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Christen Thiesen's career as a Pensacola businessman began through unusual circumstances. Born in Denmark, Thiesen was the navigator of a Danish sailing ship. According to a story passed down in the Thiesen family from generation to generation, Thiesen became stranded in Pensacola during the Pensacola yellow fever epidemic of [[1882]]. After he had disembarked in Pensacola, his crewmates, hearing of the epidemic, would not let him back on board. (At that time it was not yet known that yellow fever is not transmitted by person-to-person contact, but by mosquitoes.) Thiesen found a job tending bar in a saloon . The saloon owner died in the epidemic. In 1884, Thiesen married the saloon owner's widow, Emilie Lehnkuhl, and thus became the owner of a profitable business, located at the corner of [[Intendencia Street|Intendencia]] and [[Baylen Street]]s.<ref>[http://www.flgenhistonline.com/counties/escambia/directories/1885directory/directpg3-1885.htm Webb's 1885/1886 Business Directory]</ref> The saloon owner died in the epidemic. In 1884, Thiesen married the saloon owner's widow, Emilie Lehnkuhl, and thus became the owner of a profitable business.