Jens Peter Therkelsen
Anna Catherine Knudsen Therkelsen

Sac City references JP Therkelsen William Brower Walter Irwin

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By John Therkelsen

By the year 1871 numerous stories were arriving in Denmark and Germany, like all other countries in Europe,
of the New World and all the promises it held. Such stories may have come in letters from far-off Iowa, from
Jens Peter's brother Jesper who had left Denmark in early 1870.The once-Danish town of Skodborg was now a
border town just inside the province of Schleswig, Germany.

Although it had been a German village since 1864 when the border was moved north to include Skodborg, the
people remained strong in their Danish traditions. People attempted to remain true to their Danish heritage and
did what they could for those family members who were now on the other side of the border.

A great-grandson of the second generation Terkel Therkelsen related how his grandfather frequently smuggled
things across the border to his family. His favorite method was to hide under a load of hay that was going across
the border. Skodborg was an important town on the border as well as being on the great military road that ran
from Germany into the heart of Jutland, Denmark- It was a road that was traveled by many. It is still traveled by
many today, but on foot, as it has been preserved as a footpath.

With the living conditions in Denmark as they were, the incoming news of all the promises in America looked
better with each passing story. For many, what could they lose by giving it a try? Three such people were
Jesper, Helena, and Jens Peter Therkelsen. .Jesper was the first to emigrate, followed by Jens Peter in 1871. Their
sister Helena with her husband Jeppe and five children came to join her brothers in 1886.

Records show that their ancestors had lived in the south-central part of Jutland, Denmark, for several centuries.
Most had been farmers. The "Terkel" ancestor of the 1600's may have been a large land owner in adjoining
Skrave Parish. One of his sons, Knud Terkelsen, continued to live in Langetved, and one of Knud's sons, Terkel
Knudsen, moved on to Hjerting. The grandfather of Jens Peter and his siblings, Niels Terkelsen (son of Terkel
Knudsen), a farmer originally from nearby Hjerting, died of tuberculosis at the age of only 35. His wife, Maren
Pedersen, remained to Peder Christensen.

They first had twin baby boys, which they named Niels Terkelsen and Christen Terkelsen, in an extended
application of the Scandinavian tradition of naming the first son of the second marriage after the deceased
husband. However, both these babies died. Another son was born, and named again Niels Terkelsen, leading to
a second Terkelsen line through the matemal side. The nine children of Terkel Terkelsen (son of Niels
Terkelsen and Mar-en Pedersen) and of Christina Otto Therkelsen or Mette Kjestine Otte in Danish were raised
on a farm south of Skodborg in what was known as the Skodborg Skov (Woods). As Terkel was a farmer, and
later, a "small holder," there was little hope for his children to be much more than the same. And a small holding
cannot be subdivided. As we look ahead and see that the three Terkelsen children who immigrated -- they used
"Therkelsen" in the United States -- became very industrious adults. It is easy to see why they chose to leave
what would appear to be a future of little promise.

In 1871, Jens Peter Therkelsen, known to all his friends and family as "J.P.", set out for America. Upon his
arrival he proceeded to the community of Charlotte in Clinton County, Iowa, where he joined his brother Jesper.
Here he spent the first year living with other native Danes and attended school. The schooling afforded him the
opportunity to learn what might be needed to get along in this new country. In addition to his native tongue of
Danish, it is assumed that he spoke German because of where he lived before coming to America. He probably
learned English while in Charlotte. His children said that he spoke several languages, so he either knew them
before coming here or perhaps learned at least one during his stay in Charlotte.

This community was known to Danes as one place to settle when first arriving in America. Here other Danes
greeted them. There seemed to be a sense of community that welcomed other natives. It provided a secure place
to get established and network before leaving for another unknown location, this time probably without ties to
the homeland. The newest immigrants were helped with whatever education that might have been needed, such
as leaning a little of the language, assistance in finding a job, and whatever else was essential in getting started in
this new place called "home."

J.P. had been in Iowa only a short time when there went out a call for help for people to come to Chicago,
Illinois, to assist with the cleanup operation following the Chicago Fire. Being adventurous and single, he
answered the call and went to live in Chicago for the next four years. At the outset of his stay, he held a variety
of jobs, but during the last three years of his stay, he was employed by a mercantile store. While in Chicago he
practiced the frugal lifestyle that he had known as a child and saved enough money to be able to go back to Iowa
and open his own store in Des Moines in 1876.

