CLASS OF 1899 ~~~ GEORGE CHRISTENSN ~~~ PRINCIPAL

 

 

George Christensen 

Dorthea Mogensen Christensen
George's First Wife
Died in 1899

Francis Ellison Christensen
George's second wife 

ANNIE CHRISTINE CHRISTENSEN MONSEN (From our archives)

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Many thanks goes to  Beverly McIntosh Brown for sending in the histories of Annie Christine and Dorthea Marie Nielsen (Christensen).  These were the two wives of Peter Mogensen (Monsen).  Peter was Pioneer of the Month in January 2010.  We will link all these histories together for research purposes.

Annie Christine Christensen Monsen

Wife of Peter Mogensen (Monsen)  You can find his history here:

Originally compiled and typed by F. Fern McIntosh Jacobs

Retyped by Belva Jones McIntosh June 2000

Most parenthetical comments and highlighting done by Beverly McIntosh Brown


Annie Christine Christensen Monsen was born October 8, l848 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the daughter of Catherine Amalie (Trine) Rasmussen Borresen Christensen Fecher (her story typed separately) and Peder Henrick Christensen. (Annie was the second wife of Peter Mogenson.)



Her Mother, “Trina” as she was called, was born October 18, 1826 in Denmark, and her father was born January 15, 1823 in Sanby, Lolland, Denmark. The Christensen’s became the parents of two daughters, who were born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Annie Christine Christensen was born October 8, 1848 and Jensine Sophia, born December 30, 1850.



They became converts to the Restored Church and soon after, in company with the Borresen families, set sail for Zion in America. The day happened to be Christmas Day.



After a time, they landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, and soon the Saints were sailing up the Mississippi River. There they saw burly Negroes loading barrels of molasses and huge bales of cotton onto ships for transportation. Also they saw alligators sunning themselves on the riverbanks. These were strange and interesting sights for these immigrants from afar.



Soon after landing at Winter Quarters, these families joined a pioneer company bound for Utah. There was much sickness in the camps of these saints. Now it was the father who became ill and passed away on April 5, 1854. So, sadly, Trine had her beloved husband, Peder Henrick Christensen laid to rest enroute to the Salt Lake Valley. Cholera took its toll, and death occurred among many of their friends.



Annie’s mother became acquainted with a very fine man, a German immigrant, John Frederick Fechser. He was kind to her and while they were in Salt Lake she became his wife on January 14, 1855.



In March 1859, Fechser’s family, with others from Salt Lake Valley and Utah County, came to Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County. They helped to build the fort in Mt. Pleasant, and in the summer of 1859 it was completed.



After the Manti Temple was completed, it was a great joy to Trine Christensen Fechser when she, accompanied by her daughter could go to the temple and be sealed for eternity to her dear former husband, Peder Christensen, who died enroute to Utah.



Annie Christine went to work at the home of Peter Monsen when they moved to Mt. Pleasant. He and his good wife Dorthea Nielsen were the parents of five children. Christian who was buried at sea at the age of 16 months while they were on their way to America, and Anne Christina, Peter L., Joseph Moroni and Sena M. It was the order of the Mormon Church at that time for the worthy members to enter into plural marriage. Since Dorthea was not well, and Annie needed a good home of her own, it was decided that Annie should become his second wife in plural marriage. Annie was very fond of both Peter Monsen and his wonderful wife, so their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple the 2nd of January 1864. Dorthea was like a real mother to her, and whenever she was troubled or needed help, she was the one who gave her love and consolation and encouragement. Dorthea had three more children – James, Dorthea M. and Carolena.



Annie gave birth to thirteen children. Annie lived in a little house one block west of Dorothea, and they enjoyed a very pleasant relationship at all times. Annie helped Peter Monsen down at the farm, and many times the babies slept in the shade of the bushes of a wheat stack while she worked hand in hand with her husband. Dorthea, who was not well enough to work in the fields, often assumed the responsibility of all the children while Annie worked. Annie wore her husband’s old shoes tied to her feet, and didn’t know what it was to have a beautiful new pair of her own.



