According to German birth records Christian ("Chris") Michael Christensen, the oldest of Lauge Christensen's children, was born on May 29, 1886 in Hadersleben, Germany (previously Haderslev, Denmark). Chris was almost three years old when he immigrated to the U.S. with his parents, Lauge and Agatha.
According to Gladys Morton (daughter of Christine Christensen Preble), soon after immigrating to the U.S., Lauge and Agatha were hired on as servants for a wealthy family in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lauge worked as the family's chauffeur and gardener. Agatha worked as the family's cook. After saving enough money, Lauge, a very pregnant Agatha, and Chris (7 years old) moved to the Volga farm on April 1, 1893, which was purchased in 1891.
According to the 1900 Census for Lincoln Twp., Polk County, Wisconsin, Christ (age 14) was attending school, could read, could write and could speak English. His sister, Christine (age 7), also was attending school.
Chris moved to Silver Creek (Holstein), Ida County, Iowa, around 1910. The 1910 census records show that Christ Christensen was residing with Soren Daugaard and family, including Soren's sister, Katrina. Christ/Chris is listed as a "hired man." This is most likely when Chris met Kathrine/Katrina, whom he married on February 1, 1911, in Ida Grove, Ida County, Iowa. Three children were born to Chris and Kathrine in Holstein, Ida County, Iowa -- Helen Inez, Glenn Dale, and Donald-- between 1911 and 1914.
In 1916 Chris Christensen bought the Volga farm from his father. The family moved from the farm in Silver Creek/Holstein, Iowa, to the Volga, Wisconsin, farm. Dorothy Elizabeth and Leon were born in Amery/Volga, Wisconsin. Chris ran the farm until 1920, when Lauge's brother, Chris Sommers, bought it.
The family then moved to Stillwater, Washington County, Minnesota, in 1920. While residing in Stillwater the Christensen children - Helen, Glenn, Don, Dorothy, and Leon - attended the Stillwater Country School. The family resided on the farm for a year or two until a fire burned the house down. According to Dorothy Christensen Galle, a "hired" man had discovered smoke under the eaves of the house and the Stillwater fire department was contacted. By the time the fire department arrived the house was in flames. Neighbors from all around were able to help the family retrieve the belongings inside, including torn-up linoleum. The belongings were placed in the barn. The water pump had just gone dry and the fire department didn't have a hose long enough to reach the lake below the family's property. All the children were at school and Chris was at work at Armour's. When Chris drove up the driveway all he could see was a kitchen table. The only things that Kathrine could think to save were the children's clothes. The neighbors were wonderful to the family during this tragedy.
According to Dorothy Christensen Galle, after the fire at the farm in Stillwater, the family moved to a "trucking farm" on Delaware Avenue in St. Paul and rented for a short while. Sometime in the mid-1920's Chris and Kathrine bought a house and the family moved to 1862 E. Maryland. The Christensen children attended Hayden Heights Elementary School, Ames Middle School and Johnson High School while in St. Paul. Helen went on to attend Mankato State Teacher's College. The family attended Hope Lutheran Church in St. Paul.
During the Depression in the 1930's, all of the family members held jobs to help the family. Chris was a security guard at Armour Co. Glenn also worked at Armour Co., while Dorothy worked at a department store, Helen at a dime store as a cashier, and Leon worked as a clerk at a bank. Kathrine sewed and made many of the clothes from discarded coats, pants, etc. The family did own a Buick car in the 1930's. Food was preserved by canning tomatoes and peaches and storing carrots and potatoes in sand. Dorothy remembers the family listening to President Roosevelt's "fireside chats" on the radio during the 1930's and early 1940's.
Chris and Kathrine resided at the house at 1862 Maryland until their deaths. Their daughter, Helen, continued to live in the house until the early 1990's. For many years Helen hosted Sunday brunch for the family at the house. Many relatives have fond memories of these Sunday get-togethers.
Chris died at age 74 in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Cause of death was a heart attack.
According to Gladys Morton (daughter of Christine Christensen Preble), soon after immigrating to the U.S., Lauge and Agatha were hired on as servants for a wealthy family in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lauge worked as the family's chauffeur and gardener. Agatha worked as the family's cook. After saving enough money, Lauge, a very pregnant Agatha, and Chris (7 years old) moved to the Volga farm on April 1, 1893, which was purchased in 1891.
According to the 1900 Census for Lincoln Twp., Polk County, Wisconsin, Christ (age 14) was attending school, could read, could write and could speak English. His sister, Christine (age 7), also was attending school.
Chris moved to Silver Creek (Holstein), Ida County, Iowa, around 1910. The 1910 census records show that Christ Christensen was residing with Soren Daugaard and family, including Soren's sister, Katrina. Christ/Chris is listed as a "hired man." This is most likely when Chris met Kathrine/Katrina, whom he married on February 1, 1911, in Ida Grove, Ida County, Iowa. Three children were born to Chris and Kathrine in Holstein, Ida County, Iowa -- Helen Inez, Glenn Dale, and Donald-- between 1911 and 1914.
