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It took 79 years but, Rush City pioneer finally gets his name on tombstoneSubmitted by Chuck Larson of Braham August 15, 1904, was a hot and sticky mid-summer Friday. Twenty-six year old Anna Loviso Larsson (the name was later changed to Larson), had just completed a week of work in Minneapolis and was looking forward to a weekend at her parentsí farm east of Rush City. It would still be hot, but much cooler on the farm than in the big city. She purchased her train ticket, boarded the crowded and hot train and headed north, arriving at last in Rush City. There would be no one to meet her at the station, so she began the long five-mile walk east of Rush City to her father Lars August Larssonís farm, her home. It was late when she arrived home, very hot and exhausted, she sat down to rest at the kitchen table, and quietly died. Annaís younger brother Charles Oscar Larson, 23 years old, was working in northern Minnesota at the various logging camps. Men of all walks of life came to this area seeking employment, going home to their families as often as time and money permitted. It was a common way of life in Minnesota at the turn of the century. Charles decided to go into town for a few hours, if only to see civilization other than the logging camps. While walking around town, he was drawn to a sideshow and a fortuneteller. He didnít believe in such things, but something unexplainable kept nagging at him to stop at her small tent and listen to what she had to say. It felt strange to be there, and stranger still when the woman told him there had been a tragedy at his home and to go there at once. The urgency in her voice scared him, he felt compelled to do as she said. He left on the earliest train, arriving in Rush City late on Saturday, finding out about Annaís death upon his arrival. As was the custom of the time, Anna was prepared for burial at home on her parentís farm. Karolina (Caroline), Annaís mother completed the task and was walking down the stairs from the upper bedrooms to the parlor when she slipped and fell down the stairs. Karolina struck her head and died instantly, she was only 54 years old. Lars Larson buried his wife Karolina and daughter Anna, side by side in one large grave accommodating the two caskets. He had a nice granite and marble monument placed at the gravesite in Wm. Taylor Cemetery, Old Government Road, southeast of Rush City. That fall, Larsí only remaining child, Charles, married and moved to a farm several miles south of his fatherís, there raising a family of one daughter and four sons. Lars August Larson lived 20 more years, passing away in 1924, and was buried next to his wife and daughter. At Larsí funeral, his grandson Wilmer Larson, only three days past his 5th birthday, remembers being lifted up by his older brother Charles E. Larson so he could see his grandfather one more time. Williamís father, Charles O. Larson lived only 15 more years, dying suddenly in 1939. This bothered Wilmer for many, many years, and he mentioned it to his own son, Charles A. Larson (Chuck), who was working part time at Braham Monument. Chuck talked to long time employee Scott Smetana and found out it was still possible to add the information to the nearly 100 year old monument, but to be careful when handling the marble! First was a trip to Center City, gathering information from records deptartment at the Chisago County Government Center about Larsí dates of birth and death. Braham Monument owner Mike Patterson let Chuck use some equipment from the plant, and Wilmer and Chuck were ready to go. Although not necessarily easier, there was however less risk of damage to the monument, to do the work on site, in the cemetery. The two men hauled, carried and dragged a generator, air compressor, sandblaster and several other items across the cemetery to the gravesite. Preparation, sandblasting and cleanup took nearly 2 1/2 cold, windy hours, but it was worth it. ©ECM Post Review |