History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Jenson, Jens P. a prominent figure in the development of the town of Cassian, Oneida County, and now living retired in that township, was born in Denmark, Dec. 22, 1851, son of Jens and Johannah (PETERSON) MICHELSON. The parents were natives of Denmark and the father spent all his life in that country; the mother came to America after the death of the father and spent the remainder of her life with her children here. Four children, as follows, were born to these parents: Michael, now living in Waupaca, Wis.; Sever, of Omro, Wis.; Jennie, who is now Mrs. S. P. PETERSON of Omro, Wis.; an Jens P. Jens P. JENSON received his education in his native land and subsequently learned the trade of brick and stone mason, which he followed there until 1873. He came to the United States in the latter year and proceeded direct from New York to Neenah, Wis., where he remained for three years. He then removed to the town of Matteson, Waupaca County, and later he went to Helvetia Township in the same county, purchasing a farm at the latter place and remaining until 1900. He then came to Oneida County and took a homestead of 160 acres in Sections 14 and 15, town of Cassian. This was all wild land, and the whole region was in a very primitive state of development, with no roads and very few settlers. Mr. JENSEN, however, courageously set to work to build up a farm; he erected a log shack 16x16 feet in dimensions to serve as a temporary residence and proceeded to clear and develop the land. In 1903 he supplanted his original house with a good seven-room home, but the original log building is still standing on the property, a memento of pioneer days. By hard and persistent work year after year he succeeded in building up a finely developed agricultural property, one of the representative farms of Oneida County. This farm Mr. JENSON sold in 1920. In 1903 he had erected a store at Cassian Station, and this he conducted for 16 years, during which time he also was postmaster there. In 1918 he disposed of all his property holdings except his home, and he has since lived retired. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows, and he and his family affiliate with the Methodist Church. Mr. JENSON was married at Waupaca, Wis., April 19, 1879, to Ella ANDERSON, who was born April 24, 1858, in Denmark, daughter of Christian and Tova (PETERSON) ANDERSON. Five children, as follows, were born to Mr. and Mrs. JENSON: William C., who is now engaged in farming near Gurney, Wis.; Louis L., farming in the town of Cassian, Oneida County; Jennie, who is Mrs. F.C. FREDERICKS; Nettie, Mrs. Eugene MARKS; and Lillie, Mrs. Albert B. WHITE, all of the town of Cassian.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 258-259 (with pictures); History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others; 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.

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