Nichols Resident Called in Death

Nichols - Nels Christofferson, 65, a native of Denmark who had resided in this community for the past 36 years, died about 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 1936 in his home near Nichols. He was born on April 6, 1871 in Denmark to Hans Christian and Johanne Marie Christiandatter Kristofferson. Hans was born on Sept. 8, 1842 and died Nov. 2, 1883. Johanne was born on Jan. 20, 1851 died April 115, 1910. Hans and Johanne married Oct. 29, 1869 in Denmark.

Mr. Christofferson came to this country at the age of 21. After spending four year at Rock Island, he moved to the Bay district. Here he married Miss Murney McHenry in 1898. The couple moved to the Nichols community in 1900 and have continued to live here since.

Surviving are his wife and seven children, Mrs. Blanche Carter of West Liberty, Mrs. Hazel Barnard of Muscatine, and Christian, LeRoy, Martin, Mrs. Murney Iola Coss, Jessie and Edward, all at home. Three children, Mrs. Marie Newton, Ernest and Nels, preceded him in death.

Funeral services, which are not as yet definitely arranged, will be held Monday afternoon from the home. The body was to be returned to the home today by Kirchner Funeral home.

Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 667

NELS CHRISTOFFERSON. Nels Christofferson, the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Pike township, has won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests. His birth occurred in Denmark on the fifth of April, 1871, his parents being Hans and Johannah (Christianson) Christofferson, who spent their entire lives in that country. They reared a family of six children.
Nels Christofferson spent the first twenty years of his life in his native country, obtaining his education in the common schools.

In 1891 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode in Scott county, Iowa, there remaining for a short time. He then came to Muscatine county and here worked as a farm hand for a brief period, after which he removed to Illinois, where he was likewise employed on a farm. After returning to this county he devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land until 1909, when he purchased his present farm of two hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Pike township. The property is well improved in every particular and the fields yield rich crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.

On the 23d of November, 1898, Mr. Christofferson was united in marriage to Miss Murney McHenry, who was born in Illinois on the 3d of February, 1882, her parents being Jesse and Ellen (Duncan) McHenry, natives of Virginia and Illinois respectively. They were married in Illinois and the year 1899 witnessed their arrival in Iowa. They took up their abode in Muscatine county and have lived here continuously to the present time. Their children were five in number, as follows: Zoa, the wife of James Walters, of Muscatine county; Pearl, who is the wife of Arthur Whaley and resides in South Dakota; Mrs. Christofferson; Nora E., the wife of Arthur Cochran, of Muscatine county; and one who died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Christofferson eight children have been born, namely: Marie J., who was born on the 23d of June 1899; Ernest, whose birth occurred January 21, 1901, and who passed away November 20, 1910; Della Blanche, whose natal day was May 19, 1902; Hazel M., who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 5th of May, 1904; Christian, who was born February 14, 1906; Jessie Ellen, born October 26, 1907; Leroy, whose birth occurred February 25, 1909; and Martin L., whose natal day was February 26, 1910.

Politically Mr. Christofferson is an advocate of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Nichols, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he has since worked his way steadily upward to a position among the representative and respected residents of his community.