Both women were excellent dressmakers, and did all of their own sewing. The last pat of Annie’s life was very hard because the practice of plural marriage or polygamy was abolished and she had to hide from the officers for fear of being arrested. She slept in many different places at night and exposed herself to all kinds of weather. She died in 1888 at Mt. Pleasant at the age of 40 of childbed fever, a couple of weeks after the birth of her 13th child, Esther. When she died, Peter Monsen was in Indianola preaching to the Indians, and John, 13 years of age, rode to there on a horse to get him.



It was a real tragedy, and much sorrow filled the hearts of these children when their dear mother was taken from them so young. Dorthea tenderly took care of her children until she died, November 10, 1912. Esther said that if ever there was an angel on earth, it was this wonderful stepmother. She said,”All I knew about my stepmother was beautiful. She was so kind and patient and helpful to all of her children and stepchildren, even though she had not known a well day for the last 40 years of her life. She need not be afraid to meet Annie and give a good report on the care of her wonderful children.

IMMIGRATION EXPERIENCES (Taken from History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf)

 

The following Mount Pleasant pioneers came with President Canute Petersen's company: William Morrison, Margaret Morrison, Rasmus Frandsen,  George Frandsen Sr., Karen Neilson, Erick Gunderson Sr., Christian Jensen, Karen Marie Petersen, Niels Johansen, Annie Anderson, Jens C. Jensen, Marian Anderson, Peter Mogensen (Monsen), Jeppe Iverson, Caroline Christine Iverson, Annie Christensen Mortensen Scowgaard, Caroline Frandsen, Niels Christian Neilson, Mary Larsen Neilsen, Rasmus Hansen, Annie Marie Jorgensen Frandsen, and others.  Also a number who located in Ephraim.

Among those who came with the ill-fated Martin and Willie handcart companies, and later pioneered Mount Pleasant were John Oldham, Sarah Hotgkinson, Joseph Burton (Reynolds), Mrs. Eliza Cusworth Burton (Staker), Martha Burton (Reynolds), Andrew Madsen (Harbro) and his sisters, Mrs Hannah Madsen (Aldrich), Mrs. Maria Madsen (Ericksen), Mrs, Christina Madsen (Harbro), and their mother Ane Jensen Madsen, Mrs. Ellen Jackson and son John Carter, (Willie's Company)

Among those who came with the William Hodgett'd Company were: Mrs. Bodel Madsen (fifty), her son, Larsen Christian (eight), Wilhelmina Kraus (eight), Lars Jorgensen (forty one), his wife Karen Jorgensen (thirty), their daughter Karen Jorgensen (three); although the name is not listed just the same, it is claimed that Lars Jorgensen and his wife were the same people who were killed by Indians in Salt Creek Canyon, in 1858.

 

In Hunt's Company came Lars Peter Fredericksen, Adolph Fredericksen, Karen Petersen Fredericksen.

George Christensen, Dorthea Mogensen Christensen, and Francis Ellison Christensen~~~ Pioneers of the Month ~~~ September 2022

George Christensen 

Dorthea Mogensen Christensen
George's First Wife
Died in 1899

Francis Ellison Christensen
George's second wife 

Home of George Christensen and his wife Dortha Marie Mogensen ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

George Christensen was a mayor of Mt. Pleasant

See link below:

http://mtpleasantmayor.blogspot.com/2010/10/mayor-of-month-october-2010-george.html

Home of Daniel Jeppasson Beckstrom and his wife Sara Betty Longberg ~~~ From our Archives

 

Branch Store, George Christensen Store, Meat and Grocery Store, Wasatch Academy Coffee Shop ~~~Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

Home of Peter Mogensen (Monsen) and his wife Dorthea Marie Nielsen ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

Home of Andrew Jensen and wife Lena Monsen (Caroline Mogensen) ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

NAMES OF MT. PLEASANT INDIAN WAR VETRANS WHO HAVE MADE APPLICATION FOR STATE MEDALS

Home of George Christensen and wife Dorthea Marie Mogensen ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

ANNIE CHRISTINE CHRISTENSEN MONSEN

Many thanks goes to  Beverly McIntosh Brown for sending in the histories of Annie Christine and Dorthea Marie Nielsen (Christensen).  These were the two wives of Peter Mogensen (Monsen).  Peter was Pioneer of the Month in January 2010.  We will link all these histories together for research purposes.

