Monday, May 31, 2010

PFC Lawrence Erick Larsen Buried 3 June 1921

A FALLEN FRIEND AND FELLOW SOLDIER IS BROUGHT HOME TO FAIRVIEW FROM FRANCE'S BATTLEFIELD AND HONORED BY HIS HOME TOWN RETURNED VETERAN OF WORLD WAR I.

Lawrence Erick Larsen was born in Fairview to Niels Lewis Larsen and Mary Elenore Vance Larsen October 30, 1894.  His father was killed 12 February 1896 and his mother raised him and his brother Franklin.  She was a widowed mother.  Lawrence married Ellen B. Budvarson in Salt Lake Temple on 20 February 1918.  He was inducted into the Army in May and sent to Fort Lewis, Washington Training in July.  He was sent to France with the 91st Division.  The 91st went into battle at St. Mihiel for the Meuse-Argonne Sector, September 26-27.  Lawrence was wounded and died October 6, 1918 in a field hospital leaving his bride who was expecting in December and his widowed mother.  He was buried in France in a military cemetary until 1921 when he was brought home to Fairview.  His son Lawrence Erick Jr. was born December 22nd, six days after Ellen was told of her husband's death in France.

The picture above shows from Left to Right:  Ray Tanner, Military Escort, Levern Jensen, Harold Mower, Henry Rasmussen, Otto Clark, Floyd Young, Tilman Graham, Franicello Stewart, ??, Hilden Peterson,
Frank H. Larsen, Ivan Sanderson, Myron Stewart, Ladies: Mrs. Clark, ??, ??, Mary James, Coquella Jones, Gladys Graham.






The picture above shows L to R: Aaron Cheney, Bugler, Myron Stewart, Tilman Graham, ??, Ray Tanner, Military Escort, Levern Jensen, Harold Mower, Otto Clark, Frank H. Larsen, Francello Stewart, Henry Rasmussen, Ivan Sanderson, Hilden Peterson.

In the car and back row are Belle Swenson, Franklin Larsen, Geneve Swenson, John
Vance, Mrs. Clark, Coquella Jones, Teola Wheeler, Mary James, Gladys Graham, ??, Ione Osborne.

foregound: Lawrence Erick Larsen, Jr.                                      3 June 1921

The above taken from Alice Hafen's Memorabilia

Jacob Hafen History by William Clos

The Jacob Hafen Families were highlighted as Pioneers of the Month back in November of 2009. Since that time, I found another history that I will include here because it reveals some more comprehensive information about his homeland of Switzerland as well as his life here in Mt.Pleasant.
  








Monday, May 24, 2010

1912 ~ Braiding the Maypole ~ by Ruby Elmira Knudsen Parkin ~ Knudsen Chronicles

Spring was a wonderful time; we anticipated it because we could stop wearing the long underwear we called "woolies", and avoid the usual weekly doses of senna tea or castor oil.  When I was eight and nine, there were always Primary and May Day dances in the afternoon, and I always had a lot of fun.  One May Day, all the girls were getting new black patent leather slippers to wear for the big May Day dance.  Of course, I wanted a pair too and thought it would be impossible to have fun if I didn't have new shoes like the rest of the girls.  But Mother couldn't afford them, so I just didn't get them.  I went to the dance sadly, but I had more dances than any of the other girls, in spite of their pretty shoes.  Through the years I have always remembered that things like new shoes just don't matter as much as we think they do, and it's more important to be pleasant and friendly.

Maypole

On May Day, the first day of May, all the children in school took lunches and walked several blocks up past the Mill to a big field where we played ball and other games.  We stayed most of the day, arriving home about three or four o'clock.  After the game, there was a musical play and the braiding of the Maypole.  The City Band played for us to dance around the maypole, and there was also a concert.  It was a big day, and one I usually loved.

Mary A. Almertz Obituary ~ 1924

SOUVENIR - L.D.S. SABBATH SCHOOL - Theology Dept. - Continued

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend

Dear Readers and Friends,

With Memorial Day coming up, we know many of you will be coming to Mt. Pleasant to remember your loved ones buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.  We certainly hope you will stop by the Relic Home to see us.  We should be open during the afternoon hours.  We have two family reunion groups  who have made arrangements to visit.  We would really appreciate any histories or photos you might like to share with us.  

Your Hosts:
Peter and Kathy Hafen
Roxey Washburn
Tudy Standlee
Donna Brunger
Becky Anderson
Peggy Lewellyn   

FREIGHTING IN EARLY DAYS ~ By N. S. Nielsen, 1936

FREIGHTING IN EARLY DAYS
By N. S. Nielsen, 1936

Only a very few of our early Pioneers are with us now, but their memory will ever be; my first experience in freighting began in 1868. We were three weeks with ox team crossing the plains from Fort Steel to Salt Lake City. Now you make it in half a day. I next began freighting in 1876, from Mount Pleasant to Frisco and to the mines in Tintic and Stockton, and to Salt Lake City. We were paid one dollar per hundred pounds to Frisco and seventy-five cents to the other camps, and to Salt Lake City. It took two weeks to go to Frisco and return, and about ten days to Salt Lake City.

Those were happy days of freighting.

