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The Fifth Child of Hans and Christiane (Chris was a twin with the sixth child, John).  Chris Albert Christensen – Chris was born in 1864 in Denmark, immigrated with his parents and siblings in 1872, was shown with his family in Wisconsin in 1880, came to Leonardville Kansas in the mid-1880's, married there on November 8, 1892, moved to Topeka between 1900 and 1905 where his first wife died in 1906, remarried there in 1907, and then in the next decade moved on to California, where he died in 1949.

Chris is shown with his twin brother John in Torslunde church records, having been born on December 9, 1864.

The basic outline of Chris’ life comes from a tribute in the Leonardville (Kansas) Monitor  written shortly after his death in 1949 by well-known Riley County historian W. H. Sikes.  Hand-written on a copy in my grandmother’s handwriting is the note “return to Harley”(her brother, whose copy it must have been).  The story read:

“The passing of Chris Christensen at Long Beach, Calif., May 24, 1949, calls to mind his days in the early history of Leonardville.  About the year, 1886, he and his mother, with a twin brother, John, a younger brother, Henry, and a younger sister[Ida Kate], came to Leonardville.  This was before the Rock Island was built through Riley or the Blue Valley, through Randolph, and Leonardville was a lively country town with about seven general stores.

Chris and his twin brother John bought the harness shop owned by a man by the name of Swagerty, who had opened the first harness shop in our town.  Their first business however, here was to open a roller skating rink.  Roller skating was very popular at the time.  They built a small house into which their mother moved.  In a few years the Rock Island was built and his brother John opened a harness shop at Riley.  He died early in life, however.  In 1893 the entire east side of Main Street which had been built solid with frame buildings was burned, starting with the livery stable on the south end where the lumber yard is at present, and continuing north to the drug store corner, all the buildings were frame, and only the maple tree on the west side of the street prevented the fire from crossing to the west side.  Chris and his brother of Riley built a two story stone building which is now occupied by the Farmers Union as their wareroom, adjacent to the grocery department.  It was a surprise to many of us that they could put up a stone building which however, was only the sides and was not expensively constructed.

Chris married Ella Reece, whose father was a prominent farmer of May Day.  Ella was a seamstress and sewed around at different homes in our town and the nearby country, receiving fifty cents a day and board.  Chris built a home which is now owned by Oscar Rose.

After a few years Chris sold his harness shop and moved to Topeka, where he was engaged in building and selling houses, as Topeka was growing quite rapidly and Chris was a natural builder, doing much of the work himself.  While in Topeka his wife, the former Ella Reece died, leaving two boys, the youngest about seven years old.  Not long after, he married Mollie Burk of Leonardville who had then lost her husband Otto Swenson.  This proved a long and happy union, as after a few years in Topeka they moved to Long Beach, California, where he continued building and selling houses.  Chris would do much of the finishing work on these houses as he was a genius in everything he attempted, and was even an artist in painting pictures.

It was my pleasure to visit Chris and Mollie for nearly a week in 1930, when I made my trip to California.  I had gone to attend an annual Henry George Single Tax convention.  Chris and Mollie entertained me in royal manner and I wrote a number of letters at the time for the Monitor telling of my impressions of California.

Chris had been sick for the past several years and for more than a year after traveling and attempting to regain strength he was perfectly helpless and required an extra nurse to assist Mollie in his care  He was surely a genius and very industrious and played an important part in the early history of our town.

Mollie did a fine job in raising Chris's two boys, but one of them died at an early age shortly after his marriage.

We quote from a Long Beach paper as follows: Mr. Chris Albert O. Christensen, born Thorelund, Denmark, passed away May 24, 1949, Long Beach, California, services held at Mottell's Chapel, May 26, 1949, 12:00 P. M. Interment Sunnyside Mausoleum."

Chris is shown in the 1870 Danish census in Torslunde with his family as Christen, 5.   Chris arrived with his family in Quebec in the summer of 1872 on the S. S. Prussian of the Allen Line, where is shown in the passenger record as Christian or Christen, 7.  Chris is shown with his family in the 1875 Kansas State Census in Shannon Township, Pottawatomie County, Kansas in an entry taken on March 1, 1875 – with Chris shown as C., 10.  In the 1880 census, Chris is shown with his family in Waupaca County, Wisconsin as Christian, 15.

Among things have been passed down, there are a few photos of this period.  Some are of early Leonardville.  One is of a store with a sign, “Groceries and Provisions”, and also has a smaller sign on front stating “Post Office”. There is a pencil note above the photo reading “taken spring of 1882”.  There are eleven men in the photo in front of the store – and there are names of seven or eight in the photo written in front, as best as I can make out: G. W. Gilbert; J. Fisher; H. C. (Henry Christensen would have only been ten in this year – and there’s one person that could have been of his age in this photo); Will C.; J. Cochran; W. Gilbert; C Burroughs; and J. Baldwin.

Riley Co DB 47, pp. 331-32.  Lambert Erpelding and Amelia his wife, both of the City of Chicago in the County of Cook, Illinois to John and Christian Christensen, both of the town of Leonard (sic – there are a number of deeds that refer to Leonardville this way), County of Riley, State of Kansas.  June 21, 1884.  Fifty dollars.  Lot 11 in Block number 24 in the town of Leonard, County of Riley and in the state of Kansas.  Signed by Lambert Erpelding and Amelia Erpelding.  Lambert and Amelia Erpelding appeared in front of Joseph W. Nockin, Notary Public, Cook County, Illinois.

