A native of Wisconsin, James Larson (d. 1921) served in Union Army during the Civil War before immigrating to Fredericksburg, Texas, in 1869. Although he moved to Texas with the intention of purchasing a farm for his father, the latter’s death compelled Larson to stay on the farm. Three years later, he married Susanna Zenner, with whom he had two daughters. In addition to his work as a farmer, Larson served as justice of the peace while also teaching English at the Cave Creek School from 1882 through 1892. In 1897, he became the Postmaster for Fredericksburg and began writing a book on his experiences as a soldier during the Civil War.
Composed of two volumes, the James Larson Memoirs, [ca. 1929], chronicle Larson’s experience as a soldier serving in the Union Army during the Civil War as well as his immigration to Fredericksburg, Texas. The memoirs also discuss his childhood in Wisconsin, life in Fredericksburg as a farmer and justice of the peace, and his familial affairs.
This collection is open for research use.
James Larson Memoirs, [ca. 1929], Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s