The Olaus Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1900.

The Dodgeville Sun, Dodgeville, Iowa Co., WI, February 6, 1903

Miss Emma Abby, of this city, left Wednesday for Richland Center where she intends to remain a few weeks visiting relatives.

Almo Joshua Larson graduated from Waupaca High School, in the Class of 1904. Shown above is his Class Pin.

William Searle Abbey Family, 32nd Wedding Anniversary, Dodgeville, Iowa Co., WI, October, 1906.

Back Row, left to right: Truman Fremont Abbey (born 1886); Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson (born 1884); Erwin William Abbey (born 1876); and Mary Maude (Abbey) Stratman (born 1881).

Front Row, left to right: Iva May (Abbey) Mayfield (born 1879); William Searle Abbey (born 1853); Glenn Allan Abbey (born 1898); Ida Elmira (Blake) Abbey (born 1858); and Edna Blake (Abbey) Anderson (born 1895).

Almo Joshua Larson, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, 1910. Photos taken at Elite Studio, 523 Eagle Building, Corner Riverside & Steven Streets.

A picnic scene near Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, about 1910. Emma Larson identified them, which she had written on the back of the picture, as, L to R: Louie Meyer, Lydia Hutchinson, Almo Larson, Ethel Harris, Jannette Harris and Dave Everson.

Louis Philip "Louie" Meyers was born March 24, 1876, in Franklin Twp., Appanoose Co., IA, to George August Meyers of Germany, and Katherine Snider of Germany; Died about August 25, 1947. In 1909, he was president of the Epworth League of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Spokane. In 1910 he was an unmarried Cashier for the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, and was living at the YMCA.

Jeanette Pearl "Nettie" Harris was born February 19, 1882, in Alpena, Alpena Co., MI, and died July 16, 1950, in Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 68. Buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Glendale, Los Angeles Co., CA. Married October 12, 1910, at the home of her mother, Mrs. M. J. Harris, S307 Adams Street, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, at age 28 and single, to David "Dave" Emerson, born April 17, 1874, in County Down, Northern Ireland; Died February 28, 1939, in Los Angeles Co., CA (age 64). His parents are David Emerson of Scotland and Mary Jane Hillis of Northern Ireland. Ethel Harris was a witness to their marriage. Divorced before 1930 in Los Angeles, CA.

Ethel May Harris was born August 9, 1883, in Alpena, Alpena Co., MI, and died June 26, 1948, in Santa Barbara, Humboldt Co., CA, at age 64. Buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Glendale, Los Angeles Co., CA. She is the daughter of Lott Forbes Harris of Michigan and Mary Jane Stewart of Michigan. Ethel May Harris and John Melville Willard were married August 26, 1926, in Santa Barbara, Humboldt Co., CA. John Melville Willard: Born July 4, 1881, in Oakland, Alameda Co., CA; Died October 8, 1957, in Atlanta, GA (age 76). He is the son of John Frederick Willard of Collinsville, IL, and Ellen Sarah Melville Baker of Lewistown, MN. John then married May 15, 1950, in Los Angeles Co., CA, to Mary Emily Murphy: Born June 22, 1901, in Nelson, New Brunswick, Canada; Died Unknown.

Sara Lydia Hutchinson (age 24, single, born April 30, 1889, in Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., PA, and died June 6, 1986, in La Mirada  Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 97. Her parents are Robert Alhumbra Hutchinson of Wetzel, WV, and Cora Ganetta Fritchman of Westmoreland Co., PA. In 1910, Lydia was unmarried, living at her parents home, and was a bookkeeper at a drug store. Lydia was married October 30, 1913, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, to John David Foy (age 39, born December 18, 1874, in Monroe Twp., Guernsey, Co., OH, a widower, to Thomas Foy of OH and Mary Hanna of OH), and died August 23, 1932, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, at age 57. Lydia then married December 28, 1939, in Fort Benton, Chouteau Co., MT, to Loren Ellis Van Winkle: born December 9, 1881, in IL and died May 5, 1966, in Billings, MT, at age 84, the son of John Van Winkle and Sophronia Benson. The Billings Gazette, Friday, May 6, 1966. Loren was first married to Susan E. Rouse: Born about 1880 in Smyth, VA; Died Unknown in Newport, WA. They were married about 1904. Their child was Marion Ernest Van Winkle: Born September 6, 1909, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA; Died September 13, 2003, in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Co., CA (age 94). Marion married Alice L. Ott: Born November 17, 1910, in Unknown; Unknown.

