________________________________________
Charles Valdemar Bentsen (his name as written on his Daabsattest {Baptism Certificate}) was born July 28th, 1908 in a sod house on his parents Montana homestead claim about 1/3 mile east-southeast of what would soon become McCabe, Montana.
His parents: (per his Daabsattest)
» Oluf Sofus Einjor Bentsen
» Anna Ingeborg Bentsen
His siblings:
» William Johannes Bentsen
» Stillborn brother & Otto Svend (lived 16 days)
» Ellen Marie Bentsen Bertelsen
» Alfred Ejnar Bentsen
________________________________________
Timeline:
1908, Dec 20th: Baptized at Ebenezer Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dane Valley, Montana. Faddere (Godparents): John Hoffman and Jakob Olsen.
1924, Mar 23rd: Confirmed at Ebenezer.
1939, Nov 7th: Charles W Bentsen and Nona A Olsen were married at Glendive, Montana by Pastor Eberg Tollefson. Witnesses: Mrs E. Tollefson and Jeanette Sunda.
1941, Jan 9th: 1st daughter born
1943, May 15th: 2nd daughter born
1948, Jul 13th: Son born
1960, Apr 10th: Charles died at Roosevelt Community Hospital, Culbertson, Montana where he had been carried for for several months.
________________________________________
His Story/Memories
Charles attended the rural school just east of McCabe. Grades 1-3 were taught in Danish. His attendance during the school year varied depending upon spring planting and fall harvesting needs. He did not complete all eight years. He was very adept/knowledgeable about many things such as figures (numbers), mechanics, etc.
He had a solid build, neither thin nor fat, and was around 5'11' tall. He was required in school to write with his right hand but played baseball and pitched horseshoes as a left hander.
For a time, he worked at Fort Peck during construction of the dam.
At some point, Charles attended training on engine maintenance/repair in Michigan or Illinois.
His wife, Nona, told their children that Charles' idea of taking a day off for his birthday was to work cleaning up the property around the buildings rather than work out in the fields. He preferred this rather than socializing with visitors.
The 1930 U.S. Federal Census shows him as a laborer on his fathers farm. In 1940 his occupation is Merchant in Retail Sales.
When his parents retired and moved to California (~1942), Charles and Nona moved onto and farmed the Bentsen Homestead (on shares) plus ~280 acres of Paulsen's (on shares). Eventually he purchased 160 acres north ~2.5 miles of the Bentsen Homestead. He also farmed (on shares) 80 acres his brother, Alfred, had purchased.
Charles and Nona also had a small herd of mostly Hereford cattle. Charles would milk these cows by hand and ship the extra milk/cream via train to a creamery in Williston.
For many years, Charles unloaded his truck into the grain bin by hand.
As with other neighbors, he would periodically volunteer to try to troubleshoot and repair the old "party line" phone system. It was during one of these repair trips that Charles fell off a ladder and over many month his injuries resulted in a blood clot, stroke, paralysis on his left side and eventual death.
Three times, Charles and Nona loaded up their car and drove the family to visit his parents and brothers in the San Diego area. These trips took place during October. This meant the kids missed school, but it was the best time for Charles to be away from farm work and before winter set in.
In addition to spending time with family, they visited the harbor/ships, San Diego Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm, and Disneyland. The family was surprised when Charles purchased a new Plymouth Belvedere during a trip in the 1950's.
Most of his tractors were from Case.
He would grow spring and winter wheat, barley, oats, safflower and cane. The oats and cane were cut with the binder, shocked in the field and loaded onto a hay wagon (with slings under the load) hauled to and unloaded into the barn for winter feed.
Each spring, Charles would run his annual seed germination test. He would place his seed grain between moist kitchen towels on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Later he would tally the number of grains that sprouted versus those that did not. This was useful during planting for the rate of seed planted.
In addition to farming, Charles recorded and reported rainfall amounts using an official large metal rain gauge (perhaps from the USDA) in the yard. He also was an agent for the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company (Plentywood, Montana).
