Laur. Larsen Presidential Papers, 1853-1933 | Luther College Archives

By Sasha Griffin

Collection Overview

Title: Laur. Larsen Presidential Papers, 1853-1933Add to your cart.

ID: LCA/RG02/1st President

Primary Creator: Larsen, Laur (1833-1915)

Other Creators: Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)

Extent: 13.1 Linear Feet. More info below.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into six series:

1) Correspondence (1857-1915)

2) Administrative Files (1854-1915)

3) Writings (1860-1933)

4) Sermons (1855-1909)

5) Synod Files (1863-1903)

6) Subject Files (1861-1903)

Subjects: Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - College Finances, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Faculty and Staff, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - History, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Students, Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, Norwegian Synod

Languages: English, Norwegian

Abstract

This series contains the official presidential records and papers of Laur. Larsen.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This series contains the official presidential records and papers of Laur. Larsen, the first President of Luther College, whose administration spanned 1861-1902.  Included in the series is correspondence, writings, speeches, sermons, Norwegian Synod files, and college administrative files, dating 1854-1933.  Though he was commonly known as Laur. Larsen, other variations of his name include Peter Lauritz Larsen and Peter Laurentius Larsen.

Collection Historical Note

Peter Laurentius (Laur.) Larsen was born August 10, 1833, at Kristiansand, Norway.  His parents were Captain (Army) Herman Larsen and Elen Else Marie Oftedahl.  Larsen entered the Kristiansand Cathedral School in 1842. In 1850, Larsen took his examinations for a Bachelor's degree at the University.  In 1851, he took a second set of examinations and studied theology from 1852 until June of 1855.  He  achieved degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy and Candidate of Theology.  He stayed to teach at Christiania from 1855 to 1857. In 1855, Larsen married his first wife, Karen Randine Neuberg.  They emigrated to America in 1857.  He became the pastor of Rush River, Wisconsin from 1857 to 1859. October 14, 1861, marks the beginning of Laur. Larsen's official Presidency of Luther College, a term of office that covers all of the College's formative years throughout the latter half of the 19th century and into the 20th. After forty-one years as the president of Luther College, Larsen stepped down on July 31, 1902. He was replaced by C. K. Preus. Larsen continued to teach Hebrew for nine more years before retiring from his professor duties in 1911. Larsen died peacefully in his sleep on March 1, 1915.

Biographical Note

Peter Laurentius (Laur.) Larsen was born August 10, 1833, at Kristiansand, Norway.  His parents were Captain (Army) Herman Larsen and Elen Else Marie Oftedahl.  Larsen entered the Kristiansand Cathedral School in 1842. In 1850, Larsen took his examinations for a Bachelor's degree at the University.  In 1851, he took a second set of examinations and studied theology from 1852 until June of 1855.  He  achieved degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy and Candidate of Theology.  He stayed to teach at Christiania from 1855 to 1857. In 1855, Larsen married his first wife, Karen Randine Neuberg.  They emigrated to America in 1857.  He became the pastor of Rush River, Wisconsin from 1857 to 1859. October 14, 1861, marks the beginning of Laur. Larsen's official Presidency of Luther College, a term of office that covers all of the College's formative years throughout the latter half of the 19th century and into the 20th. After forty-one years as the president of Luther College, Larsen stepped down on July 31, 1902. He was replaced by C. K. Preus. Larsen continued to teach Hebrew for nine more years before retiring from his professor duties in 1911. Larsen died peacefully in his sleep on March 1, 1915.

Subject/Index Terms

Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - College Finances
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Faculty and Staff
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - History
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Students
Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
Norwegian Synod

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 50 boxes

Access Restrictions: All materials are available for research.

Use Restrictions: Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College Library and Information Services copyright and fair use policy, please visit http://lis.luther.edu/about/policies/copyright.

Technical Access Note: Some materials in this collection require the use of a microfiche reader.

