Martin Larsen, one of the partners in the business conducted under the name of the Junction Furniture Company at No. 1326 Washington Avenue, was born in Denmark, January 22, 1869, a son of Lars and Maria Hansen. He obtained his education in his native country and in the year 1886 arrived in Wisconsin, settling at Neenah. He had previously learned’ the cigar maker’s trade and he followed that business in Neenah for a year, after which he was employed in a similar capacity in Oshkosh for four years. He arrived in Racine in 1891 and here followed his trade for several years, but desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he embraced the opportunity in 1910 of purchasing an interest in the furniture store of Peter Christiansen, whereupon was organized the firm of Christiansen & Larsen. They are conducting business under the name of the Junction Furniture Company at No. 1326 Washington Avenue and are accorded a liberal patronage which is well merited. They carry an attractive line of goods, which they sell at reasonable prices, and their business methods are such as will at all times bear close investigation and scrutiny.
On the 5th of November, 1895, Mr. Larsen was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Hansen, who was born in Denmark and is a daughter of Rasmus Hansen, who established his home in Neenah, Wisconsin, in 1883. To Mr. and Mrs. Larsen were born three children: Lawrence, who is a bookkeeper and stenographer in the employ of the Perfex Radiator Company: and Harold and Elmer, who are attending school.
Mr. Larsen is a member of the Danish Brotherhood and has been identified with the supreme lodge for eight years. He was chairman of the building committee when the hall was erected in Racine in 1910 and he has held all the offices in the order, serving as trustee for four years and as vice president of the supreme lodge for four years. He is also a member of the Danish Society of Racine and he does all in his power to aid his fellow; countrymen who come to this section of the state to seek the opportunities offered by the new world. At the same time he is a most loyal American citizen and willingly co-operates in all well defined plans and measures for the upbuilding of Racine and the promotion of its interests.