Fresno County, California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


N. C. CHRISTENSEN.� A splendid example of what good character, 
high intelligence and unflagging industry will accomplish in a comparatively 
short time is afforded by the rancher, N. C. Christensen, and his excellent 
wife, the prosperous peach and raisin growers residing half a mile east of 
Selma on the Canal School Road, where they own a well-improved and finely 
cultivated fruit ranch of thirty acres. Mr. Christensen is a Dane, and so is 
his sturdy wife : and they are both proud of the fact that they came from 
families of working people. 

For some time in Denmark, they worked for small wages and with 
little prospects of getting ahead : and when an opportunity offered, they sailed 
to Australia, and there engaged in grain farming for several years. When 
another opportunity presented itself, they again crossed the wide ocean and 
pushed west as far as Dakota, settling on a farm in the territory near Dell 
Rapids in Minnehaha County � near where now stands Sioux Falls. S. D. 
After eight years of considerable hardship, hearing of the promised land in the 
Golden State, they came to California, in 1892, and settled at Selma, where 
they have prospered. By hard work, and paying close attention to their 
interests, at the same time that they wasted no time as to other folk's business, 
they have not only raised a large family of children, but have become well-to- 
do. All the children, too, are now married and highly respected. 

Though a man of but few words, Mr. Christensen is a virile and philo- 
sophic thinker, and, being well read, takes an active interest in the political 
issues of the times. He realizes, however, that much of his success is due 
to his faithful helpmate, who is a woman of clear intellect and great force 
of character, and who never failed him in his most strenuous days and now 
enjoys with him the fruits of an industrious and consistently conservative life. 

Mr. Christensen was born at Mou. Denmark, on February 1. 1854. where 
he was brought up in the state church of Denmark and attended the public 
schools. His father, Christen Christensen, was a blacksmith, while he also 
rented and cultivated a small piece of land in Denmark, where the father was 
married to Anna Christine Jacobsen. a native of the same locality, and 
they had three children : The eldest, Ole C, died in Denmark, while the next- 
born, Shoren C, lives in that country, and the subject of this sketch. Nils 
Christian. At seventeen he hired out to work by the year at farm work, and 
at twenty he was married to Juliana Sorensen. who was born near Hjoring, 
Denmark, and is a daughter of Soren and Martha Marie (Hensen) Nelson. 

Mr. and Mrs. Christensen went to Australia from Denmark, arriving at 
Queensland with two children and about ten shillings, and some clothing, 
but without the ability to speak English, and for a while suffered great pri- 
vations. After five and a half years of raising corn and potatoes, they came 
to the United States. They have had eight children. Christian, born in 
Denmark, married Harriet Jessie Nicol. and is a rancher residing near Selma: 
Annie K. married Milton Bigelow, another rancher near Selma. and she 
died, leaving three children. Grace E.. Louise E. and Eunice: Marie married 
Alton Bigelow, missionary to the Philippines, and died and left three children, 
Harriet, Mildred and John H. ; Martha is the wife of Noah Jacobsen, a rancher 
near Selma ; Marcus married Lulu Williams, and is ranching in the vicinity of 
the same town ; Alfred J. is another rancher near Selma who married Anna 
Donald; Elmer Adolph is the postmaster at Selma, and married Lucy Sweet; 
and Walter C. married Sophie Sorensen, and is a grammar school teacher 
near Modesto. 

Mr. and Mrs. Christensen are members of the Danish Baptist Church of 
Selma, and are consistent Christians. Their religion is a matter of everyday 
strength and consolation, for they can see where a kind Providence has led 
them. They are now living comfortably, in their new bungalow home, built 
1918-19, at 2222 Keith Street, in Selma, and are sincerely esteemed by all 
who know them.