Biographies
331 E. Wisconsin Ave
Neenah, WI
Rev. Jens N. Jersild BiographyJens Nels Jersild was born in 1855 and was the second owner of this house. He went to public schools throughout his life, and attended and graduated from the University of Copenhagen in 1884. He met Laura Jensine Elizabeth Yberg there, and they later married and immediately immigrated to America from Denmark. The Jersild's had 10 children. Reverend Jersild served as a Lutheran pastor in Chicago, Alden, Minnesota, Neenah and Oconto, Wisconsin. To provide for his family, he used an old knitting machine in the house to make sweaters and socks. Friends and community members began noticing the high quality of his garments and asked about purchasing some from him. Rev. Jersild later began his own knitting business, Jersild Knitting Company, which eventually developed into a huge, successful business throughout the United States. When Rev. Jersild passed away in 1917, five of his sons took over the knitting mill. There is a stone placed in front of the garden at the home that Rev. Jersild carved his name into, and it still stands today.
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Phyllis L. Goodenough (Current Homeowner)Phyllis L. Goodenough is the current homeowner of the Jersild house. She was great friends with the granddaughter of Rev. J.N. Jersild, Barbara Jersild Hill. Phyllis and her family have had multiple renovations done to the house to keep it updated and well (pictures provided in virtual tour). Phyllis values the history behind this house and has kept some of the original characteristics of the house still standing today. She was also a volunteer at the Neenah Historical Society for many years. Since she bought the house in 1971 she has redone the roof (2000) and renovated the front porch (2004), adding new railing and beams while fixing the foundation. Also in 2004, she combined the separate dining and living rooms into one large main room.
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Jersild Timeline
- 1855- Rev J.N. Jersild was born in Denmark. His original name was Jens Nielsen but changed his name when immigrating to honor his hometown of Jersild, Denmark.
- 1886- House was built by Louis Weber (Jersild did not live there at this time). Louis Weber was a builder and contractor in Neenah, building many homes and businesses including the old city hall building with clock tower.
- 1889- Jersild becomes pastor of Our Savior's Danish Lutheran Church.
- 1892- Jersild founded Jersild Publishing Company, a weekly newspaper published in Danish and distributed throughout the United States.
- 1897- Jersild resigned from full time pastor in Neenah. He served as an unpaid pastor in Oconto for 20 more years, taking the train to conduct services.
- 1901- Jersild created Jersild Knitting Company
- 1903- Jersild family moved into 331 East Wisconsin Ave
- 1917- Jersild died due to heart failure
- 1917- Rev J.N. Jersild funeral was held at 331 East Wisconsin Ave
"The J.N. Jersild Story." Interview by Barbara Hill Jersild. n.d.: n. pag. Print.
"Goodenough, Phyllis. Personal interview. 21 May 2016"