JAMES WILLIAM JENSEN.
Although James William Jensen, a successful farmer of Greeley township, Audubon county, Iowa, is a native son of this country, his parents were natives of Denmark. They located in this country, however, more than a half century ago. For several years James William Jensen was a successful school teacher in Audubon county, but gave up this profession for farming. His valuable and highly productive farm in Greely township is an evidence of the wisdom of his choice in quitting the school room for the farm.
Mr. Jensen's parents were Hans and Bertha (Frederickson) Jensen, both natives of Denmark. Hans Jensen was a farmer in his native land and served the legal period in the Danish army. He came to America in 1863 when he was thirty years old. He first located in Wisconsin, where he bought a farm and farmed until 1869, six years after his arrival in America. In 1869 he removed to Shelby county, Iowa, and assisted in building the Rock Island railroad through Walnut. He also helped build the first house in Walnut. Later he purchased a farm in Shelby county. He lived in Shelby county for twelve years, and in the spring of 1881 he moved to Audubon county and purchased a farm. He farmed in Audubon county until 1894, when he retired, and during the succeeding years lived with his son, James William.
James William Jensen was born on August 3, 1869, in Shelby county, Iowa. He received his education in the country schools and after leaving the common school he attended high school at Atlantic, Iowa. Then he taught for several years. In 1895 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Sharon township, Audubon county, and was engaged in general farming there. He now has two hundred and forty acres, but it is located in Greeley township. He feeds about a carload of cattle every year, and seventy-five head of hogs.
Mr. Jensen was married on August, 17 1894, to Matilda Peterson, daughter of Peter and Johanna (Larson) Peterson. Three children have been born to this marriage, Harvey, Eleanor and Leonard; the last-named died in infancy. Mrs. Jensen was born in Denmark. Her parents, who were also natives of the country, came to the United States in 1890, and located in Atlantic, Iowa. After being there a short time, they rented a farm in Shelby county, and then purchased a farm in Audubon county. Mrs. Jensen's parents are now living retired in Exira. They had eight children, Lawrence, Marten, Chris, Louis, Anna, Matilda, Albena and Peter, who is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. James William Jensen are members of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Mr. Jensen has been an elder in the church for a number of years, and is now serving in this capacity. He is identified with the fortunes of the
Republican party, but has never been active in its councils. Nevertheless, he is interested in all civic matters and is considered a man whose support can always be depended upon when public improvements are proposed. He has done much to build up a wholesome and active community spirit and enjoys the confidence of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
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Transcribed by Gunter Schanzenbacher, Waynesboro, PA, March 30, 2013 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. 733-734.
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