EPHRAIM-On Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Mrs. Maggie Petra Andersen Jensen departed this life. At 5 p.m. Saturday Sister Jensen was in town shopping and on returning to her home took seriously ill growing worse until death came to her relief, the cause of her death was kidney trouble. J.Y. Jensen, with five children, mourn the loss of a good and faithful wife and mother.
Funeral services is set for Wednesday, October 18th, at 12 p.m. in the tabernacle.
Deseret News
17 October 1899
BIOGRAPHY OF MARGARET PETRARA ANDERSON JENSEN
Contributed By Marge Becraft · 6 August 2014 ·
Margaret Petrara Anderson was born 2 September 1865 in Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory to Jens Christian and Margrethe Nielsen Christiansen Anderson. Her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 5 March 1855. Her family immigrated to America, leaving Liverpool, England on the ship “Westmoreland”on 25 April 1857 and arrived on 31 May 1857 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
Jens and Margrethe had four children at the time of their trek. Lauritz Peter, born 28 July 1849, was 7,Andrea Catherine, born 14 November 1852, was 5, Boleta Christena , born 18 February 1854 was 3, and Josephine Brighamina born 4 March 1856 was 1. Jens was 36 and Margrethe was 26 when they came across the plains. They traveled with the 7th Handcart Company, outfitting at Iowa City.
There were 330 individuals, 68 handcarts, 3 wagons, ten mules and one cow. They left 15 June 1857. The first captain was James P. Park. He had to have an interpreter because they all spoke Danish and he was very unsympathic toward them. He would take the wagons so far ahead that sometime the handcarts took a wrong road. When they left he made them leave many of their supplies and they thought someone would come back for them later. That never did happen.
There were no PEF funds left so the people had to purchase their own supplies. They pooled together to buy the supplies they would need. When they left they had only 60 pounds of flour and only four pounds of meat per person. When they finally got to Florence, Christian Christensen was returning from a mission and became the captain. He was gentle and fatherly and most of all knew the language—he was from Denmark. He walked the whole way rather than ride a horse as most captains did.
They crossed the Elkhorn River on 9th July. When they got to the Loup River it was a mile wide and there was lots of quicksand. It took them two days to cross because they had to hook up ropes to wagons and pull to get the handcarts across. The night after they all got across they had a severe thunderstorm and immediately two families dropped out. At the Wood River, a woman slipped out of camp and delivered her own baby and then returned to camp ready to walk the next day. They allowed her to ride in the wagon for a few days.
They had a prairie fire that they were able to escape from. They wore out their shoes and had to wrap their feet in burlap or rawhide. The rawhide would get wet then dry hard and they would end up with bloody feet. By 22nd August they were at Devil’s Gate. They were so hungry and thirsty. Johnston’s Army was headed to Utah and felt sorry for these pioneers so they gave them a lame ox to kill for meat. They didn’t even have an axe to kill the animal because Captain Park made them leave many of their tools behind.
There was a blind woman about 60 years old from Norway who walked the whole way. She pushed the cart while her young daughter pulled the cart. She could often be heard “with merry laughter.” Their food lasted only three weeks. They cooked with “ko-kasser” (buffalo chips). Peter’smother remembered when they had only one biscuit to eat all day long. They left every morning by 6:30 A.M. Every day they would ask, “How far is it to water today?”
When they reached South Pass relief wagons from Salt Lake came with flour and supplies. They were able to buy more flour at Fort Bridger. When they were coming down Echo Canyon it rained, hailed and they had ice on the mountain streams. When they were about 30 miles from Salt Lake City, wagons met them with bread, cake, and fruit. They arrived 13 September 1857. The lead handcart carried a Danish flag as they came into the valley. About 15 people died coming to the valley. CCA Christensen said of these Danish pioneers, “He had never seen a more patient people, a people completely devoted to God.” This is the same CCA Christensen who painted many mural of the pioneers coming to Utah.
C.C.A. Christiansen wrote in his summary of the humble feeling they had and they entered the valley, “ Perhaps many would have suffered an even worse fate if President Brigham Young had not established provision stations where flour could be obtained, and the first of these stations was about 400 miles east of Salt Lake City. Afterwards we were met by wagons with flour and fruit, which benefited us greatly, but particularly since these wagons picked up the weakest and sickest among us and thus lightened considerably the responsibility for the rest of us.
