[Illustration: The E. G. Larson home
300 N. Ninth Street]
One of Fort Dodge’s early-day businessmen—E. G. Larson—built the home
pictured above in 1881. It still stands erect and stately at 300 N. 9th
St.
A huge porch that originally extended across the front of the house is
now missing and in its place is a small stoop and second floor balcony
with wrought iron railings. Otherwise, the exterior appearance of the
home is generally the same as it was in the 1880s and later. In recent
years the outside brick walls have been painted white adding to the
attractive appearance of the venerable home.
The two-story house originally had 13 rooms which are now divided into
three apartments—two on the first floor and one on the second.
Foundation walls of the house are constructed of native limestone and
upper walls have four layers of brick measuring 16 inches thick.
Larson, a native of Norway, came to Fort Dodge in 1868. Trained in
tailoring, he began work in John W. Hardin’s shop, later working in
other tailoring shops here. In 1872 he started his own tailoring shop,
leasing one side of the room then occupied by C. Rank’s shoe store.
Outgrowing the quarters he then moved to Fessler’s building on Central
Avenue. A few years later he leased a new brick building owned by Angus
McBane and put in a complete line of ready-made clothing in addition to
his tailoring department. Business prospered and he bought the building
where the store was located.
In 1892 Larson retired from active business and devoted his time to
other interests here. In later years he was in the banking business as
an officer and director of the Security Trust & Savings Bank which
operated until the early 1930s. He was also an officer of the Larson
Clothing Company which was sold in 1920 to the Glazers.
There were three sons and two daughters in the E. G. Larson family. They
included Ben P. Larson Sr., Olaf Larson, Clarence Larson, Martina and
Louise Larson, who was married to Eugene Gates. Miss Martina Larson
resided in the family home until 1935 when it was sold. Present owners
of the Larson home are Mr. and Mrs. Orrin R. White who purchased the
property in 1947.