Borchsenius, of Scandinavian ancestry, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, July 15, 1865. His father, Hans Borchsenius, was a Danish-born newspaperman and politician. His mother, Martha M. Bakke, was born in Norway, a daughter of Hans E. Bakke, of Copenhagen.
He attended the public schools of Wisconsin and subsequently was graduated from the law department of University of Wisconsin–Madison.
He was the first clerk of the court of the Nome judicial division of Alaska, and although he was retired by Judge Arthur H. Noyes after one year of service, he was reappointed by Judge Noyes" successor to the position he formerly held, and in 1904, was the only one of the first federal appointees in Nome who filled the office to which he was first appointed. While a resident of Baldwin he learned the printers trade. In 1885, he returned to Madison and assisted in the compilation of the state census.
Following the completion of this work, he was employed in the executive office by Governor Rusk, and at a later date was connected with the land office.
In 1891, he returned to Baldwin, and for a period of four years was in the real estate and loan business. In 1895, he went back to Madison as assistant to the state treasurer.
He was in Madison in 1899 when the reports of the Eldorado at Nome reached the states, and he determined to try his fortune in the newly discovered gold fields. In the spring of 1900, he received the appointment of Clerk of the United States District Court, and arrived in Nome and entered upon the discharge of his duties July 9.
July 15, 1901 he was retired by Judge Noyes, and it is a singular and notable coincidence that just one year from that date, July 15, 1902, he was reappointed to the office by Judge Moore.
These dates being the anniversary of his birthday. Borchsenius acquired by purchase, considerable mining property in the vicinity of Nome, and expended near $25,000 in its development. He was the owner of Number.
12 Anvil Creek and three benches adjoining and near the very rich Mattie claim.
He owned or had a controlling interest in Specimen Gulch property from Anvil Creek to Summit Bench. Pay was not struck until 1904.
Besides these properties Borchsenius owned some quartz claims between Rock and Lindblom Creeks. September 14, 1887, Borchsenius and Mission Lula M. Bockus were married in Baldwin.
Borchsenius was a staunch Republican.
He died in Los Angeles in 1945.