Sara Lydia Hutchinson

John David Foy, Sara Lydia (Hutchinson) Foy, and their two children, John Daniel Foy and Mary Roberta Foy, about 1923, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA.

John David Foy, about 1935, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA.

Walter Emanuel Larson (age 11) sent a letter to his just-married sister, Edith Christina (Larson) Nelson, from Waupaca, WI, on April 21, 1900. She was married six days earlier. There is a separate accompanying note from their mother, Catarina Olivia Wilhelmina (Larsdotter/Larson) Larson, which is written in Swedish.

Here is an interpretation of Walter's letter:

Waupaca, Wis, April 21st, 1900

Dear sister Edith C.

With these good gifts of God is cast thy lot, and many a charm thou hast to hold the blessed angles fast. Well - Edith I have been crying for about ten minuets this evening because it seems so lonesome when any one of the family is gone, our mother seems to feel the fame was but she dont say much, Freeda cried hard this morning. I have not been feeling very well this evening for I have the ear ache. Toda papa, Elmer & I have been digging stones and Arthur has been dragging a hill. It has not been so warm today as it was yesterday, because It has been cloudy. Well I suppose it is about time to go to bed, it is 24 minuets past nine. We all send our best regards to you and Clarence.

From your brother

Walter I. Larson

The Hutton Building, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, where Almo Joshua Larson was Building Manager in 1912 before he and Emma returned to Wisconsin.

The Spokane Press, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, Tuesday, October 4, 1910

MISS HARRIS WILL WED NEXT WEEK.

Will be solemnized at 8 o'clock Wednesday evening, October 12, at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. M. J. Harris, S307 Adams street. The wedding will be a very quiet, unpretentious home affair, only the immediate family being present. Dr. Gibson, district superintendent of the Methodist church, will officiate. Both young people have lived in the city about four years and are well known in social and church circles.

David Emerson and Jeanette Pearl Harris Marriage Records.

The Spokane Press, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, Thursday, October 13, 1910

EMERSON - HARRIS WEDDING.

Miss Jeanette Harris and David Emerson were married Wednesday evening at the bride's home, 307 Adams street. Rev. C. E. Gibson read the ceremony. The young couple will spend two months visiting in Oregon and California, after which time they will reside in Spokane.

From Left to Right: Unknown; Flo Nye; Joe Nye; Almo Joshua Larson; Emma Jane Abbey; Gale Brown, and Orman Wellington Young, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, ca 1911.

Flo Somes Nye (age 28, a maiden), born April 11, 1885, in Hampton, Franklin Co., IA, and a Secretary, and Orman Wellington Young (age 29, a bachelor), born in Minnesota and who is in Charities, were married June 10, 1913, at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. E. J. Nye, E508 Ninth Avenue, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA. Flo died June 7, 1977, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA (age 92). Orman Wellington Young was born January 6, 1884, in Wadena Co., MN, and died July 21, 1975, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA (age 91).

Ina Josephine "Jo" Nye was born March 30, 1889, in Franklin Co., IA, and died October 8, 1958, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA (age 69). Josephine first married October 14, 1916, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, to Fred Hadcliffe Lloyd: born September, 1883, in Pennsylvania; died November 16, 1920,  in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA (age 37). She then married (2) September 15, 1924, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, to George Edgar Nevers (Born January 28, 1884, in Brainerd, MN; Died August 8, 1960, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA (age 76).

