Born in Germany, January 2, 1870. He came to the United States when a small boy and his parents settled here. He attended the local schools and later the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois. He was employed by Curtis Bros & Co., a number of years and then served a term as state representative in 1904. He then became a member of Clinton High school faculty, serving as the district's first manual training instructor. In 1920, Mr. Carstensen became business manager of the school district, and in that capacity aided in the planning and erection of the new Clinton High school, Irving and Longfellow grade schools and the new Washington Junior high and Jefferson grade school. Mr. Carstensen served as custodian of the Clinton public library. He was a member of the Clinton Rotary club, and several Masonic bodies.

Born in Germany, January 2, 1870. He came to the United States when a small boy and his parents settled here. He attended the local schools and later the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois. He was employed by Curtis Bros & Co., a number of years and then served a term as state representative in 1904. He then became a member of Clinton High school faculty, serving as the district's first manual training instructor. In 1920, Mr. Carstensen became business manager of the school district, and in that capacity aided in the planning and erection of the new Clinton High school, Irving and Longfellow grade schools and the new Washington Junior high and Jefferson grade school. Mr. Carstensen served as custodian of the Clinton public library. He was a member of the Clinton Rotary club, and several Masonic bodies.