Item Detail
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Larson, Elna Olsson Malmstrom
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1826-
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MSS SC 41
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Biography
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Elna Olsson Malmstrom Larson was born 13 February 1826 in Lund, Sweden, to Olof Johnson and Karna (Petersson) Malmstrom. Her father was a wealthy blacksmith and mechanic. She grew up in the Lutheran Church, which was the State Religion of Sweden. Elna married Mons Larson, also from Sweden, in 1852. They were introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, became converted, and were both baptized on 6 June 1856. In 1859 they immigrated with 355 other Scandinavians to the United States. From there Elna and Mons traveled to Utah by handcart crossing with their three children who had been born in Sweden. They settled in the Santaquin area and had five more children making a total of eight, four girls and four boys, though one son died one day after birth. Elna encouraged Mons to take another wife in the order of polygamy. A short time later he married a second wife Olivia Larson, who was also from Sweden. Olivia and Elna got along nicely. Mons and his family were called to settle in Arizona. Mons took Elna and their children and had a relatively easy journey. Olivia stayed behind and went south later. Elna lived a portion of her life in Snowflake, Arizona and lived the remainder of her life in Pima, Arizona. She evidently lived twenty-four years longer than her husband, but her actual death date is not known.
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This collection contains a ten-page biography (in book of remembrance form), photos, charts, and brief sketches. The photos are excellent reproductions of the original. The biography focuses on Mons Larson and his two wives, Elna and Olivia. There are also copies of miscellaneous letters and documents for these people. The biography mentions briefly the major events in Elna 's life and gives several faith promoting stories. It emphasizes her conversion to the LDS Church and later involvement in the Church. Elna's testimony is also recorded. At the end of the biography there are multiple pedigree charts and life sketches of Elna's and Olivia's children with some photos included. Olivia's life is also discussed, but for further details, see her entry in this register. The ancestry of Mons, Elna, and Olivia are also included with sealing charts. Pioneers.
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1977-