In 1916 Chris Christensen bought the Volga farm from his father. The family moved from the farm in Silver Creek/Holstein, Iowa, to the Volga, Wisconsin, farm. Dorothy Elizabeth and Leon were born in Amery/Volga, Wisconsin. Chris ran the farm until 1920, when Lauge's brother, Chris Sommers, bought it.
The family then moved to Stillwater, Washington County, Minnesota, in 1920. While residing in Stillwater the Christensen children - Helen, Glenn, Don, Dorothy, and Leon - attended the Stillwater Country School. The family resided on the farm for a year or two until a fire burned the house down. According to Dorothy Christensen Galle, a "hired" man had discovered smoke under the eaves of the house and the Stillwater fire department was contacted. By the time the fire department arrived the house was in flames. Neighbors from all around were able to help the family retrieve the belongings inside, including torn-up linoleum. The belongings were placed in the barn. The water pump had just gone dry and the fire department didn't have a hose long enough to reach the lake below the family's property. All the children were at school and Chris was at work at Armour's. When Chris drove up the driveway all he could see was a kitchen table. The only things that Kathrine could think to save were the children's clothes. The neighbors were wonderful to the family during this tragedy.
According to Dorothy Christensen Galle, after the fire at the farm in Stillwater, the family moved to a "trucking farm" on Delaware Avenue in St. Paul and rented for a short while. Sometime in the mid-1920's Chris and Kathrine bought a house and the family moved to 1862 E. Maryland. The Christensen children attended Hayden Heights Elementary School, Ames Middle School and Johnson High School while in St. Paul. Helen went on to attend Mankato State Teacher's College. The family attended Hope Lutheran Church in St. Paul.
During the Depression in the 1930's, all of the family members held jobs to help the family. Chris was a security guard at Armour Co. Glenn also worked at Armour Co., while Dorothy worked at a department store, Helen at a dime store as a cashier, and Leon worked as a clerk at a bank. Kathrine sewed and made many of the clothes from discarded coats, pants, etc. The family did own a Buick car in the 1930's. Food was preserved by canning tomatoes and peaches and storing carrots and potatoes in sand. Dorothy remembers the family listening to President Roosevelt's "fireside chats" on the radio during the 1930's and early 1940's.
Chris and Kathrine resided at the house at 1862 Maryland until their deaths. Their daughter, Helen, continued to live in the house until the early 1990's. For many years Helen hosted Sunday brunch for the family at the house. Many relatives have fond memories of these Sunday get-togethers.
Chris died at age 74 in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Cause of death was a heart attack.
According to German birth records Christian ("Chris") Michael Christensen, the oldest of Lauge Christensen's children, was born on May 29, 1886 in Hadersleben, Germany (previously Haderslev, Denmark). Chris was almost three years old when he immigrated to the U.S. with his parents, Lauge and Agatha.
According to Gladys Morton (daughter of Christine Christensen Preble), soon after immigrating to the U.S., Lauge and Agatha were hired on as servants for a wealthy family in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lauge worked as the family's chauffeur and gardener. Agatha worked as the family's cook. After saving enough money, Lauge, a very pregnant Agatha, and Chris (7 years old) moved to the Volga farm on April 1, 1893, which was purchased in 1891.
According to the 1900 Census for Lincoln Twp., Polk County, Wisconsin, Christ (age 14) was attending school, could read, could write and could speak English. His sister, Christine (age 7), also was attending school.
Chris moved to Silver Creek (Holstein), Ida County, Iowa, around 1910. The 1910 census records show that Christ Christensen was residing with Soren Daugaard and family, including Soren's sister, Katrina. Christ/Chris is listed as a "hired man." This is most likely when Chris met Kathrine/Katrina, whom he married on February 1, 1911, in Ida Grove, Ida County, Iowa. Three children were born to Chris and Kathrine in Holstein, Ida County, Iowa -- Helen Inez, Glenn Dale, and Donald-- between 1911 and 1914.
In 1916 Chris Christensen bought the Volga farm from his father. The family moved from the farm in Silver Creek/Holstein, Iowa, to the Volga, Wisconsin, farm. Dorothy Elizabeth and Leon were born in Amery/Volga, Wisconsin. Chris ran the farm until 1920, when Lauge's brother, Chris Sommers, bought it.
The family then moved to Stillwater, Washington County, Minnesota, in 1920. While residing in Stillwater the Christensen children - Helen, Glenn, Don, Dorothy, and Leon - attended the Stillwater Country School. The family resided on the farm for a year or two until a fire burned the house down. According to Dorothy Christensen Galle, a "hired" man had discovered smoke under the eaves of the house and the Stillwater fire department was contacted. By the time the fire department arrived the house was in flames. Neighbors from all around were able to help the family retrieve the belongings inside, including torn-up linoleum. The belongings were placed in the barn. The water pump had just gone dry and the fire department didn't have a hose long enough to reach the lake below the family's property. All the children were at school and Chris was at work at Armour's. When Chris drove up the driveway all he could see was a kitchen table. The only things that Kathrine could think to save were the children's clothes. The neighbors were wonderful to the family during this tragedy.
