History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 214 - 216

HANS OSTENSEN

An enumeration of the citizens of Cadillac who have won honor and public recognition in the past and who now occupy prominent positions in the social and business circles of the city, would be incomplete without due notice of the enterprising gentleman whose brief biography is herewith presented. Hans Ostensen is an American by adoption, being a native of Scandinavia and inheriting in a marked degree the sterling characteristics which from time immemorial have distinguished this sturdy nationality from other European peoples. Still a young man, in the prime of his physical and mental powers, he has forged to the front in various capacities, overcoming many obstacles in the way of his advancement, filling worthily positions of trust, until he stands today one of the leading spirits in a city long noted for the enterprise and talent of its business men. Mr. Ostensen was born April 8, 1871, in Bergen, Norway, and spent his childhood and youth in that city. He enjoyed excellent educational advantages, receiving a thorough mental training in the Cathedral School of Bergen, from which he was graduated in 1887, when but sixteen years of age. The year following his graduation, young Ostensen bade adieu to his native land and came to the United States, his objective point being Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he proposed further prosecuting his studies. When en route to that city he stopped at Cadillac, Michigan, and being favorably impressed with the latter place and the advantages it afforded to a young man with ambition to rise in the world, he wisely decided to make it the terminus of his journey. His first employment here was in the capacity of assistant cook on the Blodgett farm, but after four months service there he obtained through the kindness of an influential friend a position in the postoffice, first as a general delivery clerk, and later as chief clerk of the mailing department. After three years of faithful service in the postoffice, Mr. Ostensen resigned his position and accepted a clerkship in the clothing house of H. E. Aldrich & Company, with whom he remained until the spring of 1895, meantime by diligent application becoming familiar with the fundamental principles of business, besides developing great efficiency as a salesman. When the above firm moved to another city, the subject entered the employ of P. O. Klint & Company, merchant tailors and clothiers, and later, on the 2d of July, 1895, he purchased an interest in the business, succeeding the senior partner, and, with Oluf Johnson, establishing the new firm of Johnson & Ostensen, the name by which the house was known until March 23, 1903, when Mr. Ostensen became sole proprietor, having purchased Mr. Johnson's interest. The large acquaintance acquired by Mr. Ostensen while in the postoffice and in the employ of Aldrich & Company proved a material help in advancing the business of the firm with which he is now proprietor, a business which steadily grew in volume until a building of enlarged proportions became necessary. In August, 1897, the firm removed to the present quarters in the Granite block, one of the best located and most desirable business places in the city, and here the trade has steadily increased with a far reaching patronage, the Granite Block Clothing Store now standing at the head in the lines of business which it represents. Mr. Ostensen has a laudable ambition as a merchant and seeks by every means within his power to make his business worthy the large and constantly increasing patronage which it now commands. His relations with the public are most pleasant and cordial and, possessing a keen insight into human nature and the happy faculty of winning friends, it is not strange that his patrons include the best people of the city and surrounding country. He has labored earnestly and faithfully to promote his interests, subordinating every other consideration to this one object, and it is conceded that much of the success with which the business has met is directly attributable to his energy, systematic methods and superior executive ability. An ardent Republican and an influential party worker, Mr. Ostensen is not a politician in the sense the term is usually understood, neither is he an office seeker, although frequently importuned to stand for important public positions. He twice declined the nomination for city treasurer, but in the spring of 1899, contrary to his wishes, he was elected to that office and discharged the duties of the same for a period of two years, proving a capable and popular public servant and a safe custodian of the public funds. Mr. Ostensen has unbounded confidence in the future of Cadillac, and is a zealous advocate of and influential worker for all worthy enterprises for the city's material advancement. He is just completing, for his own occupancy, one of the finest residences in northern Michigan. He also manifests a lively interest in the moral welfare of the community, being a friend of churches, schools and other agencies for the general welfare of his kind. As a member of the board of education he has done much for the public schools of Cadillac. Fraternally Mr. Ostensen belongs to Lodge No. 46, Knights of Pythias, and he is also an influential member and past president of the Gotha Aid and Benefit Society. He is a believer in revealed religion, and as a member of the Swedish Baptist church of Cadillac demonstrates by his daily walk and conversation the beauty and value of Christianity when practically applied. He is a leading member of the above congregation, a liberal contributor to its charitable and benevolent work and for several years past has been the efficient superintendent of the Sunday school, a post for which he seems peculiarly fitted. Referring to the domestic life of Mr. Ostensen, it is learned that he was happily married on the 17th day of August, 1898, to Miss Elvira Johnson, a native of Sweden, who was brought to this country by her parents when five years old. Two children add sunshine to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ostensen, Harold B. and Floyd C., both bright and promising, and in them are centered many fond hopes for the future. Thus in a brief and cursory way have been set forth the leading facts and some of the more prominent characteristics in the career of one of Cadillac's representative men of affairs. To the best of his ability Mr. Ostensen has aided the progress and advancement of the city of his residence, faithfully performed the duties of citizenship, and discharging with commendable fidelity every trust reposed in him by his fellow men. His position in the esteem and friendship of the community has long been assured and he does honor to the county and city which claim him as an adopted son and in which the greater part of his life work thus far has been accomplished.