Alfred Larson, head miller of the mill of the Portland Flouring Mills Company at Dayton and thus prominently identified with the industrial activity and development of southeastern Washington, was born in Sweden, May 13, 1856, a son of Edward and Margaret Larson, both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden, the father following the occupation of farming there.
Alfred Larson was reared in his native country and its public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. In 1878, when a young man of twenty-two years, he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had previously learned the miller's trade in Sweden, having entered upon an apprenticeship to that work when a youth of but fifteen years. After coming to the new world he secured employment in the flouring mills of Minneapolis and during two different periods devoted seventeen years to that business in that city, spending the entire time with two companies. In 1891 he first came to the far northwest, making his way to Salem, Oregon, where he was employed as head miller by the Portland Flouring Mills Company. He remained in that position in Salem for four years and then returned to Minneapolis, where he spent the succeeding seven years as second miller in one of the city's most important milling plants. In 1902 he again came to the west, this time accepting the position of head miller in the Creston Mills at Creston, Washington, where he resided for three and a half years. He then went to Condon, Oregon, where he took charge of the plant of the Portland Flouring Mills Company, which he managed for five years. He was transferred to the Albino Mills, owned by the same company at Portland, Oregon, and a year later he resigned his position there to engage in the real estate business in Portland. That, however, proved an unsuccessful venture and he returned to the milling business, accepting the position of head miller of the plant of the Portland Flouring Mills Company at Dayton. In this important position he has since continued and the success of the business at this point is attributable to his skill, enterprise and close application. He has won a substantial position among the foremost millers of the northwest.
In 1882 Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Corlstrom, who was born in Sweden and emigrated to the United States with a sister when a maiden of fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have become the parents of three children, two of whom are living, namely: Mabel, the wife of C. N. Lockridge, who is serving as county clerk of Gilliam county, Oregon; and Wallace, a mechanical engineer and miller who is assisting his father in the mill.
Mr. Larson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is identified with the Masons, belonging to Creston Lodge, No. 123, F. & A. M.; Davenport Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M.; Zion Commandery, No. 2, K. T.; and Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Portland, Oregon. Mr. Larson's record is that of one who through orderly progression has reached a creditable position in the business world. Coming to America when a young man of twenty-two years without capital save energy, ambition and a knowledge of his trade, he has steadily worked his way upward and among his marked characteristics should be mentioned his fidelity and loyalty to the interests which he serves. This is indicated by the fact that he continued for seventeen years in the employ of but two companies in Minneapolis and that he has been gladly received back into the ranks of the representatives of the Portland Flouring Mills Company, with which company he has been associated for twenty-five years and with which he now occupies a position of responsibility and importance. There is no phase of the milling business with which he is not thoroughly familiar and he is thus well qualified to discharge the onerous duties that devolve upon him in his present connection. Dayton numbers him among her foremost citizens and accords him a high measure of respect and goodwill.
CANTREL R. FRAZIER.
Cantrel R. Frazier is a retired farmer residing at No. 305 Newell street in Walla Walla. He has passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey and well deserves the rest which has come to him, for it is the reward of persistent, earnest and intelligently directed effort in former years. He was born in Barren county, Kentucky, February 15, 1832, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Marshall) Frazier. The mother died in Kentucky, after which the father removed to Missouri in 1846. There his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in that state in the early '70s.
Cantrel R. Frazier in young manhood, or in 1853, when twenty-one years of age, crossed the plains with a drove of cattle belonging to the firm of Packwood & Lewis of San Jose, California. He was accompanied on the trip by his brother William and five months were spent upon the road ere they reached their destination. After the cattle were delivered to their employers they took up a homestead in Tulare county, California, after which they paid ten cents per pound for seed wheat. They planted fifteen acres and harvested six hundred bushels, for which they received six cents per pound. For two years they remained in the Golden state and then returned to Missouri.
