Christian Soenksen

SOENKSEN, JENSEN, HOFFMANN, PAULSEN

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/26/2011 at 23:49:52

Excerpt from Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Iowa by Patrick B. Wolfe, pages 664 and 665:

CHRIST SOENKSEN

The Germans everywhere show racial qualities which place them at the front. Patience, perseverance and thrift seem to be the traits which have most to do with their advancement. The German is not like many of our present day Americans, and like some of the more excitable European races, determined to have results at once. he is willing to lay plans, then to wait until results come, and the larger and more difficult undertakings usually require most time and patience, so at these the German excels. But he does not lay his plans and wit idly; he perseveres in performance of his part, and, by thrift, economy and attention to small things, he prevents expenses from using up his means.

Christ Soenksen was born in Germany in 1860, the son of Broder and Anna (Jensen) Soenksen. His parents came to America in 1872, and settled in the neighborhood where their son now resides. His father, who owned forty acres of land and was a sturdy and hard working man, farmed until his death. They were Lutherans.

Christ Soenksen was one of five children. He received part of his education in Germany, the rest in the American public schools. he began to farm while young and in 1886 bought sixty acres, near Charlotte, Iowa. Shortly, afterward he bought eighty acres where he now lives, and now has one hundred and ninety-five acres in one farm, on which he has erected good buildings. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Oklahoma. His farming operations are general in character and consist in the raising of the crops which experience has shown to be best adapted to the soil of this section, and in cattle raising, and in this latter line his herds of Shorthorns cannot be excelled in the county.

In February, 1884, Mr. Soenksen was married to Bertha Hoffmann, who has borne to him the following children: Andrew, who is living on his father's Oklahoma farm; Melinda, Emma, Carl, Edwin, Ernest, at home. Mrs. Hoffman is a daughter of Peter and Martha (Paulson) Hoffmann, both born in Schleswig, Germany. They came to America in 1873 and settled in Clinton county, near Charlotte, where they owned a small place. Mr. Hoffmann died in 1901 and his wife makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Soenksen.

Mr. Soenksen is a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican and has been elected school director. He is a very able and successful farmer and has won his present prosperity by his own exertions, and is a strong example of the successful German citizen. He has the confidence and respect of his neighbors.