Riley Co DB 48, pp. 430-31.  Leonard F. Smith and Helen L. Smith his wife of the City and County of Leavenworth, State of Kansas to J. and C. Christensen of the County of Riley State of Kansas.  November 3, 1884.  Forty dollars.  Lot number 9 in Block twenty-nine in the Town of Leonard, State of Kansas.  Signed by Leonard F. Smith and Helen L. Smith.  The Smiths appeared in front of W. E. Thomas, Notary Public.  Filed for record, March 4, 1885.

Riley Co DB 47, p. 438.  Lambert Erpelding and Amelia his wife of Riley County to John Christensen and Chris Christensen of Riley County.  February 25, 1885.  Fifty dollars.  Lot number 7 in Block number 29 in the town of Leonard, Riley County.  Signed by Lambert Erpelding and Amalia Erpelding.  On March 3, 1885 Lambert Erpelding and Amalia Erpelding appeared in front of J. H. Jankins, Notary Public.  Filed for record March 4, 1885.

Chris is shown in Leonardville with his mother and two of his brothers in the 1885 Kansas census, age 19 and a painter. 

Riley Co DB 50, pp. 95-96.  J. and C. Christensen, unmarried men of Riley County, State of Kansas to M. L. Howarth and J. D. Mathews of Riley County.  October 31, 1885.  Eighty dollars.  Lot 11 in Block 24 in the City of Leonardville subject to a mortgage of one hundred and fifty dollars.  Signed by John Christensen and Chris Christensen.  J. H. Jenkins, Notary Public affirms that the Christensens are personally known to him.  Filed for Record, November 2, 1885.

The 1968 History of Riley County Kansas, reads: "A. Swaggerty started a harness shop, and the Christensen brothers had another.  They also opened a roller skating rink that became 'big business' as a pleasure center for a number of years". 

Also, in pictures that have been handed down within the family, C.A. Christensen, photographer was shown on the back, indicating that he had a studio in Leonardville as well.  In one photo of a family member, on the front, printed (or stamped) below the photo is C.A. Christensen, Artist, Leonardville, Kansas. Printed on the back is "From the Star Photographic Studio of Christensen Brothers, Enlarging a Specialty, Leonardville, Kansas."

There is an article in the Leonardville Monitor of Thursday August 29, 2889 about Chris and his brother John: “The Christensen Bros., John and Chris, have just purchased a farm in Ness County in this state.  And while we are on the subject we desire to remark that the boys are rustlers, and are full of business.  They have been in Leonardville about five years, and none of this time has they been idle and out of a job.  They now own a good business house in town, a photograph gallery, which is located in the upper story of their building a half interest in a harness shop in Leonardville, which is conducted in their own building, and a half interest in a shop at Riley.  Chris has a good situation as clerk in one of our dry goods houses and John conducts the harness business at Riley.  They are building up a good business at both towns, as they are industrious and economical, and above all honest and straight forward to all their business transactions, and have the confidence of the people.  They are making money by hard work and close attention to business, and are investing what they can save in something that will not take wings and fly away.  They are young men, and being twins it is not to be wondered at that they work so well together.  In fact they are so much alike in looks and actions that it takes long and close acquaintance to be able to tell them apart.  The MONITOR is pleased to note the evidences of prosperity in their cases, an hopes it may continue.”

Riley Co DB 64, pp. 72-73.  Hendrick S. Lungren and Sophie Lungren his wife of Riley County, State of Kansas to C. A. Christensen and J. W. Christensen of Riley County, State of Kansas.  November 20, 1890.  Two thousand dollars.  The west half of the north quarter of Section 6, Township 9, Range 6.  Eighty acres.  Signed by Hendrick S. Lungren and Sopha Lungren.  The Lungrens appear in front of T. B. Elliott, Notary Public on August 9, 1891.  Filed for record November 20, 1891.

Chris is shown in the "Enterprise" a newspaper in Randolph, Riley County, Kansas, and also in Riley County marriage records as having married Ella L. Reece on November 6, 1892.  I have a copy of the record, from Riley County Marriage Book C, p. 1 – which states that they were married on this date, with C. A. Christensen being 28 and of Leonardville, and Ella Reece being 25, of May Day.  The record was signed by E. H. Taylor, Minister of the Gospel, the same minister who signed off on the marriage of Chris’ brother John.

Riley Co DB 77, p. 309.  John Lawson and Christie P. Lawson, husband and wife, of Riley County to C. A. Christensen of Riley County.  November 19, 1892.  Thirty-five dollars.  Lot Three in Block Nineteen in the City of Leonardville.  Signed John A. Lawson and Christie P. Lawson.  O. L. Peterson, Witness.  O. L. Peterson Notary Public said that the Lawsons were known to him.  Filed March 16, 1894 by A. G. Cress.

In the book “City of the Plains, A Story of Leonardville”, published on the one hundredth anniversary of Leonardville in 1982, there is a reference to a fire in Leonardville in June, 1893.  “A disastrous fire swept the town in June, 1893.  The paper called it ‘an appalling visitation,’ with a whole block of business swept away.  The fire started in a livery stable at the south end of Erpelding Avenue, and spread through a row of pine business houses on the east side of the street.  Women pumped and carried water and helped remove goods from threatened buildings to places of safety; desperate men fought heat and flames until their hands and faces were blistered.

They succeeded in saving the hotel, barber shop, bank, Monitor office, post office, and Swingle’s restaurant, which were across the street.  After counting their losses, most people cleaned up and rebuilt.  Among them were F. E. Colt, the druggist, who put his stock in Stafford and Lee’s Hardware Store, and was ready for business bright and early Monday morning.

