C. B. Jensen Biography


	This biography appears on pages 241-242 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				C. B. JENSEN. 

	C. B. Jensen was a pioneer settler of the vicinity of Oldham and 
a well known dealer in farm implements of that town. He had other 
extensive interests as he was a breeder of pure bred Jersey cattle and 
also dealt in imported Percheron horses. In addition to this he owned 
some two thousand acres of land in the state and did quite an important 
real-estate business. He was a native of Germany, born September 19, 
1861, of the marriage of Jens J. and Mary W. Jensen. The father, who 
was a farmer, is deceased, as is also the mother 

	C. B. Jensen was educated in the fatherland and was there 
apprenticed to the blacksmith trade until 1885 and then emigrated to 
the United States, as he had heard much concerning the unusual 
opportunities which the great middle west afforded. He first located in 
Iowa but after spending a year there removed to Lake Preston, South 
Dakota. In 1887 he went to Oldham and opened the first blacksmith shop 
in that place. The lumber for the building was purchased at Madison and 
taken to Oldham. He did blacksmithing until 1890, when he turned his 
attention to the implement business. The old shop, the first business 
building in Oldham, is twelve by fourteen feet in dimensions and around 
it Mr. Jensen built other structures until his place of business 
covered nearly an entire block. He carried farm implements, shelf and 
heavy hardware, paints, oils, furniture, etc., and as he understood 
thoroughly the needs and demands of his customers and purchased his 
stock with the local conditions in mind he was able to supply his trade 
with the articles desired without the long delay occasioned by the 
necessity of ordering them from elsewhere. He was also engaged in the 
breeding of pedigreed Jersey cattle and dealt in pedigreed imported 
Percheron horses and mares. He did much to raise the standard of stock 
in the county and was a member of the Aberdeen Angus Society and the 
Percheron Horse Society. He was very fond of horses and cattle and his 
hove for the work was one factor in his marked success as a stockman. 
South Dakota has gained quite a reputation as a stock-raising state and 
there are no finer horses and cattle in its limits than those which 
were found upon the farm of Mr. Jensen. He manifested his faith in the 
value of South Dakota land by becoming the owner of over two thousand 
acres in Kingsbury county, most of which lies adjacent to Oldham. He 
also sold a great deal of land and his real estate business was quite 
important. 

	On the 9th of November, 1888, the marriage of Mr. Jensen and Miss 
Netta Christensen, a daughter of Soren Christensen, was solemnized To 
their union were born the following children: Jens J., Soren C., C. 
Boysen, Kelly M., Minnie, Adolph, Elvin, Olga and Merle. His children 
were associated with Mr. Jensen in business and the family is highly 
respected in commercial circles. 

	Mr. Jensen was a Lutheran in his religious faith and in politics 
gives his adherence to the republican party. Fraternally he was 
identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. At five o'clock in the 
morning on the 9th of February, 1915, a fire broke out which destroyed 
the residence and store of Mr. Jensen, causing him a loss of about 
sixty thousand dollars, on which he carried only five thousand dollars 
insurance. He had been ill for two years and on that morning he fled 
from his home into the cold, where he remained for some time until a 
friend took him into his home. The excitement and the exposure incident 
to the fire undoubtedly hastened his death. After that he was able to 
be about for two days ere death called him on the 24th of July, 1915. 
His demise was a matter of deep regret to many who knew him and 
respected him as a thoroughly enterprising and upright business man, a 
progressive citizen and a faithful friend. As one of the early 
residents of his section of the state he contributed much to its 
substantial development and progress and his name will long be 
remembered and honored in the community in which he lived.