John Christiansen Papers

Collection

Identifier: SC 423

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence; taped interview with Christiansen concerning his settling near New Salem, N.D. (1883), and the pioneer years, with transcription (11 p.) of first side of tape; biographical sketch; pamphlet entitled Wrong Side Up; articles from American Milk Review and The Northwest; and clippings.

Dates

1921-1952

Creator

Christiansen, John, 1862-1954. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives.

Biography

John Christiansen was born March 18, 1862 in Schleswig, Germany. He lived there with his parents, farming and rasing cows until he was 18. He then emigrated to the U.S. and worked near St. Louis and then later on a dairy farm near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He came to North Dakota via the railroads in March of 1883. He eventually settled near now what is New Salem, North Dakota. He helped organize the Morton and Oliver County Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance company. He helped build the first cemetery in New Salem in 1896 as well as helping bring in better Holsteins into the dairy and cattle industries in the area. He helped organize the New Salem Holstein Breeding Circuit in 1909.

John Christiansen was married twice. He first married Sophia Tegtmeier. From this mariage, he had two children, Helen Christiansen Gaebe, and Edward who died in 1919-1920. He then married Caroline Louise Catharine Kroeger. From this marriage he had three daughters, Louise South, Edna Christiansen, and Ruth Beusen.

John Christiansen died September 24, 1954 and is buried in Peace Cemetery in New Salem, North Dakota.