Biographical Sketch of

Soren Mortensen

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 762 - 763 


Soren Mortensen, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 20 in the town of Harris, 
Marquette County, is a native of Denmark, having been born near the city of Aarus, Sept. 27, 1844.  His 
father never became a resident of America, but on one occasion visited his children in this country.  He 
died in his native land in 1886, at the age of seventy years, and his wife passed away in Denmark in 1866.  
Their family numbered six children:  Ole, who is now engaged in farming in Liberty Bluff, Wis.; Soren, of 
this sketch; Marion, wife of Peter Hanson, who still resides in Denmark; Martin, whose home is in Amboy, 
N. J.; Maria, wife of P. Gensen, who is living near the old homestead in Denmark; and Anton, who resides 
in Amboy, N. J.
 
The subject of this sketch passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land and received his 
education in its public schools, but wishing to try his fortune in the New World, when twenty-one years 
of age he bade good-bye to home and friends and started out on a long journey of more than 3,000 miles.  
From his native city he went to Copenhagen, then on to Hamburg, whence he made his way to Liverpool, 
England, and crossed the Atlantic to Quebec.  He at once resumed his journey, and on the 28th day of 
July, 1866, reached New York.  He spent a year in Fairfield, Conn., and in 1867 we again find him in 
the Eastern metropolis engaged in the French polishing, which he followed for two years.  He spent a 
few months of the latter part of 1869 in Fairfield, and in 1870, came to Marquette County, making a 
location near the village of Harrisville.  With the money acquired from his labors in the East he 
purchased 160 acres of land in company with his brother, and began the improvement of a farm which 
he soon had under a high state of cultivation.  The following year he rented land and continued to 
operate the same until 1876, when he purchased his present farm on section 20, in the town of Harris, 
which was then in a partly improved condition.  He is a man of great energy and perseverance and whatever 
he undertakes he carries forward to a successful completion, determining to make for himself a good home, 
as a result he has one of the finest farms in Marquette County.  It comprises 178 acres of valuable land, 
and understanding the rotation of crops, it yields abundant harvests.  He has made many improvements of 
both a useful and ornamental character.
 
On the 4th of November, 1870, Mr. Mortensen married Maria Holm, by whom he has four children:  Martin, who 
graduated with honor from the Westfield High School in the class of 1889; Andrew, William and Anna.  The 
children have all received excellent educational advantages and the eldest son is now one of the successful 
teachers of the county.
 
Mr. Mortensen is ever ready to aid in the advancement of those enterprises which are calculated to promote 
the general welfare and has always faithfully discharged his duties of citizenship.  Never a trust reposed 
in him but has been fulfilled to the satisfaction of all concerned.  He has held a number of township offices, 
including that of Treasurer, and in the discharge of his duties won the commendation of all concerned.  He is 
a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Seventh Day Adventists' Church. 






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