Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 924
KERTON SORENSEN

The Danish farmers of Harrison county, Iowa, have always been ranked among the most successful farmers of their respective communities. Kerton SORENSEN came to this country from Denmark when he was seventeen years of age and located in Monona county, Iowa. Mr. SORENSEN came to Harrison county in 1907 and now owns one of the largest farms in Allen township. On this he has built one of the finest country homes in the county and also one of the largest barns. In all respects he is one of the most progressive and enterprising farmers of the county and there are few farms in the state which are better equipped for general farming and stock raising.

Kerton SORENSEN, the son of Soren and Anna (THOMPSON) JENSEN, was born on March 22, 1864, near Horsen, Denmark. His father was a farmer in the old country and died when Kerton was about ten years of age. His father had been twice married, and Kerton was one of six children by the second marriage.

About seven years after his father's death, or in 1881, Kerton SORENSEN came to this country with his mother and four brothers and sisters. The eldest brother had come to the United States the previous year. The family located near Castana, Monona county, Iowa, and here Kerton SORENSEN lived until he was married, in 1888.

After his marriage Kerton SORENSEN bought his mother's farm and lived on it until 1907. In that year he sold this farm and bought four hundred and forty acres in section 24 of Allen township, Harrison county, where he now lives. The farm was only partially improved when he acquired it. Three years later he built a large eleven-room house, which is modern in every respect. In the same year he also erected a large barn, fifty-four by sixty-four by thirty feet. He also has built numerous outbuildings, of various kinds, in order to care for his grain, stock and farming implements. In fact, Mr. SORENSEN has added every convenience which is demanded by the twentieth-century farmer, and in all respects ranks high among the farmers of the county. He feeds on an average two hundred head of hogs for the market each year and also sells about two carloads of cattle.

Mr. SORENSEN was married on January 28, 1888, to Anna HENDRECKSEN, who was born in Denmark, and is a daughter of Henrick and Caren NICKELSON. Her parents came to the United States in 1882, her father dying shortly afterward. The mother then made her home with Mr. and Mrs. SORENSEN. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. SORENSEN, all of whom are still living at home, Marius, Agnes, Henry, Lawrence, Helen, Fred and Axel. The two eldest children were educated in the high school at Woodbine, while the other children are preparing themselves for high school educations.

Mr. SORENSEN and his family are loyal members of the Lutheran church and deeply interested in its welfare. He is a Democrat, but has never held any office, other than that of school director, in his township. Mr. SORENSEN, in every way, is one of the leaders in his community. He believes in having the best of everything and enjoys life to the fullest measure. He has two automobiles, a Ford and a Hudson Six, and derives a great deal of enjoyment from his automobiles. He lost a fine new Apperson car by fire in 1914. The career of Mr. SORENSEN, since coming to this country, has been in every way commendable, and he will merits inclusion among the representative men of this township and county.

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