M. O. Mortensen occupies one of the pioneer brick residences of Racine County, standing in the midst of an excellent farm of one hundred and eighteen acres on section 32, Caledonia Township, and in the conduct of his business affairs he is meeting with substantial and well merited success. His attention is now given to general farming and dairying, but for thirty years he was active in the creamery business. His birth occurred in Denmark on the 17th of March, 1861, his parents being James and Maren (Jensen) Mortensen, both of whom were natives of Denmark, born in 1832 and 1834, respectively. The father followed farming until a few years prior to his death and later engaged in carrying the mail, being the first rural route government mail carrier from Horsens, Denmark. He died in the year 1906, having for an extended period survived his wife, who passed away in 1878. They were consistent members of the Lutheran church and enjoyed the respect and friendship of all who knew them. Their family numbered twelve children, of whom six are yet living. Morton J. came to the new world and has since returned to Denmark. Dusina is the wife of W. A. Peterson, who holds an important position with a manufacturing company of Racine.
In the schools of his native country M. O. Mortensen pursued his education and was a young man of twenty-six years when in the spring of 1887 he arrived in Racine County. He had learned the creamery business in his native country and had also followed that pursuit in Canada for a year. After reaching Wisconsin he again engaged in the creamery business and devoted altogether about thirty years to that undertaking, meeting with substantial success by reason of his careful management, honorable methods and unfailing enterprise. In 1910 he purchased a farm and is now the owner of one hundred and eighteen acres of rich and productive land on section 32, Caledonia Township. On this he built a large barn and also a big silo and there are to be seen upon the place the most modern improvements and conveniences for facilitating the work. He raises the best grade of Holstein cattle and dairying constitutes one of the important features of his place, although he still carries on general farming and has brought his land to a high state of cultivation.
In 1885 Mr. Mortensen was married in Sweden to Miss Mathilda Jansson, who was born in that country, a daughter of John and Margaret Olson. Her father was a carpenter and by following that trade provided for his family of seven children, five of whom are yet living, three being residents of America. These are: Margaret, the wife of Peter Styberg, a shoemaker by trade and a resident of Racine; Mrs. Mortensen; and Eureka, the wife of O. B. Seaholm, who is shipping boss for a manufacturing company of Racine. Mr. and Mrs. Mortensen have become the parents of four children, of whom three are living, Elsa, J. Christian and Lilly. Another daughter, who was the third in order of birth and who was named Lilly, has passed away. The son, twenty-six years of age, was graduated in Davenport, Iowa, from The Palmer School of Chiropractic, having previously graduated from Racine College. He is now located in Kenosha, where he enjoys a fine practice. On June 24, 1916, he was married to Miss Jenette D. Donnelly, daughter of Judge Joseph G. and Lois Donnelly, of Milwaukee. He is now located in Kenosha, where he enjoys a fine practice. The daughter, Elsa, is following a musical education in piano and violin and has a splendid class of pupils in music. The family is well known in Racine County, where M. O. Mortensen has won a creditable position as a progressive and successful business man, who throughout his entire life has carefully directed his labors and by earnest and persistent effort has won the success which he now enjoys.