John and Carolina Larson
Page by Sue Larson with contributions from Bob Leathers
Left to Right: John, Melvin, Carolina and Harry Larson in front of their Hanna home. (Sue Larson)
Left to right: Three Larson children, Esther, Melvin and Harry Larson. Taken about 1902. (Sue Larson)
Larson brothers, Left to Right: Melvin and Harry. Melvin born in Hanna in 1900. Harry born in Hanna in 1895. Photo taken in Hanna by F.T. Nakaco. (Photo from Sue Larson)
The Larson brothers Harry G. Larson and Melvin L. Larson are listed on the Hanna World War I Monument.
HARRY G. LARSON. (1921-1924) PHOTO BY F.T. NAKACO. HARRY WAS BORN IN HANNA ON NOV. 19, 1895. (SUE LARSON 2014)
Life Story
1860: John Larson was born in Sweden.
1868: Carolina Svensson was born in Sweden.
1887: John arrived in the United States from Sweden. (1900 US Census)
1888: Carolina arrived in the United States from Sweden. (1900 US Census)
1893: John and Carolina married in Carbon County, Wyoming.
1900: John Larson, born March 1863 in Sweden, age 37. married for 7 years and a coal mine laborer by occupation and Carolina Larson, born Oct. 1868 in Sweden, age 31, married 7 years with 2 children still alive were living with Hanna, Wyoming with their daughter Esther Larson, born June 1893 in Wyoming and son Harry Larson, born Nov. 1895 in Wyoming, age 4. Also living with the family was Swan Saarian, brother-in-law and Emma Samarian, sister-in-law, both born in Sweden. Swan was a carpenter. (1900 US Census)
Note: Sven "Swan" Månsson Sommarin (1872 - 1960) was born in Brönnestad, Skåne, Sverige on 1872-04-28 to Måns Svenssonand Hanna Swensdotter. Sven "Swan" Månsson Sommarin married Carin Erickson. He passed away on 1960-11-07 in Hässleholm, Skåne, Sverige. (Ancestry) (Sue Larson)
Note: Sven "Swan" Månsson Sommarin (1872 - 1960) was born in Brönnestad, Skåne, Sverige on 1872-04-28 to Måns Svenssonand Hanna Swensdotter. Sven "Swan" Månsson Sommarin married Carin Erickson. He passed away on 1960-11-07 in Hässleholm, Skåne, Sverige. (Ancestry) (Sue Larson)
1900 -1903: John Larson worked for the Union Pacific Coal Company. The only mine producing coal in Hanna at that time was the Hanna No. 1 Mine.
1907: The Union Pacific Coal Company formally recognized the United Mine Workers of America as the union representing the Hanna miners. The Hanna local 2335 was established. All the union members were employees of the Union Pacific Coal Company. William “Bill” Pascoe was the first president.
1908 March 28: The Union Pacific Coal Company's No. 1 mine in Hanna exploded twice in the same day killing 59 men.
1909: The Union Pacific Coal Company's No. 1 mine in Hanna was abandoned. It was the first mine opened for coal production in Hanna. The mine was developed in 1889 and 1890.
1910: The underground stables at Hanna were removed from the mines. The livestock was now kept outside the mine at the Mule Barn. The mules and horses were now taken to the mine each morning and returned to the barn each evening. This move eliminated the need for flammable materials in the mine. The underground stables that caught fire during the 1903 and 1908 explosions significantly affected the No. 1 Mine, adding to the raging inferno.
1912: The last residents of Carbon left for other places for housing and employment. The town was now abandoned.
1914 April 20: The Ludlow Massacre of Colorado Coal Miners occurred. It was an attack by the Colorado National Guard and the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, owned by John D. Rockefeller, on a tent colony of 1,200 striking coal miners and their families at Ludlow, Colorado. It had a profound affected on the Hanna miners.
1916 August 19: The first annual First Aid Competition was held at Rock Springs, Wyoming at the baseball park. Miners from Hanna participated.
1918: November 11: World War I ended at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The First World War left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded. In addition, at least five million civilians died.
1920 January 29: Prohibition of Alcohol in the United States started. Prohibition ended in 1933.
1920 July 4: The World War I Soldiers' Monument at the Hanna school was dedicated to the Veterans for their service in the war. John and Carolina's sons Harry G. Larson and Melvin L. Larson are listed on the monument.
