Christian was born in Sonder Felding, Denmark to Jens Jensen Fonnesbeck and Ane Margrethe Fonnesbeck. (eighth child and sixth son) He was only about seven when his father died. At fourteen he went to Copenhagen to learn the shoemaking trade--because of his own foot problem (talipes) this vocation was important to him. He missed his family and mother but he went through the whole program. In Utah he was a shoemaker until he decided to buy land to farm--he homesteaded in the Newton, Utah area. He was married twice: Anna Jacobsen, divorced, and Marie Kristine Skov Jorgensen (whom he met on his return voyage from a religious mission in Denmark). He was also very involved in the family business in Logan, Fonnesbeck Knitting Works, plus the family farming interests in the Weston, Idaho, area.

Christian was the first Fonnesbeck to enter and register at Ellis Island. He proudly became an American citizen in 1896--but he treasured his Danish roots.
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His children with Anna Margaret: (the Fonnesbeck history states they had seven children but only six are listed--it is possible they lost a baby, which is very believable for the times.)
* Victor Christian (1883-1972) m. Veva McClellan
* Amy Matilda (1884-1921) m. David C. Loveland
* Leon (1886-1957) m. Jean Brown
* Lydia Elnore [Lujah?] (1887-1965)
* Betty Concordia (1890-1897)
* Luna Elizabeth (1891-1939)

His children with Marie Kristine:
* Maya Margrethe (1906-1973) m. Ray McBride
* Stella (1907-1907)
* Blenda Marie (1908-1933)
* Herman Skov (1910-1994) m. Melvina Larsen
* Paul Felding (1911-1970) m. Maurine Hurd
* Baron Sundby (1913-1990) m. Thelma Hadfield
* Orlando Madero (1915-1949) m. Marjorie Wahlen
* Verdun France (1917-1998) m. Leone Nelson - div.
* Stanford (1919-1984) m. sp.1 Donna Tingey d.1966; m. sp. 2 Justine Wilson
* Eunice (1921-1967)

Siblings:
1. Martinus Jensen Fonnesbech/k 1844-1918 (my great-grandfather)
2. Johann Peder (John Peter) Jensen Fonnesbech/k 1846-1929
3. Jens Christian Fonnesbech 1848-1858 buried in Denmark
4. Maren Jensen Fonnesbech 1850-1875 did not marry
5. Ane Marie Jensen Fonnesbech/k Pedersen Jensen 1852-1923
6. Christen Jensen Fonnesbech 1854-1910 stayed in Denmark
7. Troels Jensen Fonnesbech/k 1856-1939 emigrated to Australia
9. Christine Jensen Fonnesbeck 1861-1884 died in Salt Lake City about 4 months after arrival.