KNUDSEN, John Christian 1854-1932

KNUDSEN, KROLL, ROBERTS, SIMMONS, JOLLS, FURNEAUX

Posted By: Bobbie Knudsen (email)
Date: 12/10/2009 at 04:34:55

Newspaper clipping, April, 1932

J.C. KNUDSEN, FORMER HUDSON RESIDENT, DIES
A Pioneer Resident of Black Hawk County

John Christian Knudsen, aged 78, died Thursday morning, April 21, at 9:05 a.m. at the family home, 205 Williston Avenue, Waterloo, of a complication of diseases incident to advanced age.

Although in frail health for the past year, Mr. Knudsen was bed-fast only one week. During the last week his suffering was intense, but the end came peacefully Thursday morning.

Mr. Knudsen was one of Black Hawk county's pioneers, having been a resident of northeastern Iowa for the last 60 years.

Deceased was born April 5, 1854, at Stenmagle, Sjoelland, Denmark, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Knudsen. He came to the United States at the age of 18 years with an older brother, Peter, and came directly to Iowa. Peter located at Clinton, where he operated a meat market for a number of years. He passed away 20 years ago, and is survived by his widow, one daughter and two sons.

John Christian Knudsen located in Black Hawk county, except for several years, when he lived near Ackley, Iowa. Upon the death of his wife, Mahala Roberts Knudsen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bradley Roberts, he returned to Black Hawk county, locating near Hudson, where he became a successful farmer.

On April 20, 1898, he married Miss Minnie Kroll, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Kroll, early settlers.

Mr. Knudsen lived for 13 years on the acreage on the edge of Hudson, now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John Reeder. He retired in 1919, purchasing a home in Waterloo, where he and Mrs. Knudsen have lived since.

Always an ardent Bible student, Mr. Knudsen was deeply interested in the church and all its religious activities, giving freely of his time, strength and money. His many sterling qualities of character and sincere religious life, endeared him to his family and his friends, and as a neighbor and citizen, his influence will continue to live.

Surviving besides the widow, are two daughters by the first marriage, Mrs. Maude Simmons, Cedar Rapids, and Mrs. Grace Jolls, Waterloo; one daughter, Mrs. Ruth Furneaux, Route 5, Waterloo, and two sons, Arthur, Hudson, and Ralph, Des Moines, by his second marriage. Two brothers, Jens and Hans, and a sister, Anna, all living at Stenmagle, Denmark, and 12 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist church at Waterloo, with Rev. E.A. Riney, pastor, officiating.

A large number of friends from Hudson were present at the funeral to pay their last respects to their friend. The floral offerings were many and beautiful.

Burial was in Memorial Park cemetery.