Hans Jensen was born on 23 November 1835 in Denmark. He died in Linden Township, Brown County, Minnesota, about 9 August 1923 and was buried on 12 August 1923 at the Rice Lake Lutheran Cemetery in Linden. He married Mathilda Berg who was born on 22 September 1840 at Kongsberg, Buskerud, Norway. She is also buried in the Rice Lake cemetery. Hans and Mathilda had seven children, all born in Linden Township: Ida May, Margrethe, Albert Emil, Charles Henry, Frederik C., Katie Delia, and Ella Maria.

After the Civil War, Hans was one of three veterans (along with Jacob Jacobson and Hans Markesen) of the 28th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment who settled in Linden Township. All were from Denmark and all were members of the Rice Lake Lutheran Church in Linden. They appeared as godparents at the christenings of the others' children and as witnesses at weddings.

Studies of the origins of members of the Rice Lake Lutheran Church suggest that Hans was probably born in the Odense area of Denmark. Most members of this church came from that area.