During the first four years in Des Moines, J.P. began to establish himself in that community in the retail
grocery business at West 10th and Center Streets. At this time he met Miss Anna Knudsen, the daughter of
Rasmus and Carrie Knudsen, who had immigrated to Story County, Iowa in 1869. On March 3, 1880, J.P. and
Anna were married in Sigoumey, Iowa. J.P. was 29 and Anna 18. From the records it appears that this was
double wedding, the other couple being J.P.'s brother Jesper and his bride, Mathilde Fischer.

To this marriage of J.P. and Anna was born eleven children with ten attaining adulthood. They lived in Des Moines
for another year, during which time their first son, Clarence P., was born. Misfortune struck the young merchant
when a flood claimed his business. With this, the couple and their son relocated in a small community of
Fletcher in October of 1881. Fletcher was later renamed Lake View, Iowa. It was here that J.P. and Ann
continued to live, work, and raise their family.

Upon arriving in Fletcher in the fall of 1881, there was only one business and three houses. Not wanting to
waste any time in establishing his family in the community, J.P. built a small house for the family on the
northeast comer of 5th and High Streets. He also had built for him a frame building for his mercantile business
on the northeast comer of 4th and Main Streets. It appears from the ads in the local paper that he was joined by
his brother Jesper at the outset of the venture, as the advertisements for the store read "Therkelsen Bros.".

This partnership of the brothers did not last long as by 1890 it appears that Jesper had moved on to Vashon,
Washington. As the building was not completed in time to house the new merchandise that he had procured, he
had the railroad car in which it was shipped set off the track, enabling him to conduct business from this car until
the building was completed. The merchandise in this initial shipment consisted mostly of groceries and
hardware.

The prospect of a store in this community was welcome news for the farmers who had already settled here.
J.P. appears to have had a compassionate heart and an eye for business. As many farmers were struggling to get
themselves established on their farms, money was not very plentiful. J.P. having compassion for their condition
and seeing their needs for staples, extended credit to many people during these early years. The expressions of
kindness that were extended to these earliest customers were never forgotten and their gratitude was expressed
over the years.

As the years rolled by, the small business that had been started in the railroad car continued to grow. It was not
long before J.P. built another store building that afforded more space for a larger and varied inventory. His
records indicate that he had vendors such as Carson Pierre Scott and Company, Chicago Kinosha Hosiery
Company, Des Moines Baking Company, Sac City Milling Company, National Biscuit Company, Clinton Paper
Company, Marshall Field and Company, Benham Garment Company, and Continental Tailoring Company, to
name just a few.

With the large family that J.P. and Anna had, some of the children always worked in the store. The children
started young with small tasks. Some such as Clarence, Tena, and Lena, held positions such as clerks and
partners as they grew older. Stories from the children help to make the store come alive. There was often the
smell of coffee being ground in the big coffee grinder. Jasper told of the fun it was to turn the big wheel on the
grinder. Lena would roll off yards of fabric for the customers from the large selection of fabrics for which the
store was known. The big clothing catalog was always present to offer customers selections of men s suits and
coats. Each page not only showed the garment and a model wearing the item, but also small sample pieces of
cloth from which it could be made.

Sacks of grain and flour were always on hand fresh from the mill. Orders of baked goods would arrive by
train and be brought to the store. What a treat it must have been to purchase something that was freshly baked,
rather than having to make it at home. As J.P.s business continued to expand, he moved the frame building to a lot
south of the comer site and built a third building. This two-story brick building built at the comer of 5th and
Main Street still stands today. In 1902 his son Clarence, now 21, was brought into the business as a partner in
his store and the business was then called Therkelsen & Son.

J.P. had a great interest in the community and did what he could to be of support to Lake View individuals and
organizations. In 1906 it was reported that he bought a "beautiful silk quilt" for $10.00 at the Congregational
Churches ladies aid society fair. He then held a drawing at the store and the winner received the quilt.

The Lake View Resort shows that the Therkelsen Store ran a large ads for specials and merchandise on the front
of the paper each week for many years. There were also special events hosted by the store to entice patrons to
the store. Free coffee would be served on certain occasions and music would also be an attraction.

