Julius H. A. Christiansen
A native of Crawford county, Julius H. A. Christiansen has made special use of his opportunities and, although he has not reached the age of thirty years, he is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he is cultivating to excellent advantage.
His birth occurred August 27, 1882, and he is a son of Anthony W. A. and Wilhelmina (Prien) Christiansen. The father was born in Germany and the mother in Brazil, South America. They were married in Crawford county, Iowa, and Mr. Christiansen began farming on his own account by renting land. After three years he purchased two hundred and sixty acres in Soldier township, which he sold. in 1899, buying five hundred and forty-three acres in Jackson township. Later he disposed of this farm and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Crawford county and an equal amount in Ida county. On selling both of these properties he purchased four hundred and eighty acres in Nebraska, but in 1909 disposed of his Nebraska farm and went to South Dakota. He is now living upon a place of three hundred and twenty acres.
His beloved wife, who was the mother of eleven children, died November 15, 1910. Nine of the children are now living, namely: Caroline L., who is the wife of William Meyers, of Crawford county; Marie, now Mrs. William Evers, of Green River, Wyoming; Julius H. A., of this review; and Albert, Bernhard, Ludwig, Johann, Henry and Otto, all of whom are living with their father in South Dakota.
Julius H. A. Christiansen, the subject of this review, possessed advantages of education in the common schools and grew to manhood under the parental roof, showing even in his boyhood an aptitude for agricultural pursuits that gave bright promise as to his future. He continued at home until twenty-three years of age and then rented land on his own account for four years, after which he bought the farm which he now owns on section 33, Soldier township. The neat and attractive appearance of everything about the farm indicates careful attention to details and progressive methods, and its owner is rightly regarded as one of the prosperous men in his locality.
On October 18, 1905, Mr. Christiansen was married to Miss Hulda Baak, who was born in Crawford county, September 25, 1885, a daughter of William and Caroline (Koch) Baak. Her parents were both born in Germany and came to America, living for several years in Chicago, after which they settled in Crawford county, Iowa. Mr. Baak engaged in farming until his retirement in 1910.
There were five children in his family, two of whom are now living: Hulda, now Mrs. Julius H. A. Christiansen; and Emma, the wife of Magnus Hollander, of Crawford county. The mother died May 5, 1903. Mr. Baak is living at Schleswig, Iowa, and is again married.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen has been blessed by the birth of a son, William A. E., who was born July 8, 1900.
Mr. Christiansen and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church and are widely and favorably known. He has conducted his business systematically and according to most approved methods. Each year has added to his financial resources, and it may be truly said of him that he represents the substantial and progressive citizenship of Crawford county.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.