Nielsen, Jens (1848 - 1929)

NIELSEN, JENSEN, PAULSEN, HANSEN, GREGG, WILLIAMS, GLASSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/1/2023 at 20:12:21

In the passing of “Uncle” Jens Nielsen, as he was familiarly called, Meriden loses one of its oldest and most respected pioneer citizens. Until of late years he had been a familiar character on the streets in his wheelchair and has been a patient sufferer throughout his long period of incapacity. The past few months he has been unable to get about even in this way.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon at Meriden church preceded by a brief service at the home, Rev. Bloomquist of Cleghorn Presbyterian church officiating, assisted by G. G. Nusbaum, pastor of Meriden church, who gave the scripture reading and also read the obituary. Rev. Bloomquist’s sermon texts were taken from Job 38:17, and from John 8:12. A male quartet from Liberty, composed of Viret Noble, Gothard Nelson, N. O. Johnson and Oscar Resene with Mrs. Gothard Nelson at the piano, sang “That Beautiful Land.” Gothard Nelson and Viret Noble sang “Does Jesus Care” and at the close the four sang “Homeward Bound.” The many flowers were silent expressions of sympathy from relatives and friends. Pall bearers, all old friends and neighbors, were John McDonald, G. E. Rasmus and Hans Mortensen of Cherokee, and Dan Gill, R. C. Wixon and John Lamont of Meriden. A short service of scripture reading, and prayer was held at the grave side where interment was made in the Pleasant View cemetery, Meriden, beside his wife who preceded him three years ago.

Jens Nielsen was born at Funen, Denmark, October 27, 1848, and passed away at his home in Meriden, Iowa, December 22, 1929, at the age of 89 years one month and 25 days. He was the son of Niels and Christine Jensen, the eldest of eight children. He was reared and educated in his native land and at the age of 22 served 16 months as a soldier in the Danish army. In 1872, having heard much of the advantages in America, he came to the United States and direct to this county, alighting from a train in Cherokee in the nighttime with but $2 in his pocket and unable to speak the English language.

The next morning, he walked to Meriden and hired out as a farm hand at $18 per month. Through industry and frugality, had saved two years later, enough money to purchase a yoke of oxen and to make a first payment on 80 acres of land in section 31 Cedar township. He later added buildings and in time purchased an adjoining eighty. March 19, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Hansen and together they braved the many hardships and privations incident to the pioneer life of this county. They were the parents of four children: Clara, now Mrs. Arthur Gregg of Larrabee; Karl, who died on the 18th of September 1905, at the age of 21 years; Mabel, who is the wife of H. E. Williams of Villard, Minnesota; and Katie, Mrs. W. R. Glasson of Meriden. In 1908 the family moved to Meriden and in March 1909, he was appointed postmaster of Meriden and held that office until 1913.

In 1882 by profession of faith, he and Mrs. Nielsen became members of Meriden Presbyterian church. He was for many years a member of Meriden I.O.O.F. fraternity and also of the Woodmen of the World. He was a man of strict integrity; upright and honorable in all his dealings, ever looking on the Brightside. Throughout his life he held the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He was especially the friend of little children who never tired of his company and were often seen following him in groups.

Eight years ago, he suffered a stroke and has since been in declining healthy and unable to get about except in a wheelchair. Though he had failed rapidly, the past few months, he was confined to his bed only a week preceding his death. He leaves to mourn his three daughters, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild; also, a sister, Mrs. Olaf Carlson of Cherokee; three brothers, George Nelson, at present of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Andrew and John of Meriden, also many friends.

(Source: Cherokee Daily Times, Cherokee, Iowa, Friday, December 27, 1929, pg. 2)