One of the services that the store offered the customers was childcare for the parents who shopped at the
Therkelsen store. It was known that the children could be left at the Therkelsen home to be cared for by Anna
Therkelsen. Though no one ever mentioned that Anna worked in the store itself, she had a large part in the
success of the store in what she did to promote goodwill among the families of the community. After the women
had shopped, they were always welcome at the Therkelsen home for coffee and women's talk before going home.
For some, shopping at the Therkelsen store was more than just a business trip to town. For many families it
became a social event as well.

There were often some additional surprise packages tucked into the purchases if ever there was an unspoken
need that the shopper could not afford. Christmas was a very special time for the customers. To show gratitude
for the patronage of the customers during the year, J.P. would see to it that all the members of the families that
shopped in the store would receive a gift for Christmas. Generosity was certainly the byword in all of his
business practices. At the time of his retirement, a closing-out sale was held. On a particular Saturday in
September 1911, he offered free merchandise in a very nontraditional manner. According to the local paper, "all
sorts of merchandise will be thrown from the roof of the building at 2:30 p.m. free to the people attending."

While the Therkelsen store was the main source of business for J.P., he had many other financial interests in
the community. As he saw a need for a new business in the community, he would see that it was started and sell
it once it had been established. He also had considerable investments in farmland in Iowa and Minnesota. A
short biographical sketch of the prominent families in Sac County published in 1914 reported that at that time his
farm holdings included 405 acres in Iowa of which 160 acres were in the Lake View area. Though he did not
personally farm the land that he owned, he did oversee the work that was done there.

It was easy to keep track of what was happening on the land near Lake View, but it was more difficult for that
which was farther away from his center of operation. It is reported that in 1903 he went to oversee the harvest in
Minnesota. As his other interests continued to grow, he opened his own private office to handle these affairs.
This office was in a room over the Mason Barbershop. In 1906 after having it freshly "Papered and put into
shape," he moved in. From this office he bought and sold and oversaw many different businesses.

J.P.'s business interests in Lake View were not limited just to this store. In 1892 J.P. was an incorporator in the
Lake View State Bank. Among the businesses that J.P. Therkelsen was associated with was the Lake View
Creamery, which he sold to Kelley & Company in 1906. During 1888 J.P. and his brother Jesper Therkelsen
owned the local grain elevator as a partnership known as Therkelsen Bros. When a new telephone company was
formed in 1901, J.P. was elected as president.

The business interests of J.P. kept him occupied. However, he did his part to lead in the community in places
where he felt he could be of service. One of the leadership roles he took was that of the seventh mayor, from
1895-1896. He also served as a councilman on the town council at various times for several years.

As a man who had come to understand the importance of an education and what it could do for the people of
the community and the community itself, J.P. Therkelsen did much to support the Lake View School. He was a
member of the Lake View School Board from 1900-1918, and its president from 1900-1903, 1906-1908, and
1913-1918. It was under his leadership as president of the school that the new brick school was built on land that
at that time was the northwest comer of Lake View.

His interest as a leader of the school seemed to have been passed on to others in the family as his sons Clarence
and Jasper were also presidents of the Lake View School Board. Clarence was the treasurer of the school board
when the brick school was built. Jasper was on the board at the time that the elementary addition was made to
the current building.

In the years around the turn of the century, it appears that it was very popular to belong to clubs and various
organizations. J.P. and Anna were no exceptions. Records show that J.P. was involved in various Masonic
groups and the couple belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and Rebekah Lodge. In December 1894 Anna
became a charter member of the National Women’s Relief Corp., which was an organization to assist veterans of
all wars.

One organization of which J.P. and Anna were members was the Schuetzen-Verein. The Schuetzen-Verein
was a social organization with German origins located about two miles west and one mile south of Lake View.
This organization was the country club of its day. Though it does not appear to have been in existence for a long
period of time, it was a very active organization and quite highly developed for its day. The facilities included a
hotel-like structure with rooms, a dance hall, and even a nursery for children so mothers could enjoy the dance.
While golf had not become a sport of the plains, target shooting was the main attraction. Though it was a sport
men were attracted to, women were also participants. Other events those members enjoyed were picnics, dances,
and Children's Day activities. How involved the whole family might have been is uncertain, but J.P. Therkelsen
was listed as one of the sharpshooters and evidently participated quite frequently to have such a standing in that
organization.

