Jens Julius Jensen (1859-1902) Biography

Jens J. Jensen

Jens J. Jensen came to America in 1881 from Norway where he was born in Farsund, Mandals and Listers Amt, in 1859, and having been reared and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, was converted in Stavanger in 1877 where he united with the Methodist church, and on coming to Chicago, united with the 1st Norsk-Dansk Methodist Episcopalian church in 1886 transferring to Maplewood Avenue church where he is now chorister; has been trustee for many years, and was formerly S.S. superintendent. His wife, Anna (Olsen), of the same nativity, came with her parents, Soren and Anna Olsen, whose record appears in this volume, to America in 1871, was here converted and is a member of the Ladie's Society of the Maplewood Avenue church. Their children are Jens Arthur and John Sydney, two others Jens Jacob and John Sydney having died in infancy. Mr. Jensen's father, Jens Jacob Hansen, who passed away in Norway in 1864, an adherent of the Lutheran faith, was a talented violinist, the entire family with one exception being musicians.

His mother, Anna Marie (Kjarvaldsen) after her husband's death came to America in 1882 and passed away six years later, aged 63 years, having previously embraced the Methodist faith. Mr. Jensen at the age of 14 years left his home for a sailors life, which followed for 3 years, visiting France, Scotland and numerous other countries, on his return home was converted, and about four years later came to America, where he has been one of the most active workers in the Methodist church, also being a member of the Skalden, a musical society.