Nels M. Christensen, who passed away at his excellent home in Racine after having moved from his farm of two hundred acres in Raymond Township in 1905, was empty-handed and without influential friends when he came to Racine County, Wisconsin, at the age of twenty-two and his success was due entirely to his own efforts. He was born in Denmark, November 10, 1839, and after acquiring a common school education there he worked at farming until 1861, when he immigrated to the United States, making his way at once to Racine County, Wisconsin. For ten years he worked as a hired hand, but by carefully saving his money was enabled at the end of that time to purchase sixty acres of land in Norway Township. In after years he became the owner of two hundred acres in Raymond Township, all well improved and under cultivation. He engaged in general farming, raising both grain and live stock, and received a good income from his land. He followed up-to-date methods, kept everything about the place in excellent repair and studied the markets carefully, ranking among the efficient agriculturists of his Township and County.
In 1869 Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Anna Marie Larsen, a daughter of Lars Andersen, and they became the parents of eight children ; Annie is now the wife of Henry Schuman, who owns and operates a farm in Raymond Township, and they have five children ; Martin, who is serving as County treasurer and resides in Racine, married Miss Sophia Frederickson and has one child ; James M., who owns and operates a farm in Raymond Township, married Miss Annie Anderson and has two children; Benjamin married Miss Lillian Hay and died in Racine in 1910; Louis C., a farmer and business man of Raymond, married Miss Bertha Frederickson and has two children; Joseph E. and Ezra H. are engaged in the stock and real estate business in partnership at Corliss, Wisconsin, where they own and manage three large farms and the latter is also a successful auctioneer, making on an average two hundred sales per year ; Joseph E. married Miss Nan Fink, and Ezra H. married Miss Hazel Fink; Ilo, the youngest of the family, is serving as deputy register of deeds.
Mr. Christensen was a strong republican and acceptably served in several local offices. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in all the relations of life his conduct measured up to high moral standards. He had almost attained the Psalmist’s allotted age of three score years and ten when he passed away in 1905 and his death was deeply regretted, for he was a loyal friend, successful farmer, a public-spirited citizen and a man of sterling worth. Mrs. Christensen still lives in their home at Racine, enjoying good health at the age of seventy years.