Some of our most loyal and valued citizens have been those born
under other flags than the stars and stripes. This is especially
true in the case of Peter Mortensen, one of the leading business
men of Ord, Valley county, Nebraska. He was president of the First
National bank of that city and for years has been a prominent
figure in the life of that section, along both political and
educational lines. He is reckoned among the pioneers, having come
to Nebraska when settlements were so few and far between that he
found it necessary to take his plow shears fifty-five miles to get
them sharpened. He is essentially a self-made man, his start in
life in this new country being a part interest in two yokes of oxen
and two breaking plows, and his present success has come only as a
result of the exercise of considerable energy, good judgment, and
unswerving integrity.
Peter Mortensen, the third of five children, was born in
Randler, Denmark, October 8, 1844. He received his early education
in his native land, coming to the United States in 1870, first
settling in Warrensburg, Missouri, engaging in railroad work at
that point.
He came to Valley county, Nebraska, in April, 1872, taking as a
homestead the northeast quarter of sections eight, nineteen and
four. With him were Niles Anderson, Christian L. Frey, Jeppe Smith,
George M. and Falle Miller, the six taking adjoining homesteads.
Out of the six, only Mr. Mortensen and the two first-named are now
living, all residing in this county.
The first building put up in Valley county (with possibly one
exception) was a dugout claim shanty put up on the Peter Mortensen
homestead. He engaged in farming and stock-raising and devoted his
efforts to that end until 1878. In February of that year, he was
married to Miss Jennie H. Williams, near Bedford, Iowa. The young
couple remained on the farm for several years, but during that
year, Mr. Mortensen became a partner in the hardware and implement
business with John Case and Hans Sorenson, who were conducting a
thriving business in Ord. In 1881, Mr. Mortensen and family removed
to this city, which has been their home ever since.
In the fall of 1874, Mr. Mortensen was elected county treasurer
of Valley county, on the republican ticket, serving in this
capacity for nine years, which in itself shows in what esteem he
was held. This did not by any means end his political career,
however, for in the fall of 1902, he was elected state treasurer of
Nebraska, holding this office for two terms. In 1906, Mr. Mortensen
was strongly urged to become a candidate for governor, and he would
have been the nominee of his party, but for a constitutional
provision which prevented an office-holder from becoming a nominee
for another office, prior to the expiration of his own term. Had
this not been the, case Mr. Mortensen would undoubtedly have
received the nomination and would have been elected. At the
expiration of his term as state treasurer, he returned to his home
town of Ord, which is still his residence. He is still actively
engaged in the management of his banking interests.
In January, 1884, Mr. Mortensen, together with H. A. Babcock and
J. E. Hale, purchased the Ord City Bank, which in June of the
following year, was merged into the First National Bank of Ord. Mr.
Mortensen went into the bank as assistant cashier, but became
president in 1888, and still holds that position. This bank now
occupies a fine, new, well-equipped building, and is recognized as
a strong financial institution, with a capital of one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars and surplus.
As may be imagined, Mr. and Mrs. Mortensen have played no small
part in the social and educational life of the city. Ord City
boasts of the possession of one of the finest high school buildings
in the whole state of Nebraska and much of the credit for the
erection of this fine building must be given to Mr. Mortensen.
Mr. and Mrs. Mortensen have had four children three of whom died
in infancy. The one son now living, Crawford J., was born in 1891,
and is now attending college at the Nebraska state university.
Text circa 1911, gleaned from NE
GenWeb
This cache is located near a memorial marker for Peter and his
son Crawford, who continued his father's humanitarian interests and
was active in ranching and finance in the Ord area. This is a
public area with room to park and it will be a short walk to the
cache. Respect the area, CITO if needed, and rehide the cache as
you find it so the next person can have the same challenge. Thank
you and good luck.
Congratulations
"Mr.Zoo" : First to Find - June 19, 2011