We camped in our wagons, cooked our meals at the camp fire,and enjoyed it all. I never heard anyone complain about hard times. The Pioneers were a hardy lot, worked hard and continually without murmer or discontent; yet no one without the experience can imagine the hardships they endured. We knew nothing about automobiles or picture shows, and nothing about what we now call modern comfort, so we had nothing to be discontented with; we knew nothing but hard work, and plenty of it. The pay was meager, still we saved something for a rainy day; such was the life of the Pioneer in Utah. To endure hardships unbelievable, was their uncomplaining lot, and it is a real wonder how they survived, but there was nothing else to do, hence it was endured. Our rising generation would now exclaim "Impossible, it can not be done," but it was done, and most of the pioneers lived to a ripe old age.

My friends and fellow citizens, in honoring the Pioneers you are showing a commendable spirit, and honoring yourself by honoring them. All hail to the Pioneers, and blessings to their descendants. I thank you.


P.324 Mt. Pleasant History by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf

Beckstrom Family Photos ~ Betty Gunderson Woodbury Collection

1890 Beckstrom Brothers
L:  Arthur, 5 years and R: Ferdinand 12 years old




1903_Arnst_Ferdinand_(Fred)_Beckstrom_

1903_Fred and _Nina Beckstrom

Unknown #40

from Alice Hafen's Photo Collection

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Dennis, Doyce and Kathy

Mom (Helen Rigby) and her friends enjoyed their coffee parties.  This picture is taken in our front yard, no doubt during one of those parties.  Left to Right:  Dennis Cloward, son of Mary Cloward, Doyce Coates, son of Ann Coates and me (Kathy).

Friday, May 21, 2010

~~~"Old Guys Jokes"~~~

An elderly gentleman....


Had serious hearing problems for a number of years.. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%


The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, 'Your hearing is perfect.. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.'


The gentleman replied, 'Oh, I haven't told my family yet.


I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!'


An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house, and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen.


The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, 'Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great.. I would recommend it very highly.'


The other man said, 'What is the name of the restaurant?'


The first man thought and thought and finally said, 'What is the name of that flower you give to someone you love?


You know.... The one that's red and has thorns..'


'Do you mean a rose?'


'Yes, that's the one,' replied the man. He then turned towards the kitchen and yelled, 'Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?'



Three old guys are out walking.


First one says, 'Windy, isn't it?'


Second one says, 'No, it's Thursday!'


Third one says, 'So am I. Let's go get a beer..'



sent in by Angie Hafen

Fred, Jack and Jake (about 1903) City Workers


I think these men helped put in the first electric power into Mt Pleasant. A hole in the top of the picture leads me to believe it was nailed to the wall in the Electric shop. My Father (Laban Gunderson) was City Electrician for several years starting about 1927 which could explain why I have this picture.
I have now discovered that Fred (on the left) is my great uncle, Arnst Ferdinand (Fred) Beckstrom. He gave his name in the 1910 Census as Fred Beckstrom. ~Betty
Betty Gunderson Woodbury Collection
photo retouched by David R. Gunderson

Thursday, May 20, 2010

"We the Boys of Sanpete County"

The above photo is a re-enactment.
The lyrics of this song were composed by members of Mormon companies
who tried to cross a spring runoff-swollen Green River on 25 June
1868. They were teamsters headed east to meet and assist immigrants traveling to Utah.


In Obedience to the Call

Started out with forty wagons

To bring in Emigrants this fall

Without fear or thought of danger

On our way we lightly sped

Every heart with joy abounding

Captain Seely at our head.

To accomplish the mission

We were Called to fill below

Left our friends and wives and Children

On the dreary plains to go.
 
  Over hills and lofty mountains

Through the mud and in the dust

Slowly Climbed the lofty mountain

Far above the snows white Crust.

With the sun to set declining

glad to welcome closing day

By some stream or gushing fountain

To refresh all night we stay.
 
 
When we reached green river ferry

On its banks all night we stay

Next morning ferried our wagons over

Thinking soon to roll away

Next to drive our Cattle over

But we found they would not swim

Though the boys were in the water

Many hours up to the Chin.
 
 
While the boat was passing Over

The water into it did pour

The Captain cried boys we‘re going under

We shall sink this very hour
 
One had landed on an island

Clinging to the willow green

But with him life soon extinguished

Backwards fell into the stream.

Thus six boys from parents driven

And from friends whom they did love

But we yet again shall meet them

In that better world above.
 
The Green River Song” was written about 1868,   LDS Church Archives, Family and Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Unknown Children - Unknown Event

from Alice Hafen's  Photos from the Past

Please help us identify all unknown photos!

Peter believes some of these to be the children of S.M. and Floss Nielsen.

Monday, May 17, 2010

N. S. Neilson ~~~ Mayor of the Month ~~~May 2010




N.S. Neilson, son of Neils and Beuta Swenson, was born in Sweden, September 5, 1848.  In 1868 he came to Utah with a sister, Hannah, locating in Moroni, where he engaged in farming, mining and railroading.

Aout 1869 he moved to Mt. Pleasant, and in 1872 became a stockholder in the Sanpete County Co-op Store.  In 1877 he engaged in the cattle business in a small way.  He started in the sheep business in 1883.  When the Mt. Pleasant Commercial and Savings Bank was organized, he became one of the largest stockholders and was elected president.  He also carried a small stock of agricultural implements and conducted a meat market for several years.

He was a stockholder in the Electric Light Companyh, had stock in both the roller mills, being president of the Mt. Pleasant mill.  He was a member of the city council for two terms and elected mayor in 1895.  He was a member of the I.O.O.F.

He married Beuta, daughter of Neils and Karn Neilson in Mt. Pleasant on October 3, 1883.  She was born in Sweden, June 5, 1860.  They were the parents of three children:  Irene, Beatrice, and Adie


Pretty Ladies in Lovely Hats