Annie Christine Christensen Monsen

Wife of Peter Mogensen (Monsen)  You can find his history here:

Originally compiled and typed by F. Fern McIntosh Jacobs

Retyped by Belva Jones McIntosh June 2000

Most parenthetical comments and highlighting done by Beverly McIntosh Brown


Annie Christine Christensen Monsen was born October 8, l848 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the daughter of Catherine Amalie (Trine) Rasmussen Borresen Christensen Fecher (her story typed separately) and Peder Henrick Christensen. (Annie was the second wife of Peter Mogenson.)



Her Mother, “Trina” as she was called, was born October 18, 1826 in Denmark, and her father was born January 15, 1823 in Sanby, Lolland, Denmark. The Christensen’s became the parents of two daughters, who were born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Annie Christine Christensen was born October 8, 1848 and Jensine Sophia, born December 30, 1850.



They became converts to the Restored Church and soon after, in company with the Borresen families, set sail for Zion in America. The day happened to be Christmas Day.



After a time, they landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, and soon the Saints were sailing up the Mississippi River. There they saw burly Negroes loading barrels of molasses and huge bales of cotton onto ships for transportation. Also they saw alligators sunning themselves on the riverbanks. These were strange and interesting sights for these immigrants from afar.



Soon after landing at Winter Quarters, these families joined a pioneer company bound for Utah. There was much sickness in the camps of these saints. Now it was the father who became ill and passed away on April 5, 1854. So, sadly, Trine had her beloved husband, Peder Henrick Christensen laid to rest enroute to the Salt Lake Valley. Cholera took its toll, and death occurred among many of their friends.



Annie’s mother became acquainted with a very fine man, a German immigrant, John Frederick Fechser. He was kind to her and while they were in Salt Lake she became his wife on January 14, 1855.



In March 1859, Fechser’s family, with others from Salt Lake Valley and Utah County, came to Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County. They helped to build the fort in Mt. Pleasant, and in the summer of 1859 it was completed.



After the Manti Temple was completed, it was a great joy to Trine Christensen Fechser when she, accompanied by her daughter could go to the temple and be sealed for eternity to her dear former husband, Peder Christensen, who died enroute to Utah.



Annie Christine went to work at the home of Peter Monsen when they moved to Mt. Pleasant. He and his good wife Dorthea Nielsen were the parents of five children. Christian who was buried at sea at the age of 16 months while they were on their way to America, and Anne Christina, Peter L., Joseph Moroni and Sena M. It was the order of the Mormon Church at that time for the worthy members to enter into plural marriage. Since Dorthea was not well, and Annie needed a good home of her own, it was decided that Annie should become his second wife in plural marriage. Annie was very fond of both Peter Monsen and his wonderful wife, so their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple the 2nd of January 1864. Dorthea was like a real mother to her, and whenever she was troubled or needed help, she was the one who gave her love and consolation and encouragement. Dorthea had three more children – James, Dorthea M. and Carolena.



Annie gave birth to thirteen children. Annie lived in a little house one block west of Dorothea, and they enjoyed a very pleasant relationship at all times. Annie helped Peter Monsen down at the farm, and many times the babies slept in the shade of the bushes of a wheat stack while she worked hand in hand with her husband. Dorthea, who was not well enough to work in the fields, often assumed the responsibility of all the children while Annie worked. Annie wore her husband’s old shoes tied to her feet, and didn’t know what it was to have a beautiful new pair of her own.



Both women were excellent dressmakers, and did all of their own sewing. The last pat of Annie’s life was very hard because the practice of plural marriage or polygamy was abolished and she had to hide from the officers for fear of being arrested. She slept in many different places at night and exposed herself to all kinds of weather. She died in 1888 at Mt. Pleasant at the age of 40 of childbed fever, a couple of weeks after the birth of her 13th child, Esther. When she died, Peter Monsen was in Indianola preaching to the Indians, and John, 13 years of age, rode to there on a horse to get him.



