BOHNSON, Jens L.

BOHNSON, JENSEN, DURFEE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/19/2003 at 21:06:55

JENS L. BOHNSON

This well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Clinton is secretary of the Fourth Street Building Association, and is also engaged in the real estate and insurance business of his own account with office on Fourth street. He is a native of Germany, born in Schleswig-Holstein, May 13, 1864, and is a son of Bandick and Catherine (Jensen) Bohnson, and a grandson of Jens Bohnson. The father was also born in Schleswig-Holstein, and being reared to agricultural pursuits, he made farming his life occupation. In 1882 he brought his family to America and located in Clinton, Iowa, where he is now living a retired life. His children are Jens L., Iver M., John M., Anson F., and Barney.

The early life of our subject was passed upon his father’s farm in Germany, and at the age of eighteen years he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. He began his business career as a clerk in a general store, and also engaged in farming for some time. Later he worked in the blind department of the Curtis Brothers sash and door factory, and then engaged in clerking for P. Davis & Company at the corner of Harrison and Liberty streets, whose store was long since destroyed by fire. He next clerked for G. Haywood & Son, and was later employed as bookkeeper by the Fourth Street Building Association. In 1895 he was elected secretary of that corporation, and in connection with his insurance and real estate business still holds that position, the other officers being S. C. Seaman, president; A. Jensen, vice-president; and P. S. Banister, treasurer. This association was established in 1873, and until liquidation was begun some four years ago it was one of the leading building associations of the city. Through it many fine houses have been erected, which otherwise would never have been built. Mr. Bohnson has a pleasant residence at the corner of Tenth avenue and Eighth street. As an insurance and real estate dealer he has built up a good business, which is constantly increasing, and he is numbered among the most wide-awake, energetic and progressive business men of the city.

In 1889, Mr. Bohnson married Miss Edith C. Durfee, of Clinton, and to them have been born two children, Van L. and Roland D. He is a member of American Lodge, No. 567, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, and belongs to the encampment. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias at one time.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.