The family went to church on Sundays and for special events. Charles sat in "his" pew, which was the last row to the right. He would mainly mingle with the other male church members at church events.
He was supportive of his family. Once when a daughter was nervous before a grade school play, he told her that he had confidence in her and that "you can do it." That was the encouragement she needed.
He taught each of their kids to drive. This came in handy as the kids could then help with farming ... at a young age. He also, along with Henry Andersen, taught his son to shoot a 22 ... which came in handy in controlling the gophers in the fields and pastures. He is not remembered for hunting or fishing.
The Bentsen's frequently gathered with their Olsen relatives in Montana at the farm or in Culbertson, Billings and Flaxville. Holiday traditions were a special time for family celebrations with Christmas Eve at Gpa & Gma Olsen's in Culbertson and Christmas Day at Arden & Betty's in Flaxville.
Sometimes the family went to Brush Lake on a church outing or for bible camp and Medicine Lake on an Olsen family outing.
The family received medical support in Culbertson and dental in Williston.
________________________________________
Charles Valdemar Bentsen (his name as written on his Daabsattest {Baptism Certificate}) was born July 28th, 1908 in a sod house on his parents Montana homestead claim about 1/3 mile east-southeast of what would soon become McCabe, Montana.
His parents: (per his Daabsattest)
» Oluf Sofus Einjor Bentsen
» Anna Ingeborg Bentsen
His siblings:
» William Johannes Bentsen
» Stillborn brother & Otto Svend (lived 16 days)
» Ellen Marie Bentsen Bertelsen
» Alfred Ejnar Bentsen
________________________________________
Timeline:
1908, Dec 20th: Baptized at Ebenezer Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dane Valley, Montana. Faddere (Godparents): John Hoffman and Jakob Olsen.
1924, Mar 23rd: Confirmed at Ebenezer.
1939, Nov 7th: Charles W Bentsen and Nona A Olsen were married at Glendive, Montana by Pastor Eberg Tollefson. Witnesses: Mrs E. Tollefson and Jeanette Sunda.
1941, Jan 9th: 1st daughter born
1943, May 15th: 2nd daughter born
1948, Jul 13th: Son born
1960, Apr 10th: Charles died at Roosevelt Community Hospital, Culbertson, Montana where he had been carried for for several months.
________________________________________
His Story/Memories
Charles attended the rural school just east of McCabe. Grades 1-3 were taught in Danish. His attendance during the school year varied depending upon spring planting and fall harvesting needs. He did not complete all eight years. He was very adept/knowledgeable about many things such as figures (numbers), mechanics, etc.
He had a solid build, neither thin nor fat, and was around 5'11' tall. He was required in school to write with his right hand but played baseball and pitched horseshoes as a left hander.
For a time, he worked at Fort Peck during construction of the dam.
At some point, Charles attended training on engine maintenance/repair in Michigan or Illinois.
His wife, Nona, told their children that Charles' idea of taking a day off for his birthday was to work cleaning up the property around the buildings rather than work out in the fields. He preferred this rather than socializing with visitors.
The 1930 U.S. Federal Census shows him as a laborer on his fathers farm. In 1940 his occupation is Merchant in Retail Sales.
When his parents retired and moved to California (~1942), Charles and Nona moved onto and farmed the Bentsen Homestead (on shares) plus ~280 acres of Paulsen's (on shares). Eventually he purchased 160 acres north ~2.5 miles of the Bentsen Homestead. He also farmed (on shares) 80 acres his brother, Alfred, had purchased.
Charles and Nona also had a small herd of mostly Hereford cattle. Charles would milk these cows by hand and ship the extra milk/cream via train to a creamery in Williston.
For many years, Charles unloaded his truck into the grain bin by hand.
As with other neighbors, he would periodically volunteer to try to troubleshoot and repair the old "party line" phone system. It was during one of these repair trips that Charles fell off a ladder and over many month his injuries resulted in a blood clot, stroke, paralysis on his left side and eventual death.
