Skip to main content

James Christensen collection

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 420

Scope and Contents

The collection includes images and documents relating to or collected by James Christensen and his family. Material that appears to have been collected by James includes programs, booklets and fliers from various organizations, including high school commencements and plays, theatre programs and a church history.

A photograph album, soldier's handbook, portrait and military record relate to John M. Christensen's time serving in the United States Army during the Phillipine-American War. The photograph album shows candid images of life in the Phillipines during the war and includes American soldiers, Filipinos, scenery, buildings and a cock fight.

Also included are images from Eileen Worfel Christensen's family. These include family portraits and a series of glass negatives showing scenes around Grand Rapids circa 1900. The images include a photograph of Susan Howell Worfel standing on Center/Central Avenue (now Sheldon Avenue), with Central Avenue School and South Congregational Church (now St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church) behind her. Central Avenue School was built in 1875, renamed Sheldon School circa 1912 and demolished and replaced with the current structure circa 1915/1916. This photograph may be one of only a few images of the original school building.

Dates

  • 1898-1995
  • Majority of material found within 1898 - 1936

Creator

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open and available for researcher use.

James J Christensen

James Joseph Christensen (21 October 1912 - 3 July 2003) was the son of John M. Christensen and Eileen C. Worfel. James graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and the University of Michigan (1935). He served in the United States Army during World War II (1942-1946). According to city directories, after the war he worked as a sales manager and vice-president for Carlton-Surrey (a furniture manufacturer), an office manager for Grand Rapids Upholstering and held various positions with the Michigan Employment Security Commission (now the Unemployment Insurance Agency). James married M. Virginia Friar on November 21, 1942. They had four children: M. Pamela, Cathleen, Michael and Eileen.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

James Joseph Christensen (1912-2003) was the son of John M. Christensen and Eileen C. Worfel. The collection includes images and documents relating to or collected by James Christensen and his family. Included are programs, booklets and fliers from various organizations. A photograph album, soldier's handbook, portrait and military record relate to John M. Christensen's time serving in the United States Army during the Phillipine-American War. Also included are images from Eileen Worfel Christensen's family. The images include Central Avenue School and South Congregational Church (now St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

James Christensen, accessions 1992.025 and 1994.010.

Related Materials

Collection 54-38-10 - photographs of Frank Wenzel Worfel and Susan Howell Worfel

Collection 54-10-25 - photograph of Frank W Worfel, City Marshall, in City Hall

For other expieriences of West Michigan men in the Filipino Insurection, see Collection 263, Box 5 for:

My Experiences as a U.S. Soldier in the Filipino Insurrection of 1898-1901 / by Amos, Weaver, edited by Judith K. Hoffman. 1987.032

Title
Finding aid for the James Christensen collection
Status
Completed
Author
Julie Tabberer
Date
November 2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497