Nonebut those who have experienced such a trial of patience, faith, and endurance can form an idea of what it meant to pull a handcart, which frequently even threatened to collapse because of the extreme heat and lack of humidity, which could cause the (wood of the) cart to split and thus deprive them of the last means they possessed to bring with them their absolute necessities.
One can perhaps form a vague idea of our feelings when we finally stopped here inthis city and were met by kind brothers and sisters, many of whom brought akes, milk, and other things that for us were so much needed.”
The family settled in Sanpete County where many of the Scandanavians had settled. They first live in Manti, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Jens married a second wife, Caroline Karen Jensen on 14 February 1858 in the President’s Office at the age of 36. Thus he now was in a polygamous marriage. Jens and Margrethe had ten children, five girls and five boys. Jens and Caroline had ten children, six girls and four boys. Both of his wives gave birth to a baby on 19 October 1858. Hyrum Smith Anderson was born to Margrethe and Annie Marie was born to Caroline.
From there they moved to Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Caroline was born 27 January 1861 and died 23 March 1861 to Caroline and James Christian was born 27 February 1861. Jensene was born 10 January 1862 to Caroline. Heber Christian was born 9 February 1863 to Margrethe. Annie Meanie was born 6 February 1864 to Caroline. Margrethe gave birth to Margaret Petrara on 2 September 1865.
They moved to Spring City, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Caroline gave birth to Jens Christian Carlos on 24 October 1866. Orson Hyde was born 28 May 1868 to Margrethe. Erastus Snow was born 29 January 1869 and Andrew was born 23 April 1871 to Caroline. They moved to Salina, Sevier, Utah Territory, where Albertina Wilhelmina was born on 21 July 1875 to Margrethe, which was her last child. Diantha Matilda was born 6 December 1875 to Caroline. They were living in Koosharem, Sevier, Utah Territory when Caroline had her last baby, Mary Ellen,born 18 December 1878.
Caroline died 11 February 1900 at the age of 64 in Koosharem, Sevier, Utah and was buried 14 February 1900 in Koosharem. Jens Christian died 15 August 1910 in Richfield, Sevier, Utah at the age of 89. He was buried 17 August 1910 in the Richfield City Cemetery, Richfield, Sevier, Utah. Margrethe died 26 November 1916 at the age of 86 and was buried 29 November 1916 in Richfield.
Margaret married Joseph Young Jensen on 20 October 1881 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory at the age of 16. Joseph was born 21 March 1857 in Gredrikstad, Glemmen, Norway to Johan Andreas and Petra Andrea Admundsdatter Jensen. He was 24 years old when they married.
They had five children, three girls and two boys. They were living in Koosharem Township, Sevier, Utah Territory when Mary Etta was born on 29 May 1883. Malinda Margaret was born 5 March 1886; Cora J. was born 21 April 1890 in Parowan, Iron, Utah Territory; Joseph Lavar was born 25 July 1892 in Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah Territory; and Arvold E.was born 12 September 1894 in Ephraim also.
Margaret died on 15 October 1899 atthe age of 34 and was buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery, Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah. Her youngest son was only turning five. Joseph married Stella Elizabeth Rasmussen on 25 June 1902 at the age of 45. She died in 1905. He then married Esther Melissa Voorhees on 24June 1908 at the age of 51. Joseph died 25 August 1926 at the age of 69 and was buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery,Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah.
Funeral services is set for Wednesday, October 18th, at 12 p.m. in the tabernacle.
Deseret News
17 October 1899
BIOGRAPHY OF MARGARET PETRARA ANDERSON JENSEN
Contributed By Marge Becraft · 6 August 2014 ·
Margaret Petrara Anderson was born 2 September 1865 in Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory to Jens Christian and Margrethe Nielsen Christiansen Anderson. Her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 5 March 1855. Her family immigrated to America, leaving Liverpool, England on the ship “Westmoreland”on 25 April 1857 and arrived on 31 May 1857 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
Jens and Margrethe had four children at the time of their trek. Lauritz Peter, born 28 July 1849, was 7,Andrea Catherine, born 14 November 1852, was 5, Boleta Christena , born 18 February 1854 was 3, and Josephine Brighamina born 4 March 1856 was 1. Jens was 36 and Margrethe was 26 when they came across the plains. They traveled with the 7th Handcart Company, outfitting at Iowa City.
