Soren Jens Christiansen Jensen

The following is a short biography that my Great Grandmother, Alice "Allie" Matilda Jensen Henderson, wrote about her grandfather. If anyone has pictures of the Jensens I would love to seem them.

Part 1--Early Life and Military Training

"Soren Jens Christiansen Jensen was the son of Jens Christian Christensen and Mette Marie Jens.

Soren was born 4th of Dec. 1835 at Hormested, Hjorring, Denmark. He was one of seven children. Soren had four years of schooling and two years at a minster's school as there were no high schools or colleges at that time except in the larger cities.

He was always somewhat confused in regards to the religious teachings of the day-especially to their conception of God and infant baptism and many other things.

His parents were God fearing people and belonged to the Lutheran Church and were anxious that their son and daughter should join the same church.

His forefathers were contractors and builders of bridges. His father's special work was bridge
building. The father was anxious that his sons would follow the same occupation, but after Soren had been working day after day planing logs and never getting any farther, he became discouraged and told his father he had learned all about logs that he cared to know, so he left his father's employment and went to work for a farmer until he was eighteen years old.

Then in order to comply with the law he was compelled to take military training. Soren was sent with a group of boys to the training camp at Fred-rixian where they were to pass inspection and be vaccinated for yellow fever, smallpox and all insect bites. He was three years in training and was made a cavalry man. After three years he was allowed to go home with the understanding that should Germany try to seize a certain island they were anxious to get, he was be called back to service.

Next week: Marriage, War and Mormon Missionaries

Note: Soren Jensen was the father of James Peter Jensen, who was the father of Alice Matilda Jensen who married Nicholas Thomas Henderson.

Picture of the Week: Henderson Cousins

We thought this would be a fun trip down memory lane...

Never a dull moment with Verne...

Paul Callister's account the "South Seas" is 22 typed pages in length. The following is the last excerpt I am going to include on the blog. Most of his writing describes scenery and things he and his wife did on the trip. If any one is interested in reading the entire "South Seas" trip, e-mail me and we will get you a copy as I haven't transcribed it all.

This excerpt comes from their time in Honolulu where they stayed at the famous Moana Hotel.

"Sunday we attended Sunday school. It was one of the most interesting classes I have ever attended. Although the teacher, who was a medical man, didn't agree with everything Verne said, the class ended in a beautiful spirit. There is never a dull moment with Verne. He can get excited and into an argument quicker than any man I ever knew. The manager of the Moana was told off last night and told how to run a hotel but Verne is Verne and will meet all comers in an argument. Yesterday at breakfast he got the waitress so confused she dropped her tips in his bran flakes; boy did that liven things up.

St. Patrick's Day...do you know your Irish Ancestors?

Have you ever wondered on Saint Patrick's Day...is there any Irish in me?

If you are a Henderson the answer is yes!
Here is our Irish Ancestor:

Alexander Shellington Henderson

Perpetual Emigration Records show that he came to Utah from Ireland about 1863. (The Civil War was going on at this time.)

He was born in Syerla, Tyrone, Ireland on 31 October 1844.

His father and grandfather were also born here.

The pictures are of places in Tyrone County, Ireland.

Note: Alexander Shellington Henderson was the father of Nicholas Thomas Henderson. NT Henderson was the father of Jay Harold Henderson. So Alexander is my Great, Great Grandfather.

The South Seas-Purchases

This is an another excerpt from Paul Callister's writings about their trip to the South Seas. They were on the Fiji Islands at this point:

"Verne and I hired a cab to take us to the L.D.S. meeting house. It is by far the most beautiful church on the island and it only has one hundred and twenty-four members. It is new and the stone work is of coral, modern in every way with a steeple extending into the blue.

On our way back we stopped off in town to do some shopping. Verne is a great help to one trying to make a purchase. He loves an argument and would get into one with every shop keeper over their prices. The stores are mostly run by natives of India. As the Chinese were the shop owners in Tahiti and controlled the wealth, here in Suva the Indians are the wealthy class. You can bargain with the Chinese, but the Indian is different, he has one price an that is it..."