Lars A. Comstadius was born in Torp, Sweden on August 20, 1872. His father, Anders Komstadius was also born at Torp on June 3, 1815. His mother, Maria Johnsdotter, was born on June 4, 1830, in the same area of Torp. They were farmers. He had three brothers Johan, Jonas and Anders Petter, and he had two sisters. His sister Inga Rosina married Carl Lund known as Charley Lund, and his other sister was Johanna Magdalena. Jonas and Lars who was 19 at the time, immigrated to the United States . They went to Albert Lea, Minnesota where they worked and farmed. Lars decided to come to North Dakota to homestead. He came to McLean county and that is where he remained for the rest of his life. The name Komstadius goes back to 1736 in Sweden but Lars decided to change the spelling but no one knows why. Lar's sister, Mrs. Charley Lund and her husband homesteaded near him. They had five sons. Lars and his nephews enjoyed music and often times played their instuments at house parties. Lars had a happy life and enjoyed visiting neighbors. He was involved in many local activities, was clerk of the Malcolm School Board and served as township assessor for many years. He was Public Administrator for McLean County for years. Lars was a charter member of the NPL in Malcolm township. He helped in the reorganization of the McLean County Independent and was a member of its Board of Directors for a number of years. He was township road maintenance man. The work at that time was being done with four horses and a road drag. He enjoyed playing his violin at many house parties and dances. Lars spent a year in Sweden in 1933. It was the only time he went back there. In 1946, he traveled to Seattle for the first time and stayed for the winter at the home of Art and Anna Komstadius. Six years later he went to Seattle again to visit relatives. Lars passed away December 18, 1961 at the Bismarck Hospital and his body was laid to rest at the Garrison Cemetery. (McLean County Heritage, p.483. c.1978.)