Margaret Gale Brown was born September 16, 1883, in Wadena, MN, and died November, 1962, in Washington, at age 79. Married September 27, 1915, in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai Co., ID, to James E. Webb: Born July 19, 1881, in Minnesota, and died February 5, 1934, in Pasco, Franklin Co., WA (age 52). James was first married to Minnie S. Peterson "Minnie Nye" Her mother was Frances H. (Canterbury) Brown, who died 1932 in Spokane at age 89. Her father was W. Frank Brown.

The Spokane Chronicle, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, Tuesday, June 27, 1911

ANNUAL BANQUET FOR BIBLE CLASS

Young Men of First Methodist Church to Entertain This Evening.

The annual banquest of the Young Men's Bible class of the First Methodist church will be held this evening in the church parlors. There will be a social hour from 7 to 8 o'clock, and the banquet, including speeches, from 8 to 10 o'clock. B. P. James, the class president, will preside, and the Rev. Dr. W. A. Betts, the pastor, will officiate as toastmaster. The speakers will include Mayor W. J. Hindley, Judge L. F. Chester and Dr. E. L. House. On the reception committee are A. J. Larson, Roy E. Mason, L. P. Meyers, George Libby, W. O. Young, Flo Nye, Mattie Reed, Emma Abbey and Pearl Andre. The ushering committee is B. P. James, L. Cobb, Charles Strausz, W. McEachran, E. G. Clam, R. L. Chaffrin, W. Edson, J. H. Pulver and William Colliver. Circle No. 1 of the aid society will serve the banquet.

A photo postcard from Jessie Unknown to Miss Emma Abbey post marked July 29, 1911, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA.

Almo Joshua Larson at Hayden Lake, ID, ca 1911.

C. T. Abbey and Almo Joshua Larson near Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, ca 1911.

Almo Joshua Larson and Emma Jane Abbey Marriage Records.

Almo Joshua Larson and Emma Jane Abbey wedding picture, Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, September 6, 1911. The enhanced and colorized photo was created using AI from an original grayscale photo, so the colors are not correct.

Almo Joshua Larson and Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson, probably at Lake Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai Co., ID, September, 1911.

Almo Joshua Larson and Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson Marriage Announcement, September, 1911.

Arthur David "Art" Larson sent this photo postcard dated September, 25, 1911, to his sister-in-law, Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson, at the St. Helens Apts., S 320 Brown St., Spokane, Spokane Co., WA.

Almo Joshua Larson; Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson; and Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson; Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1914.

John David Foy and Lydia Hutchinson Marriage Record.

Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson; and dear old Carlo, the Larson family dog; Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about summer, 1914. The enhanced and colorized photo was created using AI from an original grayscale photo, so the colors are not correct.

The card had handwritten at the top of the picture: Merry Christmas.

Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson; Almo Joshua Larson; and Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson; Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1915.

Laurel Victoria Nelson; Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson; and Olive Sophia Nelson. The Olaus Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1915. The enhanced and colorized photo was created using AI from an original grayscale photo, so the colors are not correct.

The WWI Draft Registration Report dated September 12, 1918, shows Almo Joshua Larson, age 33, born June 29, 1885, is a married Farmer, and is living in the Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI.

The Olaus Larsson family, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1918. The enhanced and colorized photo was created using AI from an original grayscale photo, so the colors are not correct.

Left to right: Arthur David "Art" Larson; Almo Joshua Larson; Edith Christina (Larson) Nelson; Walter Emanuel Larson; Freeda Wilhelmina Larson; and Olaus Larsson.

Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, July, 1920.

Almo Joshua Larson dressed in a bowler hat, ca. 1920.

Ladies in School District No. 5, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920.

Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson, and his Farmington Country School Group, Jo Hoy, teacher, about 1920.

Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson swimming, probably at the Chain O' Lakes, King, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920.

The Almo Joshua Larson's herd of cows, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920.