The twin Christenson [sic] brothers, young and full of energy, had a new building up and enclosed within days, and resumed their harness business. .”

Riley Co DB 72, p. 3.  Heirs of Law of Lambert Erpelding deceased – Amelia Erpelding, widow; George B. Erpelding, bachelor; John M. Erpelding Bachelor of Chicago, Illinois; Amelia Ludwick, formerly Amelia Erpelding and Ellis Ludwick her husband of Bellville, Kansas; and Frank Erpelding and Hattie Erpelding his wife of Leonardville Kansas to C. A. Christensen of the County of Riley, State of Kansas.  April 13, 1893.  Sixty Dollars.  Lot One in Block Nineteen in the town of Leonard, Riley County, Kansas.  Signed by Amelia Erpelding; George B. Erpelding; John M. Erpelding; Amelia Ludwick; Ellis Ludwick; F. H. Erpelding; and Hattie Erpelding.  William Gibson, Notary Public certifies the seller.  Filed for record March 16, 1894.

Riley Co DB 67, pp. 640.  W. A. Swagerty and N. A. Swagerty his wife in the County of Clay State of Kansas to the Christensen Bros.  July 24, 1893.  Nine hundred and fifty dollars.  Lot Twenty-Six in Block Sixteen of Leonardville.  Signed by W. A. Swagerty and N. A. Swagerty.  The Swagertys appeared in front of A. M. Story, Notary Public.  Filed for Record March 16, 1894.

Riley Co DB 77, p. 310.  Isaac L. Swagerty and Mary Swagerty his wife of Riley County to C. A. Christensen of Riley County.  September 5, 1893.  One hundred five dollars.  Lot twenty-five in Block sixteen in the City of Leonard.  Signed by Isaac L. Swagerty and Mary (x – her mark) Swagerty.  Witness, A. M. Story.  A. M. Story Notary Public certifies the Swagertys are the ones who executed this deed.  Filed March 16, 1894.

Riley Co DB 72, pp. 54-55.  Peter E. Olson and Lottie Olson his wife of the County of Riley to Chris Christensen of the County of Riley.  November 7, 1893.  One dollar.  Lot 27 in block 16 in the City of Leonardville.  Singed by Peter E. Olson and Lottie Olson.  M. Shillerson (?), Notary Public affirms.  Filed for record May 9, 1894.

The Leonardville Monitor of November 23, 1893: “Chris. Christensen’s little niece, Ida Miller, has the measles”.

Riley Co DB 72, pp. 52-53.  Lewis Laflin and Esther Laflin his wife of Clay County, Kansas to Chris Christensen of Riley County.  November 25, 1893.  One dollar.  Land in Riley County, Lot 27 in Block 16 in the City of Leonardville.  Signed by Lewis Laflin and Esther Laflin.  Witness, O. L. Peterson.  O. L. Peterson affirms the seller.  Filed for record May 9, 1894.

Riley Co DB 77, p. 356.  Joseph Mason and Susan Mason his wife of Clay County, Kansas to C. A. Christensen of Riley County.  December 2, 1893.  Twenty-five dollars.  One-fifth interest in lot twenty-seven in block sixteen in the City of Leonardville.  Signed by Joseph Mason and Susan Mason.  A. M. Story, Notary Public certifies that the Masons executed the deed.  Filed May 9, 1894 by A. G. Cress.

Riley Co DB 77, p. 232.  John W. Christensen and Lizzie E. Christensen his wife of Riley County to M. Cockerel of Riley County.  December 26, 1893.  One hundred dollars.  Lots 9, 10, 11, and 12, in Block Fifty-Six in the Town of Riley.  Signed by John W. Christensen and Lizzie E. Christensen.  John and Lizzie appear in front of J. W. Lowdermilk on December 26.  Filed January 8, 1894, attest, A. G. Cress, Register of Deeds.

Riley Co DB 77, p. 311.  Per Hanson and Martha Hanson, his wife of Riley County to C. A. Christensen of Riley County.  February 13, 1894.  One hundred seventy-five dollars.  Lot Two in Block Nineteen in the City of Leonardville.  Signed Per Hanson and Martha (x – her mark) Hanson.  Witnessed by O. L. Peterson.  O. L. Peterson Notary Public certifies that the Hansons are the ones who executed the deed.  Filed March 16, 1894 by A. G. Cress.

Riley Co DB 77, p. 308. John W. Christensen and Lizzie E. Christensen his wife of Riley County to C. A. Christensen of Riley County.  February 24, 1894.  One hundred dollars. Lot twenty-six in Block Sixteen in Leonardville. 

Signed by John W. Christensen and Lizzie E. Christensen.  John and Lizzie appear in front of O. L. Peterson, Notary Public on June 8, 1897.  Filed March 16, 1894, attest, A. G. Cress, Register of Deeds.

Riley Co DB 72, pp. 53-54.  Geo. W. Peterson and Bettie Peterson his wife of the County of Riley to C. A. Christensen of Leonardville.  May 7, 1894.  One dollar.  Lot 27 in Block 16 in the City of Leonard.  Signed by Geo. W. Peterson and Bettie Peterson.  Affirmed by O. L. Peterson, Notary Public.  Filed for Record May 9, 1894.

Riley Co DB 77, p. 395.  C. A. Christensen and Ella Christensen his wife of Riley County, Kansas to C. C. Enlow of Riley County.  July 16, 1894.  Two hundred dollars.  Lot twenty-five block sixteen in the City of Leonard.  Signed by C. A. Christensen and Ella Christensen.  M. Shillerston, Notary Public certifies that the Christensens executed the deed.  Filed July 19, 1894 by A. G. Cress.