It was a real tragedy, and much sorrow filled the hearts of these children when their dear mother was taken from them so young. Dorthea tenderly took care of her children until she died, November 10, 1912. Esther said that if ever there was an angel on earth, it was this wonderful stepmother. She said,”All I knew about my stepmother was beautiful. She was so kind and patient and helpful to all of her children and stepchildren, even though she had not known a well day for the last 40 years of her life. She need not be afraid to meet Annie and give a good report on the care of her wonderful children.

Borresen Family ~~~~ Pioneers of the Month ~~~~~~~December 2018

Philip Borresen 

Philip Borresen was born March 1, 1822 at Scow-Husine, by interpretation from the Danish "Forest Mansion", East Egesborg, Skjealand, Denmark.  His parents were Peder Christian Borresen and Maren Jorgensen Borresen.  A younger brother, Phillip's twin, died at two days of age .  Records from Denmark give the number of children in his family as eleven.  Phillip being the ninth child and a younger brother the who survived, Neils Henrick, being the eleventh child.  

Strong and healthy children they were, from all accounts.  It appears that the parents were at least moderately well to do.  The children were taught to work and to take good care of the things with which they were blessed.  They received a good school education.  Their father, Peder Christian being a professor, and one who followed the vocation of teaching for about fifty years.  A sorrowful event occurred when Phillip was only four years of age.  His dear mother, Maren Borresen passed away leaving the young infant, Niels to be cared for by another.  However, a good kind young woman came into this Borresen home and she cared for the baby, Niels Henrick.. She had then, a child of her own, an infant daughter named Cathrine Amalie Rasmussen.   The mother was Karen Christiane Kirstine Rasmussen.  Her baby was only a few weeks younger than Philip's baby brother Niels Henrick.

Philip Borresen was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Denmark on 8 January 1853.  His brother Niels on 12 April 1856, and Niels' wife, Johanne Marie Nielsen Borresen 9 (or 12) April 1853.

Preparations were made for the journey to America, Zion with several hundred immigrants.  On 24 December 1853 the Borresen brothers, Niels' wife J. Mare, and it seems a sister Trine A. B. Christensen with her husband Peter Christensen and their two young daughters, Ane and Sophia Jensine and Niels' daughter, Henrik Lotte Marie Borresen, boarded the sailing vessel, "Benjamin Adams" and sailed away to their new home among the Saints. 

During the voyagethe little daughter of Niels and Mare became ill and died and was buried in the Atlantic February 1854.

The ship landed at New Orleans, Louisiana.  During the voyage up the Mississippi, they saw burly negroes  loading huge barrels of molasses onto boats.  Also they saw crocodiles sunning themselves on the river banks.

Ere long, ox teams were procured, provisions also, and this group joined and became part of a Pioneer Immigration Company to cross the plains, bound for Utah.

Sorrow gripped their hearts again, when in March, the little daughter of Peter Henrick Christensen and their sister Trena, Sophia Jensine Christensen passed away.  And then their sorrows were again increased when the beloved husband and father, Peter Henrik Christensen also passed away in April.  It was a common occurrence for someone of this Pioneer Company to pass away.

During their journey across the plains they saw herds of buffalo and some of these were taken and used for food, as well as the hides for clothing.  This journey ended for them on 5 October 1854, when after walking across the plains they arrived in Salt Lake City.

As Philip's brother and sister lived at or near Salt Lake City,  it is supposed that Philip did also.  They received their endowments at the old Endowment House in Salt Lake City in 1857.  

Not much is known or recalled of Philip for the next year or two.  Doubtless, he also lived at Spanish Fork near by his brother, Niels.  Also he probably  served along with Niels during the Walker Indian War. 

The History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf  proves him there in the winter or early spring of 1859.  He furnished ox teams and labored along with his brother and their companions to construct the fort and completed it in July.

