NELS MORTENSEN.
It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work, the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are here outlined. An efforts has been made in each case to throw well-focused light on the individuality and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each career Each man, who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities, deserves recognition whatever may be his field of endeavor. It is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in these pages. The value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, and will present the individual and specific accomplishment of each generation. Nels Mortensen is one of the well-known business men of Hamlin, Iowa, and he is entitled to rank as one of the representative citizens of this great county.
Nels Mortensen was born on May 10, 1883, in Audubon county, near Gray. He is a son of Nels and Carrie (Rattenborg) Mortensen, who were natives of an island possession of Denmark and Schleswig, respectively. The island where Nels Mortensen was born was called Fyn. Nels Mortensen always worked on the farm, although his father, Morten Petersen, was a day laborer. The parents of Nels Mortensen came to the United States in 1881. They had four children who were born in Denmark, and Nels Mortensen was the eldest of five children born to his parents after they came to the United States.
Nels Mortensen attended the common schools of this county until he was twelve years of age and lived with his parents until his marriage. After his marriage, Mr. Mortensen rented a farm for one year, after which he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land. His wife was a school teacher, and for four years after their marriage she continued teaching in order to assist in paying for the improvements on their land, while Mr. Mortensen farmed and worked at any kind of labor to get ahead. In 1909 he sold his farm and purchased the hardware store belonging to Johnson & Carstensen, of Hamlin, Iowa, and here Mr. Mortensen has been engaged in business since that time.
On March 23, 1905, Nels Mortensen was married at Audubon, Iowa, by Rev. Mr. Cousins, to Cloe Petty. When three weeks old, Mrs. Mortensen was taken to be reared by her mother's parents, Joseph and Rebecca Redpath, and from that time was known by the name of Redpath. She is a graduate of the Audubon high school, and after leaving school, taught for six years, during this time having been engaged in teaching a single district, with the exception of two terms. Mr. Mortensen and wife are the parents of two children, both of whom are boys. George M. was born July 2, 1911. Harvey was born October 17, 1914.
Mr. Mortensen is a member of the Middle West Implement Dealers Association. He carries a large line of implements in connection with general hardware. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank, of Hamlin, and was one of the leading factors in the organization of this financial institution.
Mr. Mortensen is a Democrat, but he is not a politician, and has never held office, nor has he ever aspired to office. Mr. and Mrs. Mortensen and family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Mortensen's grandfather was one of the first settlers in Audubon county, Iowa, paying one dollar and a quarter for one hundred and twenty-five acres of land near Audubon. This land grew in value from year to year, and is worth now a hundred times its original purchase price.
Nels Mortensen is one of the best known citizens of Hamlin township, Audubon county, Iowa. He is a man who has always been scrupulous in his dealings with the public and has built up an enviable reputation in a business way in this section of Audubon county. He is entitled to the liberal patronage he enjoys, as his business has been founded upon right dealing and good business management.
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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. 482-484.
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