There were 330 individuals, 68 handcarts, 3 wagons, ten mules and one cow. They left 15 June 1857. The first captain was James P. Park. He had to have an interpreter because they all spoke Danish and he was very unsympathic toward them. He would take the wagons so far ahead that sometime the handcarts took a wrong road. When they left he made them leave many of their supplies and they thought someone would come back for them later. That never did happen.
There were no PEF funds left so the people had to purchase their own supplies. They pooled together to buy the supplies they would need. When they left they had only 60 pounds of flour and only four pounds of meat per person. When they finally got to Florence, Christian Christensen was returning from a mission and became the captain. He was gentle and fatherly and most of all knew the language—he was from Denmark. He walked the whole way rather than ride a horse as most captains did.
They crossed the Elkhorn River on 9th July. When they got to the Loup River it was a mile wide and there was lots of quicksand. It took them two days to cross because they had to hook up ropes to wagons and pull to get the handcarts across. The night after they all got across they had a severe thunderstorm and immediately two families dropped out. At the Wood River, a woman slipped out of camp and delivered her own baby and then returned to camp ready to walk the next day. They allowed her to ride in the wagon for a few days.
They had a prairie fire that they were able to escape from. They wore out their shoes and had to wrap their feet in burlap or rawhide. The rawhide would get wet then dry hard and they would end up with bloody feet. By 22nd August they were at Devil’s Gate. They were so hungry and thirsty. Johnston’s Army was headed to Utah and felt sorry for these pioneers so they gave them a lame ox to kill for meat. They didn’t even have an axe to kill the animal because Captain Park made them leave many of their tools behind.
There was a blind woman about 60 years old from Norway who walked the whole way. She pushed the cart while her young daughter pulled the cart. She could often be heard “with merry laughter.” Their food lasted only three weeks. They cooked with “ko-kasser” (buffalo chips). Peter’smother remembered when they had only one biscuit to eat all day long. They left every morning by 6:30 A.M. Every day they would ask, “How far is it to water today?”
When they reached South Pass relief wagons from Salt Lake came with flour and supplies. They were able to buy more flour at Fort Bridger. When they were coming down Echo Canyon it rained, hailed and they had ice on the mountain streams. When they were about 30 miles from Salt Lake City, wagons met them with bread, cake, and fruit. They arrived 13 September 1857. The lead handcart carried a Danish flag as they came into the valley. About 15 people died coming to the valley. CCA Christensen said of these Danish pioneers, “He had never seen a more patient people, a people completely devoted to God.” This is the same CCA Christensen who painted many mural of the pioneers coming to Utah.
C.C.A. Christiansen wrote in his summary of the humble feeling they had and they entered the valley, “ Perhaps many would have suffered an even worse fate if President Brigham Young had not established provision stations where flour could be obtained, and the first of these stations was about 400 miles east of Salt Lake City. Afterwards we were met by wagons with flour and fruit, which benefited us greatly, but particularly since these wagons picked up the weakest and sickest among us and thus lightened considerably the responsibility for the rest of us.
Nonebut those who have experienced such a trial of patience, faith, and endurance can form an idea of what it meant to pull a handcart, which frequently even threatened to collapse because of the extreme heat and lack of humidity, which could cause the (wood of the) cart to split and thus deprive them of the last means they possessed to bring with them their absolute necessities.
One can perhaps form a vague idea of our feelings when we finally stopped here inthis city and were met by kind brothers and sisters, many of whom brought akes, milk, and other things that for us were so much needed.”
The family settled in Sanpete County where many of the Scandanavians had settled. They first live in Manti, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Jens married a second wife, Caroline Karen Jensen on 14 February 1858 in the President’s Office at the age of 36. Thus he now was in a polygamous marriage. Jens and Margrethe had ten children, five girls and five boys. Jens and Caroline had ten children, six girls and four boys. Both of his wives gave birth to a baby on 19 October 1858. Hyrum Smith Anderson was born to Margrethe and Annie Marie was born to Caroline.
From there they moved to Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Caroline was born 27 January 1861 and died 23 March 1861 to Caroline and James Christian was born 27 February 1861. Jensene was born 10 January 1862 to Caroline. Heber Christian was born 9 February 1863 to Margrethe. Annie Meanie was born 6 February 1864 to Caroline. Margrethe gave birth to Margaret Petrara on 2 September 1865.
