BIOGRAPHIES: Martin T. JENSON, Elk Mound township, Dunn County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Laura Abood 17 June 2003 ==================================================================== Martin T. Jenson, a well known farmer in the town of Elk Mound, who has built up a valuable piece of agricultural property from the raw land of the primitive wilderness which is known today as the Elk Mound Guernsey Farm, is a man of action and achievement. He is also a product of Dunn County, having been born on his father's farm in Section 23, town of Elk Mound, Oct. 6, 1877, son of Torval and Randina (Gullickson) Jenson. The parents were born near Christiania, Norway, and, coming to America when young people, were married In the city of Eau Claire. Torval Jenson owned a farm in the town of Elk Mound and after the marriage knot had been tied he and his wife came immediately to the farm, where wedding festivities were celebrated, after which they got down to the practical business of home making. The place consisted of 100 acres in Section 23, all wild land, and here Mr. Jenson built up a good farm with adequate buildings, conducting it until 1909. He then rented it to his youngest son Eddie, and, buying a house in the village of Elk Mound, he and his wife took up their residence there. On March 23, 1912 Mr. Jenson passed away, but Mrs. Jenson is still occupying the village home. Their children were: Martin T., subject of this sketch; John, a rural mail carrier attached to the Elk Mound post office; Carrie, now Mrs. Albert Howe of the town of Elk Mound; and Eddie, proprietor of the home farm. Martin T. Jenson acquired a public school education and learned agriculture on his parents' farm. From the time he was 16 years old until he was 24 he divided his time between working on the home farm and working out for others. In 1897 he bought 89 acres of wild land in Section 22, town of Elk Mound, on which were no buildings, and which he at once began to clear and improve. On Sept. 11, 1901, Mr. Jenson married Olena Gilbertson, who was born in the town of Wheaton, Chippewa County, Wis., March 15, 1880. He and His bride took possession of a house which he built on his farm that year (1901), and at the same time he built a small barn. Twenty-three years have witnessed some notable changes in the appearance of the place, changes that have kept up with the march of progress and made Elk Mound Guernsey Farm an ideal establishment of its kind. In 1918 Mr. Jenson built a fine barn of 40 x 80 feet, with 14-foot posts and full basement, and supplied with patent equipment. He has installed an individual carbide gas plant, furnishing light for his home, barns and yards. His out-buildings are substantial and well adapted to their respective purposes, his fences well kept, and his fields well cultivated. He has added to his original tract 40 acres adjoining in the northeast in Section 23, and much of this land he has broken, having now all told 75 acres under cultivation, the rest being in pasture. He raises tobacco, having built a large barn where he cures it, and his stick consists of pure bred Guernsey cattle and Poland China hogs. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery of Elk Mound and in the Bank of Elk Mound, of the creamery having been secretary and manager since 1915 except for one year. He is now rounding out his eighteenth year as town clerk and several years formerly was a member of the school board of Joint District No. 2. Both in his private business and in public service he has shown capacity and a fidelity to duty that have marked him out as a representative citizen. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Jenson has been blessed by the birth of 11 children, though not all are now living. The first born was Ruth C., the date of whose nativity was Sept. 11, 1902, which was the anniversary of her parents' wedding day. She is now Mrs. Oscar Tiegan of the town of Weston and has one child, Marion. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Jenson were born as follows: Anne E., Oct. 2, 1903; Esther A., April 4, 1905; Edwin T., Jan. 17, 1908; Ella I., May 30, 1910; Melvin O., July 26, 1912; Cora L., Jan. 10, 1917; Margaret E., May 22, 1919, Howard T., Oct. 1, 1921 and Myrtle and Arthur, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Jenson and family are members of the Elk Mound Lutheran Church at Elk Mound, Mr. Jenson being secretary of the congregation. --From the "History of Dunn County Wisconsin, 1925"