Original/Copies Note: Some materials in this collection are photocopies.  The existence, location, and copyright status of originals are unknown.

Preferred Citation:

Cite unpublished materials: Laur. Larsen Presidential Papers, RG02 Office of the President, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Cite published materials as required by your chosen citation style (Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.).


Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence, 1857-1915],
[Series 2: Administrative Files, 1854-1915],
[Series 3: Writings, 1860-1933],
[Series 4: Sermons, 1855-1909],
[Series 5: Synod Files, 1863-1903],
[Series 6: Subject Files, 1861-1903],
[All]

Series 6: Subject Files, 1861-1903Add to your cart.
Box 1: Subject Files, 1861-1901Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Translation of Laur. Larsen Diary, undatedAdd to your cart.
Translator: Hovde, Oivind M.
Folder 2: Diary of Laur. Larsen, 1861Add to your cart.
Folder 3: Copy books, accounting books, and note books, 1857-1901Add to your cart.
Folder 4: Correspondence, interfile, 1866-1869Add to your cart.
Folder 5: Correspondence, interfile, 1895-1901Add to your cart.
Folder 6: Correspondence, interfile, 1901Add to your cart.
Folder 7: Attendance Record Book, 1877-1882Add to your cart.
Folder 8: Attendance Record Book, 1882-1885Add to your cart.
Folder 9: Attendance Record Book, 1875-1881Add to your cart.
Folder 10: Student Discipline, notes, 1880-1895Add to your cart.
Folder 11: Finanical Receipts from Lecture Committee, 1887-1894Add to your cart.
Folder 12: Programs from Inaugurations, 1874-1890Add to your cart.
Folder 13: Travel Diaries, undatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 14: Army Cadet Corps, 1866-1868Add to your cart.
Box 2: Subject Files, 1861-1903Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Campus Parsonage, 1868-1870Add to your cart.
Includes 96:332.
Folder 2: Financial Material, Receipts for building, books, and tuition, 1862-1864Add to your cart.
Includes documents originally listed on inventories in the correspondence series.
Folder 3: Correspondence, April 1908Add to your cart.
Includes 96:279
Folder 4: Financial Statements, Invoices, and Loans, 1861-1895Add to your cart.
Includes documents originally listed on inventories in the correspondence files.
Folder 5: Certificate of College, undatedAdd to your cart.
Includes 96:431
Folder 6: School Anniversary Letters, 1881-1889Add to your cart.
Letters contain best wishes from graduates; contains documents originally listed on inventories in the correspondence series.
Folder 7: Financial Account Book, 1889-1903Add to your cart.
Folder 8: Lecture Notes, Latin School, 1842-1852, n.d.Add to your cart.
Includes 96:308:01 - other notebooks from this accession may be in RG15 Papers of the Larsen Family.
Folder 9: Songs and Programs, 1874-1890, n.d.Add to your cart.
Includes 96:447
Folder 10: Certificate and Newsletters, 1858-1898, n.d.Add to your cart.
Includes 96:446
Folder 11: Student Petitions, 1885-1894Add to your cart.
Folder 12: Master of Arts Applications, 1890Add to your cart.
Contains documents originally listed on inventories in the correspondence series.
Folder 13: Inquiries and Requests for Catalog, 1862-1897Add to your cart.
Folder 14: Student Accounts - A, 1892-1898Add to your cart.
Includes documents originally listed on inventories of correspondence series.
Folder 15: Student Accounts - B, 1868-1900Add to your cart.
Includes documents originally listed on inventories in the correspondence series.
Folder 16: Evangelisk Luthersk Folke Kalender, 1892Add to your cart.
Box 3: Oversized, Examen Artium, 1850Add to your cart.

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence, 1857-1915],
[Series 2: Administrative Files, 1854-1915],
[Series 3: Writings, 1860-1933],
[Series 4: Sermons, 1855-1909],
[Series 5: Synod Files, 1863-1903],
[Series 6: Subject Files, 1861-1903],
[All]