Chris is shown in the 1895 Kansas state census as C.A. Christensen, 29, a harnessmaker, born in Denmark and with a second listing of Iowa (previous residence??).  With him are Ella, 28, born in Pennsylvania, and Earl, 1 born in Kansas.  Living with them is Harry Miller, 12, born in Iowa.

A letter from Chris to his sister Ida was passed down through the family:
“Letterhead: C.A. Christensen, Dealer in Harness and Horse Furnishing Goods Leonardville, Kans. July 13, 1895. (There is virtually no punctuation in the entire letter)

Dear Sister Ida It is now a long time since I heard from you and should have answerd(sic) it long ago but so mouch (sic) has happened since then one thing after an other first I was building and that kept me busy and at that time my wife hat(sic) to have an obration (sic) on her Jaw which came near killing her it was some thing caled (sic) sarcomma in the Jaw bone and about 2 inches had to be taken out It cost me about $150 dollars and we had no crops here last year so you see I have had a hard time of it to pull thru(sic) but I hope it is over now as the crops look fine now and that will give me lots of business again I sopose (sic) you here (sic) from Henry and know he is in business of his own and doing well John is in Oklyhoma (sic) on a farm. I think he is doing well. Mother is with Henry at Morganville and is well My boy Earl is a big boy now He can walk and begin to talk also we will get some pictures and send you this fall It is raining here to day that will make the corn all right How is every thing out there Tell me every thing How is Fred geting (sic) a long He must be will off now have they any babys yet I must close now hoping to here (sic) from you soon we are all well and hope your (sic) the same love to you all

Your brother C. A. Christensen”

In the Leonardville Monitor of April 2, 1896: “Mr. C. A. Christensen orders the Monitor sent to his sister, Mrs. Ida Nash, who resides at Flora, S. D.”

In the Leonardville Monitor of May 20, 1897, there’s a “Monitor Supplement” of May 13, 1897, that includes the item “Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Christensen attended the wedding of H. B. Christensen at Clifton, yesterday.”

Riley Co DB 72, p. 532.  C. A. Christensen and Ella Christensen his wife of Leonardville to P. M. Wickstrum and Eric H. Sevenson.  May 31, 1897.  Twenty five hundred dollars.  Lot 27, part of Lot 26, of Block 16 in Leonardville.  Signed by C. A. Christensen and Ella Christensen.  C. A. Christensen and Ella his wife were known to O. L. Peterson, Notary Public.  Filed for record on June 1, 1897.

In the June 24, 1897 issue of the Leonardville Monitor: “C. A. Christensen traded the building occupied by Mrs. Warren for a Clay County farm last Friday.  Mr. Hall is now owner of the building.”

In the October 21, 1897 issue of the Leonardville Monitor: “I have the largest stock of Blankets and Robes every in Leonardville, which I will sell at cost.  Now is your chance, call soon and get choice.  C. A. Christensen.”

Chris and Ella are shown in the 1900 census in Leonardville City, Bala Township, Riley County, Kansas, in an entry taken on June 20, 1900.  He is listed as “Christopher” (although it’s written over), 34, born in December 1865 in Denmark, with both his parents born in Denmark.  It is shown that he immigrated in 1873 has lived 27 years in the United States and is naturalized.  He is shown as a “harnessmaker”.  Also listed is Ella L. (shown as the mother of two children, one living), age 33, born in October 1867 in West Virginia with her father born in Maryland and her mother in West Virginia.  Also shown was Earl, son, 7, born in Kansas in October 1892 with his father born in Denmark and his mother in West Virginia.  Chris and Ella are shown to have been married eight years.

Riley Co DB 85, pp. 502-03.  C. A. Christenson and Ella Christensen his wife of Leonardville, Riley County, Kansas to M. H. Russell and Mrs. E. H. Chapman.  August 18, 1900.  One hundred dollars.  Land in Riley County in Lott 22 Block 16 in the City of Leonardville.  Signed by C. A. Christensen and Ella Christensen.  Witness, O. L. Peterson.  O. L. Peterson, Notary Public, certifies that the Christensens executed the deed.  Filed for Record, August 20, 1900, M. M. Davis, Register of Deeds.

The Randolph Enterprise shows that a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Chris Christensen on September 18, 1901.  The issue in which this appeared was September 26, 1901.  Future censuses identify him as Donald.  This is likely the son that Chris’ obituary indicates died at a young age after Chris’ second marriage to Mollie.  There’s an item in the Leonardville Monitor of September 19, 1901: “Born – to Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Christensen, Sept. 18, a son.”

In the October 24, 1901 issue of the Leonardville Monitor: “C. A. Christensen has received a new organ for the opera house”.

In the February 6, 1902 issue of the Leonardville Monitor: “C. A. Christensen has traded his stone store for a 160-acre farm near Topeka.”

Chris A. Christensen is shown in the 1905 Radge’s Topeka Directory, a harness maker residing at 1435 Boswell Avenue.  He is the only person with this last name in that directory.

C. A. Christensen was shown in the 1905 Kansas State Census in Topeka, Shawnee County – C. A. Christensen, 39, born in Denmark, came from Iowa prior to Kansas, harness maker; Ella, 39, born in West Virginia, came from West Virginia prior to Kansas; and two children, both born in Kansas – Earle, 11; and Don, 3.  In the next entry is J. A. Reese, 65, farmer, born in Delaware, came to Kansas from West Virginia; Adeline, 64, born in West Virginia and came to Kansas from West Virginia; Cora, 34, stenographer, born in West Virginia and came to Kansas from West Virginia; Minnie, 32; and Pearl, 24, stenographer – both born in Kansas. 

