Peter Gerhard Jensen (1899-1965)

Peter Gerhart Jensen (1899-1965) aka Peder Hansen; Emigrant from Norway to New York City in 1925 (b. January 21, 1899, Dverberg, Andenes, Nordland, Norway - d. June 28, 1965, Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA) Social Security Number 264051717.

Name
His name at birth was "Peder Gerhart Jensen" in the baptismal books, but in the 1900 Norway census he appears under the name "Peder Hansen".

Birth
Peter was born on January 21, 1899 in Andenes, Norway to Laura (1877-?) and Anton Hansen (1865-1941). Anton was a fisherman, and his father was Jens Hansen. Peter's grave and obituary incorrectly list his birthday as: "January 21, 1908".

Siblings
Peter had the follwing sibllings: Geharda (1897-?); Cornelius; Ottar; Evald Hansen; and Solfrid.

Fisherman
Peder was working on a fishing boat from Andenes and landed in Haugesund, where he met Margrete Mæland.

First marriage
Peder was married in Haugesund on August 28, 1922 to Ingeborg Margrete Mæland (c1899-c1930) of Haugesund, Norway. The wedding ceremony took place at Skåre kyrka in Haugesund. They had a son: Agnar Jensen (1922-2003) who would later marry Alise Mikalsen (1928- ).

Emigration
He emigrated from Norway in 1925 and went to New York City. He left behind his 2 year old son and his wife. He emigrated with three friends, one of them was Martin Edward Mortensen, who would later father Marilyn Monroe, aka Norma Jeane Mortensen. She´s honoured with a statue in Haugesund.

Death of wife
Margrete died five years after his emigration, after a period of illness. Agnar was then raised by his paternal grandaunt and later his paternal grandmother.

Second marriage
He married Margaret W. Jensen (1914-1975) who was born on October 26, 1914 and died on June 11, 1975. They had the following children: Laura Lee Jensen, who married a Hilborn; James Jensen; and Richard Jensen.

World War II
His mother wrote him at the end of the war: "Andenes, [Norway]; September 26, 1945. Dear daughter-in-law and my son! I have received your dear letter and I thank you so much for that, it was good to hear from you and I say thank you once again. We are happy to hear that you are getting on and have a good health over there. My husband died 4 years ago, so I am alone now, and sometimes I feel not so good, all my children are married and I´m sitting here by myself, I have to take care of myself now and we have had 5 years of war and we haven´t had much of food and clothing, especially clothing. Soon I´m so without clothes that I cant leave the house. If it possible for you to send some clothes and shoes I should be very grateful. My shoe number is 38.5. No matter if the clothes are new or old, or if they are big or small. I so much would like to talk with you. We had hard time in those 5 years, but God helped us to overcome it all and we praise him for that. I´m alone in my house now, only Agnar is here with me. Agnar is called up for the Police now, he is a god guy and kind with me. Well, I hope you will go on very well all of you, I finish here for this time. The warmest regards from your mother-in-law and mother. Laura Jensen; Andenes, Northern Norway."

Marriage of son
"Andenes, [Norway]; August 24, 1947 Dear father and mother. It was a long time since i wrote to you, but now I have to write and tell you the big news. I have got married and now we have got a fine daughter, you may understand it is enjoyable. Yes, now you are grandparents, Laura Lee aunt and Jimmie and Dix uncles, you can see my dear father that our family will grow. My wife is so young, only 18, but we are so happy, we are only waiting for a flat and when you receive this letter it will be fixed. I believe that on my 25th birthday on September 23 we have moved in, and till then we live with my parents in law. Now I want you to do me a big favor. I need money to get on to the right tack. I need 500 to 600 dollar for furniture, and I think you have a good income over there. Do you think you could help your eldest son with this money, you, the only one I can apply to. Now you have to answer this letter, I wrote to you a year ago and haven't got an answer. I hope you are getting on very well and you may give my regards to your wife, and your children, my siblings. Warm regards from your son, daughter-in-law and little Margrethe. I look forward to your answer. I include a picture of me and my wife, isn't she sweet? Your son."

Death
He died on June 28, 1965 in Baytown, Harris County, Texas and the Texas death index listed him as "single", even though he was married or a widower. The Social Security Death Index lists him as having filled out his Social Security application in Florida.

Burial
Peter was buried in Grandview Cemetery in Pasadena, Texas. His obituary; his cemetery records; and his tombstone, list his birthday as the incorrect: "January 21, 1908". The grave is in lot 57, space 1.

Obituary
Houston Post; Wednesday, June 30, 1965: Peter G. Jensen, 57, of 1601 Florida, Baytown, died in a Houston Hospital Monday. Survivors: Wife, Mrs. Margaret Jensen, Baytown; daughter, Laura Hilborn, La Porte; sons, James Jensen, Baytown; Richard Jensen, Armed Forces, Fort Benning, Georgia two grandchildren. Services 2pm Thursday. Reverend Glen C. Kollmeyer officiating. Burial Grandview Cemetery. Art Simpson Funeral Home, La Porte, Texas.

Memories about Peder Jensen
Laura said on the phone in 2006: "He said he never had any brothers or sisters, and never mentioned having a son he left behind in Norway. We found some of his letters and had them translated and the letters mentioned siblings. When we asked him who they were, he said that in Norway, everyone calls each other 'brother' or 'sister'."

Relationship
Peter Gerhart Jensen (1899-1965) was the grandfather of Oddlaug Jensen, who married Terry Breirem and lives in Hagesund, Norway. Peter was the father of Agnar Jensen (1923-2003) who died in Norway.