ANTON JACOBSEN

ANTON JACOBSEN was born March 18, 1863, at Stubbkjobing, Island of Falsted [Falster], Denmark. His father, a butcher, was named Jacob Jorgensen; his mother's maiden name was Sophia Hansdatter. The latter is still living at her old home, at the advanced age of eighty years, but the father died when fifty-seven years old. Mr. Jacobsen is the fifth of the eight children born to his parents, and of his large family six are still living.

After leaving school in his fifteenth year, young Anton worked on a farm until he was seventeen, and in 1880 turned his face, toward the setting sun, to seek a new home and better fortune in a strange land. His first halting place in this country was Racine, Wisconsin, and there and in the adjacent country the first nine years of his life in America were spent. In 1889 he came to Chicago, and was married, September 10, of that year, in this city, to one of his countrywomen, Miss Annie Nielsen, who had come to the United States two years before.

For a time he worked at cement paving and in 1892 Mr. Jacobsen was able to set himself up in the milk business. His first location was at Wentworth Avenue and Thirty-eighth Street. From there he removed to No. 3721 Dearborn Street. In 1895 he abandoned the sale of milk and opened a saloon at the corner of Armour Avenue and Thirty-eighth Street. He remained there but a few months, and in September of that year purchased his present establishment, The Walhalla, at Wentworth Avenue and Thirty-seventh Street. This he refitted and equipped as a first class resort.

Mr. and Mrs. Jacobsen have three children, May, Jacob and Olivia. He is a prominent and active member of Walhalla, the members of the order holding him in high esteem. For three years he was its president. He also takes deep interest in the Danish Brotherhood, to which he belongs, and is a Forester as well, being a member of Court General Thomas, Foresters of America. He is also active in the Saloonkeeper's Association.

While employed at cement work he was a member of the Cement Paver's Union, holding at different times, the office of secretary, treasurer and president. He has lost none of his old time sympathy with the working men, whose welfare he always stands ready to promote and defend.

Copied from the Album of Genealogy and Biography, Cook County, Illinois, 1900, pp. 467-468.

     -- Submitted on 9/27/06 by Ray Jacobsen