1924: John Larson died at age 64 in Hanna, Wyoming and was buried in the Hanna, cemetery in plot 198.
1925 March 6: Carolina Larson died at age 57 in Denver, Colorado and was buried in the Hanna, Wyoming cemetery in plot 198.
John and Carolina had four children together:
- Esther Larson (1893 - 1908) Esther was born June 2, 1893 in Hanna, Wyoming. She died October 25, 1908 at age 15 from type 1 diabetes and was buried in the Hanna, Wyoming cemetery.
- Harry G. Larson (1895 - 1927) Harry was born in Hanna, Wyoming. He served in the military during WWI. He married Jean Wilson in 1921. Harry died August 12 1927 in Erie, Colorado. He was buried in Longmont, Colorado.
- Melvin L. Larson (1900 - 1979) Melvin was born June 20, 1900 in Hanna, Wyoming. He served in the military during World War I. Melving died in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming at the age of 79.
- Infant Son (1906 - 1906) An infant son was born in Hanna, Wyoming. He died in 1906 and buried in Hanna, Wyoming cemetery.
Larson, Carolina
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "1868 - 1925"
Plot: 198
Born: 1868
Died: Mar. 6 1925
Age: 57 y's
Note: The many friends of Mrs. John Larson, who was a resident of Hanna for a number of years, were shocked and grieved to learn of her death at Denver, Colorado, on Friday, March 6th. After appropriate ceremonies held at the Methodist church she was laid to rest in the Hanna cemetery. (UPCCEM, April 1925)
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "1868 - 1925"
Plot: 198
Born: 1868
Died: Mar. 6 1925
Age: 57 y's
Note: The many friends of Mrs. John Larson, who was a resident of Hanna for a number of years, were shocked and grieved to learn of her death at Denver, Colorado, on Friday, March 6th. After appropriate ceremonies held at the Methodist church she was laid to rest in the Hanna cemetery. (UPCCEM, April 1925)
(Image by Bob Leathers. 2021)
Larson, John
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "1860 - 1924"
Plot: 198
Born: 1860
Died: Apr. 30, 1924
Age: 64 y's
Note: We regret very much to have to record the passing of another old time resident of Hanna. This time the grim reaper called to the great beyond our old-time friend and fellow worker, John Larson, who departed this life on April 30th. Mr. Larson was a pioneer resident of Hanna, coming here in the early days of the camp, and his loss is keenly felt by all. Deceased leaves a widow and two sons and a host of friends to morn his death. Burial was in the Hanna cemetery, and his popularity was evidenced by the many friends that attended the ceremonies, and the many beautiful floral offerings. (UPCCEM, June 1924)
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "1860 - 1924"
Plot: 198
Born: 1860
Died: Apr. 30, 1924
Age: 64 y's
Note: We regret very much to have to record the passing of another old time resident of Hanna. This time the grim reaper called to the great beyond our old-time friend and fellow worker, John Larson, who departed this life on April 30th. Mr. Larson was a pioneer resident of Hanna, coming here in the early days of the camp, and his loss is keenly felt by all. Deceased leaves a widow and two sons and a host of friends to morn his death. Burial was in the Hanna cemetery, and his popularity was evidenced by the many friends that attended the ceremonies, and the many beautiful floral offerings. (UPCCEM, June 1924)
(Image by Bob Leathers. 2021)
Larson, Esther M.
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "Jun. 2, 1894 - Oct. 25, 1908"
Plot: 198
Born: June 2, 1894
Died: Oct 25, 1908
Age: 14 y's, 4 m's, 23 d's
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "Jun. 2, 1894 - Oct. 25, 1908"
Plot: 198
Born: June 2, 1894
Died: Oct 25, 1908
Age: 14 y's, 4 m's, 23 d's
and
Larson, Infant Son
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "Sept. 16, 1906"
Plot: 198
Born: Sept. 16, 1906
Died: Sept. 16, 1906
Age: 1 day
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "Sept. 16, 1906"
Plot: 198
Born: Sept. 16, 1906
Died: Sept. 16, 1906
Age: 1 day
(Image by Bob Leathers. 2021)