W. P. JENSEN, owning and conducting a blacksmith shop in Toluca, where he also owns a nice home, is a native of Denmark, his natal year being 1871. His parents, John J. and Mary (ANDERSON) JORGENSEN, were also born in that country, the former in 1841 and the latter in 1839. The father is also a blacksmith, and has always made his home in that country. His wife, however, is now deceased, her death having occurred in 1881. She was a member of the Lutheran church. In their family were the following named: Jorgen, who eight years ago started on a trip to the north pole and has not been heard from since that time; Katherine, the wife of John HEMPEL, who lives in Streator, Illinois; Caroline, the wife of James FORT, a fanner residing near Dwight, in Livingston county, this state; and W. P., of this review.
Mr. JENSEN was reared and educated in his native country, and during his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed ere he emigrated to the new world. When he had attained his majority he decided to try his fortune in the new world, for he had heard of the advantages which might be enjoyed in this country, and accordingly on crossing the Atlantic and reaching the United States, he made his way at once to the home of his sister in Livingston county, where he was employed for six months on her farm, which is located near Dwight. He then went to Streator, where he resumed his operations as a blacksmith, being employed in a shop there for two years, and in 1895 he came to Toluca, where he opened a shop of his own and has since continued in business. He is an expert in this line and therefore enjoys a large and growing patronage. He has been very successful in his business affairs and is ever known to be reliable and trustworthy in all trade transactions. He owns a nice home in this city and is accounted one of the enterprising business men of this part of the county.
Mr. JENSEN was united in marriage to Miss Mary MATHIS, who was born in Marshall county, in 1867, a daughter of Jesse and Eliza MATHIS, who were farming people of Bennington township, but the former is now deceased, having passed away in 1905. Mrs. JENSEN was reared and educated in this county, and in 1897 gave her hand in marriage to Mr. JENSEN. She is a devoted member of the Christian church, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Le Roy Dewey, who was born in 1898, and died in 1904; and Irene, who was born in 1900.
Mr. JENSEN gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is interested in every movement which tends toward the advancement of his town or community. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America, while in religious faith he is a member of the Lutheran church. He is well known not only in Toluca but throughout many of the surrounding districts, for his trade is drawn from many portions of Marshall county, and he and his wife enjoy the esteem of a large circle of friends.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from
Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
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La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
