Harold A. Jacobsen

JACOBSEN, PETERSEN, BORTLE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/12/2015 at 23:14:23

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

Among those who have in a very definite way contributed to the industrial development of Sioux City, stands Harold A. Jacobsen, vice- president and secretary of Albertson & Company, whose factory for the making of valve- grinding tools is the largest of its kind in the world. He is a native son of Woodbury County, having been born at Bronson, on the 15th day of November, 1895, and is a son of Christian and Christina (Petersen) Jacobsen, natives of Denmark, whence they emigrated to the United States when nineteen years of age. They both came to Sioux City, Iowa, where they met and were married, and about two years later they located on a rented farm near Bronson. Mr. Jacobsen operated that place for about six years and then bough a farm near Waterbury, Nebraska, where he lived for fourteen years. In 1917 he came back to Woodbury County, taking up his residence in Sioux City, where the mother’s death occurred the same year and where he is still living.

Harold A. Jacobsen attended the public schools of Waterbury, Nebraska, graduating from high school in 1912. He then took a year’s course in the Wayne Normal School, at Wayne, Nebraska, followed by a course in the National Business Training School in Sioux City. He secured his education entirely through his own efforts, paying his way by waiting on table and doing such other work as he could fine, including farm work, and when he found a situation as book-keeper at ten dollars a week, in addition to what he made by waiting on table, he felt he was making excellent progress.

On completing his commercial he secured a position in the office of the Sioux City Machine and Tool Company. Four months later this concern failed and he then became one of the organizers of a new company, which was called Albertson & Company, and which took over the plant and business of the old concern. The history of Albertson & Company from that time on is familiar to all who know anything of the recent history of Sioux City, for it has become one of the prominent industrial enterprises of this city. At the time of the organization of the new company Mr. Jacobsen was made secretary and treasurer and in 1920 was elected vice-president, still serving in his former position also.

In January, 1917, Mr. Jacobsen was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Bortle, of Sioux City, and they are the parents of two sons, Donald E., born May 23, 1918, and Harold E., January 26, 1926. Mr. Jacobsen is a member of Tyrian Lodge, No. 508, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Abu-Bekr Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and Sioux City Lodge, No. 112, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, of which he is a generous supporter. He is a man of great energy and executive ability, has faithfully and ably discharged his official duties and has been a potent factor in the splendid prosperity which has attended Albertson & Company.