Roy Godfrey Christensen (1888 - 1968)

Born 18 Sep 1888 in Spencer, Clay, Iowa, United States

Husband of Ethel S. (Stocking) Christensen — married 12 Jan 1921 (to 1968) in Wilmington, Los Angeles, California, United States

Biography

Roy Christensen was born 18 September 1888, the son of Godfrey C. and Louise A. Christensen. (He was their first child, born about 9 1/2 months after his parents were married, 2 December 1887) Godfrey was 26, and Louise was 19 when their son Roy was born. ^[1]

In 1895, the Christiansen family lived in Clay County, Iowa. The household included Godfrey Christensen, 33, a grocery merchant, with no religious affiliation, entitled to vote, and subject to military duty; his wife, Louisa, 26, a Christian; their three sons, all born in Clay County, Roy G., 6; Howard B., 4; and Earnest, 1. Also living with them were Lena Jensen, 20, housekeeper; and Myron Johnson, a clerk in the grocery store.^[2]

In 1900, the Christensen family lived in Spencer Township, Iowa. The household included Godfrey C. Christensen, 38, b. (January?) 1862 in Denmark, whose parents were b. Denmark. Godfrey had immigrated to the US in 1881, and was a naturalized citizen. He was a merchant/grocer, and rented their house; his wife, Louise A., 31, b. Wisconsin in April 1869 (whose parents were b. Denmark). They had been married 12 years, and had had four children, all living; their four sons, all born in Iowa: Roy G., 12, b. Sept 1888; Howard B., 10, b. Oct 1890; Earnest S., 7, b. Oct 1893; and Myron M., 2, b. Aug 1898. All members of the household could read and write, except the two youngest children. ^[3]

In 1910, the Christensen family lived at 906 East Villa Street, Pasadena, California. The household included Godfrey Christensen, 48, born in Denmark, a naturalized citizen, who immigrated in 1881, oil company (store) proprietor, who owned their house without a mortgage; his wife of 22 years (first marriage for both), Louise, 41, b. Wisconsin, who had had four children, all living; their sons, all b. Iowa, L. Roy, 21, assistant manager of oil co.; Harold, 19; Earnest, 16; and Forest, 11. The youngest three boys were in school. All members of the Christensen family could read and write. Also living with them was a boarder, Wilbur Bartley, 21, wagon driver for oil company.^[4]

The Christensen home at 906 E. Villa Street, Pasadena, CA once stood on the corner of Lake Avenue and Villa Street. The property now carries the address of 490 N. Lake Ave., and is the location of a small take-out restaurant and parking lot. ^[5]

In 1918, Roy G. was a salesman living at a residential unit at one of the two Penn Oil and Supply Co. locations at 85 W. Union, Pasadena, California. The other company address was 645 E. Colorado, Pasadena. Roy’s father Godfrey was manager of Penn Oil. Godfrey, his wife Mary E., and Roy’s brother Ernest, also a salesman, lived at 287 Claremont, Pasadena. Roy’s brother Howard, a salesman for Penn Oil, lived at the California Apartments. ^[6]

Between 1910 and 1920, Roy’s mother Louise had divorced Christiansen, remarried, and divorced Reagan.

In 1920, Louise A. Reagan, 50, lived with her two sons, and a lodger in her rented home at 60 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California. The household included Louise A. Reagan, 50, divorced, born in Wisconsin, whose parents were born in Denmark; her two sons, both born in Iowa, whose father was born in Denmark: Roy A. Christensen, 31, an automobile salesman; and Forest C. Christensen, 21, a salesman. Also living with them was Leo R. Pophal, 28, a house carpenter.^[7]

The house at 60 N Lake Ave, Pasadena no longer stands. In 1924, it was razed and a commercial building was built on the lot. That building still exists, on Lake Avenue, two blocks north of Colorado Blvd.^[8]

Roy, a salesman, 32, married Ethel (Stocking) Swan, a widow, 28, on 12 January 1921 in Wilmington, Los Angeles, California. It was the first marriage for Roy, and the second for Ethel. They were both born in Iowa. Roy was a resident of Pasadena, California, and Ethel lived in Los Angeles. Ethel was the daughter of L. D. Stocking, b. Indiana, and Elizabeth Stiles, b. Indiana. Rev. D. W. Fahs, of Wilmington officiated, and Mr. and Mrs. D. K. Lotts of Los Angeles served as witnesses. ^[9]

Roy’s father died in 1943, and Roy was the informant to the death. At the time, Roy resided at 385 S. Parkwood, Pasadena, California.^[10]

The Christiansen home at 385 S. Parkwood Avenue, Pasadena was built in 1929. It is located in an upscale neighborhood south of Pasadena City College. It has five bedrooms, 3602sf, and two stories. There is a long porch on the upper floor, which runs the length of the house, forming a covered walkway below, reminiscent of an old California Rancho home. The house has undergone many renovations, but the interior retains a sense of elegant formality, and features some original fireplaces and beautiful vintage tile work in one bathroom. The house has an estimated value in 2020 of $2.2 million.^[11]

Roy married Ethel S. Roy died in 1968, aged 79-80, and is buried with his wife and other family in Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum, Altadena, California. ^[12]

Roy served as witness to the marriage of his brother Ernest in 1919. Ernest, 26,married Ruby Braley, 26, on 23 September 1919 in Pasadena, California. It was the first marriage for both parties. Ernest and Ruby were both residents of Pasadena. Ernest was working as a chemist. Witnesses were Miss Ruth Braley (Ruby’s twin sister), of Pasadena, and Roy G. Chritensen, of Pasadena. Frank G. Tyrrell officiated. Ernest was the son of G. C. Christiansen, of Denmark; and Louise A. Johnson, of Wisconsin. ^[13] The

Sources

1. ↑ Iowa Births and Christenings, 1830-1950 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XVZB-9FM)
2. ↑ 1895 Iowa State Census, Clay County (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VT3H-4N8?from=lynx1UIV8&treeref=LZLL-HFW)
3. ↑ 1900 US Census, Spencer Twp, city Ward1-3, Iowa (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M92D-94X)
4. ↑ 1910 US Census, Pasadena, Los Angeles, California (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVL4-578)
5. ↑ Apple Maps
6. ↑ 1918 Thurston’s Pasadena City Directory (https://books.google.com/books?id=AuY5AQAAMAAJ&pg=PT130&lpg=PT130&dq=ernest+s+christensen+pasadena&source=bl&ots=KgWCAzqviP&sig=teP8iCUH_1ELpXpLuLyKDxBon6I&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwieuuX5nKndAhUmw1QKHUHcAvIQ6AEwAnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=ernest%20s%20christensen%20pasadena&f=false)
7. ↑ 1920 US Census, Pasadena, Los Angeles, California (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH7Z-TBT?from=lynx1UIV8&treeref=KCWN-VTX)
8. ↑ Trulia.com https://www.trulia.com/p/ca/pasadena/60-n-lake-ave-pasadena-ca-91101--2115966780)
9. ↑ California, County Marriages, 1850-1952 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8FB-FRQ)
10. ↑ California, County Births and Deaths, 1800-1994 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP39-865D)
11. ↑ Zillow.com (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/385-S-Parkwood-Ave-Pasadena-CA-91107/20702756_zpid/)
12. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #128309857
13. ↑ California, County Marriages, 1850-1952 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLHK-6TF)