NUMISMATIC AUTHOR M. SORENSON/SORENSEN

A few months ago, I wrote a numismatic article about the Connecticutian Howard Lincoln Elton (1871–1916) who participated in the design of the 1916 Oaxaca $60 pesos gold coin and was executed by Mexican federal troops in Oaxaca, Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.

One of the numismatic references I used was the article "The Oaxaca Coinage of 1915" by M. Sorenson, published in "The Numismatist" in April 1920 (pages 142–145).

I always wondered about the author's identity (M. Sorenson). Upon reviewing information about him at the Newman Numismatic Project at WashU and in "The Numismatist" (ANA), I was able to confirm that he wrote several numismatic articles for various publications; in every instance, he appeared simply as M. Sorenson and never specifying what the initial "M." stood for.

Through all the searches mentioned earlier, I was able to confirm that he lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. So, I decided to look into genealogical records, taking into account the initial of his first name, his surname and his city of residence. I discovered that there was another person named M. Sorensen living at the same address. This led me to believe that it was actually the same person: M. Sorenson is also M. Sorensen.

Column "Numismatics" in "The Philatelic West" of January, 1922.
Both M. Sorenson and M. Sorensen appear here.

In "The Numismatist" of March 1918, page 123, appears the Application for Membership de M. Sorensen (collector of U.S., Central and South American) with the address: 405 E. Avenue West, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and proposed by L. T. Brodstone and B. Max Mehl (1884-1957). Then, in April 1918 page 179, he appears as new member #1970 admitted on 01 April 1918 with the same address. In "The Philatelic West" of 01 January 1920 appears M. Sorensen like new member of the Chicago Coin Club.

According to "The Numismatist", M. Sorensen was ANA Iowa District Secretary since July 1923 thru October 1925 and, in November, 1925 he resigned. M. Sorensen changed of address from 405 E. Avenue West to 1030 No. 17th St. East in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Again, he changed of address from 1030 17th Street East to 1923 C Avenue East in Cedar Rapid, Iowa.

"The Numismatist" (March 1924, page 254) published that M. Sorensen was taking charge of press notices in newspapers. Finally, in "The Numismatist" (September 1949), B. Max Mehl announces the purchase of the collection of Mr. M. Sorensen of Rapid Cedar, Iowa.

The Philatelic West. March 1926

The Numismatist, September 1949, A397

Michael Sorensen, whose Danish name was Mikkel Sørensen, was born in Aarhus (then spelled Århus), Denmark, on 15 November 1863.

His parents were Maren Jensdatter (born in Aarhus, Denmark, on 25 July 1828, and died in Skanderborg, Denmark, on 27 June 1888) and Søren Mikkelsen (born in Aarhus, Denmark, on 19 September 1831, and died there on 07 May 1864). They married in Aarhus on 31 March 1855. Michael's siblings were Karen Marie Sørensen (born in 1856), Abellone Sørensen (born in 1858), and Karen Sørensen (born in 1861).

Michael immigrated to the United States in 1883. On 04 September 1888, he was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in Warren County, New Jersey, renouncing his Danish citizenship.

On 19 August 1898, Michael married Andrea Karoline Nielsine Nielse (1877–1957) in Skanderborg, Denmark. They had two children: Martin Sorensen (1897–1965) and Alfred Eitel Sorensen (1904–1985).

Following the death of her first husband, Maren Jensdatter (his mother) married Christian Kristiansen (1827–1883) in Aarhus on 31 May 1865. Their children were Søren Michael Kristiansen (1866–1866), Jensine Severine Kristiansen (1867–1889), Dorthea Marie Kristiansen (1871–1872), and Jens Karl Kristiansen (1874–1957).

Signature of Mikkel Sørensen (1888)

Aarhus (Århus), Danmark

Signatures of Michael Sorensen and Karoline Sorensen (1919)

Michael Sorensen's death certificate states that he died of generalized arteriosclerosis at his home, located at 2460 Portsmouth in Toledo, Ohio on 16 October 1946. His age was recorded as 85 years and 11 months. His usual occupation was listed as translator, and his son Alfred E. Sorensen provided the information for the death certificate.

Michael Sorensen is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, alongside his wife, Caroline. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a photograph of him.

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