BIOGRAPHIES: Mons LARSON, Campia, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  10 June 2001	
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Mons Larson was the first merchant in Campia. He came here in 1900 and
erected the first building here, a scale house. He purchased and shipped
the first car of produce ever sold from here, loading the car on the main
track before a siding had been established. He also erected a potato
warehouse, the first in the place. In 1908, he purchased the general store
established in 1900 by M. L. Burke, and this he conducted until 1919, when
he sold out. He still buys and ships general farm produce, especially hay,
cattle, calves and poultry. His own flock of White Leghorns numbers about
400, and to this flock he devotes the greater part of his time. In 1918 he
helped to organize the Bank of Campia, and has been its only vice
president. He is located permanently in the hamlet he helped to establish,
and in 1912 erected a modern home which is one of the best in the
neighborhood. He has not been unmindful of his public duties, and for five
years he did good service as treasurer of Doyle Township. Mons Larson was
born in Norway, June 26, 1866, the son of Lars and Helga (Stoome)
Kellestad, also natives of that country. In the family there were five
children: Ole, of Norway; Ingeborg, of Belleview, Minn.; Helga (deceased);
Inga of Norway, and Mons of Campia. Mons received his early education in
Norway. At the age of eighteen he came to the United States, and located in
Barron County, working on farms and in the lumber woods. In 1891 he
purchased a farm in Doyle township, nearly all wild, with only about ten
acres cleared. He cleared much more, built a good frame house and barns,
and developed a good farm. The crossroads at the farm took the name of
Larson's Corners, and this name was given to the Norwegian Lutheran Church
built there. In 1907 he sold the farm, and went to Rice Lake, where he
engaged in business as a dealer in farm products, flour and feed. A year
later he came to Campia. Mr. Larson was married May 6, 1892, to Olena
Fadness, of Doyle Township, who was born in Columbia County, Wis., Sept.
11, 1857. They have one daughter, Helma. She was born Sept. 3, 1893,
married Nels B. Nelson, and has four children. They live in Campia.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.,
1922, pg. 523.