Rumor (and a census) had it that Daniel was a well witcher and died of thirst on the desert.
Research has uncovered the following facts about our Daniel J. Sorensen:
- He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. I have two possible birthdays for him: 1829, or 27 Nov 1831. His middle name might be Justesen. (One record from Family Search shows this.)
- He did sail around the cape and landed in L.A. He shows up in the 1860 Census of Los Angeles (might be Anaheim...I will confirm this).
- He left Denmark with two of his brothers, Christian (recorded as Mads Christian Sorensen... need correct DOB) and Anton (recorded as Magnus Anthon Adolph Sorensen born 8 March 1838). See below for notes on the brothers.
- His parents names are Daniel Sorensen, born 1790, and Karen Marie Madsdatter, born about 1807.
- He married Sabina Rooch Boldt in 1866 in the Los Angeles area... possibly San Bernadino.
- He had seven children.
- He died on the desert.
A living descendant relative was kind enough to email me a few years ago and share some information she had on the family. One document is as follows:
"Daniel J. Sorensen
1829-1892
A native of Copenhagen, Denmark, Daniel Sorensen began life as a sailor, following the sea from boyhood. While yet a young man he came around Cape Horn to America, and for awhile after his arrival in California was employed in mining. Subsequently, with his brothers, Christian and Anton, he came to Southern California locating near Whittier, where he bought land and for a few years was engaged in raising grapes, the ranches belonging to himself and brothers being just opposite the reform school grounds. He also set out walnut groves, and for a time devoted himself to raising nuts, a profitable industry. He was a man of great enterprise, practical and capable, and was one of the first to use the water from the river and mountain streams as motor power. He developed the water power for the South Riverside Light and Water Company and for R.B. Taylor of Corona. Before completing his work for the latter, Mr. Sorensen, while prospecting in Death Valley, where he owned land, lost his way and perished, in the desert, his death occurring in August, 1892, at the age of 63. Mr. Sorensen married Sabina Roach in 1866, and they had seven children."
Taken from: A History of California Volume II
I wish the source was more complete^. But there it is for now.
- His seven children's names are: Daniel (1871 or 10 Jan 1872-29 June 1931), Sohpia (1873 or I have also recorded the DOB of 03 Sep 1870-13 Oct 1948), William (1876), Albert (shows as Bertia on the 1860 Census) (1878), Pauline Mary (1868...I have complete data on her.), Frederick C. (31 May 1867-10 Sept 1871), Edwin (12 Apr 1883 Whittier, CA- 16 Feb 1920)
Typing this out is getting me organized and helping realize I need to cite my sources better. I will edit as necessary!
*Note on Sorensen brothers: There is an elementary school in Whittier named the Christian Sorensen Elementary. I am doing more research in this area. Sources indicate that the brothers bought their land from Pio Pico.
