Laurie Carlson, state legislator, Progressive Party organizer, and businessman, was born on a farm near the Lake Superior fishing port of Bayfield, Wisconsin on January 12, 1908. His father, an active supporter of Robert M. La Follette, Sr., introduced Laurie to Progressive politics, and in 1924 the young Carlson defended La Follette in a high school speech which he credits with stimulating his interest in a political career. After graduating from Northland College, Carlson attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Superior State University. As a dairy and fruit farmer, Carlson initiated action in 1932 to secure experimental farm plots in Bayfield County. In 1934, he was one of the principal organizers of the Progressive Party in Bayfield County and served as secretary of the Bayfield County Progressive Club. In his second attempt at election to the Assembly in 1936, Carlson was successful and served in the state legislature until his defeat in 1942. Carlson's legislative career featured support for greater state aid to education, better roads in northern Wisconsin, and reducing the tax burden on rural residents, although he was best known for his initiatives in rural adult educational and vocational training.
After leaving the legislature, Carlson taught physical education and coached at Superior East High School and Ericcson Junior High School. In 1946, he joined the sales staff of radio station WSBR in Duluth-Superior, and in 1948 he assumed a sales position with WIBA in Madison, a post he held until 1967. In 1968 Carlson successfully ran for Clerk of Circuit Court of Dane County, and he served in that office until 1977. Carlson's business interests include part ownership of Mutual Enterprises, Inc., a warehouse corporation; Laurie Carlson and Son, seller of curling stones and other curling products; and national promotion of curling.
