JENS CLEMMENSEN FAMILY

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Pictured above, Jens and Mette Magdalene Clemmensen with Maria Sophia. Photo taken in Denmark before Jens emigrated to the US, and eventually to Elk Horn, Iowa. Jens married Mette Magdalene Johansen (a widow of Christen Jensen Skov) in Seest Village, Vejle County in 1867. He was the illegitimate son of Jensine Clemmensen, conceived by an affair with a married neighbor, and was born at Horsens, Denmark. Mette died and is buried in Denmark. Jens emigrated to America in 1876 with Christine Henningsen, and they were married 5 days after their arrival in 1876. Jens left his four children behind at the Langeskov Work House(Children's home) on the Island of Fyn until he had saved enough money to have them come to America in 1883. Jens and Christine settled in Sheffield, Illinois for 5 years and then went to Elk Horn, Iowa. Jens and his first wife Mette had four children: 1)Christine "Sine" who married Jacob Peterson, Elk Horn, IA and died in 1955; 2)Marie Sophia "Sophie" married Hans Peter Hansen, Harlan, IA and died in 1934; 3)Johannes Christian "John" (later changed to Kyar) who married Ellen Mason and died in 1927; and 4)Jens Christian "James" who married Caroline Johnson, Detroit, MI. Jens and his second wife Christine had five children: 1)Henry Lauritz who died at the age of 27 of stomach cramps; 2)Emma who married Rasmus Jorgensen and died in 1884; 3)Anna Dorthea who married Andrew Jorgensen and died in 1963, 4)Hans Emil born in 1879 and died in 1967 and 5) Frederick Clemmensen born in 1881 and died in 1995. Fred was a long time sheriff in Audubon County and was in one unsuccessful attempt to capture Bonnie and Clyde. Fred died in 1955 in Elk Horn Iowa.

Contributed by Judy Holweger, February, 2014.