Among those with whom they worked were John Fechser, Svend Larsen, John Eletsen,  They grubbed brush, cleared the ground, plowed the land, planted crops and gardens with eager haste to procure food.  Niels  Borresen was a skilled horticulturist.  He planted and cared for fruit trees.  He believed himself to be the one to plant the first apple tree in Mt. Pleasant.  He also operated a grist mill which was built and owned by the aforesaid men.  

Philip and Rachel J. Borresen took into their home Indian Children, probably orphans to rear.  As tradition tells us they were kind and kept the children neat and clean and loved them dearly.  Rachel, it seems had none of her own.  

Doubtless Philip served along with Niels in the Black Hawk Indian War.  We do not know much oabout this family, nor the date of Rachel's death.  Philip married Martha Christine Gottfredsen at the Old Endowment House in 1867.  She was the daughter of Jens and...... Gottfredsen on 14 October 1868.  Philip passed away, probably from diptheria at Fort Ephraim.  Christine remarried to George Tuft by whom she reared a family; some of whom lived and died and buried there.    (author unknown)

Born in Skovhusa Oster Egesborg Praesto, Denmark on 2 Aug 1826 to  Peder Christian Borresen and Else Maren Jorgensen. Niels Hendrick Borresen married Anna Mathila Anderson and had 14 children. He passed away on 9 Mar 1916 in Spring City, Sanpete, Utah, USA.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cathrine A. R. Borressen Christensen Fechser

Cathrine Amalie Rasmussen was born October 18 1826 in Denmark.  As records were lacking, the name of her father is not known.  Her mother was Karen Christiane Kerstine Rasmussen Borresen.  

First records show that "Trine" was brought as an infant by her mother into the home of Peter Chrisian Borresen of Egesborg, Skjaelland, Denmark.  Kirstina ws given the care of another infant, the Borresen baby, Niels Henrick.  His mother had passed away at the time of his birth or in his young infancy. (2 Aug 1826).  And so the two babies grew up together as twins and were nursed at the same breast.  Niels' new mother must have been a fine noble woman as proved by the fine character of her two babies.  They loved each other as their own brother and sister throughout their long, eventful lives.  And when speaking of each other they would say "my sister Trine" or "my brother Niels".   In fact none  of their families knew different.  Certainly, none of Niels Borresen's family knew but what they were actually brother and sister.   And from all appearances, Peter Christian Borresen, Trine's step father was a real father to her.  She took his surname in Denmark where they grew up to maturity.  Their father was a school master and his children were educated, and were trained in various occupations.  

Trine married a fine young man, Peter Henrick Christensen of Sanby, Lolland, Denmark, born 15 January 1823.  Peter's parents were Christen Pedersen and Anne Christena Jorgensen Pedersen.  

Peter and Trine lived at Copenhagen, where two daughters were born; Ane Christine Christensen 8 October 1848 and  Jensine Sophia Christensen 30 November 1850.

The Christensens accepted the gospel in Denmark as taught by early day missionaries.  As also the two Borresen brothers, Philip and Niels, and Niels' wife Johanne Marie Nielsen Borresen,  These were baptized in 1853 and they left Denmark 24-25 December 1853, bound for America on the sailing ship, Benjamin Adams.  

In February, Niels and Marie Borresen buried their baby in the Atlantic.  and on 17 March, the little three year old daughter of Peter and Trine B. Christensen passed away and was buried enroute to Zion.  Cholera took its troll.  There were births, death and marriages on board ship.  The converts were many times tested, yet they wavered not.  

These joined the pioneer emmigration company of Hans Peter Olsen and took up the trek across the plains toward Utah.  Sorrow was a common lot.  On 5 April 1854, Trine saw her beloved husband Peter pass away from the effects of choloera.  It seems he was buried beside the trail.  There was not much time for tears.  Again they took up their journey.  It was not possible for many to ride in the wagons.  some had to walk.  Niels H. Borresen, and also Philip walked all the way to Utah.  About ten months after starting, they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on 5 October 1854.