They moved to Spring City, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Caroline gave birth to Jens Christian Carlos on 24 October 1866. Orson Hyde was born 28 May 1868 to Margrethe. Erastus Snow was born 29 January 1869 and Andrew was born 23 April 1871 to Caroline. They moved to Salina, Sevier, Utah Territory, where Albertina Wilhelmina was born on 21 July 1875 to Margrethe, which was her last child. Diantha Matilda was born 6 December 1875 to Caroline. They were living in Koosharem, Sevier, Utah Territory when Caroline had her last baby, Mary Ellen,born 18 December 1878.
Caroline died 11 February 1900 at the age of 64 in Koosharem, Sevier, Utah and was buried 14 February 1900 in Koosharem. Jens Christian died 15 August 1910 in Richfield, Sevier, Utah at the age of 89. He was buried 17 August 1910 in the Richfield City Cemetery, Richfield, Sevier, Utah. Margrethe died 26 November 1916 at the age of 86 and was buried 29 November 1916 in Richfield.
Margaret married Joseph Young Jensen on 20 October 1881 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory at the age of 16. Joseph was born 21 March 1857 in Gredrikstad, Glemmen, Norway to Johan Andreas and Petra Andrea Admundsdatter Jensen. He was 24 years old when they married.
They had five children, three girls and two boys. They were living in Koosharem Township, Sevier, Utah Territory when Mary Etta was born on 29 May 1883. Malinda Margaret was born 5 March 1886; Cora J. was born 21 April 1890 in Parowan, Iron, Utah Territory; Joseph Lavar was born 25 July 1892 in Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah Territory; and Arvold E.was born 12 September 1894 in Ephraim also.
Margaret died on 15 October 1899 atthe age of 34 and was buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery, Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah. Her youngest son was only turning five. Joseph married Stella Elizabeth Rasmussen on 25 June 1902 at the age of 45. She died in 1905. He then married Esther Melissa Voorhees on 24June 1908 at the age of 51. Joseph died 25 August 1926 at the age of 69 and was buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery,Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah.
EPHRAIM-On Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Mrs. Maggie Petra Andersen Jensen departed this life. At 5 p.m. Saturday Sister Jensen was in town shopping and on returning to her home took seriously ill growing worse until death came to her relief, the cause of her death was kidney trouble. J.Y. Jensen, with five children, mourn the loss of a good and faithful wife and mother.
Funeral services is set for Wednesday, October 18th, at 12 p.m. in the tabernacle.
Deseret News
17 October 1899
BIOGRAPHY OF MARGARET PETRARA ANDERSON JENSEN
Contributed By Marge Becraft · 6 August 2014 ·
Margaret Petrara Anderson was born 2 September 1865 in Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory to Jens Christian and Margrethe Nielsen Christiansen Anderson. Her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 5 March 1855. Her family immigrated to America, leaving Liverpool, England on the ship “Westmoreland”on 25 April 1857 and arrived on 31 May 1857 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
Jens and Margrethe had four children at the time of their trek. Lauritz Peter, born 28 July 1849, was 7,Andrea Catherine, born 14 November 1852, was 5, Boleta Christena , born 18 February 1854 was 3, and Josephine Brighamina born 4 March 1856 was 1. Jens was 36 and Margrethe was 26 when they came across the plains. They traveled with the 7th Handcart Company, outfitting at Iowa City.
There were 330 individuals, 68 handcarts, 3 wagons, ten mules and one cow. They left 15 June 1857. The first captain was James P. Park. He had to have an interpreter because they all spoke Danish and he was very unsympathic toward them. He would take the wagons so far ahead that sometime the handcarts took a wrong road. When they left he made them leave many of their supplies and they thought someone would come back for them later. That never did happen.
There were no PEF funds left so the people had to purchase their own supplies. They pooled together to buy the supplies they would need. When they left they had only 60 pounds of flour and only four pounds of meat per person. When they finally got to Florence, Christian Christensen was returning from a mission and became the captain. He was gentle and fatherly and most of all knew the language—he was from Denmark. He walked the whole way rather than ride a horse as most captains did.
They crossed the Elkhorn River on 9th July. When they got to the Loup River it was a mile wide and there was lots of quicksand. It took them two days to cross because they had to hook up ropes to wagons and pull to get the handcarts across. The night after they all got across they had a severe thunderstorm and immediately two families dropped out. At the Wood River, a woman slipped out of camp and delivered her own baby and then returned to camp ready to walk the next day. They allowed her to ride in the wagon for a few days.
