Schmidts familietræ (www.sm1.dk)

Memorys of Klaus and Peder Christensen By Grandson of Peder Don Christensen

Klaus Berg Kristnsen b. December 28, 1884 in Rinkøbing, Hind, Velling Denmark. d. May 31, 1965 in Ottawa Illinois from a Heart Condition, He is buried in Oakwood memorial Cemetery in Ottawa Illinois. Klaus came to the United States in 191 4 as I was told. Klaus was a very well respected within his Church (Zion Lutheran Church). He never married, and was a very soft-spoken quiet person. And on January 14th 1922 he became a United States Citizen. Claus was a very hard worker and whe n he first came to the United States he worked as a gardener for the Reynold's Manor which was the residence of a very wealthy family He held that job until his return to Denmark in 1923. He worked as a bricklayer for a period of time at Libby Owe ns Ford Factory in Natplate Illinois where he lined the kilns with firebrick. Libby Owens Ford was where they made all the glass for Ford Automobiles. Klaus latter worked at Sanders Brothers Manufacturing, which made kitchen cabinets, Klaus worke d there till his retirement. In the late 1950's Klaus Peder and my Father Russell hand dug all the dirt underneath our house and Klaus laid all the brick and mortar for the basement and to this day there are no cracks or moisture in the basement . Klaus like his father and brothers was also a very good bricklayer. He must have been taught the trade from his father. As I stated before Claus was a private person, he was quiet, but he was also a very giving person. I remember as a chil d he would walk to our house and greet us with a pocket full of candy, and would never give it to you, he would say you should check my coat pocket I think there might be something in there for you. Klaus lived in a one room home that was heate d by coal burning stove. I was 4 ½ years old when Klaus passed away but my memories are very fond. When I met Klaus and Peder sister Maren Bendtsen in 1979 the first thing I thought of was how she reminded me so much of Klaus.