[A biography of Ella’s father, John A. Reece, mentions that Ella died in March 1906 in Topeka, and that her mother died the same place, the same month.  That item is shown in the book, “Pioneers of the Bluestem Prairie”, in the Riley County section, is a biography of John A. Reece, "born 22 Feb 1841 in DE, was from a family that came originally from Wales and settled in New Castle Co near Newark DE ca 1790. His parents, John A. and Lydia Ann (Howell) Reece, moved to Clermont Co OH sometime after 1840. In 1861 in Clermont Co OH, John joined Co E 39th Reg of Inf. On 1 Jan 1865 at the Marshal Co Court House WV he married Adaline Arnold, b 11 Apr 1839 WV. They lived in Marshal Co WV until 1870 when they migrated to May Day (Jackson then) Twp., Riley Co. They farmed there until 1902 when they sold to Ernest Oberhelman and moved to a farm near Topeka. On 2 Mar 1906 Adaline died and is bur in Topeka. John then moved to Long Beach CA and retired. He died 4 Feb 1920 at Long Beach and is bur in Topeka.

Their first home at May Day was a small stone house. Later a two-story wooden structure was added, none of which stands today.

Children: Ella b 10 Dec 1865 WV, d 2 Mar 1906 Topeka, m C. A. Christensen." Other children of John and Adeline were Samuel W. (1867); Lydia Annie (1868); Cora (1869); Jessie (1871); Minnie (1873); John A. (1875); Charles Edwin (1877); and Pearl (1887).”

There is an obituary of John from The Long Beach Press of Thursday, February 5, 1920: "John A. Reese.  John A. Reese, aged 78, died last night at his home, 620 Locust avenue.  Funeral service to be held at the Cleveland chapel at 5 o'clock Friday afternoon will be private except for comrades of the G. A. R. who will conduct their ritual service.  It is asked that flowers be omitted."]

There’s an item in the Leonardville Monitor of March 15, 1906: “Miss Lottie Schwartz has returned from Topeka where she went to work for Mrs. Christensen who suddenly died two weeks ago.”

Shawnee County, Kansas [Topeka] marriage records show that Chris A. Christensen married Mrs. Mollie B. Swenson in Shawnee County on May 30, 1907.  The record is shown in Book 8, Sequence 1918.  There does not appear to be an on-line record, nor one that has been microfilmed. [In the Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties, Kansas, published by Chapman Brothers in Chicago in 1890, there is a sketch of Richard Burk.  He is shown to have been a native of Ulm, Wurtemburg, Germany, born in 1840, the son of Carl and Charlotte (Bardile) Burk.  He came to America in 1863, coming directly to Riley County.  He farmed until 1871, then engaged in the mercantile business at Winkler's Mills, and then moved to Leonardville in 1883, and opened a store.  He married Wilhelmena Guganhan in 1863 (unclear whether in Germany or the United States), and they had eight children: Emil, Eugene, Mollie, Rudolph, Amanda, Emma, Louis, and Helena.  This is the family of Chris Christensen's second wife Mollie.]

C.A. Christensen is shown at 1970 West 10th Street in Ward 5 of Topeka City, Shawnee County, Kansas in the 1910 census in an entry taken on April 29.  C. A. is shown as 45, living on his own income, born in Denmark with both his parents born in Denmark, immigrated in 1873; with Mollie, wife, 38, in her second marriage, none as her occupation, born in Kansas with both her parents born in Germany.  They are shown as having been married for three years, and she is shown as having had no children.  With them are two children, both born in Kansas with their father born in Denmark and their mother in West Virginia – Don, son, 9; and Earl, son, 16, shown as a messenger on the ATSF (Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe) Railroad.

Chris A. Christensen is shown in the 1910 Topeka Directory as a carpenter living at 1335 Boswell.  His son Earl is shown as a boarder at the same address.

Chris' obituary states he moved to Long Beach in 1914.  His death certificate in 1949 also states he had lived in California for thirty-five years.

Chris and family are shown in the 1920 census on American Avenue north of Bixby in Cerritos Precinct, Long Beach Township, Los Angeles County in an entry taken on January 12, 1920.  Shown are C. A. Christenson (sic), 57, a home carpenter who immigrated in 1873 and naturalized in 1874, born in Denmark with both his parents born in Denmark; with Mollie B., 56, wife, no occupation listed, born in Kansas, with both her parents born in Kansas; Donald A., 18, son, no occupation listed, born in Kansas, with his father born in U. S. and his mother in Kansas; and Amanda Amos, 45, sister-in-law (Mollie's sister, it appears), none as her occupation, born in Kansas with both her parents born in Kansas, and Howard Amos, 18, nephew, also with none listed as his occupation and born in Kansas with both his parents born in Kansas.

The Long Beach California city directories from 1923 to 1954 track Chris' residence there.  He is shown in 1923, as a builder at 219 Roosevelt in Los Cerritos, with Mollie B. also listed.  He is shown in 1925 at a building contractor at 1136 Pine Ave.  He is listed as Christopher A. and Mollie B. is shown with him.  Chris A. is listed in 1926 as a building contractor at 434 W. 11th, and Mollie B is with him.  Chris A. is listed in 1936 as a carpenter at 4155 Cedar Ave.  Molly B. is with him.  This same listing is made in the 1937, 1938, 1940, and 1945 directories.  Mollie is listed by herself at 411 Cedar in the 1954 directory, and there is no listing for her in the 1960 directory.  These are the same listings that show Fred C. Christensen (with Mrs. Lizzie) in 1925, Lynn in 1922 through 1925, and Mrs. Lizzie Christensen by herself from 1936 through 1945.

