Lars and Martha Larson from
Valdres Valley, Norway,
to Vernon County, Wisconsin
Lars Larson 
Larsgaard 
by Helen E Brieske CG 
Martha Knuts-
datter Belgum 
 

During the mid to late 1800s thousands of Norwegians left their native country to begin a
new life in America, where they understood land was free or cost very little and
opportunities for advancing their status in life were apparently endless. This is the story
of Lars and Martha Larson beginning with their 1872 marriage in Valdres Valley, Norway, and
continuing through their 1878 journey to Wisconsin and the farm in Vernon County, where they
settled and raised seven daughters and two sons. Two daughters boldly followed their chosen
men to North Dakota and Montana, where they married. Helen remained in Montana while Mandy
eventually returned to Wisconsin. Guri and her husband lived a decade in northwestern
Minnesota before returning to Wisconsin.

Lars and Martha’s children, second generation Guri Gabrielson, Mary Kilen, Louie Larson,
Bertha Ellefson, Mandy Schermerhorn, Tillie Graham-Nordrum, Helen Melvin, Stella Johnson,
and Oscar Larson,left more than 400 descendants who now live throughout the United States.
Families have been followed through the sixth generation where possible.

This hardcover, 6” x 9” book contains 608 pages; more than 170 photos; 2,000 endnotes;
interviews with relatives and family friends; maps; newspaper clippings; and more.
Published May 2001. Learn more about the author here. See below for ordering information.

The index contains approximately 1,950 names plus placenames and subjects such as Advice
to future generations, Celebrations, Clothing, Conflicts, Cooking, Courting, Daily Life,
Death, Disciplining Children, Emigration, Farming, Foods, Hardships, Homes, Homesteading,
Larsgaard, Norway farms, Norway towns, Pregnancy and birth, Railways, Recreation, Schools,
Telephone numbers, Television first purchase, Travel, Work, Works Projects Administration,
and World Wars.



Helen has received critical acclaim for Lars and Martha Larson from Valdres Valley, Norway, to Vernon County, Wisconsin. The Heart of America Genealogical Society and Library, Inc., in Kansas City, Missouri, gave Helen an Award of Excellence in the Anna Ford Family Book Contest in the summer of 2002. Also in 2002 Helen received "First in the State" in the genealogical book competition from the Wisconsin Historical Society and Wisconsin State Genealogical Society.
 
“meticulously researched and documented.” Kathleen Stokker, Professor of Norwegian, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa   
“an unusual combination of meticulous documentation plus beautiful narrative.” Ann Hege Hughes, Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland   
Lars and Martha Larson is “so very interesting . . . the combination of real word pictures with times of sadness and special glad occasions . . . and those funny family situations that we can all relate to. It is a very educational and enlightening reading experience. I feel as though I were there and knew these people.” Sonja Pederson, Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wisconsin
 
Lars and Martha Larson represents “the best of genealogy and a gift to a family. No better chronicle of this family is ever likely to be written. This is a definitive commitment by a woman whose family has participated in the classic American experience of immigration, assimilation, and contribution. It is a rich, humorous, and sometimes harrowing delineation of what is strongest and best in the American story.” Edwin L. Hill, Special Collections Librarian, Retired, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin   
“What an inheritance you have! And – what a gift you are giving to future generations!!! There are character traits that have been passed to you – oh, how I recognized them!” Margaret Kodros Cox, Vernon County, Wisconsin

To order this book, send your name, complete mailing address,
and a check for $48.50 per book (includes shipping) payable to:

Helen E Brieske CG
6731 Paradise Road
Salida, CO 81201
helen@rockymountains.net
change the -at- to @



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© Annette Bame Peebles, 2008
Richard Ross 1999-2001; Sarah Owens 2001-2004; Marceline Beem 2004-2007
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