They had a prairie fire that they were able to escape from. They wore out their shoes and had to wrap their feet in burlap or rawhide. The rawhide would get wet then dry hard and they would end up with bloody feet. By 22nd August they were at Devil’s Gate. They were so hungry and thirsty. Johnston’s Army was headed to Utah and felt sorry for these pioneers so they gave them a lame ox to kill for meat. They didn’t even have an axe to kill the animal because Captain Park made them leave many of their tools behind.
There was a blind woman about 60 years old from Norway who walked the whole way. She pushed the cart while her young daughter pulled the cart. She could often be heard “with merry laughter.” Their food lasted only three weeks. They cooked with “ko-kasser” (buffalo chips). Peter’smother remembered when they had only one biscuit to eat all day long. They left every morning by 6:30 A.M. Every day they would ask, “How far is it to water today?”
When they reached South Pass relief wagons from Salt Lake came with flour and supplies. They were able to buy more flour at Fort Bridger. When they were coming down Echo Canyon it rained, hailed and they had ice on the mountain streams. When they were about 30 miles from Salt Lake City, wagons met them with bread, cake, and fruit. They arrived 13 September 1857. The lead handcart carried a Danish flag as they came into the valley. About 15 people died coming to the valley. CCA Christensen said of these Danish pioneers, “He had never seen a more patient people, a people completely devoted to God.” This is the same CCA Christensen who painted many mural of the pioneers coming to Utah.
C.C.A. Christiansen wrote in his summary of the humble feeling they had and they entered the valley, “ Perhaps many would have suffered an even worse fate if President Brigham Young had not established provision stations where flour could be obtained, and the first of these stations was about 400 miles east of Salt Lake City. Afterwards we were met by wagons with flour and fruit, which benefited us greatly, but particularly since these wagons picked up the weakest and sickest among us and thus lightened considerably the responsibility for the rest of us.
Nonebut those who have experienced such a trial of patience, faith, and endurance can form an idea of what it meant to pull a handcart, which frequently even threatened to collapse because of the extreme heat and lack of humidity, which could cause the (wood of the) cart to split and thus deprive them of the last means they possessed to bring with them their absolute necessities.
One can perhaps form a vague idea of our feelings when we finally stopped here inthis city and were met by kind brothers and sisters, many of whom brought akes, milk, and other things that for us were so much needed.”
The family settled in Sanpete County where many of the Scandanavians had settled. They first live in Manti, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Jens married a second wife, Caroline Karen Jensen on 14 February 1858 in the President’s Office at the age of 36. Thus he now was in a polygamous marriage. Jens and Margrethe had ten children, five girls and five boys. Jens and Caroline had ten children, six girls and four boys. Both of his wives gave birth to a baby on 19 October 1858. Hyrum Smith Anderson was born to Margrethe and Annie Marie was born to Caroline.
From there they moved to Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Caroline was born 27 January 1861 and died 23 March 1861 to Caroline and James Christian was born 27 February 1861. Jensene was born 10 January 1862 to Caroline. Heber Christian was born 9 February 1863 to Margrethe. Annie Meanie was born 6 February 1864 to Caroline. Margrethe gave birth to Margaret Petrara on 2 September 1865.
They moved to Spring City, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Caroline gave birth to Jens Christian Carlos on 24 October 1866. Orson Hyde was born 28 May 1868 to Margrethe. Erastus Snow was born 29 January 1869 and Andrew was born 23 April 1871 to Caroline. They moved to Salina, Sevier, Utah Territory, where Albertina Wilhelmina was born on 21 July 1875 to Margrethe, which was her last child. Diantha Matilda was born 6 December 1875 to Caroline. They were living in Koosharem, Sevier, Utah Territory when Caroline had her last baby, Mary Ellen,born 18 December 1878.
Caroline died 11 February 1900 at the age of 64 in Koosharem, Sevier, Utah and was buried 14 February 1900 in Koosharem. Jens Christian died 15 August 1910 in Richfield, Sevier, Utah at the age of 89. He was buried 17 August 1910 in the Richfield City Cemetery, Richfield, Sevier, Utah. Margrethe died 26 November 1916 at the age of 86 and was buried 29 November 1916 in Richfield.
Margaret married Joseph Young Jensen on 20 October 1881 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory at the age of 16. Joseph was born 21 March 1857 in Gredrikstad, Glemmen, Norway to Johan Andreas and Petra Andrea Admundsdatter Jensen. He was 24 years old when they married.
