Biographies

Source:
Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois
Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches
of Prominent and Representative Citizens
of the County
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all the
Presidents of the United States
and Governors of the State
Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros
1891

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Residence of Nels Larson, Voorhies Station, Ill.

NELS LARSON.  How many lads in far-off lands turn their eyes Westward with a longing for the opportunities and privileges accorded residents in America.  The great dram of their lives is to cross the Atlantic and find fame and fortune in the New World, a dream that is realized by many of them but by some is found to be but an empty shadow.  Among those who have come to Piatt County from a foreign land and have succeeded in their efforts to secure a home and competence is Nels Larson, who resides on section 1, Unity Township.  He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land there and an estate of equal size in Moultrie County, and has on his home farm excellent buildings set in the midst of pleasant surroundings.  It needs but a casual glance to assure the observer that Mr. Larson has a thorough knowledge of his calling and good judgment regarding what constitutes a home, and that a lady of refined tastes is at the head of the home economy.      Mr. Larson was born in Sweden, Jan. 29, 1841, and reared amid the surroundings of rural life, his father being a farmer.  He acquired an excellent understanding agricultural matters and a considerable knowledge of the branches taught in common schools, and when ready to begin life for himself as well equipped as far his mental powers and habits were concerned.  He remained in his own land until he was twenty-six years old, then crossed the broad Atlantic and landing in New York came direct to Illinois, stopping at Galesburg.  He worked on a farm in Knox County a year, then came to Piatt County and during the ensuing eighteen months was employed as a farm hand in Bement Township      We next find Mr. Larson in the employ of William Voorhees, in Unity Township, and a year later still operating rented land.  For some four years he was a renter in Unity and Cerro Gordo Townships, after which he bought eighty acres in the former, to which he subsequently added another tract of the same extent.   In connection with his farming he is engaged in buying and shipping grain in Voorhees, and is winning his way to fortune much more rapidly than many of his associates.  His management of his agricultural affairs and all his financial interests reflects credit upon his powers of mind and body, and gives him high standing in business circles and among his fellow farmers.      The wife of Mr. Larson bore the maiden name of Johanna Nelson.  She was born in Sweden, April 14, 1842, came to America when twenty-six years old, and was married in Bement, Mar. 16, 1872.  She possesses the housewifely skill of the women of her race, and all their devotion to her family and friendly feeling toward her acquaintances.  She was borne her husband two children, George W. and Ellenora.      Mr. and Mrs. Larson belong to the Lutheran Church and stand well among the members of the society.  In politics Mr. Larson is a Republican.  He was appointed Postmaster of Voorhees in March, 1885, but after a year's incumbency of the office resigned, preferring to give his time to his personal affairs rather than to any kind of public sympathy with the interests of the land of his adoption.      On another page of this volume the reader will notice a view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Larson. Source:  Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois,  Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891~ Page  348

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