Johannes “Hans” Larson (1841-1915) & Emma Christina Olivia Olson (1861-1939)

From Sweden to Michigan: A Life of Farming, Family, and Resilience

Johannes R. Larson—known variously as Hans, John, or Johannes Larsson—was born on May 2, 1841, in Österäng, Sweden, the son of John Larson and Elna W. Benson. His early life unfolded in rural Sweden, but like so many of his generation, his future lay across the Atlantic. In 1872, Hans set out for America, sailing from Göteborg and traveling through Canada, perhaps via Nova Scotia, before eventually arriving in Minnesota. His path later took him westward through North Dakota and finally to Michigan, where he would put down roots.

Before leaving Sweden, Hans had married a woman named Annie, with whom he had children. Family stories recall that tragedy struck during the Atlantic crossing, with his wife and most—or all—of the children perishing on the voyage. Yet, Annie does appear on the 1880 census in Manistee, Michigan, still alive and living with Hans and their son Fred E. Larson, who had been born in Michigan in July 1875. By this time, Hans was working as a vessel loader, a demanding job in the busy shipping community of Manistee.

In September 1891, Hans purchased 160 acres of land in Manistee County, marking a turning point in his life. That same year, on November 7, 1891, he married Emma Christina Olivia Olson at the Svenska Evangeliska Lutheran Ansgarius Church in Manistee County. Emma, born July 24, 1861, in Visby, Gotland, Sweden, had immigrated to America just three years earlier, in October 1888, leaving behind her home in Väse parish, Gotland. She arrived in America unable to speak English, but she brought with her determination, faith, and the skills needed to manage a household. Their wedding was witnessed by family and friends, including Carl and Anna Larson and John Forsburg.

Together, Hans and Emma built a life centered around their farm on Townline Road in Grant Township, Mason County, Michigan. Hans was a farmer with a special interest in apple orchards and honeybees, while Emma managed a bustling household. Between 1892 and 1906, they welcomed a large family:

• Frederick Emil Larson (1892)

• Albert John Larson (1893)

• Teckla Johanna Olive Larson (1894)

• Esther Anna Lovisa Larson (1897)

• Yarda M. Larson (1899)

• Alma Josephine Larson (1901)

• Hilda Christine Larson (1904)

• Otto Elmer Larson (1906)

Life on the farm was demanding but rich with family activity. A surviving photograph shows Hans and Emma surrounded by their children, the farmhouse a backdrop to their hard-won progress. Hans was known not only as a farmer but also as a man with a fondness for drink—so much so that he trained his horses to carry him home from the bar when he had had too much.

By 1900, the census records show Hans and Emma with five of their children, as well as Hans’s elderly mother, living in the household. A decade later, the 1910 census listed Hans, Emma, and eight children together on the farm. Their home was a lively, hardworking one, sustained by Swedish traditions, Lutheran faith, and the bond of family.

Tragedy struck in April 1915, when Hans died of pneumonia at age seventy-three in Grant Township. He was laid to rest in North Victory Cemetery in Mason County. Emma continued on without him, raising her children and remaining close to their growing families.

The 1920 census shows her still in Grant Township, living with three of her children. By 1930, she was residing with her son Albert, who had become the head of the household, and her son Otto’s family. She spent her final years in the home of her daughter Esther in Victory Township. On February 9, 1939, Emma passed away at the age of seventy-seven, her death caused by tuberculosis of the cervical glands. Her funeral was held in Ludington, and she was buried alongside Hans in North Victory Cemetery.

Hans and Emma’s story is one of endurance, adaptation, and deep familial love. From their roots in Sweden to their years as Michigan farmers, they weathered hardship, celebrated joys, and created a family whose legacy endured through generations. Their graves rest quietly under Michigan soil, but their story continues through the lives of their many descendants.

Detailed Timeline