Lars Magnus Andersen (“Maggs”)

Magnus was born in Mendon, Cache, Utah on 3 September 1879 to Andrew and Sophia Larsen Andersen. 

The Bannock Valley history states that “the Andersen family was the largest family to settle and homestead in the Arbon Valley” (p. 29).  Magnus’ father and two brothers Otto and John first scouted out the valley in 1892, and returned in 1893 to homestead.  It is presumed that fourteen-year-old Magnus spent a lot of time in the valley helping his father and brothers as they broke out ground for planting, gathered wood from the canyons, built Otto’s cabin, and established their fences, corrals, and livestock holdings.

As the children came of age, they applied for land holdings of their own.  Lars’ brother Otto applied in 1893, and John was next. “Lars Magnus followed and settled on the hundred and sixty acres just sound of John.” It was a family affair, as siblings Catherine Sophia, George, Ezra, Annie (Pett), and Henry all applied in the same area, within sight of each other’s holdings, where they could easily help each other. Magnus proved up on his ground in October 1910. 

“About 1913, “Oneida County was divided and half of the valley went to Power County, [with American Falls as the county seat], to pay property taxes. The Oneida County dividing line was just south of Magnus Andersen’s place.”

Lars never married.  He enlisted in the Army in April 1917, and served as a corporal in Company 1, 21^st Infantry division in WWI. He was discharged January 1919.

Sometimes he was known as Lars, Lawrence, other times as Magnus or even Maggs.

“Otto, John, Ezra, and Magnus along with Annie lived there most of their lives. [About 1911], Magnus sold his homestead to Bruce and Annie Andersen Pett and went back to Mendon to take care of his parents.” 

Magnus died at the age of sixty-eight on 18 November 1947 in Mendon, Cache, Utah.  He is buried in the Mendon Cemetery alongside his parents.

Sources:

Ward, Laurie Jean, Bannock Valley (Providence, Utah: Keith Watkins and Sons, 1982).

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/K271-ZZH

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40678041/lars-magnus-andersen/photo