Carl J. Christiansen

CHRISTIANSEN, MOMMSEN, PAYSON, SCHROEDER

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/25/2011 at 07:18:17

Wolfe's History of Clinton county, Iowa, Volume 2, biographical sketches. Pages 993, 994, and 995.

CARL J. CHRISTIANSEN

Among the most prominent farmers of Washington township, which is one of the most fertile and best farming districts in Clinton county, none is better known or has been more successful than Mr. Christiansen, who in his career has but repeated the incidents of his father's life, a man whose strength of character, high honor and good judgment won for him the respect of all who knew him.

Carl J. Christiansen was born on April 3, 1858 in Clinton county, Iowa, the son of Carston and Sicka (Peysen) Christiansen, who were natives of Schleswig, Germany, and came to this country in 1851. They landed at New Orleans, and came up the river by steamboat to Davenport, Iowa, where they remained for a short time, then came to Clinton county. The family were on the ocean sixteen weeks and of the five children, two died on the voyage and were buried at sea. Mr. Christiansen purchased an unimproved farm in section 10, Center township, improved it with buildings, and lived on it for several years, after which he sold it to Peter Hansen and purchased an improved farm in section 30 of the same township. Carston Christiansen spent his life in general farming, and by his excellent business ability accumulated much property. In 1896 he retired from the farm and moved to Clinton, where he died on April 14, 1899, at the age of seventy-eight. His wife died on June 9, 1900, and both are buried at Elvira cemetery. They were members of the Lutheran church and took an active part in the work of the church. Of their nine children, but two, Carl and his brother, Martin, are living. The deceased are Anna (Mrs. Schroeder), Hans P., Carston N., Hannah, Lena and the two buried at sea.

Carl J. Christiansen remained at home until he was eighteen, receiving a common school education. For the greater part of the next six years he traveled about a good deal over the country, finding employment on farms mostly. At the age of twenty-four, on March 7, 1882, he was married to Lucy Mannsen (Mommsen) the daughter of John and Mergrata Mannsen, who came from their native Germany to the United States in 1872, and reared a family of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen began their married life in this county, and in 1883 they moved to the farm where they now live, consisting of two hundred and eighty acres which he purchased from his father. To this he has added until now he is the owner of six hundred acres in Clinton county. The present year Mr. Christiansen purchased two hundred and eighty acres of fertile prairie land in Arkansas, and has begun the cultivation of rice. This investment promises to be very profitable. In 1901 he erected his present home, a handsome country residence of eleven rooms, modern in every way, at a cost of four thousand dollars; in 1905 a large barn was erected at a cost of one thousand dollars; in addition to which he has other barns for feeding purposes. In fact, his location and his buildings are second to none in the township.

Mr. Christiansen has made a success of farming and stock raising and is a money maker. Enterprising and public spirited, he is every ready to work for the common good. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as trustee of his township. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Not only has Mr. Christiansen been successful in a material way, but he has obtained the friendship and the respect of his neighbors and has found much pleasure in the society of his family.

Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen are the parents of ten interesting children, all living, and most of them at home and in school. Their names are: Carston N., born on December 4, 1882; Anna M., born on May 23, 1884; John M., born on Mar 13, 1886; George W., April 27, 1888; Walter C., September 6, 1890; Lillian S., November 6, 1893; Carl H., February 10, 1895; Ernest J., April 22, 1897; Elma M., June 22, 1899; and Jeanette A. June 19, 1904.