John Karl was a practicing stonemason, for some time a foreman of a crew quarrying at Rollstone Hill, Fitchburg.  He built a home at 38 Pratt Road, Fitchburg about 1903 at a contract price of $1,200. He was also a blacksmith, probably a necessity in his practice as a mason, for manufacturing and sharpening stone drills, etc.  He had a blacksmith's shop on land adjacent to the family home.

He built a number of foundations for homes and buildings in Fitchburg, setting up his derrick in the center of an excavation and using it to hoist large granite blocks into place.  It is believed that he built the foundation of the original Oak Hill Country Club, Fitchburg.

He was also active in the Temperance Movement in Fitchburg (Aamunkoitto), and for his efforts was presented a secretary that was donated to the Fitchburg Historical
Society in the mid-to-late 1980's by his daughter, Aili Niemi.  His journal and other documents were included, and are available for viewing at the Historical Society.

The cause of death was Chronic interstitial nephritis, chr. myocarditis. 

Source: Bill Lakso, grandson of John Karl Lakso

