Jens Jacob CHRISTENSEN KJAER

                   Biographical Sketches in Notes
Thomas Christian Jensen and family came across the plains with the Abner Lowry Company in 1866.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THOMAS CHRISTIAN JENSEN1
(Also known as Gortler (Brazier) Jensen)
Historical data provided by: Jens Iver Jensen (his son)
Compiled by: Daniel Peter Jensen (his grandson), January 18, 1935
Thomas Christian Jensen was born at Jerslev, Hjorring Amt., Denmark, January 16, 1818. He was a love child, son of Christian Kjaer, a highly respected and learned village schoolmaster who, later in life, was pensioned by the government for long, efficient, and faithful service.
His mother, Karen Mikkelsdatter, of the same place, was intelligent, frugal and ambitious, kind and lovable;
One,
Not learned, save in gracious household ways;
Not perfect, nay, but full tender wants;
No angel, but a dearer being, all dipt
In angel instincts, breathing paradise,
Interpreter between the gods and man,
Who looked all native to her place, and yet
On tiptoe seemed to touch upon a sphere
Too gross to tread, and all male minds perforce
Swayed to her from their orbits, as they moved,
And girdled her with music. Happy he
With such a mother Faith in womankind
Beats with his blood, and trust in all things high
Comes easy to him, and though he trip and fall
He shall not blind his soul with clay.
-Alfred Tennyson.
During his earlier childhood days, little Thomas lived with his mother in a small one-room thatched roof house made of mortar, reinforced with wood. The cottage was a thatched one, the outside old and mean, but all within that little cot was wondrous neat and clean. This humble abode, situated a short distance from the village was home for this lonely young mother and her beloved son.
Extreme poverty made it necessary for this little lad to seek employment and he, together with his mother looked about for something that he might do to earn a livelihood, resulting in his becoming attached to a small farm in the neighborhood as a shepherd, caring for a few sheep, and later, as caretaker of other livestock.
It appears that his employer was a severe master, suspecting that the young boy, like little Bo-peep would loose the sheep. True, the young boy did not fully realize the heavy responsibility now placed on him for already he was absorbed in other thoughts than caring for cattle and sheep. He had gathered together a few small trinkets or inferior mechanical with which he attempted to construct worthwhile little novelties for his own entertainment. So absorbed was he in his novelty making, or playing, that he failed to observe the approaching master who had stealthily crept up on him, and who dealt the unsuspecting lad a blow that sent him rolling down the grassy hillside, hoarsely remarking in a loud voice, Ill teach you how to pay strict attention to duty and not waste your time in play.
His compensation, it was agreed, for a full years service was his food and enough wool to make him a suit of clothes, provided, of course, that the services rendered were satisfactory.
Thomas school days were few and irregular, but he made the most of the opportunities offered, reading as often as he came in possession of newspapers and books. Books were rare in those days and it was difficult to obtain them but through kind friends and their observing his studious habits assisted.
At school he mad rapid progress, indeed, he advanced too rapidly as we shall learn. A reader had been provided by the school officials, he had prepared the required reading lesson to his own satisfaction and knew he pas prepared to recite the assigned lesson properly, but he was eager to learn and much interested, so he read on and on, page after page, beyond the given chapter. The teacher, advancing from behind, made the above observation and gave the boy a resounding smack on the ear and said in an angry tone: That will teach you to study the assigned lesson and not go romping all through the book
He was determined to get an education notwithstanding limited opportunity to attend school, reading as often as he came into possession of fresh reading matter. He was apt and studious and through his own determined efforts acquired early in life a fund of information that was surprising. Especially did he love to read history and, as he read, it was his delight to entertain his neighbors by reciting to them many details of historical information of interest. He could, without book reference, give the names of great men and describe their valiant deeds as recorded on historys pages; giving dates and details accurately. Especially he was familiar with European history, particularly Scandinavia, Germany, Holland and France. As to the Napoleonic Wars, his fund of information was complete and it was his greatest delight to entertain friends by narrating great historical events.
His knowledge of geography was amazing. He read much pertaining to the science of astronomy and was familiar especially with the life and works of the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, Copernicus, and Kepler. Likewise, he was familiar with astronomers of later centuries.