One of the two postcards from sister Marie in Denmark was addressed to Mr. C.A. Christensen at 4155 Cedar Ave in Long Beach.  It was from the 1920's, and refers to the golden wedding anniversary on October 24 (1929?).  It refers to her other brothers and sister.  It is signed Marie, and the return address is M. Kruger, 12 Brocksmanjev, Koge, Denmark.

Chris A. Christensen is shown in the 1930 census at 4155 Cedar Avenue in Long Beach Twp of Long Beach City, Los Angeles County, California, in an entry taken on April 8, 1930.  Chris A. Christensen is shown as 64, age 27 when first married, owner of his residence, valued at $12,000, none as his occupation, born in Wisconsin [sic] with his parents born in Denmark.  With him is Mollie B. Christensen, his wife, 57, age 26 at her first marriage, none as her occupation, born in Kansas with both her parents born in Germany.

Chris is shown in some photos that have been passed down visiting his sister in Denmark in the 1930’s.  The photos include one that has him, his sister Marie, and the wife of his cousin John Cornelius – Alice Christensen – visiting the home in Denmark where Marie and Chris were born.  The back of the photo refers to the three of them, and refers to “J. C.’s wife”.  Bob Christensen provided a letter from Chris while on the ship over in June 1938.  This clarifies the time of the trip and also that the Christensen cousins were in fact travelling with him.  The letter, with punctuation added and grammar and spelling not corrected, follows:

Heading – Swedish American Line – M. S. Gripsholm]

June 1 – 1938

Pg. 1 – My Dear Mollie: I will start this letter now and write a little each day as we can not send out mail til we get to Gothenburg, Sweden.  From there we drive to Danmark.  We are now half across the Ocean.  We have had a very nice trip so far, a nice crowed, and the Christensens are fine.  Alice was just saying she never saw so many big people with big feet, and they are nearly all Swedes, 3 or 4 Danes, some Fins.  However they all look well to do.  June 3rd.  the sea is rough to day and a lot of folks are sick but so far we are fine.  We eat 5 times a day and good food.  They have movies and dance every day & night.  June 5. Still on the ocean, however we will see land to morrow and will I be glad.  I am getting tired of this sameness.  Never the less I have had a wonderful time.  I am wondering what you are doing this morning. I hope your all right.  The sea wonderful the way it roles up like little hills & vallies.  It is almost slack at times.  We have only seen one ship go by.  Pg. 2 – June 6.  An other day and the sea is not so bad to day. they say we will see land to day.  That will be a change and all is glad and I appreciate the fact that we are well and happy and about to be near land again.  The ship is roling.  It is hard to wright.  I wish you were with me but when I see how sick some of the folks are I think of you.  It would not be pleasant.  I have not been sick but for a few days none of us could not eat.  But O.K. again.  I write some every day as we can not send out mail til we get to Gothenburg.  I will cut out a few post cards as it cost 6 (cents sign here) in U S money to send one card and 8 (cents sign) for a letter.  We can not use our stamp now.  We will be in Gothenburg the 7th.  There we drive to Danmark from there .  Guthenburg is in Sweden Pg. 3 and we will have a nice trip thru Sweden in to Danmark.  It seemed a long time since I left home.  We (???) now see land.  The cost of Scotland and England but it is very rough to day.  We land to morrow and I will get this letter off and it will be almost 2 weeks before you will get it.  It seems an age since I left home.  You can write me in c/o American Exchange Copenhagan Denmark Europe and I will call there for it.  Well I just had dinner.  It seems like that is all we do.  This evening we will have our fearwell dinner and we are soposed to Dress in our best.  Then they dress in old time Swedish costumes that is the Cayds (???) will. And dance the old folk dance.  It will be good.  I had 2 movies last night.  One at 4 o’clock and then at nine.  Both good.  Sunday they have Priching (?) so the time is pretty well taken with (??).  Pg. 4.  My dear Mollie this is the last.  I am sending this off this eve.  Will write you as soon as we are located in Danmark or as soon as possible.  Take it all in all we have had a good time.  It is almost impossible to write.  The ship rocks so much the sea is so rough to day we are now in the north sea.  The Christensens are fine and send there love to you.  They are enjoying them selfs ver much.  Talk swedish to every boddy.  I got aquinted with a family from Redlands.  Very fine folks and we have been together a good deal.  I must close now.  I hope you are getting along all right and am well.  If it was not so far so I could hear from you soon with lots of love to you dear.  I am as ever yours.  Chris.   Send my love to Bell and others.” [NOTE: there is a Wikipedia entry for the M. S. Gripsholm that describes its life and history at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Gripsholm_%281924%29]

Chris A. Christensen is shown in the 1940 census at 4155 Cedar Avenue in Long Beach City, Los Angeles County, California in an entry taken on April 5, 1940.  Shown is Chris A. Christensen, head, 75, no occupation listed, born in Wisconsin (sic) in the same house he was in in 1935; with Mollie, wife, 70, born in Kansas. 

Chris Albert Christensen’s death certificate was obtained from the state of California, and shows he died on May 24, 1949.  It listed his parents as Hans Christensen and Christiane Rasmussen, showed his birthplace as Denmark, listed his occupation as contractor in the building industry.  His spouse was Mollie B. Christensen, and she was the informant for the death certificate.  He was shown as a U.S. citizen.  His residence at the time of death was shown as 4155 Cedar Avenue in Long Beach.  He was shown as having lived in California for 35 years.

