Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-15
CLOSE OF CAREER
Alderman Andrew Christensen
Dies After Illness of Sew.
eraI Weeks.
LIFE OF VARIED EXPERIENCES
On Sea and in Civil War-In Govern
ment Service Funeral
Wednesday.

Andrew Christensen, senior alder
man of the Sixth ward, and one of the
Oldest employees of Rock Island
arsenal as guard at the Rock Island
| bridge. died this morning at 7:4O
| O'Clock at the home, 1889 Eighth av-
enue. Mr.. Christensen had been i'll for
over a month. He was first taken
with mild form of malarial fever
and after a weeks confinement, he
| was at work again for four days.
Three weeks ago he was again COM
PEELED to take to his bed with a very
malignant form of typhoid fever, which
last week developed into typhoid pneu-
mOnia. Mr.. Christensen had been
resident of Rock Island since July
1867. and an employee of the govern
ment at the arsenal during all of that
| period. He was always active in re-
publican politics. and a year ago was
elected alderman of the Sixth ward.
! He served his constituents well in the
| council
| Varied Career.
| Mr.. Christensen's life story is one of
a varied career, he first having learned
the smelling business, later became
| sailor, then a soldier in the Union
army during the civil war, came to
Rock Island and entered the arsenal
I as foreman of crew and later was an
arsenal guard. He was born in Nor
way. Oct. l. 1S43, thus being in his
sixty-second year. His father was en-
ployed in a smelling plant. and An
drew when 10 years old began TO learn
| the trade of his father. He devoted
good portion of his time to gaining
an education. He continued with his
work in the smelling works until Is
years of age when he became seized
with a desire to see more of the
world. He became a sailor, and ship
ped from Oster Rieson, his native
town. on a merchant ship bound for
the White sea. The voyage was made
to Russian ports without incident OF
note. and a cargo of lumber and tar
laid in for delivery at Marseilles.
France. While rounding the Shetland
Islands. the boat was caught in ter
ribIe storm. and most of the cargo was
lost. The crew managed to save
themselves. making port in Norway.
Here the ship was repaired, and the
trip to MarseilIes continued. From
MarseiIIes the ship sailed for AleXan-
dria. Egypt. where cargo of cotton
seed was taken on, consigned for the
United States. The cargo was land
ed at New York. and there Mr.. Chris
Jensen left the ship. expecting to Sc
cure employment in that city. Not
finding any work that was to his Xix
ing. he again went to sea, from New
Haven. on board a steamer bound for
the West Indies The voyage was
made successfully, the return being
by way of Trunks islands. where a
cargo of salt was taken on for New
Haven.
Civil War Veteran.
The landing at New Haven was
made late in the fall of 1863 when the
civil war was at its height He had
decided to become a citizen of the
United States. and thinking that in
defending the northern interests he
could best establish his claims to citl- |
zenship. he enlisted at Concord, N h.,
and was mustered in as private In
Company G. I'd New Hampshire In
fautry. on Dec. 1. 1863. The company
was first sent to Boston, and later to
Point Lookout. Md. where the regi-
ment was engaged in guarding confed-
crate prisoners until spring. 1t was
then made a part of the Army of the
lanes. under Gen. Butler. Mr.. Chris
Jensen, with his comrades, took part
in the battle of Drury's Bluff. Va. ana
shortly after at Cold Harbor. June z
tn 1864. In this battle his company
lost heavily. and the regiment was
comneIled 10 retreat He was present
at the blowing up of Fort He'll and
then marched with the regiment up to
Yorktown. He was taken sick. and
sent to the hospital. first at Fortress
Monroe. and later at MANCHESTER, y
II where ne was confined with illness
until June 5 1867. when he received
his honorable discharge from the
army He drifted westward, and IN
July 1867 became an employe at the
Rock Island arsenal
In 1865 he was made foreman OF
crew. and he held that position for l.
wears. being made a guard in 1880 de
has been employed in that capacity al
various stations at the arsenal since
that time. being stationed at the draw
Of the bridge at the time he was tak@i
H.
The Family.
He was married Dec. IS, 1871, u
Miss Anna Olsen. a native of Norway
who survives him. Six children sur
rive. Clarence S. and Emma
Rock Island: Thomas O., san
Rernardino. Cal. Alfred W.
Anna NJ. and Benjamin w, all al ,
home. There are two sisters one IL
Rock Island and one in Chicago also r
surviving. Thomas Christensen. the
son in California. has been Hotined :
IF his fathers death. and viii arrive III |
Rock Island tomorrow. c
Mr.. Christensen was a member oil !
John Buford Post c.. \. r of this city +
and member of the Broadway Pres r
,vterian church The funeral VIII G
probably be held Wednesday afternoon G
md will be in charge of the G. A r. g