Clausen, Jens J; 1905 Bio, Garfield County, Colorado
http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/garfield/bios/clausnjj.txt

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Donated April 2001
Transcribed by Judy Crook <jlcrook@rof.net> from the book:
Progressive Men of Western Colorado 
Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill.

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Jens J. Clausen

     Jens J. Clausen, a progressive and successful stock and ranch man 
of Garfield county, who is now living in the city of Rifle, and who 
through hard knocks and diligent toil well applied has risen to 
consequence and won a substantial estate, is a native of Slesvig, 
Denmark, now a part of Germany.  He was born on August 20, 1843, where 
his parents, Jens and Marelane (Raven) Clausen, were also born and 
reared, and where after long and useful lives, they were laid to rest 
in their natal soil, the mother dying in 1848 and the father in 1887.  
The father followed various occupations and both were devoted members 
of the Lutheran church.  Two children were born to them, a daughter 
Christina, who died in early life, and their son Jens, the subject of 
this review, who is now the only survivor of the family.  He received a 
common-school education and at the age of twelve became the builder of 
his own fortunes, beginning to earn his living by working on farms in 
the vicinity of his home, and doing whatever else his hand found to do, 
and doing all faithfully and with close attention to every demand of 
duty.  In 1882 he emigrated to the United States, arriving in Colorado 
on March 27th, and stopping for a period of six weeks at Fairplay.  From 
there he moved to Ashcroft, where he passed a month, and then located 
on the ranch of one hundred and sixty acres now owned and occupied by 
Joseph Luxem, which he pre-empted, some time later taking up forty 
acres additional.  The country was very wild and its population was 
scant, Mr. Clausen's nearest neighbor being George Yule, who lived at a 
distance of twenty-five miles from him.  To this point Mr. Clausen 
brought the first wagon over the Indian trail from Fourmile, being  
accompanied on the trip by Mr. Starkey and the late Charles Kelma, and, 
aided by them and his wife, he built the first road in this 
neighborhood.   There was nothing growing on the land for many miles 
around but wild brush, and the road makers were seriously handicapped 
for tools, having but one pick and two shovels.  They were occupied two 
months in building the road, and then it was necessarily incomplete and 
somewhat rude, but it was a great improvement in the section for that 
time and proved very serviceable to themselves and later settlers.  Mr. 
Clausen then devoted his energies to the improvement of his ranch, 
during the first two years of his residence on it selling its products 
at Aspen, seventy-five miles away.  Later he turned his attention to 
raising cattle, in which he has been successful from the start.  He had 
no money when he came to this part of the state, and he was confronted 
with difficulties in every enterprise he started.  But by hard work, 
frugal living and continued shrewdness in business he has made 
gratifying progress and has become one of the substantial and 
influential men of the region.  He is a stanch Republican in politics 
and gives his party loyal and effective service on all occasions.  On 
May 24, 1866, he was married to Miss Augusta Fredericks Erhard, a 
native of Lygomskloster and daughter of August F. and Christina (Apel) 
Erhard, the former born at Brunswick and the latter at Lygomskloster, 
Germany.  The father was a tanner and prospered at the business.  Both 
parents were members of the Lutheran church.  They had a family of ten 
children, but four of whom are living, Anna M., wife of August 
Steinberg, of Chicago; Mrs. Clausen; Augusta, living at home; and 
George H., of Washington, Utah.  The father died on September 28, 1840, 
and the mother on June 11, 1893.  Mr. and Mrs. Clausen belong to the 
Lutheran church.  Mrs. Clausen was one of the first white women to 
settle in Garfield county.

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