Three times, Charles and Nona loaded up their car and drove the family to visit his parents and brothers in the San Diego area. These trips took place during October. This meant the kids missed school, but it was the best time for Charles to be away from farm work and before winter set in.
In addition to spending time with family, they visited the harbor/ships, San Diego Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm, and Disneyland. The family was surprised when Charles purchased a new Plymouth Belvedere during a trip in the 1950's.
Most of his tractors were from Case.
He would grow spring and winter wheat, barley, oats, safflower and cane. The oats and cane were cut with the binder, shocked in the field and loaded onto a hay wagon (with slings under the load) hauled to and unloaded into the barn for winter feed.
Each spring, Charles would run his annual seed germination test. He would place his seed grain between moist kitchen towels on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Later he would tally the number of grains that sprouted versus those that did not. This was useful during planting for the rate of seed planted.
In addition to farming, Charles recorded and reported rainfall amounts using an official large metal rain gauge (perhaps from the USDA) in the yard. He also was an agent for the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company (Plentywood, Montana).
The family went to church on Sundays and for special events. Charles sat in "his" pew, which was the last row to the right. He would mainly mingle with the other male church members at church events.
He was supportive of his family. Once when a daughter was nervous before a grade school play, he told her that he had confidence in her and that "you can do it." That was the encouragement she needed.
He taught each of their kids to drive. This came in handy as the kids could then help with farming ... at a young age. He also, along with Henry Andersen, taught his son to shoot a 22 ... which came in handy in controlling the gophers in the fields and pastures. He is not remembered for hunting or fishing.
The Bentsen's frequently gathered with their Olsen relatives in Montana at the farm or in Culbertson, Billings and Flaxville. Holiday traditions were a special time for family celebrations with Christmas Eve at Gpa & Gma Olsen's in Culbertson and Christmas Day at Arden & Betty's in Flaxville.
Sometimes the family went to Brush Lake on a church outing or for bible camp and Medicine Lake on an Olsen family outing.
The family received medical support in Culbertson and dental in Williston.
________________________________________
________________________________________
Charles Valdemar Bentsen (his name as written on his Daabsattest {Baptism Certificate}) was born July 28th, 1908 in a sod house on his parents Montana homestead claim about 1/3 mile east-southeast of what would soon become McCabe, Montana.
His parents: (per his Daabsattest)
» Oluf Sofus Einjor Bentsen
» Anna Ingeborg Bentsen
His siblings:
» William Johannes Bentsen
» Stillborn brother & Otto Svend (lived 16 days)
» Ellen Marie Bentsen Bertelsen
» Alfred Ejnar Bentsen
________________________________________
Timeline:
1908, Dec 20th: Baptized at Ebenezer Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dane Valley, Montana. Faddere (Godparents): John Hoffman and Jakob Olsen.
1924, Mar 23rd: Confirmed at Ebenezer.
1939, Nov 7th: Charles W Bentsen and Nona A Olsen were married at Glendive, Montana by Pastor Eberg Tollefson. Witnesses: Mrs E. Tollefson and Jeanette Sunda.
1941, Jan 9th: 1st daughter born
1943, May 15th: 2nd daughter born
1948, Jul 13th: Son born
1960, Apr 10th: Charles died at Roosevelt Community Hospital, Culbertson, Montana where he had been carried for for several months.
________________________________________
His Story/Memories
Charles attended the rural school just east of McCabe. Grades 1-3 were taught in Danish. His attendance during the school year varied depending upon spring planting and fall harvesting needs. He did not complete all eight years. He was very adept/knowledgeable about many things such as figures (numbers), mechanics, etc.
He had a solid build, neither thin nor fat, and was around 5'11' tall. He was required in school to write with his right hand but played baseball and pitched horseshoes as a left hander.
For a time, he worked at Fort Peck during construction of the dam.
At some point, Charles attended training on engine maintenance/repair in Michigan or Illinois.
His wife, Nona, told their children that Charles' idea of taking a day off for his birthday was to work cleaning up the property around the buildings rather than work out in the fields. He preferred this rather than socializing with visitors.
