James Poulsen (1831-1920) - Find a Grave Memorial

James Poulsen

Birth

28 Oct 1831

Sorø Kommune, Sjælland, Denmark

Death

2 Sep 1920 (aged 88)

Liberty, Bear Lake County, Idaho, USA

Burial

Liberty Cemetery

Liberty, Bear Lake County, Idaho, USA Add to Map

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Son of Poul Nielsen and Kirsten Cathrine Klim

Married Kirsten Jensen Nielsen, 29 Dec 1851, Denmark

Married Trine Nelson, abt 1856, Denmark

Married Maren Kirstina Arff, 1862, Florence, Douglas, Nebraska

Married Mary Humphreys, 15 Feb 1870, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

History - James Poulsen was born October 28, 1831 in Kirkestillinge, County of Soro, Denmark. He was the son of Poul Neilsen and Kristine Katherine Klim Neilsen.

When he was a small boy his father died, leaving his mother alone with the children. Being well to do she could send them to school until they were able to shift for themselves.

James started school when he was five years of age and finished when he was twelve. After school he went to work on a farm with his grandfather.

In the year 1844 came the news of Joseph Smith. In the year 1851 at the age of twenty he married Kristina Nielsen. He remained home until war broke out between Prussian, Denmark and Holstein. He enlisted in the infantry where he served for two years. In this war Denmark was given their independence and the Mormons began to preach.

After the war he bought a farm and settled down with his family. On Jan. 6, 1859 he and his wife were baptized into the Latter-day Saints Church. They decided to go to America. The family now consisted of two boys and one girl.

In the spring of that year after selling his farm and all of his belongings to go to America. There was a call for him to go to America. After two years he returned and they started to America.

After sailing for six or seven weeks his wife was taken ill with measles and after suffering she passed away. Next all the children got the measles and they took passed away. After caring for his family he to got the measles and almost died.

After being on the ocean for ten weeks he landed on the shores of America with no wife or children.

He crossed the plains from Omaha to Salt Lake City as a member of Captain Horn's company in 1862.

In June 1862 he married Christine Arff whom he met on his voyage to America and who nursed him back to health. Their family consisted of eight children, three boys and five girls.

In the fall of 1863 he accepted a call to help settle near Bear Lake Valley. In about two years they returned back to Providence.

While in Providence he met Mary Humphreys who had just came from Wales. They were married Feb. 15, 1870. He was called back to Bear Lake. After spending another year in Paris he moved his family to Wardboro.

James married Trina Nelson, a widow with two boys. His three families were located in Liberty and there was as much peace in all the families.

In the year 1888 he was again called to fill a mission in Denmark where he stayed until 1889. When he returned he brought some of his relatives back with him.

He served for fifteen years as a Home Missionary, from Soda Springs, Idaho to Woodruff, Utah. He was also a school trustee.

He died at his home, September 3, 1920.