mads mikkelsen madsen (1869-1931) - farmer
Mads Mikkelsen Madsen was one of the early Danish settlers in Queensland and together with his Danish wife, Christine, he epitomised the successful pioneer.
After years of hard work on other farms, Mads was eventually able to purchase his own property and vastly expanded the family's landed possessions over the next many years, naming their homestead "Danish Court".
Mads' sons went on to excel in sports, politics and the army.
After years of hard work on other farms, Mads was eventually able to purchase his own property and vastly expanded the family's landed possessions over the next many years, naming their homestead "Danish Court".
Mads' sons went on to excel in sports, politics and the army.
tough beginnings
Mads Madsen and family in front of "Danish Court"
Mads Mikkelsen Madsen was the eldest son of Paul Madsen, a farmer. He was born on the island of Jegind in Jutland in 1869. After attending his local school until the age of 14, he worked on a neighbouring farm for a few years.
In 1889, he decided to emigrate to Australia with fellow countryman (and future brother-in-law), Peter Ottosen. Arriving in Brisbane in January 1890, the pair joined many other Danes in the Warwick district, initially working on a farm and later forming a partnership leasing and clearing an area of scrub land.
Over the next two years, Madsen and Ottosen worked strenuously to prepare the land for cultivation and subsequently divided the land into two separate farms. Madsen grew maize, potatoes and prairie grass and also started a small dairy heard of a dozen cows. In 1894 he purchased the “Mount Sturt” property near Yangan. Just five years later he sold his much-improved farm and bought a farm with 300 acres with a large homestead, naming it “Danish Court”. He later added the neighbouring “Mount Sturt” property bringing his land to 540 acres.
In 1889, he decided to emigrate to Australia with fellow countryman (and future brother-in-law), Peter Ottosen. Arriving in Brisbane in January 1890, the pair joined many other Danes in the Warwick district, initially working on a farm and later forming a partnership leasing and clearing an area of scrub land.
Over the next two years, Madsen and Ottosen worked strenuously to prepare the land for cultivation and subsequently divided the land into two separate farms. Madsen grew maize, potatoes and prairie grass and also started a small dairy heard of a dozen cows. In 1894 he purchased the “Mount Sturt” property near Yangan. Just five years later he sold his much-improved farm and bought a farm with 300 acres with a large homestead, naming it “Danish Court”. He later added the neighbouring “Mount Sturt” property bringing his land to 540 acres.
pioneering efforts paying off
In 1891, Mads had married Kristine (Christine) Ottosen, the sister of Peter Ottosen, and the couple had a family of five sons and three daughters. Many years of hard labour had taken its toll and the family decided to sell the latest acquired property and use the funds to go back to Denmark. During the two years of absence, the family leased out the main homestead to a tenant but upon their return in 1904 the family took possession again. Four years later, Madsen was yet again in a position to add to his land ownership, and purchased a neighbouring farm with enough acreage to now carry on operations on a profitable basis.
Mads Madsen died 22 January 1931 aged 61. The year after, Kristina passed away aged 62.
Mads Madsen died 22 January 1931 aged 61. The year after, Kristina passed away aged 62.
the sons
Paul Christian Madsen
After receiving a sound education at the age of 16 the sons of Mads Madsen were given a portion of land.
The eldest son, Paul Christian Madsen (1893-1940) joined the Australian Imperial forces in 1915 and proceeded to the front with the 7th Field Ambulance and took part in the operations at the Dardanelles.
Another son, Otto Ottosen Madsen (1904-1963) was a Queensland Member of Parliament.
The eldest son, Paul Christian Madsen (1893-1940) joined the Australian Imperial forces in 1915 and proceeded to the front with the 7th Field Ambulance and took part in the operations at the Dardanelles.
Another son, Otto Ottosen Madsen (1904-1963) was a Queensland Member of Parliament.
Mads Peter Madsen
The middle son, Mads Peter (Mick) Madsen (1900-1979), was a well-known Australian rugby league player.
He was educated at the Anglican Toowoomba Grammar School but still asked to play for the Roman Catholic team at the Past Christian Brothers' Rugby League Football Club, very rare given the sectarian bitterness which was prevalent at the time.
He went on to captain this leading team for more than 10 years. In the late 1920s he played rugby for Queensland and was selected for the Australian rugby team in 1928.
He was educated at the Anglican Toowoomba Grammar School but still asked to play for the Roman Catholic team at the Past Christian Brothers' Rugby League Football Club, very rare given the sectarian bitterness which was prevalent at the time.
He went on to captain this leading team for more than 10 years. In the late 1920s he played rugby for Queensland and was selected for the Australian rugby team in 1928.