The 1930 U.S. Federal Census shows him as a laborer on his fathers farm. In 1940 his occupation is Merchant in Retail Sales.
When his parents retired and moved to California (~1942), Charles and Nona moved onto and farmed the Bentsen Homestead (on shares) plus ~280 acres of Paulsen's (on shares). Eventually he purchased 160 acres north ~2.5 miles of the Bentsen Homestead. He also farmed (on shares) 80 acres his brother, Alfred, had purchased.
Charles and Nona also had a small herd of mostly Hereford cattle. Charles would milk these cows by hand and ship the extra milk/cream via train to a creamery in Williston.
For many years, Charles unloaded his truck into the grain bin by hand.
As with other neighbors, he would periodically volunteer to try to troubleshoot and repair the old "party line" phone system. It was during one of these repair trips that Charles fell off a ladder and over many month his injuries resulted in a blood clot, stroke, paralysis on his left side and eventual death.
Three times, Charles and Nona loaded up their car and drove the family to visit his parents and brothers in the San Diego area. These trips took place during October. This meant the kids missed school, but it was the best time for Charles to be away from farm work and before winter set in.
In addition to spending time with family, they visited the harbor/ships, San Diego Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm, and Disneyland. The family was surprised when Charles purchased a new Plymouth Belvedere during a trip in the 1950's.
Most of his tractors were from Case.
He would grow spring and winter wheat, barley, oats, safflower and cane. The oats and cane were cut with the binder, shocked in the field and loaded onto a hay wagon (with slings under the load) hauled to and unloaded into the barn for winter feed.
Each spring, Charles would run his annual seed germination test. He would place his seed grain between moist kitchen towels on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Later he would tally the number of grains that sprouted versus those that did not. This was useful during planting for the rate of seed planted.
In addition to farming, Charles recorded and reported rainfall amounts using an official large metal rain gauge (perhaps from the USDA) in the yard. He also was an agent for the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company (Plentywood, Montana).
The family went to church on Sundays and for special events. Charles sat in "his" pew, which was the last row to the right. He would mainly mingle with the other male church members at church events.
He was supportive of his family. Once when a daughter was nervous before a grade school play, he told her that he had confidence in her and that "you can do it." That was the encouragement she needed.
He taught each of their kids to drive. This came in handy as the kids could then help with farming ... at a young age. He also, along with Henry Andersen, taught his son to shoot a 22 ... which came in handy in controlling the gophers in the fields and pastures. He is not remembered for hunting or fishing.
The Bentsen's frequently gathered with their Olsen relatives in Montana at the farm or in Culbertson, Billings and Flaxville. Holiday traditions were a special time for family celebrations with Christmas Eve at Gpa & Gma Olsen's in Culbertson and Christmas Day at Arden & Betty's in Flaxville.
Sometimes the family went to Brush Lake on a church outing or for bible camp and Medicine Lake on an Olsen family outing.
The family received medical support in Culbertson and dental in Williston.
________________________________________
Charles Valdemar Bentsen (his name as written on his Daabsattest {Baptism Certificate}) was born July 28th, 1908 in a sod house on his parents Montana homestead claim about 1/3 mile east-southeast of what would soon become McCabe, Montana.
His parents: (per his Daabsattest)
» Oluf Sofus Einjor Bentsen
» Anna Ingeborg Bentsen
His siblings:
» William Johannes Bentsen
» Stillborn brother & Otto Svend (lived 16 days)
» Ellen Marie Bentsen Bertelsen
» Alfred Ejnar Bentsen
________________________________________
Timeline:
1908, Dec 20th: Baptized at Ebenezer Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dane Valley, Montana. Faddere (Godparents): John Hoffman and Jakob Olsen.
1924, Mar 23rd: Confirmed at Ebenezer.
1939, Nov 7th: Charles W Bentsen and Nona A Olsen were married at Glendive, Montana by Pastor Eberg Tollefson. Witnesses: Mrs E. Tollefson and Jeanette Sunda.
