It's a long way from Denmark to Hooper NE

part of the McDowell Family Saga

Martinsen Harness Shop in Hooper

Almost 4,500 miles, to be exact. My Great Great Grandpa Martin Martinsen made that journey twice (three times if you count the journey from Hooper back to Denmark). He was 42 when he first set sail, six years after his wife died. His seven children followed as soon as they could afford passage.

Without personal documents, it's impossible to say with any certainty why Martin wanted to leave his home in Levring (Jutland) and come to America. Some sources posit that over-population of the country (due to the fact that Denmark had enjoyed many years of peace and good crops) had led to economic difficulties, making the Industrial Revolution of the U.S. pretty attractive.

Whatever the reason, Martin packed his bags and left the only home he'd known for a new life in America. I'd like to find out why / how he ended up in Hooper. Was there an advertisement somewhere? Did he know someone already living in the area who wrote to him about the splendors of the Midwest? Or was he near Hooper when he just plain got tired of traveling? Maybe someone knows. If so, I hope they'll let me know "the rest of the story."

Martin's Children (in birth order)

• Margaret - immigrated in 1899 according to the 1910 census.
• Fred - immigrated in 1897 (with Minnie?) per 1900 census.
• Henriette - immigrated in 1906 with her husband and four children aboard the ship "United States." They traveled in steerage.
• Minnie - immigrated in 1897 according to 1910 census.
• Amalie - immigrated in 1900 with husband Jen and baby Oscar aboard the St. Paul.
• Chris - immigrated in 1907 per the 1910 census.
• Jacob - immigrated in 1899 (with Margaret?) per the 1910 census.

This small article was included in the 1876-1976 Centennial History of Hooper, Nebraska.

Martinsen Family History Martin Martinsen was born July 17, 1850, in Jyland, Denmark. He married Johanne Henriette Wustenfeld in Denmark in 1871. She passed away in 1886. Seven children were born: Margaret Martinsen-Finegan, Fred, Henriette Martinsen-Keilstrup, Minnie, Amalie Martinsen-Jensen, Chris, and Jacob L.

Martin came to the United States in 1892 and stayed for 3 years. He then went back to Denmark, returning to the United States in 1898. He settled in Hooper, Nebraska, and was a harness maker by trade. His children came over a couple at a time, as they had the money for passage, until all were here in Hooper. Martin had a harness and shoe repair business until he retired.