For awhile this company of Danish lived in Salt Lake Ciry, but soon Trine became the wife of a young fine German, John Frederick Fechser on 14 Jan 1855 in the Endowment House.  They were married for time only.  Fechser had lost his wife rosin F. Keyser enroute.  Trina reserved the privelage of bein sealed by proxy to her beloved Peter at the same time.  And later, the little daughter, Jensine Sophia also was sealed by proxy at Manti Temple to her parents as was the daughter Ane Christensen.  

Ane became the plural wife of Peter Monsen or Mogensen of Mount Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah.  He was the son of Mogens Nielsen, born 16 Dec 1775, Langland Denmark and Karen Jorgensen Nielsen.

Children are:  

Millie Monsen.................married Thomas Kirby

Sophia..............................married Hans Poulsen         of Mt. Pleasant

Annie................................Erick Ericksen                     of Mt. Pleasant

Josephine...........................Peter Andersen                 of Ephraim, 

Christie..............................Marinus Beck                     of Chester

John Fred..........................Annie Blake                        of Manti

Nora .................................Gilbert Beckstrom              of Mt. Pleasant

Peter..................................Kate Gilman                       of Mt. Pleasant

Olivia................................Joseph Johansen                 of Mt. Pleasant

                                           Merlin Anderson 

                                           Wilford West                     of Mt. Pleasant

Esther................................(2)Bohne Monsen

                                          (4) Cliff Anderson

References:  Autobiography of Niels H. Borreson, Spring City, (not available in Mt. Pleasnt)

Niels Christian Nielsen and Maren Larsen Nielsen ~~~ Pioneers of the Month May 2018

My husband, Peter Hafen has deep roots in Mt. Pleasant soil.  We can find six generations on the Nielsen side of the family all buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.  We didn't have much information on the eldest, Niels Christian and his wife Maren Nielsen until just recently, we often wondered about them as no family records could be found. We know where their graves are located, but no history, no photographs have been found.  I recently found a few tips on familysearch.org and share them with those of you who might also be his descendents. If anyone out there can add more information, please let us know.

Niels Christian Nielsen was born 29 January 1805 in Brovst Hjerring Denmark to Niels Larsen and Ane Marie Hansdotter (or Nielsdotter)

Maren Larsen  was born 20 July 1803 in Hjerring Denmark to Lars Anderson and Ingeborg Poulsen

  We discovered that they actually came over at the same time that Andrew Madsen Sr. did on the John J. Boyd in 1855 which left Liverpool on December 5th. There were 508 persons aboard and 483 of them were from Scandinavia. Just prior to their leaving Liverpool Apostle Franklin D. Richards  came aboard the John J. Boyd and made some very encouraging remarks and bade them farewell.  Elder Knud (Canute) Peterson became the church leader of The John J. Boyd after filling a mission to Norway and Denmark.  He was later called as President of the Sanpete Stake. He was a very kind, fatherly man and very watchful over his flock and ever ready and willing to give kind and good advice to those under his care.

The John J. Boyd 

It was a treacherous journey with bad storms.   Many became seasick. The ship was not equipped to hold as many passengers as there were. On December 19th a terrible storm came up and rocked the boat, tossing everyone from side to side and continued through Christmas Day, December 25th. Then on January 1st the storm was so terrific that one of the masts was split and had to be wrapped with chains. All the sails were taken down.

  "The winds blew so hard the crew could not control the ship, so the sails were lowered and the ship found its own way through the water. Winter weather upon the Atlantic was so severe that the ship lost all forward progress made in the first weeks of the voyage. We had headwinds most of the way. When we were about one-third of the way over we were driven all the way back to the coast of Ireland.

The  shipmaster was Captain Thomas Austin. He ran a well-ordered company. Rules of conduct were established. A trumpet called the immigrants to prayer morning and evening, and religious services were held in English, Danish, and Italian.   

 The average voyage from England to New York aboard a steamer was 13 days, while the average trek across the Atlantic via sailing ship was 37 days. But the voyage on the John J. Boyd lasted 65 days, nearly one month longer than the average sailing ship crossing.