1941, Jan 9th: 1st daughter born
1943, May 15th: 2nd daughter born
1948, Jul 13th: Son born
1960, Apr 10th: Charles died at Roosevelt Community Hospital, Culbertson, Montana where he had been carried for for several months.
________________________________________
His Story/Memories
Charles attended the rural school just east of McCabe. Grades 1-3 were taught in Danish. His attendance during the school year varied depending upon spring planting and fall harvesting needs. He did not complete all eight years. He was very adept/knowledgeable about many things such as figures (numbers), mechanics, etc.
He had a solid build, neither thin nor fat, and was around 5'11' tall. He was required in school to write with his right hand but played baseball and pitched horseshoes as a left hander.
For a time, he worked at Fort Peck during construction of the dam.
At some point, Charles attended training on engine maintenance/repair in Michigan or Illinois.
His wife, Nona, told their children that Charles' idea of taking a day off for his birthday was to work cleaning up the property around the buildings rather than work out in the fields. He preferred this rather than socializing with visitors.
The 1930 U.S. Federal Census shows him as a laborer on his fathers farm. In 1940 his occupation is Merchant in Retail Sales.
When his parents retired and moved to California (~1942), Charles and Nona moved onto and farmed the Bentsen Homestead (on shares) plus ~280 acres of Paulsen's (on shares). Eventually he purchased 160 acres north ~2.5 miles of the Bentsen Homestead. He also farmed (on shares) 80 acres his brother, Alfred, had purchased.
Charles and Nona also had a small herd of mostly Hereford cattle. Charles would milk these cows by hand and ship the extra milk/cream via train to a creamery in Williston.
For many years, Charles unloaded his truck into the grain bin by hand.
As with other neighbors, he would periodically volunteer to try to troubleshoot and repair the old "party line" phone system. It was during one of these repair trips that Charles fell off a ladder and over many month his injuries resulted in a blood clot, stroke, paralysis on his left side and eventual death.
Three times, Charles and Nona loaded up their car and drove the family to visit his parents and brothers in the San Diego area. These trips took place during October. This meant the kids missed school, but it was the best time for Charles to be away from farm work and before winter set in.
In addition to spending time with family, they visited the harbor/ships, San Diego Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm, and Disneyland. The family was surprised when Charles purchased a new Plymouth Belvedere during a trip in the 1950's.
Most of his tractors were from Case.
He would grow spring and winter wheat, barley, oats, safflower and cane. The oats and cane were cut with the binder, shocked in the field and loaded onto a hay wagon (with slings under the load) hauled to and unloaded into the barn for winter feed.
Each spring, Charles would run his annual seed germination test. He would place his seed grain between moist kitchen towels on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Later he would tally the number of grains that sprouted versus those that did not. This was useful during planting for the rate of seed planted.
In addition to farming, Charles recorded and reported rainfall amounts using an official large metal rain gauge (perhaps from the USDA) in the yard. He also was an agent for the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company (Plentywood, Montana).
The family went to church on Sundays and for special events. Charles sat in "his" pew, which was the last row to the right. He would mainly mingle with the other male church members at church events.
He was supportive of his family. Once when a daughter was nervous before a grade school play, he told her that he had confidence in her and that "you can do it." That was the encouragement she needed.
He taught each of their kids to drive. This came in handy as the kids could then help with farming ... at a young age. He also, along with Henry Andersen, taught his son to shoot a 22 ... which came in handy in controlling the gophers in the fields and pastures. He is not remembered for hunting or fishing.
The Bentsen's frequently gathered with their Olsen relatives in Montana at the farm or in Culbertson, Billings and Flaxville. Holiday traditions were a special time for family celebrations with Christmas Eve at Gpa & Gma Olsen's in Culbertson and Christmas Day at Arden & Betty's in Flaxville.
Sometimes the family went to Brush Lake on a church outing or for bible camp and Medicine Lake on an Olsen family outing.
The family received medical support in Culbertson and dental in Williston.
________________________________________
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