According to Dorothy Christensen Galle, after the fire at the farm in Stillwater, the family moved to a "trucking farm" on Delaware Avenue in St. Paul and rented for a short while. Sometime in the mid-1920's Chris and Kathrine bought a house and the family moved to 1862 E. Maryland. The Christensen children attended Hayden Heights Elementary School, Ames Middle School and Johnson High School while in St. Paul. Helen went on to attend Mankato State Teacher's College. The family attended Hope Lutheran Church in St. Paul.
During the Depression in the 1930's, all of the family members held jobs to help the family. Chris was a security guard at Armour Co. Glenn also worked at Armour Co., while Dorothy worked at a department store, Helen at a dime store as a cashier, and Leon worked as a clerk at a bank. Kathrine sewed and made many of the clothes from discarded coats, pants, etc. The family did own a Buick car in the 1930's. Food was preserved by canning tomatoes and peaches and storing carrots and potatoes in sand. Dorothy remembers the family listening to President Roosevelt's "fireside chats" on the radio during the 1930's and early 1940's.
Chris and Kathrine resided at the house at 1862 Maryland until their deaths. Their daughter, Helen, continued to live in the house until the early 1990's. For many years Helen hosted Sunday brunch for the family at the house. Many relatives have fond memories of these Sunday get-togethers.
Chris died at age 74 in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Cause of death was a heart attack.
According to Gladys Morton (daughter of Christine Christensen Preble), soon after immigrating to the U.S., Lauge and Agatha were hired on as servants for a wealthy family in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lauge worked as the family's chauffeur and gardener. Agatha worked as the family's cook. After saving enough money, Lauge, a very pregnant Agatha, and Chris (7 years old) moved to the Volga farm on April 1, 1893, which was purchased in 1891.
According to the 1900 Census for Lincoln Twp., Polk County, Wisconsin, Christ (age 14) was attending school, could read, could write and could speak English. His sister, Christine (age 7), also was attending school.
Chris moved to Silver Creek (Holstein), Ida County, Iowa, around 1910. The 1910 census records show that Christ Christensen was residing with Soren Daugaard and family, including Soren's sister, Katrina. Christ/Chris is listed as a "hired man." This is most likely when Chris met Kathrine/Katrina, whom he married on February 1, 1911, in Ida Grove, Ida County, Iowa. Three children were born to Chris and Kathrine in Holstein, Ida County, Iowa -- Helen Inez, Glenn Dale, and Donald-- between 1911 and 1914.
In 1916 Chris Christensen bought the Volga farm from his father. The family moved from the farm in Silver Creek/Holstein, Iowa, to the Volga, Wisconsin, farm. Dorothy Elizabeth and Leon were born in Amery/Volga, Wisconsin. Chris ran the farm until 1920, when Lauge's brother, Chris Sommers, bought it.
The family then moved to Stillwater, Washington County, Minnesota, in 1920. While residing in Stillwater the Christensen children - Helen, Glenn, Don, Dorothy, and Leon - attended the Stillwater Country School. The family resided on the farm for a year or two until a fire burned the house down. According to Dorothy Christensen Galle, a "hired" man had discovered smoke under the eaves of the house and the Stillwater fire department was contacted. By the time the fire department arrived the house was in flames. Neighbors from all around were able to help the family retrieve the belongings inside, including torn-up linoleum. The belongings were placed in the barn. The water pump had just gone dry and the fire department didn't have a hose long enough to reach the lake below the family's property. All the children were at school and Chris was at work at Armour's. When Chris drove up the driveway all he could see was a kitchen table. The only things that Kathrine could think to save were the children's clothes. The neighbors were wonderful to the family during this tragedy.
According to Dorothy Christensen Galle, after the fire at the farm in Stillwater, the family moved to a "trucking farm" on Delaware Avenue in St. Paul and rented for a short while. Sometime in the mid-1920's Chris and Kathrine bought a house and the family moved to 1862 E. Maryland. The Christensen children attended Hayden Heights Elementary School, Ames Middle School and Johnson High School while in St. Paul. Helen went on to attend Mankato State Teacher's College. The family attended Hope Lutheran Church in St. Paul.
During the Depression in the 1930's, all of the family members held jobs to help the family. Chris was a security guard at Armour Co. Glenn also worked at Armour Co., while Dorothy worked at a department store, Helen at a dime store as a cashier, and Leon worked as a clerk at a bank. Kathrine sewed and made many of the clothes from discarded coats, pants, etc. The family did own a Buick car in the 1930's. Food was preserved by canning tomatoes and peaches and storing carrots and potatoes in sand. Dorothy remembers the family listening to President Roosevelt's "fireside chats" on the radio during the 1930's and early 1940's.
Chris and Kathrine resided at the house at 1862 Maryland until their deaths. Their daughter, Helen, continued to live in the house until the early 1990's. For many years Helen hosted Sunday brunch for the family at the house. Many relatives have fond memories of these Sunday get-togethers.
Chris died at age 74 in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Cause of death was a heart attack.
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