- CHRISTEN EVENSEN (deceased) was during his brief but active
career one of the leading
- farmers of Jordan township, Green county, where he passed
his entire life, having been born April 7, 1856, on the farm
now occupied by his widow and family.
- Ole and Rachel EVENSEN, our subject's parents, were born
in Krodsherret, Norway, and came
- to this country in 1848, settling in Green county, Wis. They
had owned one of the prettiest farms in Krodsherret, which they
sold before emigrating. They first settled in Kendall county,
Ill., where resided a brother of Mr. EVENSEN, he having been
one of the first to leave his native home in Norway. They remained
there two years, and in 1850 located in Wisconsin. Mr. EVENSEN
was a thrifty, industrious farmer, and a good manager, and at
the time of his death owned a fine farm of 200 acres - the old
homestead now owned by our subject's widow, in Section 32, Jordan
township. Mr. EVENSEN passed away in 1897, his wife in 1899,
and their remains lie in the Norwegian cemetery in Jordan township.
They were among the most respected residents of the township
in their day, highly esteemed for their genuine worth and their
honorable, upright lives. Ten children were born to them, five
of whom grew to maturity; Even, who resides in Norway Lake, Kandiyohi
Co., Minn.; Jane, wife of Peter HELGESON, of Clayton county,
Iowa; Christen, our subject; Mary, wife of Antone FRYSLIE, of
Clark county, S. Dak.; and Nels, unmarried, who also lives in
Clayton county, Iowa. The others died in childhood.
- On March 22, 1883, Christen EVENSEN married Miss Carrie PETERSON,
of Iowa, who was
- born April 3, 1861, daughter of Torkel and Gunnil (KNUDTSON)
PETERSON. The parents, who were born in Norway, came to America
when young, settling in Clayton county, Iowa, where all their
children were born, and where they died, the mother in 1866,
the father in 1899. Their family consisted of seven children:
Anna, wife of Ole SEVERSON, Jewell county, Kans.; Bell, wife
of Knute TOLEFSON, of South Dakota; Nellie, wife of Annult STENSON,
of Traill Co., N. Dak.; Petter, of Clayton county, Iowa; Carrie,
Mrs. EVENSEN; Betsey, wife of Even GLESNE, of Clayton county,
Iowa; and Knute, of North Dakota. To Mr. and Mrs. EVENSEN were
born five sons: Oscar, born Jan. 8, 1844; Elmer, Oct. 25, 1885
(died May 16, 1892); Theodore R., July 8, 1888; Clarence, May
18, 1890; Christen, Jan. 30, 1892.
- Christen EVENSEN passed away Dec. 24, 1891, sincerely mourned
by his family and his many
- friends and neighbors, to all of whom he had endeared himself
by a life of integrity and honest endeavor. Though he had hardly
reached his prime he had made for himself a substantial place
among the prosperous farmers of his locality, and he was liked
and respected by all who came in contact with him, whether in
business or friendly relations. His political sympathies were
with the Republican party, and he was deeply interested in local
affairs, having served efficiently as member of the township
board and as school director. He was a consistent member of the
Lutheran Church. Mr. EVENSEN left his family well provided for,
and the property, under the energetic management of his widow,
who has proved herself a woman of no mean business ability, has
continued to improve in appearance and value. A fine barn and
stable have been built, the residence has been improved, and
various other changes have been made on the place, to which Mrs.
EVENSEN has added a tract of fifty-one acres, the farm now comprising
251 acres.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin,"
(c)1901 Union Publishing; p. 783.
-
- Courtesy of Carol.
|