It’s time again for Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, which I’ve missed participating for the last few weeks. But, I am back!

Randy Seaver not only has a fun challenge this week on Genea-Musings – but the topic is limited to 100 words.

1)  Write a story using the phrase “ancestor I most admire” in 100 words.  [Hint:  If you write it in a word processor, you can use Tools > Word Count (or similar) to count words]

Unwed Mothers’ Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark
Birthplace of Johannes Jensen

I knew immediately which ancestor I would choose because he had a rough hand dealt to him in life, but was successful in spite of that:

The ancestor I most admire, Johannes Jensen (1810-1865), son of Kirsten Jorgensdatter and Jens Jensen Lundquist, was given up by his mother when two days old. His parents did marry, so he truly was an unwanted child. Although Johannes was to be apprenticed to a tanner, he grew up in the city orphanage with no skills or trade for the future.  Johannes enlisted in the Danish Army at the age of 15 years, 11 months, becoming the company musician, stationed at Rosenborg Castle guarding the crown jewels. He was a successful career soldier, husband and father to five children.

I did it in 99 words! Thank you, Randy for this week’s challenge.