often reminded us of “Whistler’s Mother.”

Here was one of the many pioneer men who had very little formal education, but was blessed with some innate wisdom, clear-thinking logic and feeling for others, not found in books. They are often called “self-made men.” Larson was outlived by his uncle, Elling Nelson Bakka of Franklin Twp. from Sogn, Norway (in 1849). Elling was born in 1822, died in 1926 at age 104 after living about 77 years in Winneshiek Co. He was listed as its oldest resident and likely the State's oldest resident, as well. He is buried in the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church cemetery.

Nels and Jorund Larson moved but six miles to their retirement home in Spring Grove, MN where he died 26 Feb 1917 and Jorund died 26 Jul 1919. They are buried in the cemetery of their cherished Highland Lutheran

Church.

Larson, Tollef & Bergitta

(Eunice C. Stoen)

Connie Bolson, Mother, Audrey Jordahl, Eunice Stoen, Paul, Charles, David Hexom.

Charlotte Hexom’s 90th birthday.

Tollef J. Larson was born 25 Oct 1825 in Hernesbo, Nonway. He left Norway 25 Apr 1853 on a sail boat under the leadership of Captain Schroeder, and spent 6 weeks on the ocean arriving in Quebec, Canada. They came down the St. Lawrence, crossed Lake Michigan and headed for the Even Hegg home at Muskego, Wl. They stayed there two weeks, then traveled by ox team and covered wagon to Iowa, probably the Washington Prairie area, and worked as an apprenticed carpenter with Will Linnevold. Toilet’s father lived in Drummond, Norway. Toilet's wife Bergitta was born 24 Nov 1826 and died 19 Oct 1899. Grandaughter Charlotte Larson Hexom remembers at about 3 years of age seeing the sons standing by the casket and her father holding her up to see her Grandma.

Children of Tollef J. and Bergitta were: Henry (14 Sep 1852 to 18 Jul 1912) married Hilda Johnson (20 Jan 1850 to 25 Mar 1924) in Brandvold, Solar, Norway; Edward (19 Oct 1856 to 4 Aug 1934) married Lizz Vine (d.22 May 1889) on 23 Apr 1872. He later married Ingeborg Brorby 27 Dec. 1884 in Decorah; Ludvig married and lived in Utah working in an overall factory; Christine married Claus

Hexom (brother of John C. Hexom, who had a shoe store in Decorah); John married Betsy Berg 27 Mar 1889 and lived on the home farm near Decorah; Tina (11 Aug 1867) married Albert Gilbertson.

My mother, Charlotte Larson Hexom (25 Jul 1896), 6th child of Henry and Hilda Johnson Larson and wife of William T. Hexom (16 May 1894), graduated from Valders Business College in Decorah and worked for the Republican newspaper as both a secretary, proof reader, and reporter. She played cornet in the city band during the war when so many of the young men were gone and even played for the silent movies and furnished the musical background having the right music for the right scene which would help explain what was going on or rather than what was about to happen. She was always interested in music, played for church and choir, gave piano lessons, and encouraged many young people to either sing or play. When roads were bad she would practice with soloists over the telephone on Saturday night or whenever. When she retired to Decorah and was in her 70’s and 80’s she would volunteer at the various homes to entertain the “old" people. She was in charge of all the music for years at the Aase Haugen Home. She had her first motorcycle ride at age 80 with a grandson and loved it.

Other children of Henry and Hilda were: Clara (29 May 1877), Helma (3 Jan 1881), Hattie (10 May 1889), Frederick (1 Feb 1886), Sophie (7 Nov 1891), and 2 infant brothers buried in the Union Prairie Cemetery south of Decorah.

Larson, Tommas and Ingri (Tobiason)

(Alice Hamre Arneson)

Ingri Quil Tobiason was born 15 May 1787 at Lomen, Opland. Her parents were Iver Rolandson (1756) and Berit Nilsdtr. (14 Dec 1753). They were married 5 Sep 1784.

Ingri married Tommas Tobias Larson who was born 12 Aug 1780 at Lomen. His parents were Lars Haakonson (21 Nov 1743-1789) and Berthe Ellingsdtr. Hausaker (16 Jan 1758-1825). They were married 12 Aug 1780.

Tommas married Ingri Iversdtr. Trosvikhagen (farm Trosvik) 28 Jul 1811. The farm name at Lomen was Qviil. Tommas died 2 Feb 1842 and is buried at the Valdres churchyard.

In 1869 Ingri Iversdtr. Quil Tobiason came to the U.S. at age 82 with her son Haaken and family. She lived with her son Tobias and wife Mari in Decorah until she died 15 Sep 1876. She is buried with her family at the Tobiason/ Gjermo stone at Decorah Lutheran Cemetery. Ingri and Tommas had 8 children: Lars, Ivar, Berthe, Haaken, Ellend, Roland, Christian and Tobias.

Lars (18 Sep 1811-1892) married Jorandl Olsdtr. (28 Feb 1813-1881). They brought 5 of their 7 children to Decorah in 1865. Ole L. (1842-1929), Sigurd (1846-1923), Julia (died at age 5) are buried at the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

Ivar (2 Oct 1814-1458) married Kari Olsdtr. Steinde 26 Dec 1841 who died in 1901. They had 9 children while living on Lykkja farm. He moved to Brandon, SD and the