Carl Lager & Dora Larson

Carl Johan Lager, son of Johan Peter Lager and Maja Greta Svensdotter was born on 23 Apr 1854 in Lönsås parish, Östergötland, Sweden. He died on 15 Feb 1935 in Henry, Illinois, USA.

Dora M. Larson was born on 09 Nov 1858 in Geneseo, Henry, Illinois, USA. She died on 27 Jan 1931 in Geneseo, Henry, Illinois, USA.












Carl and Dora were married on 30 May 1878. They had one child, whom they adopted:

Florence Ruth Lager was born in Jun 1891. She married Fred C. Brutsche, and died Dec 28, 1955.

From "History of Henry County, Illinois", Volume II, by Henry L. Kiner, Page 274:

CARL J. LAGER

Among the business enterprises which are factors in Geneseo's commercial activity is the store of Carl J. Lager. He has for some years successfully conducted business as a dealer in clothing and men's furnishings, and the spirit of modern business enterprise actuates him in all that he does. He was born in Lonsas parish, Ostergotland, Sweden, April 23, 1854, and is a son of John P. and Maja Greta (Swensen) Lager, both of whom were natives of Sweden.

The father was a tailor by trade and in the year 1871 brought his family to the United States. He settled at Princeton, Illinois, where he lived for four years, and in 1875 he came to Geneseo, where he has since engaged in the tailoring business. His wife died in 1906 at the age of seventy-nine years, and he is now seventy-nine years of age.

He was a member of the regular army in Sweden, serving for twenty-three years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran church to which his wife also belongs. They were the parents of four children: Carl J.; Anna L., the widow of William Anderson, now living in Minneapolis; Mary, the wife of Carl J. Hagalin, of Geneseo; and Hilma C., the wife of Rev. John A. Frost, of Minneapolis.

Carl J. Lager was seventeen years of age when he came to the United States with his parents. He had acquired a good common-school education in the schools of his native country and had learned the tailor's trade there. On his arrival in America he worked at farm labor and was employed in other ways for a time, after which he followed his trade for a few years, or until 1880. He then engaged in the sewing-machine business until 1883, after which he accepted a clerkship in a clothing store. Six years were devoted to his duties as a salesman and at the end of that time he took charge of a store for M. Nusbaum & company, acting as manager of the business for three years. In 1903 he formed a partnership with William A. Offerle and the syle of the firm is now Lager, Offerle & Company. During the time that he was managing the business of M. Nusbaum & Company, he and Mr. Offerle, in 1897, purchased the lot on which the old "red mill" used to stand - one of the landmarks of Geneseo - and there they erected a modern brick building which is known as the Lager & Offerle block. In that they are conducting business, renting out one room for a dry-good store, for the second story constitutes the Masonic hall. They have a well equipped store, carrying a large line of men's furnishing goods and clothing and their sales reach a gratifying annual figure. Their business methods are reliable, and the enterprise which they manifest has brought them into important relations with the commercial life of the town.

On the 30th of May, 1878, Mr. Lager was married to Miss Dora M. Larson, a daughter of Peter and Anna M. Larson. Mrs. Lager was born in Geneseo, while her parents were natives of Sweden. Her father arrived in 1852, coming from Baros, while the mother, whose home was in the parish of Sand, Wernland, Sweden, came to the United States in 1854. Mr. Larson died in 1898 at the age of seventy-six years and is still survived by his wife. In their family were four daughters: Laura, now the wife of Fred Gotch; Dora M., now Mrs. Lager; Emily; and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Lager had two children, a son and a duaghter who died in infancy. They also have an adopted child, Florence Ruth, who married Fred C. Brutsehe, of Coon Rapids, Iowa.

The religious views of the parents are indicated by their membership in the Unitarian Church. Mr. Lager belongs to Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A.F & A.M.; Geneseo Chapter, No. 12, R.A.M.; Rock Island Commandery, No. 18, K.T.; and Kaaba Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Davenport, Iowa. He also affiliates with Geneseo Lodge, No. 172, I.O.O.F., and Geneseo Encampment, No. 34. He likewise belongs to the Patriarchs Militant, the Uniform Rank, Canton No. 60, of Moline, and he holds the commission of major as a member of the staff of General C. M. Lytle of the Patriarchs Militant, who is commander of the Second Brigade.

At the present time he is a representative of the camp and is a past representative of the grand lodge of Odd Fellows in Illianois. He also belongs to Utopia Lodge, No. 310, K.P., of which he is a past representative, and is a charger member of the Improved Order of Red Men. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he is now serving as the supervisor of Geneseo township. Some years ago he acted as alderman of the city from the fourth ward, and at all times he is loyal to the interests of the community, exercising his official prerogatives for the public good but laboring, as well, as a private citizen for the best interests of the town and county at large.

From "History of the Swedes of Illinois, Part III" by Martin J. Engberg, Page 15 (Henry County):

CARL J. LAGER, son of John Lager and Maja Greta Swenson, was born in Lonsas parish, Sweden, April 23, 1854. He attended the people's school at Lonsas, then helped his father at tailoring and at seventeen years of age emigrated to America, first settling in Princeton, Ill., afterward removing to Geneseo in 1875. Here on May 30, 1878, he married Miss Dora Larson, born Nov. 9, 1858. They have one child living, a daughter named Florence Ruth, born in 1891.

Mr. Lager is a clothing merchant, and head of the firm of Lager, Offerle & Co.

He is a Mason, a Knight Templar, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias and a Mystic Shriner. He holds the rank of Major in the Patriarchs Militant and has received the grand decoration of chivalry in the order. Mr. Lager is connected with the Unitarian Church, in which body he serves as treasurer. Politically he is a Democrat.

Obituary from the Geneseo Republic (from a message board on Ancestry.com)

Mrs. Carl J. Lager, 72, Dies Sunday Morning After A Brief Illness

Mrs. Carl J. Lager, 72, wife of one of Geneseo's best known business men and former mayor, passed away at her home on North State street, at 3:30 Sunday morning. She had been in failing health since Christmas but was not confined to her bed until about two weeks ago.

Mrs. Lager was formerly Miss Dora Larson. She was born in Geneseo November 9, 1858, and has continued to reside in his city ever since her birth. She received her education in the local schools and on May 30, 1878 she was united in marriage to Carl J. Lager. Mr. and Mrs. Lager had been married 52 years last May 30.

The deceased was a member of the Unitarian church, a member of the Hanna Dean Miller Alliance of that church, was a member of the Geneseo chapter of the Order of Eastern Star; a charter member of the Rebekah lodge of this city, of which she was a past noble grand; a member of the Ladies' Patriarch Militant, and the G.A.R. Ladies' Circle.

She is survived by the husband; a daughter, Mrs. Fred Brutsche of this city; four grandchildren, Dorothy Brutsche of Princeton; Irene, Carl and Albert of Geneseo; three sisters, Mrs. Laura Gottsche and Misses Emily and May Larson of Geneseo; also a number of cousins. Two children died in infancy.

Funeral services were held in the Unitarian church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with the Rev. George Croswell Cressey officiating. Pallbearers were George Baker, Fred Boom, Frank De Lander, Phineas Morrow, Ed Ole and Lawrence Yelmgren. Burial was in Oakwood cemetery.

Musical numbers were rendered by Mrs. Arvid Lundahl.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral service were Mrs. Hilma Frost of Minneapolis, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Anderson, son Albin, and daughter, Winnie, of Princeton.

Lager Family Photo. Carl & Dora are in the back row on the right,
and Florence Ruth is in front center, in plaid.