Peter G. and Agnes (Johnson) Larson, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Peter G. and Agnes (Johnson) Larson
PETER G. AND AGNES (JOHNSON) LARSON
My father was born September 28, 1891 in Ostre Ljunby Skine and came to the United States at the age of 17. He had attended a cabinet makers skola. His first job was at Lincoln park in Chicago. When he was 21, he joined the local carpenters union (Brotherhood) in Chicago, where he worked with various construction firms, as a carpenter, a foreman and finally as a Superintendent with the Ouimette Construction Associates. He worked on the Fine Arts Building, the Aragon and Drake Hotels, museum of Science and Industry, The Edgwater Beach Buildings and both World's Fairs, 1893 and 1930.
My mother was born in Smaland, Knifringa Bo Sweden, February 18th, 1873. She came to the home of her grandmother and bachelor uncle, Alfred Johnson, Uncle Alfred was the farmer and general overseer for Mrs. Francis Howe and Grandmother Marie Bailly. So mother grew up on the Bailly Homestead. At the age of 17, she went to Chicago to work as a maid in the home of a family from Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. Ferguson loved mother very much and encouraged her to learn to read English. Both mother and father did not attend school here, but were anxious to learn. They both became masters at it.
Father became an expert with construction blue prints. He was most anxious to become an American citizen.
Mother and Dad were married after seven years courtship. The ceremony was performed by the Swedish Lutheran minister in the farmhouse where Mother had lived with Grandmother. It is a log house, now sided and the Warren Smith home across from the Goodfellow camp, moved north from it's original site.
There were seven children born to this family. Margaret, born in Chicago. She was a Westchester primary teacher for forty-eight years, 1919 to 1967.
Agnes, Mrs. E. Lewis, who lives in Knoxville, Tenn., Reginald, who married Dorothy Moulton, who lives in Porter, Ind. and is a construction superintendent. Myrtle, who passed away August 20, 1930. Erma, who died in an accident June 12, 1934. Mauritz (Fritz), who married Mrs. Foneta Charlson. He has three daughters, Mrs. Dick Michaels, Mrs. Arthur Montreuil, Mrs. Gene Royal, Harrison and Charles Charlson. Violet, who is an office secretary with National Tube, U.S. Steel.
Mother was confirmed in Augsburg Lutheran Church at Porter and the family has been Christened and confirmed there. John R. Larson, our Indiana State Representative of District 2, is the son of Reginald Larson. He is married to the former Judy Pifer and lives at 161 Sheffield, Valparaiso.
Peter and Agnes Larson returned to live in the brick house of the Bailly Homestead from Oct., 1907 to July 1911. They were very close to Frances Howe, Joseph Bailly's granddaughter. Mother passed away February 7, 1947 and Father died October 5, 1952 at the age of 80.
Source: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County. 1976. A Biographical History of Porter County, Indiana. Valparaiso, Indiana: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County, Inc. 180 p.
Page(s) in Source: 130
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook