(Photo: Caption – Postmaster Jensen, 64, prominent in Blair affairs for many years, who died early Friday after suffering a sudden heart attack)

Postmaster J. P. Jensen, 64, Dies Suddenly

Heart Attack On Street Is Fatal To J. P. Jensen

Long Prominent in Local Affairs, His Death Comes as Shock

WAS POSTMASTER FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS

Huge Throng Present Monday at Funeral Services; Former Leading Auctioneer, Mr. Jensen was Well-Known Over the County

Postmaster J. P. Jensen, 64, long active in Blair democratic and civic societies, and well-known throughout Washington and surrounding counties for his former activities as a farmer and auctioneer, died at Immanuel hospital in Omaha early Friday morning, only a few hours after suffering a heart attack while walking to the business section from his home.

In good health all his life, Mr. Jensen became ill and died so suddenly that his many friends in Blair and vicinity had difficulty in realizing that he had succumbed. He had worked at his office all day Thursday, and only Wednesday night had presided at the annual meeting of the Jensen Realty company.

His wife and children were at his bedside when death came, as were all of his 12 brothers and sisters but four, Henry, James and Andrew Jensen, and Mrs. Adolph Voss, who were on the west coast at the time.

For nearly four years postmaster, succeeding the late John F. White, Mr. Jensen already had a long and varied record of service to his credit when he assumed that position. For four years he served as county assessor; during the World war he was chief clerk of the draft board here; for years he had cooperated in the work of the Nebraska state fair. He resigned his position as a fourth ward city councilman when he became postmaster. During the 37 years he resided in Blair he had served on many civic committees and assisted in innumerable community enterprises.

Largely through his more than 30 years as an auctioneer, crying farm sales, he became acquainted with practically everyone in the county. He first worked with the late H. H. Reed, pioneer Blair auctioneer. Later he and G. F. Bross joined to form the well-known firm of Jensen & Bross, which partnership continued until Mr. Jensen was appointed postmaster.

Native of County

His was the first death among the 13 children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Soren Jensen, prominent Washington county pioneers.

Native of this county he was born March 21, 1873, on the original Jensen homestead farm in Lincoln township. He attended the old March school.

At the age of 21, in 1894, he was married to Emma Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Berthel P. Miller, pioneers of the same neighborhood. The young wife died, leaving an infant son, Howard. On May 10, 1902, Mr. Jensen was united in marriage to Ora Odessa Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Sir Dion Carter of DeSoto township. The young couple and little son, Howard, moved to what was then known as the Stewart farm, north of Blair, where they resided eight years. Then they moved to an acreage adjoining Dana college at the edge of Blair and lived thee six years before moving to their present home, 501 west Park street.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jensen, one of whom, James Peter, jr., died in 1905 at the age of one year. The other children are Soren, now of Broken Bow, Nebraska; John Phillip, Kearney; Mrs. Eldred Larson (Edythe), Sioux falls, South Dakota; Dorothy and Alfred of Blair. These, with Mrs. Jensen and the eldest son, Howard, of Arlington, and seven grandchildren, survive. The grandchildren are Emma Dorothy, Lora Ann, Howard, jr., Jacky Paul and Edythe Mary, children of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jensen; Soren Jensen III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Soren Jensen; and Charles Robert Larson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eldred Larson.

Also surviving are six brothers, James H. Jensen of Long Beach, California; Nels, Omaha; Andrew, Hillsboro, Oregon; Ed, Henry and Albert A. Jensen, all of the Blair vicinity; and six sisters, Mrs. Jens B. Jensen (Anna) and Mrs. Peter Svendgaard (Emma) of Blair; Mrs. Adolph Voss (Mary) of Long Beach; Mrs. Ed Gilbertson (Esther), Mrs. George Kuhr (Rena) and Mrs. Henry Voss (Myrtle), all of Blair.

There are many more distant relatives, the family being one of the largest in Nebraska.

Funeral services attended by a huge throng of relatives and friends estimated at from 500 to 600 persons were held at 2 p.m. Monday at First Methodist church. In charge of the rites was Elder Frank MacDonald of the Omaha and Council Bluffs churches of the Latter Day Saints, assisted by Elder Carl T. Self of Omaha. Elder MacDonald, in the sermon, eulogized Mr. Jensen’s life of public service.

Eight nephews of Mr. Jensen were active pallbearers: Merton Jensen, Nels Svendgaard, Harold Jensen, Merton Kuhr, Earl Jensen, Leslie Jensen, Elmer Jensen and Lyle Gilbertson.

Honorary pallbearers were Supreme Court Jude L. B. Day of Omaha, G. F. Bross, Peter M. Tyson, Alfred O. Sick, Bruce McMillan, Clark O’Hanlon, A. H. Miller, Karl Christensen, Harry L. Morris and Lou Latta, all of Blair.

