WI BIO - Dane Co - LEWIS, Lars H.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 586-587

Lars H. LEWIS, a merchant tailor of Mount Horeb, Dane County, WI, is a son of 
Lars HERMUNDSON, a native of Norway, where he worked at the tailor's trade. 
In 1862 the family came by sailing vessel to America, having spent eight 
weeks and two days on the ocean, and landed in Quebec. On 06 Jul 1862 they 
settled in Stoughton [Dane County], WI, where the father and sons worked on a 
farm for a time, and later began his trade in Cambridge, Dane County, WI. 
Two years afterward the family bought two acres of land at McFarland [Dane 
County, WI], where they immediately took up their residence.

Mr. and Mrs. Lars HERMUNDSON were the parents of nine children: (1) Hermon, 
deceased in [p 587] Madison [Dane County, WI]; (2) Erick, a farmer and 
tailor of McFarland [Dane County, WI]; (3) Christopher, who served three 
years in the regular army, assisted in driving away the Indians at the Curtis 
massacre, took part in other Indian engagements, and has not been heard from 
for over six years; (4) Sophia, deceased in infancy; (5) Lars H., our 
subject; (6) Syver, who died at the old homestead in McFarland; (7) Ole, 
deceased at the same place; (8) Sophia, the wife of Hans K. LEVANG, of 
Brandon, Douglas County, MN; and (9) Nels, deceased at the age of three 
weeks.

Lars. H. LEWIS, the subject of this sketch, was born in Norway, 03 Jan 1847, 
attended the common schools in that country, and learned the trade of a 
tailor from his father. He came to America with his parents, where he again 
entered school, and afterward graduated in the business course at the 
Worthington Commercial College. At the age of eighteen years he began work 
at anything he could find to do, and later followed his trade for a time in 
Madison, WI. Lars H. LEWIS was married to Julia TORGUSON, a native of 
Norway, but who came to this country with her parents at the age of five 
years. They located in Sun Prairie Township, Dane County, WI. The father 
died in Perry Township, Dane County, WI, and the mother now resides with the 
youngest daughter at Stoughton [Dane County, WI]. Seven of their children 
still survive: (1) Julia, wife of Lars. H. LEWIS (our subject); (2) 
Martha, now Mrs. John HANSON, of Forward, Dane County, WI; (3) Annie, wife 
of John JOHNSON, of Sacred Heart [Renville County], MN; (4) Threna, wife of 
Gunder ERDAHL, of Stoughton [Dane County, WI], WI; (5) Jacob, of the same 
place; (6) Johanna, wife of Knute LUNDE, and (7) Andrew, both also of 
Stoughton, WI.

Lars H. and Julia (TORGUSON) LEWIS have had nine children: (1) Emma Sophia, 
wife of E. C. ELBEN, of Mount Horeb [Dane County, WI]; (2) Thal, at home; 
(3) Henry, attending the high school at Black Earth [Dane County, WI]; (4) 
Louisa, attending school at the same place; (5) Sarah, at home; (6) Lena, 
at home; (7) Isaac, at home; (8) Clara, at home; and (9) Theodore, 
deceased. Lars H. LEWIS now owns a fine tailor shop at Mount Horeb, WI, 
where he has a good trade. He is reliable and accommodating, and speaks both 
English and Norwegian fluently.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly