Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Larson, Charles A ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 8:49 pm Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record CHARLES A. LARSON. At the time that Mr. Larson settled in Joliet, in the spring of 1881, there were only five men of his own nationality in the city, the large number of Swedes now represented in the population having settled here since that year. His early experience in his new home proved far less fortunate than his imagination had anticipated. He worked for a few weeks in the Davidson stone quarries, and later was with the Joliet Stone Company, until January 18, 1882, when a premature explosion of dynamite injured him so seriously that for a time his life was despaired of, and it was not until five months later that he was able to leave his room. Being unable to engage again in quarrying, it was necessary for him to seek another occupation, and, in order to fit himself for business, he studied book-keeping for a few months, at the same time acquiring a better knowledge of the English language. In the summer of 1882 he entered the store of Brooks & Strong, with whom, and with their successors, Strong, Bush & Handwerk, he has since continued, being now their head clerk. He is also a director in the People's Loan and Homestead Association. In the spring of 1899 he received the Republican nomination for township collector and was elected by a majority of two hundred and seventy- four, taking the oath of office in April for a term of one year. Near Boros, Elfsborslaen, Westrejutland, Sweden, Mr. Larson was born July 14, 1862, a son of Lars and Anna (Anderson) Johnson. His father was a member of an old family that owned the estate "Skattegarden," which property was later divided, he receiving the part known as "Aatolsgaarden." In 1883 he came to Joliet, where he is now living, retired from active labors. His wife, who is also living, was a daughter of Andreas Anderson, a farmer and owner of "Stureryd." Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Lutheran Church. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the following survive: Johan A., who is engaged in the insurance business in Joliet; Charles A.; Johannes, in Colorado; Alfred, of Peoria, Ill.; and Mrs. Minnie Sophia Eifler, of Englewood, Ill. The first of the family to settle in America was the subject of this sketch, who, in July, 1880, left Gottenburg for Hull and Liverpool, and thence crossed the ocean on the steamer "Etruria," landing in New York after a voyage of twelve days. On the 2d of August he arrived in Chicago, where a farmer hired him to work on a farm near Peotone, and he continued there for seven months, then came to Joliet. He is one of the best known Swedes in the city, and among those of his own race wields a large influence. A stanch Republican in politics, he has served as a member of the congressional committee for eight years, and has also worked on the county committee. He is a member of the Swedish Republican Club. He holds the office of vice-president for Will County of the Swedish-American Republican State League, and is also secretary of the Swedish-American Republican Club of Joliet. Since 1891 he has been collector for the Fraternal Alliance. He is identified with the North Star Association of Joliet and the North Star Mutual Life Insurance Company of Illinois. When he first came to Joliet there were so few Swedes that it was of course deemed unnecessary and impracticable to hold special religious services of their own. However, he prevailed upon three others to join with him in paying a preacher to come from Rock Island once a month. From that small beginning sprang the Swedish Lutheran Church of which he is treasurer and a member of the board of trustees. In the building of a house of worship he took a warm interest, as he has in all measures for the benefit of the church. October 3, 1888, in Joliet, Mr. Larson married Miss Wilhelmina Sophia Jonson, who was born in Oskarshamn, Smoland, Sweden, a daughter of Olaf and Maria Sophia Jonson. Her father, a native of the laen of Kalmar, was left an orphan at five years of age, and when still quite young was obliged to be self- supporting. He became a marine engineer and followed his trade in different parts of Europe, but is now living retired, in Oskarshamn. By his first marriage he had two children, one of whom is living, Mrs. Nils Erikson, of Joliet. His second marriage united him with a daughter of Johan Johnson, an inn keeper, and by her he had one child, Mrs. Larson, who has made her home in Joliet since 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have two sons, Harry Emelius Levi and Ernst Oliver Milton. Additional Comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/larson937gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb