Emil Jens (1872 - 1961)

Born 28 Mar 1872 in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac, WI

Ancestors

Husband of Helena (Sievert) Jens — married 23 May 1900 in Outagamie County, WI

Descendants

Died 5 Mar 1961 at age 88 in Appleton, Outagamie, WI

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He was baptized at St Peter's Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac, WI on 29 Mar, 1872. Sponsors were Johann Schroder, Wilhelm Zorner & Frau Maria Holdorf.

He moved as a young child with his parents to a farm in Freedom in 1877, then to a farm in Center in 1879.

1880 Federal Census shows him as age 7, born in WI, living in Center, Outagamie Co, WI with his parents William Jens & Eurica Jens; and brothers Fred, William and Herman.

1900 Federal Census shows him as age 28, living in Center, Outagamie Co, WI with his wife. Occupation is listed as farmer. Household members: Emil Jens, Age 28; Helena Jens (Wife) Age 19.

Emil & Helena homesteaded 120 acres, living in a log cabin on the corner of Meade St and Center Valley Rd. The land was mostly in timber. In 1901 he built a barn from the timber on his land, and in 1903 he built a house, which still stands today.

1905 Wisconsin Census shows him as age 32, living in Center, Outagamie Co, WI with his wife Helena and 3 children; Walter, Ruth, and Elmer.

1910 Census shows him as age 37, living in Center, WI with his wife Helena, children Walter, Ruth, Elmer, Lawrence, and Wilmer.

1920 Census shows him as age 47, living in Center, WI with his wife Helena and children Walter, Ruth, Elmer, Lawrence, Wilmer, Luella, Alice, Emma, Gilbert and Estelle.

1930 Census shows him as age 58, living in Center, WI with his wife Helena and children Walter, Ruth, Elmer, Lawrence, Wilmer, Luella, Alice, Emma, Gilbert, Estelle, William, and Bernice.

1940 Census shows him as age 68 living in Center, Outagamie, WI with wife Helena, sons Gilbert & William; and daughter Bernice. Lived in the same house in 1935. Occupation is farmer.

Emil farmed the land until 1946, when his son Gilbert took over. Article about his father-in-law, August Sievert, in the "History of Outagamie County" by Thomas Henry Ryan mentions him as Emil Jentz, living in Center, WI, and marrying Helena Sievert. This is a mispelling on the part of Ryan, and is not the Emil Jentz born in Outagamie Co in about 1894. Wisconsin death records, certificate #008149 lists date of death as 5 Mar 1961, place of death as Appleton, Outagamie Co, WI. He was suffering from cancer when he died of a stroke.

The obit notice appeared in the Post-Crescent, March 6, 1961, Sect. B, Page 12. Name was spelled "Emel" in the obit, Emel Jens 127 W. Foster St. Age 88, passed away Sunday at 6 p.m. after a 3 week illness. He was born March 28, 1872 in Fond du lac, Wis, and moved to Appleton from the Town of Center in 1946. Mr. Jens was a member of the Freedom Moravian Church. He is survived by his widow, Helen; 6 daughters, Miss Ruth Jens and Mrs. Harry (Luella) Brockman, both of Appleton; Mrs. Curtis (Estelle) Wiseley and Miss Emma Jens, both of Concord, Calif; Mrs. Russell (Alice) Hunsinger, St. Paul, Minn; Mrs. Wills (Bernice) Uhlenbrauch, New London; six sons, Walter, La Grange, Ill; Wilmer, Milwaukee; Lawrence, Hartford, Wisc; Elmer, Glibert, William, all of Appleton; one brother, Fred Jens, Route 3, Appleton;16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Freedom Moravian Church with burial in Highland Memorial Park. Rev. George Scilley will officiate. Friends may call at the Valley Funeral Home after 2 p.m. Tuesday until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and then at the Freedom Moravia Church until time of service.