They had five children, three girls and two boys. They were living in Koosharem Township, Sevier, Utah Territory when Mary Etta was born on 29 May 1883. Malinda Margaret was born 5 March 1886; Cora J. was born 21 April 1890 in Parowan, Iron, Utah Territory; Joseph Lavar was born 25 July 1892 in Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah Territory; and Arvold E.was born 12 September 1894 in Ephraim also.
Margaret died on 15 October 1899 atthe age of 34 and was buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery, Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah. Her youngest son was only turning five. Joseph married Stella Elizabeth Rasmussen on 25 June 1902 at the age of 45. She died in 1905. He then married Esther Melissa Voorhees on 24June 1908 at the age of 51. Joseph died 25 August 1926 at the age of 69 and was buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery,Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah.
Funeral services is set for Wednesday, October 18th, at 12 p.m. in the tabernacle.
Deseret News
17 October 1899
BIOGRAPHY OF MARGARET PETRARA ANDERSON JENSEN
Contributed By Marge Becraft · 6 August 2014 ·
Margaret Petrara Anderson was born 2 September 1865 in Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory to Jens Christian and Margrethe Nielsen Christiansen Anderson. Her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 5 March 1855. Her family immigrated to America, leaving Liverpool, England on the ship “Westmoreland”on 25 April 1857 and arrived on 31 May 1857 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
Jens and Margrethe had four children at the time of their trek. Lauritz Peter, born 28 July 1849, was 7,Andrea Catherine, born 14 November 1852, was 5, Boleta Christena , born 18 February 1854 was 3, and Josephine Brighamina born 4 March 1856 was 1. Jens was 36 and Margrethe was 26 when they came across the plains. They traveled with the 7th Handcart Company, outfitting at Iowa City.
There were 330 individuals, 68 handcarts, 3 wagons, ten mules and one cow. They left 15 June 1857. The first captain was James P. Park. He had to have an interpreter because they all spoke Danish and he was very unsympathic toward them. He would take the wagons so far ahead that sometime the handcarts took a wrong road. When they left he made them leave many of their supplies and they thought someone would come back for them later. That never did happen.
There were no PEF funds left so the people had to purchase their own supplies. They pooled together to buy the supplies they would need. When they left they had only 60 pounds of flour and only four pounds of meat per person. When they finally got to Florence, Christian Christensen was returning from a mission and became the captain. He was gentle and fatherly and most of all knew the language—he was from Denmark. He walked the whole way rather than ride a horse as most captains did.
They crossed the Elkhorn River on 9th July. When they got to the Loup River it was a mile wide and there was lots of quicksand. It took them two days to cross because they had to hook up ropes to wagons and pull to get the handcarts across. The night after they all got across they had a severe thunderstorm and immediately two families dropped out. At the Wood River, a woman slipped out of camp and delivered her own baby and then returned to camp ready to walk the next day. They allowed her to ride in the wagon for a few days.
They had a prairie fire that they were able to escape from. They wore out their shoes and had to wrap their feet in burlap or rawhide. The rawhide would get wet then dry hard and they would end up with bloody feet. By 22nd August they were at Devil’s Gate. They were so hungry and thirsty. Johnston’s Army was headed to Utah and felt sorry for these pioneers so they gave them a lame ox to kill for meat. They didn’t even have an axe to kill the animal because Captain Park made them leave many of their tools behind.
There was a blind woman about 60 years old from Norway who walked the whole way. She pushed the cart while her young daughter pulled the cart. She could often be heard “with merry laughter.” Their food lasted only three weeks. They cooked with “ko-kasser” (buffalo chips). Peter’smother remembered when they had only one biscuit to eat all day long. They left every morning by 6:30 A.M. Every day they would ask, “How far is it to water today?”
When they reached South Pass relief wagons from Salt Lake came with flour and supplies. They were able to buy more flour at Fort Bridger. When they were coming down Echo Canyon it rained, hailed and they had ice on the mountain streams. When they were about 30 miles from Salt Lake City, wagons met them with bread, cake, and fruit. They arrived 13 September 1857. The lead handcart carried a Danish flag as they came into the valley. About 15 people died coming to the valley. CCA Christensen said of these Danish pioneers, “He had never seen a more patient people, a people completely devoted to God.” This is the same CCA Christensen who painted many mural of the pioneers coming to Utah.
