Name: Larsen, Laur (1833-1915)

Fuller Form: Larsen, Peter Laurentius

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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.

Sources: http://www.luthercollegehistory.org/wiki/Laur_Larsen

Note Author: KB/RV

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