Another favored pastime was a good game of cards. J.P. had his card-playing friends that would come to the
house and be entertained in the large room upstairs at the front of the house. The guests were offered a cigar
from the black cigar box with the brass mountings, and an evening of cards would begin. The room was off
limits to the children, and for the older grandchildren it was known as "Grandpa's Room." If the walls could only
talk, what stories might we have now.

Politically Jens Peter was aligned with the Republican Party. There seems to be no indication that he was
unusually active in this organization.

One of the favorite pastimes of the Therkelsen family was travel. Though J.P. and Anna never returned to their
native homeland, they traveled in their new homeland. J.P., his brother Jesper, and friends from Lake View
struck out for the Southwest to look for land. How soon after arriving in Lake View is uncertain. From all
indications this was an unsuccessful adventure.

Another almost yearly occasion was the trip to Vashon Island, Washington, to visit family. With the size of
the family, it meant that not everyone was allowed to go each year. However, two or three children were
included in the trip each time, which meant that most of the children were allowed to go at least twice. The trip
was by train, leaving from Lake View and going first to Minneapolis, Minnesota. From there they took an
east-west train to Seattle. The trip was long for the children, but Anna's cooking had filled at least one large
basket with food for the family for the trip. The last meal was always a treat, because J.P. would take the family
to the dining car for this one meal. In the eyes of some of the children it was the highlight of the trip. The last
part of the journey was made by boat to Vashon Island. It was here that cousins played in the ocean, while
brothers, sisters, and in-laws shared the years experiences.

Because of their interest in travel, it is no wonder that J.P. and Anna invested in the latest model of car. The
Lake View paper reported in 1912 that he invested in a Cross Country Rambler, said to be the classiest auto at
the time.

J.P. Therkelsen's role in the community had high visibility. Behind all of it, however, was a home that was
filled with very Danish traditions. After the modest start in the home at the comer of 5th and High Street, a
second home was built two blocks north on the southwest comer of 7th and High. As the family continued to
grow and the house became too small, it was moved across the street and another two-story frame house was
erected. Both of these still stand today.

Anna provided the very loving motherly support to the children and the strong behind-the-scene role that a
wife of that era assumed. All of the children and grandchildren who knew her spoke so very lovingly of her.
She was a very warm, modest, and caring person. She never knew a stranger. The household that she managed
was filled with activity. With 11 children being born over a twenty year period and then grandchildren as well,
there must have been children around her whole life. As mentioned earlier, she provided childcare for the
children of the patrons of the Therkelsen store. She also saw to it that the mothers of these children had an
opportunity for a social time at her home as a part of the trip to town to shop. After their shopping was done, the
women would often gather at the Therkelsen home for a visit before returning to their home in the country. Part
of this social visit was some refreshment -- usually a cup of egg coffee and one of Anna's pastries.

Social events for the Danes always included food, and she followed this tradition with regularity. Her
granddaughter, Marilyn Therkelsen Pittman, recalls that she would never go into the kitchen to cook without
doming the hair net that she kept hanging by the kitchen door. Her remembrance of Anna's cooking was the
most wonderful whole wheat bread. The privilege of knowing how to make this was passed to Anna's daughter
and on to Anna’s grandson John. Son Jasper remembered the Christmas fruitcakes that were baked and wrapped
weeks before Christmas and then stored on the top shelf of the pantry until the holiday. They were eyed by all
the family but were forbidden territory until Christmas. Harold Therkelsen remembers that he learned to drink
coffee at Grandma Therkelsen s table. "Her coffee was the best in the world. I would always like to go there
because I knew I could have coffee.

While Grandma's food was remembered by some, Grandma's attic was remembered by Bill Therkelsen as a
great place to explore. By the time that he was old enough to come to Lake View during the summer for a visits
the Therkelsen Store was closed. However, the attic at the house was full of treasures that were not sold and
were brought home, possibly to be saved for use at a later time. What great fun it must have been to explore in
such an attic. Coming to Grandma Therkelsen’s for a visit during the summer was a treat for all the
grandchildren. The visit was not only a time to visit with Anna, but a time for cousins to be together. Anna was
always a gracious hostess and everyone was welcome. Children and their spouses, grandchildren, and any other
relatives who would be near, would all be found at the Sunday dinner table.

