Martin Christensen, who by the vote of his fellow citizens has been made custodian of public funds in Racine County, now filling the position of county treasurer, was born at Union Grove on the 21st of January, 1870, a son of Chris and Anna Christensen, the former passing away in the year 1873 and the latter in 1874. The father was a mason contractor and carried on business along that line until his death.
Martin Christensen, left an orphan when but three years of age, was reared in the home of N. M. Christensen, a farmer living in Raymond Township, Racine County, and there he acquired a public school education. He started to earn his living as a seaman, sailing on the lakes for nine years, but eventually tiring of that occupation, he settled upon a farm in Raymond Township and devoted the succeeding eleven years to agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. At the end of that period he sold out. He had previously been elected to local offices, having for five years served as Township assessor, and subsequently for four years was chairman of the town board of Raymond Township and for two years of that period was chairman of the County hoard. In 1912 he removed to Racine and in 1914 was elected to the office of County treasurer, in which position he has since remained. He is loyal to the trust reposed in him, carefully managing the financial interests of the County and displaying the same fidelity that he would show in the care of private business interests.
On the 23d of July, 1912, Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Frederickson, of Racine, a daughter of James and Mary Frederickson, and they now have one son, James William. Mr. Christensen belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Loyal Order of Moose and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, his belief guiding his life in its various relations. His political endorsement has ever been given to the Republican Party and he is a recognized leader in its ranks, taking an active part in furthering the success of the party and reflecting credit thereon by the capable manner in which he discharges the duties of the office to which he has been called.