C.C.A. Christiansen wrote in his summary of the humble feeling they had and they entered the valley, “ Perhaps many would have suffered an even worse fate if President Brigham Young had not established provision stations where flour could be obtained, and the first of these stations was about 400 miles east of Salt Lake City. Afterwards we were met by wagons with flour and fruit, which benefited us greatly, but particularly since these wagons picked up the weakest and sickest among us and thus lightened considerably the responsibility for the rest of us.
Nonebut those who have experienced such a trial of patience, faith, and endurance can form an idea of what it meant to pull a handcart, which frequently even threatened to collapse because of the extreme heat and lack of humidity, which could cause the (wood of the) cart to split and thus deprive them of the last means they possessed to bring with them their absolute necessities.
One can perhaps form a vague idea of our feelings when we finally stopped here inthis city and were met by kind brothers and sisters, many of whom brought akes, milk, and other things that for us were so much needed.”
The family settled in Sanpete County where many of the Scandanavians had settled. They first live in Manti, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Jens married a second wife, Caroline Karen Jensen on 14 February 1858 in the President’s Office at the age of 36. Thus he now was in a polygamous marriage. Jens and Margrethe had ten children, five girls and five boys. Jens and Caroline had ten children, six girls and four boys. Both of his wives gave birth to a baby on 19 October 1858. Hyrum Smith Anderson was born to Margrethe and Annie Marie was born to Caroline.
From there they moved to Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Caroline was born 27 January 1861 and died 23 March 1861 to Caroline and James Christian was born 27 February 1861. Jensene was born 10 January 1862 to Caroline. Heber Christian was born 9 February 1863 to Margrethe. Annie Meanie was born 6 February 1864 to Caroline. Margrethe gave birth to Margaret Petrara on 2 September 1865.
They moved to Spring City, Sanpete, Utah Territory. Caroline gave birth to Jens Christian Carlos on 24 October 1866. Orson Hyde was born 28 May 1868 to Margrethe. Erastus Snow was born 29 January 1869 and Andrew was born 23 April 1871 to Caroline. They moved to Salina, Sevier, Utah Territory, where Albertina Wilhelmina was born on 21 July 1875 to Margrethe, which was her last child. Diantha Matilda was born 6 December 1875 to Caroline. They were living in Koosharem, Sevier, Utah Territory when Caroline had her last baby, Mary Ellen,born 18 December 1878.
Caroline died 11 February 1900 at the age of 64 in Koosharem, Sevier, Utah and was buried 14 February 1900 in Koosharem. Jens Christian died 15 August 1910 in Richfield, Sevier, Utah at the age of 89. He was buried 17 August 1910 in the Richfield City Cemetery, Richfield, Sevier, Utah. Margrethe died 26 November 1916 at the age of 86 and was buried 29 November 1916 in Richfield.
Margaret married Joseph Young Jensen on 20 October 1881 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory at the age of 16. Joseph was born 21 March 1857 in Gredrikstad, Glemmen, Norway to Johan Andreas and Petra Andrea Admundsdatter Jensen. He was 24 years old when they married.
They had five children, three girls and two boys. They were living in Koosharem Township, Sevier, Utah Territory when Mary Etta was born on 29 May 1883. Malinda Margaret was born 5 March 1886; Cora J. was born 21 April 1890 in Parowan, Iron, Utah Territory; Joseph Lavar was born 25 July 1892 in Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah Territory; and Arvold E.was born 12 September 1894 in Ephraim also.
Margaret died on 15 October 1899 atthe age of 34 and was buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery, Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah. Her youngest son was only turning five. Joseph married Stella Elizabeth Rasmussen on 25 June 1902 at the age of 45. She died in 1905. He then married Esther Melissa Voorhees on 24June 1908 at the age of 51. Joseph died 25 August 1926 at the age of 69 and was buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery,Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah.
Family Members
Siblings
-
![]()
Lauritz Peter "Peter" Anderson
1849–1910
-
![]()
Andrea Cathrine Johanna Anderson Munson
1851–1903
-
![]()
Christena Boleta "Stena" Anderson Allred
1854–1948
-
![]()
Josephina Brighamina Anderson Jensen
1856–1951
-
![]()
Hyrum Smith Anderson
1858–1918
-
![]()
James Christian Anderson
1861–1940
-
![]()
Heber Christian Anderson
1863–1887
-
![]()
Orson Hyde Anderson
1868–1959
-
![]()
Albertina Wilhelmina "Teeny" Anderson Anderson
1875–1934
Advertisement
Advertisement
