Lawrence R. Larsen
Chief Clerk of the Wisconsin Senate
In office
January 3, 1955 – March 2, 1965 (died)
Preceded byThomas M. Donahue
Succeeded byWilliam P. Nugent
In office
January 9, 1935 – January 6, 1947
Preceded byRobert A. Cobban
Succeeded byThomas M. Donahue
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Racine 2nd district
In office
January 1, 1951 – January 3, 1955
Preceded byThomas Cole Taylor
Succeeded byRoy E. Naleid
Personal details
Born(1897-03-23)March 23, 1897
Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 1965(1965-03-02) (aged 67)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeMound Cemetery, Racine
Political party
Spouse
Maude Moriarty
​
(m. 1928⁠–⁠1965)​
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
RankPrivate, USA
Battles/warsWorld War I

Lawrence R. Larsen (March 23, 1897 – March 2, 1965) was a Danish American businessman and politician from Racine, Wisconsin. He served 11 terms as chief clerk of the Wisconsin Senate (1935–1947 & 1955–1965) and also served two terms as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1951–1955).

Early life and business career

Larsen was born to Danish immigrants in Racine, Wisconsin; Racine remained his primary residence for his entire life.[1] He attended public schools and, at age 20, enlisted in the United States Army for service in World War I.[2] He was stationed through most of his service in Shelby, Mississippi. After the war, he became active in the American Legion and Freemasonry. He also became active in the state Retail Merchants' Association through his grocery business and was elected to the board of directors of the retail association in 1921.[3]

Political career

Larsen was originally involved in politics as a member of the Democratic Party. He was chosen as chief clerk of the Wisconsin Senate in the 1935 session, when the Democrats briefly held control of the chamber in a coalition with Wisconsin Progressives.[4] He was subsequently retained as chief clerk when the Progressives took the majority in 1937, and when the Republicans took the majority in 1939, remaining in office until the end of the 1945 session.[5]

He subsequently identified as a member of the Republican Party and was elected to two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Racine County's 2nd Assembly district. At the time, his district comprised most of the northern half of the city of Racine. He ran for a third term in 1954 but was defeated by Democrat Roy E. Naleid.[6]

He left office in January 1955, but was immediately re-appointed as chief clerk of the Senate by the Republican majority. He was then re-appointed five more times, serving until his death in March 1965.[5][7]

On March 2, 1965, Larsen collapsed in his office and was rushed to the University Hospital. He was rushed into surgery for what was described as a ruptured aorta and died at the hospital.[8][7]

Personal life and family

Lawrence Larsen married Maude Moriarty on August 6, 1928. They had no known children.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Biographical Sketch of Lawrence R. Larsen". Racine County Wisconsin History. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
  2. ↑ "Larsen, Lawrence R. 1897". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Merchants Pick New Secretary". Racine Journal Times. November 30, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Lawrence Larsen Elected Upper House Clerk". Wisconsin State Journal. January 9, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2021). "Historical Lists" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2021–2022 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 471. ISBN 978-1-7333817-1-0. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  6. ↑ Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1956). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1956 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. p. 754. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Chief Clerk of State Senate Dies". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. March 3, 1965. p. 42. Retrieved June 19, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  8. ↑ "State Senate Clerk From Racine Collapses". Racine Journal Times. March 2, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Larsen, Lawrence". Racine Journal Times. March 3, 1965. p. 25. Retrieved August 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.


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