His obituary, from the May 25, 1949 Long Beach Press-Telegram, reads: "C.A. Christensen, Pioneer Building Contractor, Dies.  Chris Albert Christensen, 4155 Cedar Ave., died this morning at his home.  He was born in Thorelund, Denmark, and came to the United States as a boy, locating in Topeka, Kan., and moved to Long Beach in 1914.  He was a building contractor here until retiring in recent years.  He was a pioneer in Los Cerritos subdivision, purchasing the first five acres in the Bixby homestead, acquiring in the purchase the original Jotham (sic) Bixby home.  Surviving are the widow, Mollie D.; a son, Earl R. Christensen of Santa Ana; two grandchildren, Robert and Joy Christensen of Santa Ana.  Service will be held Thursday noon in the chapel of Mottell's Mortuary, with entombment in Sunnyside Mausoleum."

Chris was shown in abstracts of Riley County, Kansas records as having had a plot in the City of Leonardville cemetery, but that the plot was transferred to Burk Brothers.  This could have been his wife Mollie's brothers.

Mollie Christensen is shown in the California death records as having been born October 4, 1872, in Kansas, her maiden name was Burk and her mother’s name was Gugenhan.  She died in Los Angeles County on April 4, 1957 at age 84 years. 

The Long Beach Press-Telegram has a brief death announcement for Mollie in the Saturday, April 6, 1957 edition: "CHRISTENSEN-Mrs. Mollie, 84; of 435 W. 11th St., died Thursday.  Surviving is son, Earl; brother, Emil Burk; sister Mrs. Amanda Amos.  Service Monday, 1 p.m., Patterson & Snively Mortuary."

Earl R. Christensen – son of Chris and his first wife Ella.  He is shown with them in the 1895 Kansas census, and in the 1900 census is shown as having been born in October, 1892. There’s an item in the Leonardville Monitor of June 15, 1899: “Harry Miller and Earl Christensen visited the latter’s relatives on Fancy Creek Sunday.”

He is shown in the 1910 census in Madison Township of Riley County, Kansas.  He was enumerated with his uncle, Charles E. Reece, then 33, and his family.  Earl was shown as 16, born in Kansas with his father born in Denmark and his mother in West Virginia.  His uncle was shown as born in Kansas, with his father born in Ohio and his mother in West Virginia.  Charles wife was Ida C., born in Kansas, with her parents born in Sweden.  Their daughter Edith V. Reece, was 8, born in Nebraska, with both her parents born in Kansas.  Charles and Ida had been married nine years, and had two children, only one still living.

He is shown on his tombstone to have served in a Kansas unit in World War I.

Earl R. Christensen was shown in the 1920 census in Ward One of Santa Ana Township in Orange County California in an entry taken on January 6, 1920.  He was 26, a lodger with Clovis and Mary Prewitt, single, an electrician and for electric High P (?) Co., born in Kansas, with his father born in Denmark and his mother in Kansas.  In Chris' obituary, two grandchildren were shown as living in Santa Ana, Joy and Robert Christensen.  Chris only had two sons, and Earl was listed as living in Santa Ana in the obituary as well, so it is likely that they were the children of Earl.

There is a California marriage record for Earl R. Christensen and Ruth C. Smith showing they were married in Huntington Park, California on October 26, 1920.  Ruth C. Smith was shown as 26, a resident of Chicago, Illinois, white, single, her first marriage, born in Illinois, the daughter of James Smith, born in England and Sarah Mitchell, born in Chicago.  Earl R. Christensen of Santa Ana, California, 27, white, single, in his first marriage, born in Kansas, an electrician, father, C. A. Christensen born in Denmark and Ella Reece, born in Kansas.

In the 1925 Orange County Directory there was a listing for Earl R. Christensen, with his wife shown as Ruth C., living at 520 Lime in Santa Ana and shown as an electrician with Cope Electric Company.

Earl R. Christensen is shown in the 1930 census in Santa Ana Township, Santa Ana City, Ward 4 (Part), Orange County, taken April 10, 1930, Enumeration District 30-76; Supervisors District 20, Sheet No. 17B.  His address is 520 W. Fifth.  He is shown as the owner of his residence, valued at $10,000.  Earl is shown as 36, married at age 26, born in Kansas with his father born in Denmark and his mother in Virginia.  Ruth, Earl’s wife, is also shown as 36, and was 26 at the time of her marriage.  She was born in Illinois with both her parents born in Illinois.  Earl is shown as an electric contractor.  With them was their daughter, Joy, two years, ten months of age, born in California with her father born in Kansas and her mother in Illinois.

In the 1938 Orange County Directory there was a listing for Earl R. Christensen, an electrician, with his wife shown as Ruth C., at 1405 N. Ross, in Santa Ana.  The exact same listing was shown in the 1947 Orange County Directory listing.

Earl and family are shown in the 1940 census on 1405 N. Ross Street in Santa Ana Township, Ward One of Santa Ana City, Orange County, California, in an entry taken in April 1940.  Shown is Earl R. Christensen, head, 46, born in Kansas, in the same location in 1935, an electrician in a private home; with Ruth C., wife, 46, born in Illinois; Joy M., daughter, 12, born in California; and Robert, son, 9, born in California.

There’s an article in the Santa Ana Register of Tuesday, December 9, 1941: “Engaged at Pearl Harbor as an electrician, is Earl Christensen of this city.  He and his wife and children, Joy and Bobbie, left here a few months ago for the Islands.”

