Sonoma County Biography
Jeppe C. Lauritzen
In Hjerndrup, Denmark, Jeppe C. Lauritzen was born August 21, 1848, a son of Hans C. and Kathrina Lauritzen, the former being a farmer. Mr. Lauritzen received his education in the public schools of Denmark, and in company with his brother Christian he came to America in the year 1866, going to Humboldt county, Cal., where he engaged in the sheep raising business, conducting the same for a number of years with success. In 1875 he made a trip to Denmark to visit his home, but realizing more than ever the higher advantages and the better opportunities of America, he soon returned and continued in his former business. In May, 1884, the brothers came to Sonoma county with their flock of sheep and later sold them in San Francisco. J. C. Lauritzen then located in Petaluma, and with his brother Christian bought the Centennial building, and they engaged in the livery business and also the butcher business. In 1888 the brothers sold the Centennial building and purchased a ranch of eight hundred and forty acres at Reclamation, where they engaged in general farming, raising hay and grain, and continuing on the place until 1899, since which time they have leased it. In 1899 J. C. Lauritzen located in San Rafael, Marin county, where he died October 21, 1900. He was a school trustee for the Rose Hill district. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of Petaluma Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M., and he was also a member of the U. A. O. D. Politically he gave his support to the Republican party.
Mr. Lauritzen was married in Petaluma September 18, 1884, to Miss May Claassen, a native of Germany, born on the Isle of Sylt, a daughter of Jens P. Claassen, a cabinet maker by trade. For seven years he was in Australia, after which he came to San Francisco, Cal., and in 1858 located in Petaluma. Some years afterward, in 1875, he brought his family here and commenced farming, and later purchased a ranch and added to it until he held one hundred and eighty acres. Here he died on December 6, 1906, at the age of eighty-six years, Mrs. Lauritzen’s mother, Inken Klein, was also born on the Isle of Sylt, in 1830, and still resides at theold home place near Petaluma, Cal. She had two children, but only one, Mrs. Lauritzen, is now living. Mrs. Lauritzen was brought up and educated in Germany, and on July 8, 1875, she came to Petaluma. After her husband’s death she located in Petaluma, and in 1907 she built a new residence on the old Claassen place, where she has a comfortable home. She has four sons, John, Hans C., C. I. and Lewis. These sons have been given splendid educations and a home training that must prove of inestimable value as they take their place in the world’s activities. Mrs. Lauritzen possesses many fine traits of character which have won for her the esteem and respect of all with whom she is acquainted.
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 479-489
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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