Sonoma County Biography
Christian Lauritzen
The life herein delineated commenced in Denmark in the year 1846, and ended in California in 1897. It represents the maximum of effort on the part of an individual to achieve for himself a life of undying fame by the consummation of earnest and sincere desires both toward himself and his fellows. There is nothing more inspiring, nothing more glorious, than a life well spent and duty well discharged, and this may be said to be true of Mr. Lauritzen.
Christian Lauritzen was born in Hjerndrup, Denmark, August 10, 1846, a son of Hans and Katherine Lauritzen. At an early age he became a student in the public schools and later in life commenced farming, in which pursuit he was engaged until he came to America. In addition to this, he served three years in the Danish army. From the annals of family history we learn that Mr. Lauritzen left his native land in the year 1866 and journeyed to America. He came direct to California and for a time stayed in Petaluma, later moving to Humboldt county, where he engaged in the sheep-raising industry with his brother, J. C. Lauritzen. Continuing in this business for several years with a measure of success, they sold out in 1884 and returned to Petaluma, buying a livery business in the Centennial building, and in addition to following this, also conducted a butcher business until 1888. In that year they sold the business, bought a ranch at Reclamation and engaged in farming. Their ranch consisted of eight hundred and forty acres of good land, through which the Northwestern Railroad runs. Reclamation station was located on the place and affords a splendid shipping point. Here Mr. Lauritzen died November 16, 1897, having lived a successful life as a farmer, stock-raiser and a citizen. Politically he was a Republican, firmly believing in the principles advocated by this party; fraternally he was a member of the United Ancient Order of Druids, and religiously gave his moral and financial support to the Lutheran church.
Mr. Lauritzen was married in Petaluma January 10, 1888, to Miss Clara Dalmann, a native of Marin county, Cal., and daughter of Henry Dahlmann, who was born in Hanover, Germany, where he married Wilhelmina Starke. This couple immigrated to America during the early ‘50s, coming via the Isthmus of Panama, and landing in San Francisco. After mining for a short time Mr. Dahlmann located on a farm in Marin county, where he had bought a dairy farm consisting of two hundred and fifty acres. Here both Mr. and Mrs. Dahlmann passed away. There were seven children in their family, six of whom are living, Mrs. Lauritzen being the fourth oldest. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Lauritzen came to Petaluma, and established her home where she now lives on Seventh street. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lauritzen: Harold, who is paying teller in the Savings Union Bank of San Francisco, having served three years in the Hill Bank of Petaluma and six months in the Petaluma National Bank; and Augusta, who is at home. Mrs. Lauritzen continues to hold her interest in the farm on which her late husband died, and in the city of Petaluma she has many friends who admire her for her numerous admirable qualities and kindly disposition.
History of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
February 2010 Pages 485-486
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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