Farmington School students, with their teacher, Johanne "Jo" Hoy, about 1920.

Pupils in School District No. 5, Johanna "Jo" Hoy, teacher, about 1920.

Johanne Andrea "Johanna" Hoy with her students, Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920. Johanne Andrea Hoy was born May 21, 1896, in Waupaca Co., WI; died January 1, 1981, in Waupaca, Waupaca Co., WI (age 84). Her Mother was divorced from her father in Waupaca, Waupaca Co., WI, on March 8, 1921. Johanne Andrea Hoy married Walter Emil Anderson (Born February 21, 1892, in St. Lawrence Twp., Waupaca Co., WI; died January 21, 1955, in Unknown (age 61). Both are buried in Lakeside Memorial Park, Waupaca, Waupaca Co., WI. They had several children, and lived on a farm in Lanark Twp., Portage Co., WI.

Almo Joshua Larson, with two horses; and probably Shep, the Larson family dog; Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920.

Larson farm, Almo Larson with horses Nell and Tom, pulling a manure spreader, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920.

Almo Larson with a manure spreader, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920.

Wilbur Larson on Colonel, the horse, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, June, 1920.

Wilbur Larson and Colonel, the horse, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, June, 1920.

Wilbur Larson and Ethyl Lewis on Colonel, the horse, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, June, 1920.

Almo Joshua Larson and Wilbur Almo Larson with two horses, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about June, 1920.

Ethel Clara Lewis (Born December 11, 1914, in the Village of New Leipzig, Grant Co., ND); and Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson; Olaus Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, June, 1920.

Three generations of the Olaus Larson family, at the Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920. The enhanced and colorized photo was created using AI from an original grayscale photo, so the colors are not correct.

Left to right: Olaus Larson; Almo Joshua Larson; and Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson.

This is the last known picture of Olaus Larson, who died November 11, 1920.

Almo Joshua Larson; Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson; and Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson; Almo Joshua Larson's cornfield, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, June 6, 1920.

Almo Joshua Larson cultivating cornfield, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about June, 1920.

Almo Joshua Larson and crew digging stones, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about June, 1920.

Almo Larson's cows, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about June, 1920.

Almo Larson's farm wood shed and cows, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about June, 1920.

Almo Josha Larson with first catch of trout, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about June, 1920. Please note the same hat Almo is wearing as the Stone Digging picture.

Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson; and Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson; with two trout, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about June, 1920.

Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson; Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson; and Freeda Wilhelmina (Larson) Lewis, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, June, 1920.

Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson feeding chickens, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, July, 1920.

Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, July, 1920.

Almo Joshua Larson with Bull Calf, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI.

Almo Joshua Larson with his bull that took 3rd Place at the Wisconsin State Fair, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI.

November, 1920.

OLAUS LARSON DIES AFTER SHORT ILLNESS AT FARMINGTON HOME

Olaus Larson of Town of Farmington passed away at his home last Thursday evening, November 11, 1920, after a brief illness of only three days. Deceased was born on Smaland, Sweden April 23, 1851 and came to this country in 1872. He located at Marquette, MI where he was united in marriage to Katherine Olivia Larson, May 13, 1874. During the same year they moved to Marin Co., CA where they lived for nearly six years. In 1880 Mr. Larson with his family came to this city and purchased the farm in Farmington, 2 1/2 miles northwest of this city, on which he lived until his death. To this union were born seven children, Emily, Mrs. G. Alfred Johnson who passed away in 1905; Emil, who died in 1892; Arthur, on Route 1, Sheridan; Almo, on the old homestead; Edith, Mrs. C. C. Nelson, living at Iona, SD; Walter, of Pittsburgh, PA; and Freeda (Mrs. Robert Lewis) now living at Birmingham, AL. The two oldest, Mrs. Johnson and Emil, were born in California and the other five were born in Farmington. Besides his five children he leaves to mourn his death five brothers, Gus Lewis of this city, Swen Freeberg of Miles City, MT, and three brothers in Sweden, fifteen grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. After the death of Mrs. Larson, the home was maintained by the youngest daughter, Miss Freeda, until six years ago when the homestead was sold to Almo Larson. From that time Mr. Larson made his home at the old homestead to which he was so strongly attached. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the home at one o'clock and at the Salem church in Farmington at two o'clock, Rev. F. G. Olson of Wisconsin Rapids, officiating. The relatives attending the last rites were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Larson and daughter Ellen of Pittsburgh, PA; G. Alfred Johnson and daughter Cora of Boyceville, Swen Freeberg of Miles City, MT. Deceased was a very true and active member of Salem Lutheran church of which he had been a member since 1880. For supervising the extensive improvements that have been made to the church during the past few weeks, Mr. Larson was appointed a committee of one and was on the job every day and was gratified to note that a day or two more would mark the completion of the work he was entrusted to supervise. The habits of thrift and industry which characterize so many of the Scandinavian people were deeply impressed upon the subject of this sketch and were the basic reasons for the success he attained after the purchase of eighty acres of unimproved land which, with forty acres that he homesteaded, were later turned from an unbroken tract into a splendid farm with most convenient and up-to-date home buildings. 

Standard History of Waupaca County, Wisconsin, Edited by John M. Ware, 1917.

OLAUS LARSON. One of the well-to-do families of Waupaca County is represented by Mr. Olaus Larson, who has lived in one locality of Farmington Township over thirty five years, and has long been enjoying the splendid fruits of his early toil and industry. Like the majority of Americans who were born in the Scandinavian countries, he started his career in the United States without special advantages or capital, and has relied entirely upon hard work and good judgment to put him ahead in the world.

Mr. Larson was born in Sweden April 23, 1851, a son of Lars Pehrsson and Christina Olsdotter. His mother died in 1856 and his father in 1886. The training afforded by the common schools of Sweden was the education Olaus acquired as a boy. He grew up with the habits of industry firmly fixed in his character, and was competent to make his own way when he reached America. In 1872 he located at Marquette, Michigan, but in 1875 went west to California, and remained in the Golden State for five years. In 1880 Mr. Larson came to Waupaca County and bought eighty acres of the farm which he now owns and occupies. At the same time he homesteaded forty acres nearby, and all of this land is now under improvement. The commodious buildings found on the farm are the product mainly of his own handiwork as a practical carpenter, and he has added some improvements or item of value to his farm almost every year since he located there.

He now has a complete lighting system installed for use in his home and outbuildings and has many of the comforts which are usually found only in city homes. Mr. Larson features the Holstein cattle as the principal revenue producers on his farm.

Having children growing up in his home, he has naturally been interested in the welfare of the local schools and served a number of years on the school board. For two terms he was supervisor of his township. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

In 1874 in Marquette, Michigan, he married Miss Olivia Larson. She was born in Sweden in 1848. Her father died in the old country and her mother subsequently came to America and lived at St. Paul, Minnesota, where she died at the home of a son in 1901. Mrs. Larson was a splendid companion and helpmate to her husband, and during the thirty years of their married life she reared a family to self-respecting manhood and womanhood. Her death occurred in August, 1906. There were seven children, a brief record of them being as follows: Emilia Sophia, who was born in California and died at Sheridan, in Waupaca County, in August, 1905; Emil, who died when fifteen years old; Arthur, who is a mail carrier and farmer at Sheridan; Edith Christine, wife of Clarence C. Nelson, living in South Dakota; Almo, who has bought his father's farm, married Emma Abbey, daughter of William Abbey, of Milladore, Wisconsin, and they have one child, Wilbur; Walter, who is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania in the technical course, is now a successful young mechanical engineer at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Freeda is a graduate nurse, having taken her training in the Cook County Hospital, of Chicago, and is now practicing her profession in that city.

Emma Jane (Abbey) Larson, with a Ford Model-T in the background, near the road, Larson farm, Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI, about 1920.