Biographical Sketch of

George P. Sorensen

Transcribed by Joan Benner 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 375 - 376

Surnames: Christensen, Colt, Hansen, Kimball, Larsen, Nelson, Robinson, Sorensen, Svendsen

George P. Sorensen, a widely known farmer and representative citizen of the Town of Leon, 
Waushara County, resides in section 6. He is a native of Denmark, having been born on the 
Island of Zealand, Aug. 21, 1848. His ancestors for amny generations back were natives of 
the same country. His paternal grandfather, Svend Nelson, was born in Denmark and there 
lived a long and useful life. By trade he was a cabinet maker and joiner. The father of 
our subject, Soren Svendsen, was born in Denmark, Oct. 18, 1818, and followed farming in 
that country. He married Anna M. Hansen, who was born in 1821, and was a daughter of Hans 
Sorensen. By their union were born eight children, namely: James C., Hans P., George P., 
Eliza M., Tina C., Anna M., Nels C. and Ida A. Mr. Svendsen came to America in 1866, and 
made his first settlement in Fairwater, Fond du Lac County, Wis., where he purchased seventy 
acres of good farming land, upon which he has since resided. Previous to his emigration he 
followed the shoe-maker's trade for a number of years. In politics he was a Republican and 
religiously a member of the Lutheran church.

Our subject accompanied his parents to this country when a young man of eighteen years and 
earned his first money in his new home as a farm hand, working for Frank Robinson, of 
Fond du Lac County, with whom he remained during the summer. The following winter he 
attended school and thus spent his time alternately between work and study until the spring 
of 1870, when he entered Ripon College, taking a brief course in German and English. He 
then removed to Pine River and entered the employ of A. M. Kimball as clerk and book-keeper, 
continuing to serve in that capacity five years, during which time he married Annie Larsen, 
the wedding taking place February 7, 1871. She was born in Denmark, Dec. 25, 1852, and is a 
daughter of Lars and Karen (Hansen) Christensen, who were also natives of the same country. 
Their family numbered ten children, as follows: Karen M., Sophia, Sidse, Nels, Christina, 
Hans P., Maria, Anna M., Maren and Caroline. To Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen have been born nine 
children -- Albert W., born May 7, 1872; Alexander, born Sept. 9, 1874; Wademar born Dec. 28, 
1876; Bernard, born July 18, 1878; Myrtle S., born July 22, 1880; George L., born June 16, 
1881; Serena M., born Aug. 3, 1882; Myron, born Aug. 17, 1886, and Mabel, born June 28, 1888.

In 1875, Mr. Sorensen left the employ of Mr. Kimball and removed to Waupaca, Wis., where he 
edited the Dannebrog, the first Danish Republican paper published in the United 
States. After three months he removed to Racine and in less than a year and a half had 
secured more than twelve hundred subscribers. Selling out he returned to Pine River and 
again entered the employ of Mr. Kimball, with whom he remained three years and in 1879, 
worked for R. P. Colt of Poysippi. In the meantime he purchased the farm on which he now 
resides, containing 120 acres of land and for two years gave his attention to its 
cultivation, hoping thereby to restore his health, which had been injured by close 
confinement. Later he again entered the employ of Mr. Kimball, who found him one of his 
most efficient and trusted hands and sustained his former relations with him until October, 
1889 when he once more resumed the care and cultivation of his land. In politics, Mr. 
Sorensen is a Republican and has served in various township offices. He was town clerk for 
six years and was elected chairman of the town board, which position he now holds. For two 
years he has been clerk of the district composed of the towns of Leon and Mt. Morris and for
 six years previous was a director of that district. He has proved himself and able and 
faithful officer in the discharge of his public duties and as a citizen ranks among the 
best. He is agent for the European Exchange Passage Agency and sells tickets to all parts 
of Europe, also foreign drafts and money orders. He is a member and corresponding secretary 
of the Dannebrog Society, and is secretary and business manager of the Pine River Brass 
Band. For four years he held the deputy postmaster of Pine River under A. M. Kimball. He 
and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church.
  





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