Larson, Alof Pratt, 1882-1961

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1882 - 1961

Biographical History

Alof Pratt Larson (1882-1961) was a pioneer who schooled himself until he was proficient in at least 31 different trades, ranging from sheepherdering and farming to surveying and law enforcement.

Alof Pratt Larson was born in Snowflake, Arizona, on November 7, 1882, to parents Alof and May Louise Hunt Larson. He married Margaret Smith (1884-1973) on June 1, 1904, in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the SLC Temple, and they had 8 children: Helen (1905-2003), Maybelle (1907-1972), Maxine (1909-1994), Marsden (1912-1992), Norma (1916-2009), Gladys (1919-1970), Waldo (1921- ), and Dorothy (1924- ). He never finished high school, but was self-educated in many areas. Over the course of his life he became proficient at 31 different trades, including: auto mechanic and driver, blacksmith, builder, carpenter, deputy sheriff, farmer, government inspector, homesteader, horseman, plasterer, railroad worker, road worker, sawyer, sheep sheerer, surveyor, miner, and teacher--a true pioneer and jack-of-all-trades. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teacher, missionary to the Maricopa Indians and on the Hawaiian Islands, and 1st bishop of the Lakeside ward.

He died on August 12, 1961, in Lakeside, Arizona, while on a family vacation to the lands he had homesteaded. He is buried in the Lakeside, Arizona City Cemetery, which was on land he had donated to the city for that purpose.

Citation:

FamilySearch.org, accessed December 2, 2013 (b. November 7, 1882; parents Alof and May Louise Hunt Larson; married Margaret Smith (1884-1973) on June 1, 1904 in Salt Lake City, Utah Temple; 8 children: Helen (1905-2003), Maybelle (1907-1972), Maxine (1909-1994), Marsden (1912-1992), Norma (1916-2009), Gladys (1919-1970), Waldo (1921- ), and Dorothy (1924- ); did not finish high school; d. August 12, 1961 in Lakeside, Arizona; buried in Lakeside City Cemetery; donated land for cemetery).

UPB files, MSS 8264, accessed December 2, 2013 (proficient at 31 different trades, including: auto mechanic and driver; blacksmith; builder; carpenter; deputy sheriff; farmer; government inspector; homesteader; horseman; plasterer; railroad worker; road worker; sawyer; sheep sheerer; surveyor; miner; and teacher; a true pioneer and jack-of-all-trades; teacher; missionary to the Maricopa Indians and the Hawaiian Islands; 1st bishop of the Lakeside ward)

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Alof Pratt Larson and Margaret Smith Larson papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 8763

Scope and Contents

The collection contains the papers of Alof Pratt and Margaret Smith Larson, residents of Snowflake, Lakeside, Phoenix, and Taylor, Arizona. Includes correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, school notes, items from the Taylor Cash Store, legal papers, missionary notes and journals, family history research and stories, and notes from Alof's various careers and church service. Materials are dated 1900-1973.

Dates: approximately 1900-1973

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Margaret Smith Larson papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 1469

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, memorabilia, ledgers, and biographical and genealogical data concerning Margaret and her husband, Alof Pratt Larsen. The materials relate to Margaret Larson and her life as a Mormon and as a worker in the Taylor Cash Store in Taylor, Arizona.

Dates: 1920-1965