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


CHRISTJAN JENSEN.� Among the residents of the thriving city of 
Reedley in Fresno County is Christjan Jensen, an expert mechanic of many 
years' experience in the blacksmithing trade. He has seen many changes in 
the conditions of the country surrounding Reedley since he located here in 
1908, and has proven to his fellow citizens his worth as a man of good, sound 
business sense, as well as a mechanic of more than usual ability. He was 
born in Thisted, Denmark, May 17, 1861, the son of Christjan and Nekoline 
Jensen, both born and raised in Denmark. His father was a blacksmith and 
while the lad was going to school he spent considerable time in his father's 
shop and soon became handy with tools. After his school days were over 
he learned the blacksmith trade and worked for his father for five years. 
His next step was to join the Danish army and he served three years in the 
engineering department. 

It was after his honorable discharge from service that the young man 
married, choosing for his wife Miss Anna Kjargard, and with her came to 
the United States in 1888. He traveled West as far as Chicago and there 
he worked at his trade, and had a shop of his own, also was for five years 
in charge of the blacksmith shop of the electrical department of the City 
of Chicago. In 1908 he came 'West to California and soon located in Reedley 
where he opened a shop and carried on his business with success. He also 
bought a ranch of forty acres northeast of Reedley, twenty acres of which 
were improved, and later sold the whole place at a profit. He then bought 
another tract of twenty acres, made all the improvements and this he also 
disposed of at a profit. He is still owner of two good business lots and five 
residence lots and a good home near the high school, in Reedley. 

In 1906 Mr. Jensen was married a second time, this time to Miss Helen 
Scholanber, who presides with grace and charm over his home. In 1917 he 
took a trip back to his native land to review the scenes of his younger days, 
but came back to Fresno County more than ever pleased that he had cast in 
his lot here. He is a public-spirited man who supports every movement for 
the betterment of the county and state of his adoption and no more loyal 
American can be found than he.