CHRIS CHRISTENSEN.
Among the well-known citizens of this county, Chris Christensen, a retired farmer, has made a success of his chosen life work, and at the same time has established an enviable reputation for honesty, integrity and cordial feelings with his fellow men. There is, therefore, a measure of satisfaction in presenting even a brief resume of the life and achievements of Mr. Christensen. His success should be interesting and instructive to the present generation of young men who are just starting out in life, and whose careers are yet unformed.
Chris Christensen was born in Denmark on September 5, 1875, the son of Hans Peter and Johanna (Adamson) Christensen. Hans Peter Christensen emigrated with his family to America in 1879, settling near Kimballton, in Sharon township, this county, where he following [sic followed] the life of a farmer the rest of his days. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living, Mars, Bertel, Andrew, Chris, Margaretta and Katherine. The mother of these children is still living at the age of eighty-two years.
Chris Christensen was educated in the public schools of his native land, and in 1877 came to the United States, arriving in this country two years before his parents came. He settled first in Scott county, Iowa, where he remained seven years, at the end of which time he moved to Taylor county, this state, where he resided for four years, and in 1888 came to Audubon county. Upon arriving here he purchased a farm and has since lived in this county. Mr. Christensen first purchased one hundred and twenty acres, to which he added from time to time until he became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of splendid land. Recently he sold four hundred acres to his different sons, retaining only about eighty acres. Mr. Christensen also owns a fine home in the city of Audubon, and there he is now living retired, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of modern life.
On January 16, 1883, Chris Christensen was married to Dorothy Adamson, who was born in Denmark, daughter of Soren and Kisten Maria (Jersensen) Adamson, and who came to the United States in 1882. To this union seven children have been born, namely: Hans P., a farmer of Sharon township; Soren, John and Andrew, farmers in Sharon township; Allie, who became the wife of Hans Johnson, a farmer of Douglas township; Hannah, who is keeping house for her brother, John, and Elda, living at home.
Mr. Christensen is a Republican, although he has never been especially active in political affairs. He and his family are members of the Danish Lutheran church, and are deeply interested in the welfare of that denomination, and liberal contributors to its support. In all the relations of life Mr. Christensen has shown himself as eminently worthy of the respect and esteem which are accorded him by his neighbors and fellow citizens.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 555-556.
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