Difference between revisions of "Christen Thiesen"
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'''Christen Ustrup Thiesen''' (first name sometimes given as '''Christian''') was a Pensacolian businessman best remembered for his ownership of the [[Thiesen Building]]. | '''Christen Ustrup Thiesen''' (first name sometimes given as '''Christian''') was a Pensacolian businessman best remembered for his ownership of the [[Thiesen Building]]. | ||
| − | Christen Thiesen's career as a Pensacola businessman began through unusual circumstances. Born in Denmark, Thiesen was the navigator of a Danish sailing ship. According to a story passed down in the Thiesen family from generation to generation, Thiesen became stranded in Pensacola during the Pensacola yellow fever epidemic of [[1882]]. After he had disembarked in Pensacola, his crewmates, hearing of the epidemic, would not let him back on board. (At that time it was not yet known that yellow fever is not transmitted by person-to-person contact, but by mosquitoes.) Thiesen found a job tending bar in a saloon at the corner of [[Intendencia Street|Intendencia]] and [[Baylen Street]]s.<ref>[http://www.flgenhistonline.com/counties/escambia/directories/1885directory/directpg3-1885.htm Webb's 1885/1886 Business Directory]</ref> | + | Christen Thiesen's career as a Pensacola businessman began through unusual circumstances. Born in Denmark, Thiesen was the navigator of a Danish sailing ship. According to a story passed down in the Thiesen family from generation to generation, Thiesen became stranded in Pensacola during the Pensacola yellow fever epidemic of [[1882]]. After he had disembarked in Pensacola, his crewmates, hearing of the epidemic, would not let him back on board. (At that time it was not yet known that yellow fever is not transmitted by person-to-person contact, but by mosquitoes.) Thiesen found a job tending bar in a saloon. The saloon owner died in the epidemic. In 1884, Thiesen married the saloon owner's widow, Emilie Lehnkuhl, and thus became the owner of a profitable business, located at the corner of [[Intendencia Street|Intendencia]] and [[Baylen Street]]s.<ref>[http://www.flgenhistonline.com/counties/escambia/directories/1885directory/directpg3-1885.htm Webb's 1885/1886 Business Directory]</ref>. |
Christen and Emilie had four children who lived to adulthood; Thiesen also adopted his stepdaughter Dina. Emilie died in January, 1900 due to complications of childbirth. In April, 1901, Thiesen married Effie Lee Mitchell. Thiesen was granted U.S. citizenship in 1902. | Christen and Emilie had four children who lived to adulthood; Thiesen also adopted his stepdaughter Dina. Emilie died in January, 1900 due to complications of childbirth. In April, 1901, Thiesen married Effie Lee Mitchell. Thiesen was granted U.S. citizenship in 1902. | ||
Revision as of 15:51, 21 September 2008
| Christen Ustrup Thiesen | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 24, 1856 Aarhus, Denmark |
| Died | 1934 Pensacola |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse | Emilie Lehnkuhl (née Lupkes) |
| Children | Rudolph John, Petrea Elizabeth, John Henry, Olga, Bernhardine ("Dina") |
Christen Ustrup Thiesen (first name sometimes given as Christian) was a Pensacolian businessman best remembered for his ownership of the Thiesen Building.
Christen Thiesen's career as a Pensacola businessman began through unusual circumstances. Born in Denmark, Thiesen was the navigator of a Danish sailing ship. According to a story passed down in the Thiesen family from generation to generation, Thiesen became stranded in Pensacola during the Pensacola yellow fever epidemic of 1882. After he had disembarked in Pensacola, his crewmates, hearing of the epidemic, would not let him back on board. (At that time it was not yet known that yellow fever is not transmitted by person-to-person contact, but by mosquitoes.) Thiesen found a job tending bar in a saloon. The saloon owner died in the epidemic. In 1884, Thiesen married the saloon owner's widow, Emilie Lehnkuhl, and thus became the owner of a profitable business, located at the corner of Intendencia and Baylen Streets.[1].
Christen and Emilie had four children who lived to adulthood; Thiesen also adopted his stepdaughter Dina. Emilie died in January, 1900 due to complications of childbirth. In April, 1901, Thiesen married Effie Lee Mitchell. Thiesen was granted U.S. citizenship in 1902.
He built the Thiesen Building on the northeast corner of Palafox and Romana Streets in 1901. He was reportedly warned that his venture would fail and the building would be lost to receivership; when this failed to happen, Thiesen gloated by flying the Danish flag from the building every year until his death.
Thiesen's wife Effie divorced him in 1927. Thiesen died in 1934, and is buried in St. Michael's Cemetery.[2]
References
- ↑ Webb's 1885/1886 Business Directory
- ↑ Sutton, Leora "Christian [sic] Ustrup Thiesen",University of West Florida, John C. Pace Library, Special Collections (unpublished manuscript)