There was another news item in the Santa Ana Register of January 30, 1942: “Earl R. Christensen wrote his friend here, William E. Friend, that he was walking down a road when a Japanese plane ‘banked and started to spray it (the road) with machine gun fire.’  He lay flat on the ground on a nearby railroad track for safety.  No one was hit, according to Christensen.

‘I could have knocked him off with a 16-guage shotgun – he seemed that close, ‘ he added.  The letter was passed by the censors.  It had been mailed December 23, reaching Santa Ana late last week.”

[In the 1945 Orange County Directory, there was a Robert B. Christensen living at E. North, R3 Box 203 in Anaheim, his wife shown as Edith F.  It was the only Robert Christensen listed in that directory.  There was no Earl listed in that directory.]

Earl R. Christensen is shown in the California death records data base, born October 6, 1893, 73 years, his mother’s maiden name Reece – and died July 1, 1967 in Orange County.  His entry from the social security death data base, shows the same birth date, that his last payment was in July 15, 1967, and his last residence was in the 92706 zip code, listed in the record as being in Santa Ana.  He is shown with a Find-A-Grave online burial record in Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, Orange County, California – born on October 6, 1893 and died on July 1, 1967.  On his stone is “KS Mech Btry A 65th Coast Arty WWI”.

Joy Christensen – the daughter of Earl listed in Chris’ 1949 obituary.  California birth records show Joy Marie Christensen, born April 23, 1927 in Orange County.  The mother’s maiden name is listed as Smith, and this is the only Joy Christensen born in southern California in this era.  The only Robert Christensen born in Orange County in this era also has the mother’s maiden name of Smith, and has Earl as his middle name, indicating that this Robert and this Joy are the children of Chris’ son Earl.

Using the birthday, I checked the social security index and there was a Joy Ronnberg born on the same day as Joy Christensen, and she died on January 4, 2007 with her last residence as Santa Ana in Orange County.  That links to the California Divorce Index which shows that Joy M. Christensen and Oscar W. Ronnberg divorced in November 1974 in Orange County, California.  In a summary of her social security application, her parents were listed as Earl R. Christensen and Ruth C. Smith.  Her birth place was listed as Santa Ana, California.

Robert Christensen – the son of Earl listed in Chris’ 1949 obituary.  California birth records show Robert Earl Christensen, with a mother’s maiden name of Smith, born on February 2, 1931 in Orange County.  This would mean that the Robert B. Christensen listed in the 1945 Orange County Directory is not this Robert.

I have now been in touch with Bob Christensen, who is living in Orange County in California.

Donald Christensen – the second son and child of Chris and his first wife, shown with his father and stepmother in Topeka in the 1910 census as Don, son, 9; and again with his father and step-mother in the 1920 census in Long Beach as Donald A., 18, son, no occupation listed, born in Kansas, with his father born in U. S. and his mother in Kansas.

The Randolph Enterprise shows that a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Chris Christensen on September 18, 1901.  The issue in which this appeared was September 26, 1901.

In the W. H. Sikes obituary of Chris, it was written: “Mollie did a fine job in raising Chris's two boys, but one of them died at an early age shortly after his marriage.” [I had misread this originally, and thought that Donald had died shortly after Chris’ marriage to Mollie.]

There is a 1926 California marriage record for Don A. Christensen, 24, a resident of Santa Ana, born in Kansas, was married to Wilma Jean Guthrie, 22, a native of Tennessee, a resident of Santa Ana in Hollywood, Los Angeles County on April 17, 1926.  Don is shown as a construction mechanic, the son of C. A. Christensen born in Denmark and E. Reece, born in Virginia.  Wilma is shown as the daughter of Edward Guthrie, born in Tennessee, and Martha Smith, also born in Tennessee.

Don and “Winnie” are shown in the 1930 census in Huntington Park City, San Antonio Township, Los Angeles County, California in an entry taken on April 11, 1930.  Shown is Don A. Christensen, head, 28, age 24 at marriage, a dairy truck man born in Kansas with his father born in Denmark and his mother in Virginia; with Winnie, 24, age 20 at marriage, none as her occupation, born in Kansas with her father born in Denmark and her mother in Virginia (probably not correct).

There is a California death record – in an online index – that shows Donald A. Christensen having died on January 4, 1933.  I wrote the Long Beach library asking for an obituary, and they provided a partial obituary, saying the newspaper that was microfilmed was not in good shape.  What can be read: “Christensen of this city and one brother, Earl, of Santa Ana.  Funeral services at 10 a.m. Saturday, chapel of Simpson – Dilday 638 Atlantic.  Entombment, Angeles Abbey Mausoleum”.

Find-A-Grave shows Donald A. Christensen in Angeles Abbey Memorial Park in Compton, Los Angeles County, California – born on September 18, 1901 in Kansas and died on January 4, 1933 in Long Beach.

Wilma Christensen is shown in the 1940 census on Acacia Street in Compton City, Los Angeles County, California in an entry taken on April 6, 1940.  She is shown as the sister-in-law of the head in the entry – George Kent, 37, a watchman born in George, and his wife Clara, 37, born in Tennessee.  They were in the same place in 1935.  Clara is likely Wilma (or Winnie’s) sister.  Shown is Wilma Christensen, sister-in-law, no occupation listed, 32, shown as living in Walnut Park, California in 1935, born in Tennessee.

Wilma Jean Guthrie Christensen is shown in the California Death Record index as born on April 3, 1905 in Tennessee, her mother’s maiden name was Smith, and died on June 3, 1958 in Los Angeles County.