Interment was in Blair cemetery with graveside services in charge of the local I.O.O.F. lodge. Mr. Jensen had served as Noble Grand of the lodge, and recently received the 25-year-membership jewel of the order.

Enterprise 20 Jan 1938

(Photo)

Rites For Blair Postmaster Held Here Monday

Was Blair Postmaster At Time Of Death. Well Known In The Co.

J. P. Jensen, well known Washington county citizen and member of one of the largest families in this county, died early Friday morning at the Immanuel hospital in Omaha, a victim of a paralytic stroke which he had suffered late Thursday evening.

Mr. Jensen, who was postmaster of Blair, at the time of his death, knew, perhaps, more individuals in this vicinity than any other person in Washington county. For a number of years he was a partner in the well known Jensen and Bross auctioneering team and his other activities in the Blair City Council, the Nebraska State Fair and Odd Fellows lodge had brought him in contact with many people.

His sudden death was a severe shock to the entire community and funeral services, held at the Methodist Episcopal church Monday afternoon, taxed the capacity of the church severely.

James Peter Jensen was born March 21, 1873, and died January 14th, 1938, at the age of 64 years, 9 months and 23 days. He was born on the original homestead farm, in Lincoln township, of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Soren Jensen, Danish pioneers of Washington county. He attended the old March school.

He was married at the age of 21, to Emma Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Berthel P. Miller, also Washington county pioneers of the same neighborhood. The young wife died, leaving an infant son, Howard. On May 10, 1902, Mr. Jensen was united in marriage with Ora Odessa Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Sir Dion Carter, of De Soto township. The young couple and the little son, Howard, moved to what was then known as the Stewart farm, north of Blair, where they lived eight years. The family then moved to an acreage with a home adjoining Dana college, and lived there six years, after which they moved to the family’s present home in Dexterville, where they have since lived. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jensen: James Peter Jensen jr., born June 6, 1904, who died at the age of 1 year; Soren, of Broken Bow, Nebraska; John Phillip, of Kearney; Edythe, Mrs. Eldred Larson, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Dorothy and Alfred of Blair. These, with the widow and eldest son, Howard, and seven grandchildren, are left to mourn him. The grandchildren are Emma Dorothy, Lora Ann, Howard, Junior, Jacky Paul, Edythe Mary; children of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jensen; Soren Jensen III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Soren Jensen; and Charles Robert Larson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eldred Larson.

He is also survived by six sisters and six brothers: Anna, Mrs. Jens B. Jensen; Emma, Mrs. Peter Svendgaard; James H., of Long Beach, California; Nels, of Omaha; Mary, Mrs. Adolph Voss, of Long Beach, California; Andrew, of Hillsbora, Oregon; Ed.; Henry; Esther, Mrs. Ed Gilbertson; Albert A.; Rena, Mrs. George Kuhr; and Myrtle, Mrs. Henry Voss. Nearly all of his sisters and brothers were at his death bed. The families of these relatives, among them the 8 nephews who were his pallbearers, and many cousins, are a large host of relatives who sorrow at his death.

Mr. Jensen was stricken suddenly on Thursday evening, and died Friday morning at 3 o’clock at the Immanuel hospital in Omaha, where every care was taken for him during his last hours.

He led a full and successful life. Among his many interests and activities were the Odd Fellows lodge, in which he had served as Noble Grand, and recently received the 25 year jewel of the order, whose members performed the grave service, with the Elders of the Reorganized Latter Day Saints church; 4 years as county assessor; he served his country during the World war as chief clerk of the draft board; his many years of auctioneering; work with the Nebraska State Fair; years as an officer of the Jensen Realty Company; service to the city on the council and many civic committees; and in the past four years his service as the postmaster at Blair.

He was a kind and loving and indulgent father, a Christian, upright and God-fearing, and his family is greatly bereaved at their loss.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the M.E. church in Blair with Eldor Frank McDonald, of the Burt Street Latter Day Saints church in Omaha officiating. He was assisted by Eldor Carl T. Self, also of Omaha.

Interment, made in the Blair cemetery, was under the direction of the Odd Fellows lodge, of Blair with Past Grand Masters Reed O’Hanlon and Clark O’Hanlon, in charge of activities.

Ft. Calhoun Chronicle 20 Jan 1938

J. P. Jensen Dies

Residents of Washington county were shocked to hear of the sudden death of one of its best known citizens, J. P. Jensen, postmaster at Blair, on Friday of last week. He was stricken on the street in that city and died soon after being removed to an Omaha hospital. Mr. Jensen had a wide acquaintance over the county through his profession of auctioneering, in which he was engaged for many years, and also through his political activity. He was appointed postmaster about three years ago and recently was elected president of this district comprising first and second class postmasters. He is survived by his widow and six children.

Al Sick, editor of the Pilot Tribune, has been named acting postmaster to succeed Mr. Jensen.

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