Elsa “Elsie” Olivia Eugenia Larson was born on September 1, 1877 in Målilla, Kalmar, Sweden to Sven Oscar Larson and Maria Gustafva (Kämpe) Larson. She was married to Carl Emil Carlson in Sweden. Carl emigrated to America in 1902, to start a new life for his young family on a homestead in North Dakota. Elsie stayed behind because she was pregnant with their first son. Carl Erick was born January 1, 1903 in Målilla.
Elsa Larson Birth Record
Elsa Larson Birth Record
Målilla Kyrka
When Carl Erick was one year old, Elsie left him with relatives and departed for America to join Carl on the homestead in North Dakota. There, she earned money for the young family as a domestic servant. They sent money for Carl to come over, but the relatives never sent him. He eventually emigrated to North Dakota when he was in high school.
Elsa Larson Immigration Record
Elsa Larson Immigration Record
Elsa Larson and Sisters
On the homestead, Carl and Elsie had five more children: Oscar Hugo (b. September 12, 1906), Signe Mabel (b. July 12, 1909), Gustove Emil Alf (b. September 13, 1913), Folke Anselm (b. September 2, 1918), and Helge Eugene Einor (b. September 26, 1920). Carl died in 1927, leaving Elsa alone on the farm for the next 26 years. Her son Emil moved in with her after Carl passed away.
Elsa – Immigration Book
Elsa – Immigration Book
Emil’s wife got into an argument with Elsa, and she stormed off the farm and went to live with her daughter Marie in Elgin, North Dakota. Elsa was introverted and unhappy in her later years, after a long hard life as a pioneer woman. She was very soft-spoken. She had a difficult life because of the period. She had six children, kids with a twenty year span in age. There was not even electricity until nearly the end of her life. She died of a stroke on February 7, 1953 in Great Falls, Cascade, Montana. She was buried in the Halliday Cemetery in Halliday, Dunn County, North Dakota.
Erick, Oscar Hugo, Emil, Elsa, Folke, and Helge Carlson
Back Row: Marie, Elsa, Julia, Ruth, Lucile – Front Row: Bill, Folke, Oscar Hugo – June 1945
Marie (Carlson), Her Husband Bill, Julia Elsie, Oscar Hugo, and Elsa Carlson at Hugo and LaRae’s Wedding
