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Pioneer Life in 19th Century America - Cemetery Stones Tell a Story

Larson Children

Sven and Maria Larson lost five of their children in one month in a diphtheria epidemic in 1874. See more information below the photo and in the next pictures in this gallery.
Rush River Lutheran Church Cemetery  in Martell Township, Pierce County, Wisconsin

Picture taken at Rush River Lutheran Church Cemetery in Martell Township, Pierce County, Wisconsin, July 2002.

Image © 2002 Jone Johnson Lewis. Licensed to About.com.
The names and dates of birth and death of the five children, their mother's and father's names, and some Christian verses in Norwegian are on the tall stone, and initials are on the small stones. Olaus (or Olavus) emigrated from Norway with his parents and two older brothers, and the other children were born in Wisconsin.

Born of Sven Larson og Hustrug Maria Larson

Olaus 30 Oct 1862-14 Mar 1874
Martin 28 Apr 1866-14 Mar 1874
Albert 13 Apr 1868-13 Mar 1874
Anna M. 22 Jan 1870-25 Mar 1874
Oscar 22 Dec 1871-27 Mar 1874

These children were half-siblings of the photographer's grandmother, and siblings of Berta Josephine Larson Anderson whose story is told here: Her Story - Discovering the Personal Side of Your Female Ancestors.

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