OLE B. JENSON

JENSON, OLSON, SOLOMONSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 1/16/2007 at 22:37:35

Since 1903 Ole B. Jenson has lived retired in Lake Mills, but for many years he was one of the leading farmers of Center township, Winnebago county. His birth occurred in La Salle county, Illinois, May 15, 1854, and he is a son of Jens and Mary (Olson) Jenson, who were born respectively in Stavanger and in Sogn, Norway, but were married in Illinois. On emigrating to the United States in 1846, the father settled near Green Bay, Wisconsin, and there his first wife died, leaving two children. He chose as his second wife Mary Olson, who had come to the United States in 1845, and they had ten children, of whom seven survive. By occupation he was a farmer and on leaving Illinois located in Mitchell county, Iowa, where he bought land, which he operated until 1871. In that year he homesteaded forty acres of land in Center township, Winnebago county, and later added to his holdings by purchase. During the last years of his life he made his home with his children, his death occurring February 25, 1906, when he was ninety-one years old. The mother died at the age of sixty-six years. They are buried in the North cemetery at Lake Mills.

Ole B. Jenson received a common school education and early in life began helping with the farm work, thus becoming thoroughly familiar with practical methods of agriculture. After leaving school he worked for farmers until he was twenty-one years old and then purchased eighty acres of land in Center township, Winnebago county. From time to time he bought other land and now owns three hundred and forty-eight acres in the county, all fertile land in a high state of cultivation. He engaged in farming until 1903, when he purchased a fine home in Lake Mills and took up his residence here, renting his land. He is a man of excellent business ability and managed his affairs so well that he accumulated more than a competence. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator at Lake Mills and is interested in the Lake Mills Lumber Company and the Winnebago County Mutual Insurance Company.

On January 13, 1893, Mr. Jenson was married to Miss Malina Solomonson, a daughter of Ole and Carrie Solomonson, natives of Norway, who emigrated to the United States many years ago and located in Newton township, Winnebago county, Iowa, where the father farmed. He died April 5, 1909, and is buried in the North Prairie cemetery, but the mother is still living and makes her home with her son Oscar in Newton township. To Mr. and Mrs. Jenson have been born seven children, the three living being: Olga C., Martha M. and Olive Josephine, all at home.

Mr. Jenson believes firmly in the principles of the republican party and loyally supports its candidates at the polls. For two years he served as township trustee but has not taken a very active part in politics. The family attend the United Lutheran church. Mr. Jenson's strict adherence to high moral standards has won him the unqualified respect of all who have come into contact with him and his personal qualities are such that he has gained the warm friendship of many.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, Page 212.