Anders "Andrew" Larsen Larson

LARSON, Andrew - Wisconsin 30th Inf Co D. Residence: Martell, Pierce County, Wisconsin. Born 4 Aug 1840 in Norway. Came to America with his parents in 1852, to Pierce County, Wisconsin. Lived near Elkhorn. Civil War: Student. Age 21. Unmarried. Blue eyes, brown hair, light complexion, 5’6”. Enlisted for three years on 18 Aug 1862 at Martell. Mustered 21 Oct 1862 at Madison, Wisconsin, and designated a Sergeant. On sick leave 30 Sep 1863. On detached service at Crow Creek, Dakota Territory, 17 Jun 1864. On detached service to headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, 17 Jun 1865. Mustered out 20 Sep 1865 at Louisville. Post war: He became a merchant in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Five years later, in 1896, he moved to Willmar, Minnesota, and became a banker. Married in 1870 to Mary A. Anderson of Martell, Wisconsin. Three children. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 140-13; red book vol 35) (Larsen p56) ("History of the Scandinavians in the United States", by O. N. Nelson. Publ. Minneapolis, 1893. p466) (Ulvestad p304).

Andrew Larson, was one of nine surviving Civil War veterans living in Minnesota, at the time of his death in 1945.

ANDREW LARSON - Mr. Andrew Larson, former prominent businessman and banker of the city, is a member of the Col. Heg Post of this city and has given the Tribune representative material for the following account of his life:

Mr. Larson was born on August 4, 1840, in Modum, Norway. With his parents he came to America in the year 1848, then at the age of 8 years. Settlement was made in Pierce County, Wisconsin. He was confirmed in the Lutheran church of that county at the age of 12 years. He remained on his father's farm until he reached the age of 16 years. Then he moved to Hudson, Wis., and was employed in a hotel at that place. After attending school for a few years he returned to his father's home in Northern Wisconsin and taught school up to the time that the war broke out.

Mr. Larson enlisted at the age of twenty-one years and on August 2, 1862, was a member of Co. D, 30th Wisconsin Infantry. He went into training for a period of six weeks at Hudson, Wis. After carrying the gun for two weeks he was promoted to 2nd sergeant in Co. D. Capt. D. C. Fulton was in charge of Co. D. In September, 1862, the regiment was transferred to Madison, Wis., where it was drilled for sixty days preparatory to a campaign against the Sioux Indians. At the camp Sergt. Larson was ordered to take charge of the grounds and general charge of the camp. In the spring, of 1863 the company was sent to St. Louis at which place Mr. Larson was detailed with sixty men to do boat work on the river. Supplies were transported to the troops fighting the redskins. Orders were received in the fall to send the regiment to join General Sherman's, forces on its march to the sea. Before the regiment could reach St. Joe, Mo, General Sherman had already left three weeks previous. The regiment was then ordered to be active in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee in clearing that country of guerillas. Sergt. Larson with forty men for five months combed the territory and at the end of that period captured thirteen guerrillas. Eleven of these were courtmartialed and hanged. Sergt. Larson was then promoted to a responsible position on the staff of Major General J. M. Palmer with headquarters at Louisville, Ky. Mr. Larson served in that capacity about one year.

After the close of the war Mr. Larson, entered the mercantile business at Madison, Wis. After two years he sold out and came West to St. Cloud. With three young companions he bought land in Douglas county from the government. Returning to St. Cloud, Mr. Larson was employed in a store for three years.

In 1871 he came to Willmar. He engaged in a mercantile business with, J. M. Spicer which partnership continued for a period of fourteen years until 1885. Mr. Larson then purchased Mr. Spicer's interest in the firm and continued in business alone until 1900. He had become one of the incprporators of the Kandiyohi County Bank of which institution he was president for some thirty years, retiring from active business in the year 1916. Mr. Larson is now engaged in personal loan and real estate matters in the city.

Mr. Larson joined the Col. Heg Post G. A. R. of this city on Sept. 3, 1916, and has served as commander for two years, 1917 and 1918. Upon the death of Mr. Manning, he became adjutant of the post. (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn89081022/1922-05-24/ed-1/s...)

1875 census Andrew Larson, Mary I Larson & Clara Larson are living at Willmar, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota.