen or sixteen years. Having a natural inclination for mercantile rather than agricultural life, he secured a position in a store at Sheldahl, continuing in that establishment for eleven years. He became well acquainted with mercantile affairs and acquired a solid foundation for, a successful business career. Having decided to begin upon his own account, he came to Slater in 1889 and purchased a half-interest in the lumber business of A. K. Ersland, the firm assuming the title of Ersland & Larson. Later he acquired his partner's interest and the business has since been conducted under his own name, being now the leading mercantile concern in Slater. Mr. Larson was one of the organizers of the Farmers Savings Bank at Slater and was elected a member of the board of directors, the Hon. Oley Nelson being chosen as president. After several years Mr. Nelson resigned and Mr. Larson was selected as his successor, a position which he has filled with the highest credit to himself and to the great satisfaction of the officers and stockholders of the institution. On the 28th of December, 1898, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Ella Walker, a daughter of Torkel Walker, a native of Norway, who came to America when a young man and passed thirty-three years of his life in Polk and Story counties. He is a carpenter by trade but has also successfully engaged in farming and is now living in Slater. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Larson three children have been born: Cecil Anselm, Leslie Truman and Miriam Lucile. Mr. Larson gives
his adherence to the republican party and his voice is often heard in
its councils in his part of the county. He has served many times as
a member of the town council and also for eight or ten years as mayor
of the town, being recognized as one of the most efficient executive
officers the town has known. He is a valued member of Slater Lodge,
No. 384, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are connected with the Rebekahs
and the Lutheran church. He is a stanch friend of education and always
lends his aid to the public schools. As a citizen he is patriotic, prompt
and true to every obligation and as a man he is held in the highest
honor and esteem by all classes.
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