Gummas Lars Larsson
Also went by the name Louis Elvine
- Birth: Loka, Älvdalen, Dalarna, Sweden
- Emigrated: 1900. Settled in Minnesota: Dalbo, Isanti County.
- Death: 1947. Dalbo Baptist cemetery. Unmarked grave with family plot.
Photo of Gumas Lars Larsson found in "Spelmän, låtar och musik i Älvdalen" by Ragnar Forslund (1926-) Elfdalens hembygdsförening. 2006. Used with permission
Photo of Gumas Lars Larsson Violin. Collection from family. Used with Permission
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Gumas Lars Larsson, born on June 7, 1855, in the village of Loka, Älvdalen, worked as a blacksmith at the Långö Liebruk in Älvdalen. He met his future wife, Anna Persdotter, and together they raised their six children on their family farm.
Lars had a passion for playing the violin from a young age and gained recognition for his skill and popularity as a fiddler. His repertoire ranged from traditional Älvdalen tunes to contemporary songs, and he often performed at weddings, dances, and Lordship Balls at Långö Mill. In 1900, Lars emigrated to America and changed his name to Louis, adopting the new family name Elvine. They settled in Dalbo, Minnesota, on a 120-acre farm that he purchased from Korp-Erik's (another one of the Nordic Newcomers,) brothers. Lars's granddaughter Betty Davis described him as kind, quiet, and dedicated to his music, playing daily and always wearing his cap while performing. His emotional attachment to his homeland was evident in his tears while playing, perhaps longing for his old friends in Älvdalen. Betty expressed regret that Lars never fully wanted to leave Sweden and wished he could have known how fondly he was remembered by people back home. Älvdalen Tradition Bearer and Riksspelmän Verf Lena Egardt wrote: "The transition for Gumas Lars and his wife Anna must have been immense! Just imagine moving to a completely different part of the world where you don't understand the language, settling down in a new place, and raising your children amidst an entirely different way of life. For Lars, this transition also meant a significant musical adjustment. He went from being a popular and hired fiddler to playing his fiddle in solitude. According to his grandson, Gumas Lars never performed publicly in his new homeland; he played only for his own enjoyment. Gone were the days of dance performances, gentlemen's balls, music in the fäbod, and the happy cheers and applause that accompanied them. For such a skilled fiddler, this change must have been quite challenging. Although Gumas Lars Larsson spent most of his life in America, he never forgot his native language and his love for music. "Waltz after Gumas Lars" is a beautiful song that we often play in Älvdalen's Spelmanslag.” This story is a translated summary of an article written by Verf Lena Egardt, "Spelmän, låtar och musik i Älvdalen" by Ragnar Forslund (1926-) Elfdalens hembygdsförening. 2006. This article is also published in Dalarnas Spelmansblad no.4.1996. for Ragnar Forslund’s book ""Spelmän, låtar och musik i Älvdalen"
Special thanks to Keith Engstrom, Isanti County, for providing valuable information for this story. |
FUN FACTS:
- Gumas Lars Larsson hummed, tapped his foot, and always wore his hat while playing.
- His favorite "new immigrant tunes" were the Olle Skratthult "bondcomiker" standards, "Hälsa dem därhemma" and "Nikolina."
- Gumas Lars spoke elfdalian his whole life, a Nordic language spoken by a small community in Älvdalen, Sweden, known for its distinct linguistic heritage.
- Långö Liebruk where Gumas Lars Larsson worked as a blacksmith.
- Below is Gumas Lars Larsson's Home (Louis Elvine)
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Photo of Gumas Lars Larsson. Collection from family through Verf Lena Eghardt. Used with Permission
Music Links
Vals efter Gumas Lars Larsson, by Renee Vaughan and Dan Newton. The fiddle in front of us belonged to Gumas Lars. Thank you to Keith and the family of Gumas Lars.