Christenson, Andrew (1834-1922)

CHRISTENSON, NELSON, LARSON, ANDERSON, HENDERSON, LOGAN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/23/2021 at 19:34:23

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa Thusday, August 3, 1922.

HAMILTON PIONEER PASSES TO REWARD
Aged Brother of Roland Veteran Passed Away Last Wednesday at Daughter's Home, Funeral Held Last Friday from North St. Petri Church.

Andrew Christenson (Indre Tjernagel) died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Benj. Anderson near Randall last Wednesday after failing for some weeks from the infirmities of old age. The funeral was held on Friday from the North St. Petri church, where his pastor, Rev. G. O. Paulsrud, of Randall, spoke the words of comfort to the bereaved family. Interment took place in the Mamrelund cemetery, nine miles north west of here.

Andrew Christenson was born in Tjernagel, Bergen's Stift, Norway, March 15, 1834, where he was educated and grew to manhood. He came to the United States in 1851, when he located at Norway, Ill. He was married in 1860 to Miss Julia Nelson of Norway, Ill., at Milwaukee, Wis., moving a few months later to Hamilton county, where he had purchased a farm a couple years earlier when he had visited Iowa. He soon built a cottage on his farm and lived there until a few weeks before his death.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Christenson, six of whom passed away in their childhood and three of them after reaching their maturity. They are Mrs. Sofie Larson, Mrs. Helen Larson and Mr. Andrew Christenson, all of whom lived in the community near their father. The children who survive their father are, Mrs. Benjamin Anderson of near Randall, Mrs. Andrew H. Henderson of near Randall and Mr. Peder Christenson of Rake. Besides his three children, he is survived by ten grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Knudt C. Nelson of Randall, and one brother, Mr. C. Logan of Roland, the later two being the last of nine brothers and sisters. Mrs. Christenson passed away a few years ago.

Mr. Christenson was one of the very first pioneers in Scott township, Hamilton county, and he was known to a large circle of friends. He was one of the organizers of the North St. Petri congregation, northeast of Randall and was always a faithful member of this body.

For the past several months, when he began failing, he made his home for a time with his son at Rake, but returned about a month ago to live with his daughter, MRs. Benj. Anderson, who gave him the best of care in his last days. He gradually failed the past few weeks until the end came on Wednesday morning, July 26, 1922, being 88 years, 4 months and 11 days old. In the passing away of this aged man, another of the pioneers who helped build up this country, has gone to the Great Beyond to await the final summons.