JENS (Barness) LARSON, who settled in Nelson township, Buffalo county, in 1872, and aided in the work of civilization by carving out a farm from the wilderness, was a native of Norway, where he was married to Gunhild/Julia Christianson Flahammer in 1869.

Jens was born to Lars and Kristi Eriksdater Ingebretson Barsness.

For some years after his marriage he continued to reside in his native land, but his thoughts often turned to America, whither many of his more ambitious countrymen had gone, some of whom had sent back accounts of golden opportunities which existed there of obtaining free land and establishing homes. He and his wife finally resolved to try their fortunes in the New World, and put by what money they could, until finally in 1869 they found they had enough to pay the expenses of the journey.

They had by that time five children:
1. Kristina, Mrs Andrew Lindstrom
2. Katherine, Mrs Thomas Torgerson
3. Ingeborg/Emma, Mrs Rasmus Anderson
4. Kjirstine/Stena, Mrs Andrew Hill
5. Lars/Louis Larson, (10 June 1855- 1945) [married Julia Agatha Thompson]

and with them they embarked on a vessel bound for Quebec.

From that port they proceeded west to Chicago, where they broke their tiresome journey by a halt of three days. Their next stop—a short one—was made in Racine county, Wisconsin, and then they continued north to a farm some 20 miles from Milwaukee, on which they resided for three years.

Not having yet found an ideal location, however, in 1872, Mr. Larson and his family made one more removal, this time to Buffalo county, Wis., taking the train to La Crosse, and then coming up the river by boat to Alma. After arriving here he located in Norwegian valley, Nelson township, getting a tract of 120 acres of wild land. Like many of the early settlers he arrived here almost destitute of resources, his principal capital being health and strength and a firm determination to succeed.

He was able to buy a cow in the first year of his settlement, but it was two or three years before he succeeded in getting an ox team; consequently his progress up to that time was very slow. He had to build the log house which he and his family used for a dwelling. To narrate his subsequent history would be to recapitulate the history of practically all the pioneers who arrived here under similar circumstances, descriptions of whose privations and struggles with poverty, together with their final success through industry and perseverance, may be found on many pages of this volume. Suffice it to say that Mr. Larson shared both in their struggles and triumphs and his latter years were spent in comparative ease and comfort.

He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and for many years associated in friendly intercourse with the better class of settlers in his township, by whom he was esteemed as a good neighbor and worthy man.

He died at the age of 65 years, being survived by his wife, who is still living, and who has now almost rounded out a century of existence, being 98 years old. She resides with her daughter, Kate Torgerson.


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Source: History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties, Wisconsin, Volume I Illustrated; compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, published by H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, Minn. (1919) pages 282-283 transcribed by Mary Saggio.