When a youth, about sixteen years of age, he had advanced to a point of usefulness in the mechanical arts and was now an artificer of no mean ability. He was a real help to the people, he could do soldering neatly and well and could mend household utensils and farm implements and was much in demand.
He chanced to make the acquaintance of a foot traveler who, for the time being was in the neighborhood. He (the traveler) was a (gortler) brazier and skilled in this like of work. His live had been blighted because of strong drink and had been reduced to poverty and he was looked upon as a vagabond. Our young hero, however, learning of the travelers ability, proceeded at once to cultivate his acquaintance and friendship. The wandering metal worker soon became attached to young Thomas and instructed him in all details of the braziers art and soon thereafter they were manufacturing articles both useful and ornamental. As compensation to the traveler for information and instruction, according to agreement, the sum of twenty five cents, or thereabout, Danish money, and a generous sized bottle of brendevin (whiskey) was paid. And thus the subject of our sketch came into possession of valuable information that was to serve him throughout life as his principal occupation and win for himself and family a livelihood.
Thomas was now eighteen years of age and was able, in a small way, to set himself up in business, manufacturing many useful articles made from brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). One great problem, however, was the very important matter of finance. Another matter of grave importance was location, as he fully realized both were necessary before he could make progress. The laws of Denmark at that time did not permit a manufacturer to set himself up in business in a country town. He must conduct his business in a city. Thomas resolved, notwithstanding the law, to continue his little establishment in the old home town, Jerslev. But one fine day he was hailed into court by officers of the law, fined and admonished not to repeat the offense.
The situation was a puzzle, he thought about it and grieved over it, he advised with his friends and sought counsel but all to no avail, so he concluded that all he could do was to continue with his soldering and tinkering. This class of work often times made it necessary for him to visit other small towns and small ranches in the neighborhood. Seeking employment, he visited the ranch of Iver Hansen, known in the neighborhood as Iver Scovi. He was kindly received and entertained.
Karen Marie, a daughter of the rancher, attracted him. She was good to look upon and a lovely maiden of marriageable age. He was invited to come again and again; a friendship developed followed by ardent courtship and later, October 28, 1841, they married. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Reverend Riber, the parish minister.
Of interest is the Jerslev Reading Club, or what may be called a reading club. The citizens, collectively, paid a subscription price for a weekly newspaper called Aalborg-Stiftstidende, published at the city of Aalborg. None of the members of the club could read understandingly or fluently save Gortler Jensen, so the lot to do the reading and explaining fell to him. The peasantry alternated in providing reading quarters and, each week, waited with eagerness the arrival of the news. Thomas Christian not only read, but gave other detailed information relative to politics and other current events.
The laws of the land were altered and made more liberal, thus making it possible for Gortler Jensen to again pursue his brass foundry business.
Iver (Scovi) Hansen died shortly after the marriage of his daughter Karen Marie. The estate was probated and Karen came into her possession of her part of the estate, a few acres of land and other property which soon thereafter was sold for cash. The cash, together with the small savings of Thomas Christian, assured success as they could now proceed to establish themselves on a more secure basis. Capital provided and objectionable laws altered or abolished, their success in the future seemed assured.
They did prosper and soon built up a good business in Jerslev and Thomas Christian Jensen soon became known as Gortler Jensen, manufacturer and foundryman. The success that attended them inspired them to do greater things and soon they concluded that the beautiful little city of Saeby on the sea coast should be their future home.
In the spring of 1853 Gortler Jensen and his family moved to Saeby. Four children had been born unto them: Maria, Mariana, Jens Iver, and Mikelina.
Better quarters for the brass foundry were procured, better living conditions were afforded, and from the beginning success was assured. Rapid progress repaid his efforts as there was lively demand for his products. At one time he employed eight men in his brass foundry business. Among the more important articles manufactured were these: sleigh bells, cow bells, bells for sheep, school bells (who does not remember the sweet tones handled bells of early school days of Elsinore?) beautiful candlesticks, door latches, door plates, brass knockers, sad iron (flat iron) stands, and other items in the line of builders hardware. He also molded tin buttons of various sizes that were much in use at that time.
Jens Iver, now a lad of ten years, paid strict attention to the operations of the foundry and as a result of his observations learned much and became familiar with the intricate business; the brazier business. Indeed he learned to cast and polish and within a few years time became proficient in the braziers art.
