Sacramento County
Biographies
NELS JOHNSEN
NELS JOHNSEN.--An enterprising, experienced cement contractor, whose knowledge of his tradework, and whose steady, progressive habits have made an excellent reputation for general ability, is Nels Johnsen, a native of Denmark, where he was born on November 15, 1883. His parents were C. P and Magdalena Johnsen; the former a cattle-dealer, well and favorably known, while the latter is deceased, having rounded out a life of enviable usefulness. They were good parents, and sent Nels to the best available Danish schools; and it was not until 1907, when he was twenty-four, that he was willing to leave home and native land.
In that year, Mr. Johnsen came out to America and California, and soon reached Sacramento; and although he had already had several years of experience in cement work, he went out on a ranch for a year and a half, and very wisely got his first chance to learn colloquial English under quiet circumstances. Coming back to town, he took up laundry work and stuck at that for eight months; and after dropping that, he joined Adolph Teichert, the cement contractor, and for five years assisted him. Then he was with Olaf Larsen for a year, in the same field of activity; and by that time he decided to set up for himself in business, and he has been his own pilot ever since, not only making a pretty good course, but leading where others have been glad to follow. He belongs to the Builders’ Exchange, in which he is more than a mere member, and he finds pleasure in promptly responding to any appeal calling out his local patriotism, and his deep interest in Sacramento, town and county, its historic past, its bustling present, and its promising future. It is not surprising, therefore, that Nels Johnsen, contractor, citizen and good fellow, is one of the most popular workmen for miles around.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches,
Pages
958-959. Historic Record Company, Los
Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.