Anson Michaelsen

Anson Michaelsen was born at Rebe, Denmark, July 10, 1846. He came to the United States in 1865, spending two winters in the pineries of Michigan and farming with his brother in Wisconsin during the summer. In 1869 Mr. Michaelsen came to Omaha and worked for Creighton and Morgan in the earliest years of the city.

In 1870 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hunter, the ceremony being solemnized in what is now the Kountz Memorial church.

Until 1914 Mr. Michaelsen lived and wrought in the tasks of a worthy life. He was associated with the church and was member of the school board for 25 years. He was a fine example of true Americanism.

He left his own country just before a great war and reached this country just following the Civil War, but he gave himself to the pursuits of peace in the schools, in the church and community.

More than thirty years ago he joined the Solomon Lodge, No. 10, A.F. and A.M. of Calhoun and later the Jordon Commandery at Blair and the Shriners at Omaha.

A family of seven children blessed his home, six of whom with his wife survive him, George, Ola and Will are at De Soto, Harry at Omaha, Mrs. Christiana Kindred at Florence and Mrs. Charlotte Matthews at Homer, Nebraska.

A short service was held at the home in Florence and another by Rev. McProud at the M.E. church yesterday in this city and a final service at the grave by the Masonic Order. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

Pilot 11 June 1924

Anton Michaelsen died at his home in Florence at 4:20 last Sunday afternoon, having been ill with kidney trouble for several months. A short funeral was held at the house yesterday and another at the Methodist church in this city at 2 o’clock, Rev. O. U. McProud officiating. Burial was in the Blair cemetery where a son, Anton, is buried, having passed away at the age of 14 years. Deceased was born at Rebe, Denmark, January 10th, 1846, and came to this country in 1865, settling in Michigan. He farmed for a time with his brother in Wisconsin. He came to Omaha in 1869 and worked for Creighton & Morgan before Omaha was much of a city. He worked on the first ten miles of railroad out of Omaha towards Blair. In 1870 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hunter in what is now known as Kuntz Memorial church in Omaha. They homesteaded in DeSoto Twp. in 1873 and lived there until 1914, when they moved to Florence. He was a member of the school board there for over twenty years. He belonged to the Masonic lodge at Ft. Calhoun, to Jordan Commanery here in Blair and to the Shrine in Omaha. He is survived by his wife and six children. Will, George and Ollie live on the old farm at DeSoto, Harry in Omaha, Christina Kindred lived with her parents in Florence and Charlotte Matthews lives at Homer, Neb.

Note: Since the actual death date was not given, the news article date was used.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~