Jens Ivers first duty was to sell tin buttons. He traveled about from house to house in the city and in the country selling buttons and more buttons. A small white bag slung over his shoulder was filled with buttons, presenting the appearance of a bag filled with coin. Traveling out in the country one fine day, as he trudged along on with his bag of buttons he was surprised, amazed, and almost alarmed when he met, coming up the highway, the Seventh Regiment of the Danish Army. As he passed them, one of the soldiers cried out: Oh Da for Satan giv us en skjelling (Oh Da give us a penny).
Father Jensen, in the spring of 1858, success having rewarded him for his faithfulness, developed an eagerness to make more rapid progress financially, so he rented a farm up the country, employed men to do the farm work while he himself continued to manage and supervise his brass foundry business as well as oversee the cultivation of the land, rather a large assignment for a small man but he was ambitious and determined. All went very well indeed; the season was favorable, a large crop was planted cultivated and harvested and stored away in the barnyard. The happy holiday season was approaching and all were looking forward to a Glaedelig Juul (Merry Christmas), little realizing that a great calamity was suddenly to come upon them. But Alas Such was their fate. A disastrous fire, said to be the work of a wicked incendiary, broke out at Christmas destroying the barnyard, buildings, harvested crops, horses, cattle and sheep. The entire premises were reduced to ashes and not a vestige left. To make so grave a situation worse, he was again made to suffer a greater loss. His brass foundry and other city real estate were under mortgage. He had depended on the sale of the crops to meet the obligation when due. The indebtedness matured and the mortgage was promptly foreclosed and father Jensen was again destitute. Jens Iver, now twelve years of age, was heart broken, and the family was overcome with grief because their days of prosperity were so short lived and again they were reduced to poverty.
Undaunted, the invincible little foundryman resolved to try again. They made another move in the spring of 1859, locating at Gaarsholt, Voer Sogn.
Mormon Elders appeared on the scene. Some of these were local Elders, others (the leading proselytes) were missionaries from the land of Zion. They proclaimed throughout the land that they had been commissioned to preach a new and everlasting gospel for the spiritual salvation of mankind; that a latter-day prophet had seen an angel, had conversed with him and had received instructions from on high to proclaim to the world that the gospel of salvation had been, because of the iniquity of mankind, taken from the Earth, but again was re-established with a prophet, seer, and revelator at the head; with a quorum of twelve apostles as in the days of old when the Lord and Savior was upon the earth. They quoted liberally from holy writ to substantiate their claims, quoting particularly from the Revelation to St. John:
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; and declaring in a loud voice, saying Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made the heaven, and the earth and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Therefore, come out of her Oh Ye My People that you partake not of her sins for a place is prepared for you in the mountain tops in the land of Zion, where a great city would be reared to the Glory of God, a place where the saints might dwell in peace forever more.
The younger members of the Jensen family paid particular attention to this new and strange doctrine and were greatly impressed, resulting eventually, in the conversion of the daughter Maria. Pater Marianna and the Michalina embraced the faith. Jens Iver, however, was like Saul of old, and resented the message of salvation. But, in the end, he too accepted the faith and was baptized. The parents, however, were skeptics and felt that a new and unlooked for calamity had befallen them. However, their doubts were overcome and they too joined the newly converted little band of proselytes of Mormonism.
The home of Gortler Jensen became the home of the Elders and Gortler Jensen began to prosper and began to lay up money. The spirit of the Gathering of Israel had taken possession of their minds and hearts and they began to long for the day to come when they too should be able to immigrate to Utah, the land of Zion.
Maria, the older daughter, loved and adored Peter Peterson, a young skilled mechanic and watch maker. After a short courtship they were married, much to her fathers liking.
In the month of November 1863 a terrific storm swept over the beautiful little Danish peninsula. A storm such as this one had never before or since, it was said, been known to even the older inhabitants of Denmark. It killed livestock by the hundreds, unroofing and leveling many homes and farm houses. The churches, for the most part, remained standing but were stripped of their lead roof coverings. Millions of dollars worth of property was completely destroyed.
This storm, though a calamity to the country, proved to be a godsend to the family of Gortler Jensen. Father Jensen and the new son-in-law, Peter Petersen, entered into a partner agreement, operating the small brass foundry business and in addition took other job