My father, James Christian Christensen, was born
February 8, 1867 in Dyrehen, Hjarring, Denmark.
He came with his parents from Denmark to
Richfield, Utah, in 1877. On November 5, 1890, he
married Mary Rozina Hirsche and they continued to
live there until they left for Canada, arriving May 5,
1899. They had four children at this time; Alfred,
Emran, Dora and Eugene. They came to Canda be-
cause of irrigation and better working conditions. the
LDS Church also was encouraging the settlers to
come and help settle the area. They travelled by train
from Elsinore, Utah, and settled in Stirling, Alberta.
They lived in a tent for a time until a house could be
built. They had two rooms at first, then added more
as they could. Money was very scarce at that time.
While living in Stirling four more children were
born, Leona, Lloyd, Irvin and Gladys. Mother suf-
fered a stroke at this time from which she never
recovered completely. Dad was a very thoughttul
husband and father during those difficult years. My
dad was a blacksmith and wheelmaker by trade. He
was known as Jim Wheelmaker; his father was also a
wheehllaker and was known as Peter Wheelmaker.
This was a very exacting trade. My dad was handy at
most things. I have been told that Earl and Leo
Nelson, when they were small boys, liked nothing
better than to hurry after school and stand in the door
to watch dad make wheels. We moved from Stirling
to Taber in 1911. Dad set up a freighting business with
his sons Alfred and Emran and was engaged in this
until 1914. At that time, we moved to the Wrentham
area where Dad had purchased the Spengler place
situated on S.E. 1/4 16-7-16 W4. He farmed, and also
owned a threshing machine and did custom work for
people in the district and surrounding area.

My mother was a real homebody. I don't think
she ever went any place that she didn't say just before
they left. 'Now we are not going to stay very long.'
She loved her home. My folks continued to live in the
coulee lowland and fixed the house up to be very
cozy. My dad passed away very suddenly December
17,1933 at home. Mother still lived there tor a time
George and Fern Christensen lived with her for a
time. then she moved to live with Eugene on his
farm. Later Eugene built a house in Taber and she
continued to live with him. Mother was in bed four
months before she died, then on June 27, 1950 she
passed away in the Taber hospital.

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