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.