Lutheran clergyman, educator, editor, b. Kristiansand, Norway. He attended Christiania Univ. (1850-1855, C.T.). He migrated to the United States and Wisconsin (1857), and preached his first sermons in the area around Rush River, Pierce County. He was professor of theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1859-1861), and president of Luther College (1861-1902) (founded at Halfway Creek near La Crosse in 1861, and moved in 1862 to Decorah, Ia.). He was vice-president of the Norwegian Synod (1876-1893). As editor-in-chief, he served the official organ of the Norwegian Synod, Kirkelig Maanedstidende (1868-1874), and its successor, Evangelish Luthersk Kirketidende (1874-1889, 1902-1912). In 1908 he was made a Knight of the Order of St. Olay. Dict. Amer. Biog.; K. Larsen, Laur. Larsen (Northfield, Minn., 1936).

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]