California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JESSE JANSEN. Since taking up his residence in Reedley Mr. Jansen has been actively 
identified with all progressive movements, never hesitating to give of his time and means to 
build up and improve the place. Self-made, his record is one that the young men of today may 
read with much profit. Coming to this country when a young man, without money or friends, 
he has worked his way to the front until today he is not only the foremost citizen of Reedley, 
but is one of the most influential residents of Fresno county. The soul of honor, his word is 
considered as good as his bond, and while he has accumulated a handsome competency he has 
never forgotten to perform his duties as a man and citizen. Generous to a fault, there are many 
people in this section of the state who would have suffered many privations had it not been 
for his assistance. 

A native of Denmark, Mr. Jansen was born in Bodum, Schleswig, August 21, 1855. His fath- 
er, Henry Jansen, was a native of the same locality. For many years he followed the sea, be- 
ing master of a vessel, and in the early mining days he visited the port of San Francisco. 
He died at his home in Denmark in 1887. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna Christina 
Olsen and was a native of Tylland, Denmark. She is still living, making her home in Schleswig. By 
her marriage she became the mother of seven children, our subject being the oldest. His early 
life was spent in the country of his nativity, where he attended the public schools, supple- 
menting the course in the lower grades by attendance at a private school. At the early age 
of sixteen years, in 1871, he bade good-bye to the fatherland and sailed for America. On ar- 
riving in California he located in Placer county, where he secured employment on a farm, being 
paid $100 for a year's work. After a time he left the farm and went to Lincoln, where he was 
given work in a meat market, later conducting the market himself. In 1880 he secured a posi- 
tion as foreman of two large ranches in Yuba and Placer counties, where he continued for over 
six years, having in the meantime leased them. At the end of this time he returned to his home 
in the old country, and while there was united in marriage with Helen Maria Miller. In 1886, 
with his wife, he returned to California and again engaged in farming-, making a specialty of 
raising wheat. Tn 1887 he contracted to dispose of his product to the Pioneer Milling Company, 
but through the fault of the agent the wheat did not come up to the sample shown and the com- 
pany refused the whole consignment. Mr. Jansen knew that his wheat was all right and de- 
termined to dispose of it. With that idea in mind he went to San Francisco and called on G. 
W. McNear, who purchased his entire crop and paid more than the contract entered into with 
the former company. The acquaintance formed with Mr. McNear at that time soon ripened into 
friendship and Mr. Jansen has since been associated with him, buying millions of bushels of 
wheat and paying; out thousands and thousands of dollars. In addition to his farming and grain- 
buving interests at that time Mr. Jansen also did considerable insurance writing and dealt in 
real estate, in 1890 buying sixteen acres adjoining Lincoln, which he still owns. 

It was in 1890 that Mr. Jansen located in Reedley and since that time he has been one of 
the most active business men of the town. Coming here as buying agent for Mr. McNear, he 
engaged in purchasing the wheat grown in this section of the state, carrying on an extensive 
grain dealing business. In 1002 he organized and incorporated the Reedley Hall and Store 
Company, of which he is president. After the disastrous fire of 1902 he purchased the bank- 
corner and erected the Jansen block, which is one of the finest buildings in the town. A year 
later he organized and capitalized the Reedley state bank, which is now doing a fine business, 
Mr. Jansen being president of the same. In 1904 he organized the Jesse Jansen Company, for 
the transaction of a general real estate, brokerage and insurance business. It is his intention 
to purchase land, divide it into small tracts and sell to those who desire to grow fruit or or- 
anges or beets for the sugar plant. 

Mrs. Jansen. who in maidenhood was a Miss Miller, became the mother of seven children, one 
of whom, Henry, is deceased. The others are: Anna, Helen, Rebecca, Jesse, Jr., Henry and 
Norman. In fraternal relations Mr. Jansen is a member of Valley Lodge No. 107, I. O. O. F., 
the Encampment at Marysville and Citrus Rebekahs No. 129. Mr. and Mrs. Jansen are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church and they have generously assisted in building up other churches. 
In politics Mr. Jansen is a stanch Republican, but has been too busy looking after his own in- 
terests to take an active part in political matters.