Page 206 - Family History

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His philosophy of operating the factory is simple: "I do not accept any more jobs
than I can do myself." Mr. Paulsen has been in the handle making business ever
since he came to America from Denmark in 1876. He first settled at Emlenton,
where he was in partnership with a brother and another man. Later the firm
broke up, and sold off several factories, retaining the Titusville and began
operations in the local plant at that time. He said he had more work this month
than in any month last year. He is a spry man for his age, climbing around the
piles of lumber and firewood, edging recklessly between machinery and tables,

like he was 28 instead of 82. In fact, when we saw him the other day, he was
oiling a motor from a precarious perch on top a wobbly stack of firewood. We
told him we understood he did some painting and remarked about a copy he had
made of Abraham Lincoln that hangs in a hallway between office storage chamber
and machinery room.

TAKES LITTLE PRIDE IN PAINTING

Although he should, Mr. Paulsen shows little pride in his hobby of painting with
water colors and pencil drawings. But he took us into his office where he has a
fine collection. Mr. Paulsen's latest picture is a watercolor of President Roosevelt
in a pose on the White House steps. The painting, copied from a candid camera
shot published in Life, shows the President with enormous legs and torso.
Many of Mr. Paulsen's paintings are taken from pictures in Life and the National

Geographic Magazine. Mr. Paulsen said he became interested in painting and
drawing in Denmark where he had opportunity to see pencil drawings, as fine as
any steel or copperplate engraving. Much of his training came from a Danish
school teacher who painted flowers in water colors. Mr. Paulsen thought they
were so fine he asked to be shown how to paint them. Mr. Paulsen dropped his
painting after he came to America, figuring it would be all he could do to carve a
living out of this strange new country. However, after coming to Titusville, he

resumed the enjoyment of his hobby.

GOT INSPIRATION FROM FLOWERS

The urge to take up painting in Titusville was accentuated by the beautiful flowers
he saw along the old bicycle cinder path on which Mr. Paulsen spent much of his
time in cycling with his close friend, Will Schiewe. He began picking flowers and

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