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


MADS PETER MADSEN. � The superior advantages offered to agri- 
culturists, by the United States of America, have attracted from all parts of 
the world those who have become our substantial and prosperous ranchers. 
Many of them arrived in this country handicapped by the lack of money, 
but eventually, through thrifty habits and untiring efforts, they have sur- 
mounted all obstacles and have not only gained a comfortable living, but 
they have in due time saved sufficient money to purchase land. Among the 
successful vineyardists of today, one who came with a wife and three chil- 
dren, without money, and is now the owner of an improved raisin ranch of 
forty acres, is M. P. Madsen, of Parlier. 

M. P. Madsen was born on July 31, 1867, at Fredericia, Denmark, son of 
Jorgen and Maria Matsen, who were also natives of Denmark, where they 
both passed away, being the parents of four children : Maren ; Marie ; Mads 
Peter; and Jorgen. The subject of this review, M. P. Madsen, attended 
school in his native land from the age of six to fourteen, but owing to the 
financial condition of his father he was obliged to work out on farms from 
the time he was nine years of age, and thereby not only aided in the support 
of the family but gained valuable knowledge in farming. As is customary in 
Denmark, he was in the army at various times ; in 1887 he served seven 
months; his last two years, ending in 1891, were in the Danish infantry. 

Mr. Madsen had a brother-in-law living in Selma, Cal,, Lars Larsen, 
who is now deceased, who sent him a ticket for himself and family, covering 
their transportation from Copenhagen to Fresno, Cal. On April 10, 1894, the 
family sailed from Copenhagen in a Danish steamer and after eighteen days 
landed in New York City; they arrived in Fresno, Cal., May 4, 1894. 

After reaching Selma, he secured work by the day, for which he was 
paid ninety cents and boarded himself. After three or four years of labor- 
ing for others he rented a place for several years and engaged in the raisin 
business. The year 1908 is a memorable one in his career for it records the 
purchase of his present ranch of forty acres which is devoted to vines. 
fourteen of which are planted to Thompson seedless grapes, now two vears 
old ; eighteen acres are in muscat and six are planted to malaga grapes, the 
balance of the land is devoted to yards, buildings and the ditch. 

On January 12, 1889, M. P. Madsen was united in marriage with Carrie 
Larsen, a native of Denmark, and this happy union has been blessed with 
seven children : Carl, a rancher in the Kutner Colony, where he was employed 
by the raisin growers association to farm some of their land, but now in the 
city of Fresno ; Mary, the wife of George Richards, manager of the Asso- 
ciated Packing House at Del Rey; George, who married Marie Nielsen, is 
employed on a raisin ranch near Del Rey ; Carlie, who was born in this 
country, is now the wife of Charles Johnson, a rancher near Hanford, and 
foreman for the American Vineyards Company, and she is the mother of 
one child ; Peter, who returned home June 1, 1919, after serving in the 
United States Army in France ; Christine, the wife of Benjamin Johnson, 
resides on his father's ranch near Parlier; and Alma, attending school in 
the district. 

Mr. Madsen is a member of the Danish Lutheran Church, attending the 
church on the Reedley road, three miles west of Parlier. He is a Democrat, 
and a loyal citizen of the United States. He is a very intelligent and in- 
dustrious vineyardist ; the success he has attained in ranching, without the 
aid of money at the start, is an inspiring example for other young men.