During the voyage, sixty-two people lost their lives. That’s the highest death toll of Mormon immigrants upon any vessel crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Even the six-month voyage of the Brooklyn from New York to San Francisco in 1846 claimed only 10 lives.

The captain became so discouraged over the unsatisfactory conditions that he forbade any to sing or pray onboard the ship. But this did not prevent them from fasting and praying in secret which was ordered by President Peterson, after which better weather prevailed.

At one time the captain said to President Peterson, “If I hadn’t damned Mormons on board I would have been in New York six weeks ago.” President Peterson said to him, “If you hadn’t Mormons on board, you would have been in hell six weeks ago.”

At one point during the   voyage a fire broke out, starting in the captain’s quarters and quickly spreading through the entire ship. The fire burned through the floor and filled the ship with smoke. The clouds of hot smoke nearly suffocated those who were resting in their quarters. It was only after much work that the fire was successfully put out. Some of the passengers and crew, fearing for their lives jumped overboard, and it was only after Knud Peterson assured the saints that they would put out the fire that panic ceased. It was later revealed that Captain Austin had been drinking and kicked over a small stove in his quarters. Precious personal cargo and provisions were lost in the accident all due to the Captain’s terrible addiction. (taken from "Voyage to America", by Hans Lorentz Dastrup.

http://www.familydastrup.org/2010/10/voyage-to-america/)

Their ship the John J. Boyd came to  New York via Castle Garden.   The surname spelled "Neilson" on roster. The family came on the John J. Boyd in 1855. The family was: Niels age 50, Maren age 52, Anne Catherine age 18 and Karen age 16. The family was listed as Nilsen on board. They emigrated from Vensyssel District.  (notice no Niels Peter Nielsen was listed)

Canute Peterson Company (1856)

Canute Peterson

We also discovered that the Nielsens were with the Canute Petersen Company in 1856. The wife, Maren, daughter Anna Catherine and another daughter, Karen are listed on the ship manifest.  However, Peter's 5th great grandfather Niels Peter Nielsen, who was also a son was not listed.  Then when they reached Winter Quarters they were joined by another group of Saints coming from England and Scotland.  And with that group were Peter's third great grandparents, William and Mary Margaret Morrison from Scotland.   Now we find the lost son, Niels Peter Nielsen  listed with the Canute Petersen Company. They all arrived in Salt Lake City in September of 1856.

About 320 individuals and about 60 wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Florence, Nebraska (now Omaha).

Company members arrived in the Salt Lake Valley from 16-23 September 1856. This makes Niels Christian 51 years of age and Maren 53 years of age. 

The following comes from Mary Margaret Morrison's remembrances:

It would take too much time to enter into every detail that transpired during those intervals on our sad journey. Nevertheless in the spring of 1856 our faces still turning Zionward, we again commenced our journey from St. Louis, by way of Omaha, and from there crossing the plains by ox team. For six weeks we remained in camp at Omaha living in tents, waiting for the company to get ready. On the 26th of June, 1856 we commenced our journey across the plains. We were sixty wagons in all with Canute Petersen as Captain of our company. He was a wise and most efficient leader. During our journey our cattle stampeded five times. A young man from Denmark was run over and instantly killed, but otherwise there were no other accidents on the journey. On the 14th of July a herd of buffalo passed right through our camp. This surely was a great sight and as no accident occurred we were indeed very thankful for the preserving care which had been around us.

On the 23rd of September we arrived in Salt Lake City in good health and glad to meet many dear friends with whom we were acquainted .

