Bio of GJERTSEN, Rev. Melchoir Falk (b.1847 d.1913), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

MELCHOIR FALK GJERTSEN, D. D. - Vol III, pg 449-450
In the passing of Rev. Melchoir Falk Gjertsen, Minneapolis lost a highly
esteemed and beloved citizen. A native of Bergen, Norway, his birth occurred on
the 19th of February, 1847, a son of Johan P. and Bertha Johanna (Hanson)
Gjertsen, both natives of Norway. The father was a Lutheran minister and
organ­ized the Zion Society of Israel. He was likewise the author of many
missionary hymns.
In the acquirement of his education Melchoir Falk Gjertsen attended the common
schools of his native country and in due time entered a Latin college at Bergen.
At the age of seventeen years he came to America and located in Chicago, where
for three months he was employed in a chair factory. At the termination of that
time he found employment in a shingle mill and subsequently removed to
Milwaukee, where he obtained a position in a grocery store. He was active in
that connection for about a year when he was taken ill and on his recovery he
began study for the ministry and entered the Theological Seminary of the
Scandinavian Augustana School at Paxton, Illinois. He was ordained in 1868 and
in the same year was appointed pastor of the Lutheran church at Leland,
Illinois. He held that charge four years, was minister of the church at
Stoughton, Wisconsin, nine years, and came to Minneapolis as pastor of the
Lutheran Trinity church in 1881. Mr. Gjertsen built up his church to extensive
proportions and he was held in high esteem throughout the city of a very
philanthropic nature, he worked tirelessly in the interests of his people and he
spent a great deal of his spare time and per­sonal means in their assistance. He
was very popular and being an orator of exceptional ability, his services were
desired at various times throughout the Northwest on such occasions as the
laying of corner stones of churches and other public buildings.
Mr. Gjertsen was one of the first promoters of temperance work among the
Scandinavians of the Northwest and was the organizer of the Norwegian Young
Men's Christian Association. He was deeply interested in hospital work and took
prominent part in the establishment of the De.aconess Hospital and Home,
Fairview Hospital and "Lyngblomsten"-Home for Aged Women. In 1887 he was
selected by both republican and democratic parties for a position on the school
board and for six years was secretary of the board. In 1894 he was elected to
the board on the republican and prohibition tickets and subsequently he became
president of that body, in which important office he served three terms. He was
the originator and developed the system of the branch high schools and free
text­books. He was a member of the public library board and he was instrumental
in establishing branch libraries throughout the city. Mr. Gjertsen was one of
the original members of the Norwegian Art Society, which organization was formed
to bring to this country the works of famous Scandinavian artists, some of which
paintings were exhibited at the old exposition, and many of them now hang in the
homes of this city. He was one of the charter members of the Associated
Charities and was a zealous worker in that organization. He was also quite
active in the Sons of Norway.
In 1869, at Freedom, Illinois, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gjertsen and
Miss Sara Ann Mosey of Norwegian descent, a daughter of Thomas Mosey, a very
prosperous farmer. To their union seven children were born, four of whom died in
infancy. The living are: Marie, who is now the wife of Carlo Fischer of
Minneapolis; Johan, who married Julia Coburn; and Lena.
Throughout his life Mr. Gjertsen was a stanch supporter of the republican party,
and was greatly interested in the promotion of prohibition. He was one of the
organizers of the Norwegian-Danish conference in 1870, and of the United
Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, in 1890. He was likewise one of the
founders and most ardent supporters of the Augsburg Theological Seminary. After
a life of successful achievement, the death of Mr. Gjertsen occurred in 1913 and
came as a severe shock to his family and many friends. Coming here as a boy of
seventeen years, a stranger with little financial backing, he set to work with
stanch determination and laudable ambition and became one of the outstanding
figures in the life of Minneapolis. He was a great humanitarian and a great
philanthropist and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.