Christmas in a Danish home was always a special time and this home was no exception. I am sure that each
child and grandchild who ever was present at one of those occasions has special memories. Though I missed this
special time, it has been reported that the festivities began on Christmas Eve. There was the traditional goose
dinner with all the trimmings. This was followed by the trip to church for the Christmas Eve program where the
children participated in telling the story of Christmas. After the program, and each participant received a treat,
the family went home to find the large tree in the front parlor decorated and lit with candles. (Who missed the
program and got the tree ready?) Underneath were presents for all the family, and J.P. had a good time
distributing them to each child and adult. After the excitement of the evening finally came to a close, the family
made their way to bed. Christmas Day was spent celebrating and enjoying the company of the family. For lunch
the traditional aebleskiver were served coming from that strange black pan with holes in it. The layers of
baked-on grease and the replaced handle make this pan a treasure as we think of the hundreds of little round
goodies that came from this pan and delighted both young and old, possibly for over I 00 years.

While the house was full of children, other relatives were usually present. Anna’s sister Sophia lived in a
house just one block away and she was a regular every afternoon. Carrie Knudsen, Anna's mother, lived with the
family during her later years as well.

After J.P.'s death in April 19,1921, Anna continued to live in the big two-story house on High Street until her
death on July 23, 1942. Though she was widowed, she had a lot of family around her, and continued to be the
warm, welcoming hostess that she had been all of her life. She was a very giving person and never was sparing
when it came to helping others.

Reflecting on this couple and their influence on their family and community, one must say that it was typical of
pioneer spirit and determination, of which we as a family can be quite proud. Though there was a certain
romance surrounding the adventures of the pioneers, there was heartbreak as well. This couple and their families
were not immune from pain. For J.P. to leave his home, his parents, and most of his siblings to come to a New
World certainly had an element of pain that affected his life. The loss of his business to a flood shortly after his
marriage must have been unsettling, as he was a man who took his responsibility to care for his family very
seriously. The loss that the couple experienced in the death of William at the age of two years, and Robert being
institutionalized as a young man must have weighed heavily on the couple.

For Anna to be a widow for over 20 years certainly must have had an effect on the family. However, with
these losses this couple was not defeated and moved forward to carve out a place for themselves and their
children in the community. Their apparent generosity was known to many and is something that was
remembered long after they were gone. They set an example for their children to be honest, hardworking
citizens wherever they might find themselves. J.P.'s willingness to invest in the community showed he was a
man of foresight and creativity. This quality has been found in other Therkelsens and is still very much alive in
those here in the U.S. and those in Denmark.

Though there is not clear evidence that the couple was deeply religious, there is much evidence that they were a
moral and spiritual couple. Biblical principles were applied to their actions. They surely demonstrated the laws
of giving and receiving. Their generous hands were always being extended and in return, they were blessed in
many ways. J.P. was grateful for the opportunities that America provided. These feelings must have been shared
with his family in Denmark- , as a letter from his eldest sister indicates that she was happy for him and that
she hoped that God would continue to bless his family in the new land.

All the new opportunities available in America coupled with his industrious nature were the ingredients needed
to get the little town of Lake View on the map. Though J.P. could be stem, there was also a very compassionate
side that both he and Anna put to use in their dealings with the people of the community. They were known as
very kindly people, always going the second mile to befriend and encourage those about them.

While J.P. and Anna were a hardworking couple and instilled this in the lives of their children, they also
enjoyed life. Involvement in some of the social organizations of the community and their love for travel were
expressions of a love for life and all that it might hold. As descendants of the Jens Peter Therkelsen family, we
can be proud of the pioneer stock from which we come and the valuable contribution that our ancestors made in
our world.

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The following account of Jens Peter Therkelsen is taken from reflections of Tena Therkelsen Brower, my father Jasper Therkelsen, cousins including Phyllis Williams, Bill Therkelsen, Harold Therkelsen, Marilyn Pittman, Catherine Ringgenberg, and newspaper clippings. Additional genealogy information from Linda Therkelsen. There seemed to be regret on the part of all the cousins that we did not ask more questions of our parents concerning our grandparents J.P. and Anna Therkelsen. I hope this account of J.P.and Anna will give some insight and possibly cause us to recall other things that might be added to this at a later time.