 Following is from the Andrew Madsen account: 

 
CANUTE PETERSON'S [Petersen] COMPANY ARRIVED IN SALT LAKE CITY SEPTEMBER 16-21th, 1856, (Church Almanac 1997-98, page 172)] 

While we were getting fitted out a number of us secured labor erecting a wall around a farm, and in about three weeks were fitted out.Our outfit consisted of sixty wagons and two yoke of oxen, with six to ten persons to each wagon.
President Peterson was our Captain and appointed as assistant captain for each ten wagons. We started on our journey for Salt Lake City, June 19, 1856. The first day's journey was a hard one.Some of our oxen were wild and we did not know how to handle them and consequently did not make much headway the first day. The following day we made good headway. It was very hot and our oxen became very tired, traveling with their tongues out, some of them getting overheated and dying. 
We were compelled to leave some of our supplies, owing to our heavy loads and this was taken off and left.After a few  weeks journey we reached the unsettled wild west, where the buffaloes were grazining great herds.

One day there was a stampede and our oxen became frightened, rushing together, one outfit crashing into the other. The women and children became frightened, some of the wagons were broken and a few of our number were hurt and one man killed, which caused a gloom to pass over us. He was buried in a coffin such as we could prepare. We then repaired our outfits and journeyed on. A few of the buffalo were killed, dressed for beef and divided among our company.

Now and again the Indians were seen roaming from one side of the valley to the other and on occasions they would come to visit us. In order to maintain a friendly feeling, we would oft times give them some of our supplies and provisions such as we could spare. We were compelled to guard our oxen at all times when we were not traveling to prevent them from being driven away or stolen by the Indians. We were called together morning and night by the sound of a bugle to receive our instructions. Sundays, we had meetings and regular services were conducted, adding much comfort and pleasure to our journey.

 Sometimes we had dances on the green grass and enjoyed ourselves as best we could. During the days while journeying along, nearly all of us walked except those who were sick and the smaller children. We went along laughing and singing the songs and hymns of Zion. We arrived at Salt Lake City, September 20, 1856 and on the entire journey of three months not more than a half dozen persons were seen outside of our own company. . . .
Madsen, Andrew. Autobiography, pp.1-3. (CHL) 

 
The above journal entries and others can be found at:    https://history.lds.org/overlandtravel/companies/234/canute-peterson-company-1856

We now find Niels Christian in the Mt. Pleasant History by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf:   "The following Mount Pleasant pioneers came with President Canute Petersen's company: William Morrison, Margaret Morri­son, Rasmus Frandsen, George Frandsen Sr., Karen Neilson, Erick Gunderson Sr., Christian Jensen, Karen Marie Petersen, Niels Jo­hansen, Annie Anderson, Jens C. Jensen, Marian Anderson, Peter Mogensen (Monsen), Dorothy M. C. Mogensen (Monsen), Jeppe Iverson, Caroline Christine Iverson, Annie Christensen Mortensen Scowgaard, Caroline Frandsen, Neils Christian Neilson, Mary Larsen Nielsen, Rasmus Hansen, Annie Marie Jorgensen randsen, and others. Also a number who located at Ephraim." p 43.

We also find that Niels Christian Nielsen  helped build the fort:
Second ten, West Line           Time spent        Teams                Wagons
Jorger F. Jorgensen, Captain… ……18
Niels C. Nielsen …….                      13                 6                       6
 p. 135

Niels Christian Nielsen is sometimes spelled Neilson  (with the e before the i) 
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According to Family Search these are the children: 

However, Niels Peter, Karen and Ane Catherine are the only ones we can verify.

 Family Search has Ane Catherine's death date as 1855. (Someone needs to fill in the blanks there.) Karen married Jorgen Frandsen 19 December 1856.
Karen's death date is March 4, 1915 in Price, Carbon County, Utah.

Niels Peter Nielsen married Bertha Marie Jensen Aagaard. Family Search has their wedding date as April 27, 1890. However their first child was born in 1863. Niels Peter passed away September 2, 1911.


More information on Niels Peter and Bertha Marie can be found at: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MB3K-BXC

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Nothing more is known about Niels Christian and Maren other than they died in Mt. Pleasant.  

Niels Christian (23 March 1877) 

Maren (25 July 1882)

 

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Sources

• Genealogy and Family Pioneer History.  Mount Pleasant Historical Association
• Ship Passenger and Manifest Lists/Mormon Migration

 

Autobiography and Journals of Christian Nielsen Lund Sr. 1846-1921