Robert F. Larson's tombstone in the Chariton Cemetery is a modest one, but his obituary --- published in The Chariton Democrat of Dec. 5, 1901 --- was an extravagant one, of a type rarely seen in this day and age.
The accomplished and popular young man, just 21 when he died on Nov. 30, also was a printer and that may have been a factor in the number of column inches allocated to his passing. A shorter obituary was published in The Herald, his employer at the time of death, but the editor noted in his column, "The Herald Office has never had a more conscientious, honest and faithful workman."
Cause of death was typhoid, most often caused by drinking water from a contaminated source.
Robert and his brother, John, had been boys and their sister, Freda, an infant when their father, Lars Gustaf Larson, died in an accident while employed by the C.B.&Q. Railroad in 1882. Christine Larson had worked hard to keep her family together after that, allowing her children to obtain good educations and develop their talents. Both sons were employed as printers when Robert died and had recently built a new home for their mother and sister on North Main Street, according to The Herald.
Here's the obituary:
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The Democrat is called upon this week to perform a sad duty, and that is to chronicle the death of Robert F. Larson, which occurred at the home of his mother in this city on Friday morning, November 30, 1901, at ten minutes after ten o'clock, after an illness of only two weeks with typhoid fever. All that medical aid and loving hands could do was done, but God, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to remove him to the heavenly home.
The last sad rites were held at the Swedish Lutheran church on Sunday afternoon at two o'clock and were largely attended, the different organizations to which he belonged being present in a body. The services were pathetic beyond expression, for he had been cut down unexpectedly in his young manhood, and to those who had seen him but a short time before, in apparent good health, his demise came as a severe and sudden shock.
A choir composed of Mrs. Borg, Misses Josephine and Minnie Lindquist, Anna Ekfelt, Anna Lindgren, Alma Clay, Ena Pearson, Mrs. Thekla Lewis, Messrs. R.A. Hasselquist, L.R. Busselle, B.J. Bechtel, Oscar Clay and Rev. Borg sang several beautiful selections, but the musical numbers gave added cause for sorrowful memories, for the deceased had been a member of the choir, and the vacant chair was draped in mourning.
Rev. J. P. Borg spoke briefly of the beautiful life of the deceased, offering consolation to his family and friends in the expression of the fact that he had but put off this earthly habitat to take on the garment of immortality.
The church was heavily draped in black and white, and the floral emblems and offerings were profuse and beautiful. Among them we noted a broken wheel from the Concordia society; a lyre from the choir; anchor, Literary society; bouquet, Dorcas society; pillow, confirmation class of 1891; printer's stick, the newspaper fraternity; wreath, Chariton fire department; numerous bouquets were also contributed by others, all coming from sympathetic hearts.
At the conclusion of the sermon the cortege marched to the Chariton cemetery, where amidst the sad tears of the near and dear ones, the remains were gently lowered to their last resting place, and not one, as the last good-byes were said, felt that a loss had been sustained for which there is no compensation. The pall bearers were Messrs. Carl Lindstrom, Oscar Clay, Harry Lundgren, Oscar Nelson, Godfrey Arvidson and Carl Lindquist.
Robert Ferdinand Larson, son of Gust and Christine Larson, was born in this city on November 18, 1877, and at the time of his death was only a little past twenty-four years of age. When but five years old, his father lost his life in a railway accident and the mother and children have since battled for themselves. How well they have succeeded every one here knows.
Robert attended our public schools until about seven years ago when he quit to learn the printer's trade and has since been employed on the Patriot and Herald. He was steady as clock work and was a most efficient and capable employee. He possessed a jovial, pleasant disposition and was a favorite with all. If he had an enemy in the world no one knew it.
He was an active member of the Swedish Lutheran church, having been one of the confirmation class of 1891. He served in the choir and belonged to all the different church organizations. His life conformed to his religious profession and it is hard to give up one whose influence among men would doubtless have been for good. During his illness he expressed himself as ready to go and willing to submit to the Lord's will.
We do not hesitate to say that Robert Larson was one of the best young men in Chariton. He is gone from us but the memory of his pure and simple life will live on and will bear fruit to the glory of the Master whom he served.
He leaves a mother, one brother, John, and one sister, Freda. To these bereaved ones, in their irreparable loss, and in their great grief, we can but say with our hearts burdened with sorrow at our loss and our souls in full sympathy with them that we miss his presence, we mourn his absence, and thus it will ever be. No change of circumstances can dim our remembrance of this cherished co-worker.
"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die, he is not dead, but only gone before." May time bring resignation, and may the shores of eternity that receive his soul surround it with everlasting sunshine and flowers.
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After his brother's death, John Larson continued to work as a printer for a time, then went to work in the Chariton Post Office where he advanced to the post of assistant postmaster as the years passed.
Neither John nor his sister, Freda, married and they cared for their mother during the last years of her life, which ended at the age of 100 during July of 1942.
John was just short of 80 when he died during September of 1954 and Freda, just short of 78 when she died during April of 1960.
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