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


MARTIN P. KNUDSEN. One of the recently-established dairy enterprises near Los Banos is that 
of Martin P. Knudsen, owner of twenty acres of land a mile from town, and since April, IQ04. 
conducting a dairy of seventeen cows. Mr. Knudsen had a great deal of practical business 
experience before embarking upon his present venture, all of which he is bound to use to 
increase his dairying project. He has his own separator, as well as other conveniences known 
to the modern and up-to-date dairyman, and finds his work profitable and congenial. 

Born in Sobv, Aeroe. Denmark, May 18, 1864. Mr. Knudsen is the fifth child in order of birth 
in a family of eleven children, six of whom are living. Three of the four who are in America 
reside in San Francisco. He comes of seafaring stock, and both his father. Peter Knudsen. and 
his grandfather, were in the coasting: trade for many years, owning their own vessels, and con- 
tinued so employed until old age incapacitated them for that vocation. Peter Knudsen lived to 
be fiftv-two years old, and his wife, formerly Anna Maria Petersen, continues to live on the 
old home place in Denmark. The family are faithful in their attendance and contributions to 
the Lutheran Church. 

Martin P. Knudsen was educated in the public schools of Sobv, and early found it to his ad- 
vantage to start upon an independent life: according-lv. with the example of his forefathers 
before him. he chose the sea. and followed it for a couple of years. Finding he did not have the 
same liking for this occupation as his father had, he quit the sea and located on a farm for one 
year, but in the spring of 1882 he immigrated to the United States, soon afterward arriving in 
Merced county. Cal., where without money and with no recommendation save good health and 
energy, he secured a position with Miller & Lux, in whose employ he remained four years. He 
also engaged in farming, and was the first man to set a plow in what is now Plow Camp, in 1885, 
a part of which he now owns. In 1886 he went to Hills Ferry, where he was employed on a farm 
for three years, and while there married, in 1889, Christine Rasmussen. of Denmark. Soon after- 
ward he conducted a boarding-house and saloon at the Ferry, moving four months later to 
Newman, where be bought a house and lot and engaged in his occupations of boarding-house 
and liquor business. In November, 1899, he located in Los Banos and erected a large house, which 
he opened up under auspicious circumstances, but which four days later burned to the ground. 
He then engaged in the liquor business until 1904, in which year he sold out and bought his pres- 
ent place of twenty acres a mile south of Los Banos. He has built a comfortable and com- 
modious residence, and has modern improvements on his ranch. 

Mr. Knudsen takes a keen interest in Democratic politics, and is interested in the cause of 
education and good government. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
of Newman, and the Ancient Order of Druids, of Los Banos. He proposes to give his children, 
Peter and Christine Maria, the best advantages within his power. He is genial and generous 
when called upon to further charitable or other undertakings.