David Arentsen, a son of the late pioneer, Thorbjoren Arentsen, was born
in South Freedom township, LaSalle county, on the old Arentsen homestead,
now the property of Daniel Arentsen. the date of his birth being March 12,
1851. His early life was identical with that of other youths reared on the
frontier and his school opportunities were in keeping with his time. From
his father he learned the lessons of honesty and industry and by example was
taught what true manhood is. When he started out in life on his own
responsibility, it was as a farmer on a portion of the home farm, which
later came into his possession and to which he has added by subsequent
purchase and improved, until now his farm is one of the best and most
attractive in the township.
Mr. Arentsen was married April 5, 1877,
to Sarah Olsen, a daughter of John and Ann (Halverson) Olsen, who came to
this country from Bergen, Norway, in 1860. In the Olsen family were ten
children, of whom four are now living, namely: Martha, whose first husband
was Soren Eames and whose second husband was Oliver Grundy; Mrs. Sarah
Arentsen; Josephine, the wife of Osman Tisdale, of Artesia, South Dakota,
and Christ Olsen, of the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Arentsen have reared only
one child, an adopted one, Ella Sophia Eames, a daughter of Soren and Martha
Eames.
The Arentsen family are identified with the Lutheran church,
and politically Mr. Arentsen is a Republican.
Extracted 13 Jun 2019 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 655-656.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
 |
Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
