PETER MONSEN FAMILY SONG ~~~ MT. PLEASANT PIONEER DAY 1971 (Taken from Louise Johansen's Scrapbook)

 

LEE ALBERT PHILLIPS ~~~ A Lifelong Friend and Former Boardmember Of Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Association.

 Lee Albert Phillips Jr., 81, of St. George, Utah, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, after a battle with Alzheimer's. Born in Mount Pleasant, Utah on December 2, 1944, Lee lived a life defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering devotion to his family and community.

Lee was the beloved son of Lee Albert Phillips Sr. and Glenna Rosina Hafen Phillips. He is survived by his cherished wife of fifty-seven years, Carol Lynn Herrin Phillips, who stood beside him through all of life's journey. Together, they built a beautiful family that was the center of Lee's world.

He was a proud father to five children: Lori Phillips (Darren), Jeffery Phillips (Becky), Tami Finau (Brett), Steven Phillips, and Travis Phillips (Aundrea). Lee's legacy continues through his18 grandchildren: Kameron Simonson (Ashlee), Meghan Peacock (Tyler), Braydon Simonson, Jakob Simonson (Dasya), Lukas Simonson, Alex Phillips, Robert Phillips, Krista Phillips, Lexi Phillips, Logan Phillips, Kilisi Finau, Keila Finau, Maili Finau, Keoni Finau, and Carson Phillips. He was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Hendrix Simonson, Axel Simonson, Madison Peacock, Miles Peacock, and Nova Simonson, who brought immense joy to his later years.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lois Monsen, and his grandson Skyler Phillips. He is survived by his sister Joan Markosian, with whom he shared many cherished memories.

Lee dedicated his professional life to banking, building a distinguished career at First Security Bank and later Wells Fargo Bank. His business acumen and commitment to excellence earned him respect throughout his career and the trust of countless colleagues and clients.

Beyond his professional achievements, Lee was a servant leader who generously gave of his time and talents to his community. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Sun Shiners, and President of the Rotary Club, where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served as Treasurer of the Salvation Army, demonstrating his commitment to helping those in need. His faith was central to his life, and he held many leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including serving a mission in the Eastern Atlantic States from 1964 to 1966.

Lee graduated from Brigham Young University in 1971 with a degree in Sociology. As a proud alumnus, he remained a devoted fan throughout his life, regularly attending and watching BYU football and basketball games.

Those who knew Lee will remember him for his warm spirit and the smile that would light up any room. He was an avid golfer who enjoyed time on the course, but his true passions were found closer to home. Lee loved singing and in his earlier years, playing the guitar. He took great pride in maintaining his home and yards and found great satisfaction in mowing the lawn and making sure his lawn was the greenest one on the block.

One of Lee's most endearing qualities was his playful nature with his grandchildren. He would delight them with his Donald Duck voice, creating memories that will be cherished for generations. His ability to bring laughter and joy to his family was one of his greatest gifts.

Lee Albert Phillips Jr. was a man of integrity, kindness, and boundless love. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the community he served, and the family he loved so dearly. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A celebration of Lee's life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary (288 W. St. George Blvd, St. George, Utah). Friends and family are invited to a viewing from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a sharing of memories from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

 

MT. PLEASANT CITY COUNCIL ~~~1896-97

 

BOARD MEMBERS OF THE MT. PLEASANT PIONEER HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ~~~ FEBRUARY 1960 (from our archives)

 

HOME OF Charles Jacobsen and wife Grace Maggie Candland ~~~Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee (From our archives)

 

NORTH SANPETE HIGH SCHOOL 1916

Graduates of Class 1916 Plan a reunion. North Sanpete High School may have changed considerably in the past 50 years, but the fond memories of the graduating class of 1916 are still vivid among those who attended 

the school at that time. 

 

MOUNT PLEASANT FIRST CHRISTMAS ~~~ FROM THE JOURNAL OF ANDREW MADSEN

 

TWO BABY BOYS DIE IN A BARN FIRE

 

OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS OF MT. PLEASANT PIONEER HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ~~~ 1960

 

HOME OF ANDREW SIMON JENSEN and CAROLINE (LENA) MONSEN ~~~ Researched, compiled and updated by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

MAYOR ABRAM JOHNSON TAKES HELM

 

MT. PLEASANT BASKETBALL ~~~ School Class 1909

 

MT. PLEASANT BOOK ~~~ SURROUNDING COMMUNTITIES

FORMER MAYORS OF MT. PLEASANT

 

ANNIE CHRISTINE CHRISTENSEN MONSEN (From our archives)

 This post has over a thousand hits.  

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.

HOME OF NIELS PETER NIELSEN SR. AND WIFE BIRTHA MARIE AAGAARD

 

 

 

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.

THE SYNOPSIS OF THE THIRTY SIXTH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE MT. PLEASANT PIONEER HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

This Synopsis was read at the thirty sixth Annual Celebration of the

 Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Association.

Read by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf

Exercises held in Mt. Pleasant North Ward Chapel

James Larsen presided.

Guests of Honor seated on the stand:

Oldest Lady:  Mrs Mary Willcox aged 95 years 9 months (a pioneer of Utah 1847, a pioneer of Hambleton in 1852, and Mt. Pleasant in 1860)

Oldest Man:  Rudolph N. Bennett age 83 years and 5 months (a pioneer of 1859 the only man still living whose name is on the Pioneer Monument.

The program:

Selection: North Sanpete High School Band led by Henry Terry

Prayer:  R. N. Bennett (a beautiful impressive prayer)

Vocal Solo with orchestra accompaniment:  "Calm is the Night" by Wilma Hafen

Talk:  James Monsen "Caring for our relics" (made in the Danish language and interpreted by C. W. Sorensen.

He extended thanks of the Association to J.H. Stansfield, a Norman, Amelia Jensen and Hilda Longsdorf for the part played by them in reconstructing the Fort Wall in miniature for the Association.

A paper prepared by Mrs Melvina Crane "Fun in the Good Old Days" was read by her.

A paper "Memories of Freighting Days" was read by N.S. Nielson.

Address:  Judge Ferdinand Ericksen of Salt Lake City.  Judge Ericksen was a former member of the Board of Directors and the Treasurer during construction of the Pioneer Monument.  He also read a sketch of schools as he knew them to 1890.

Vocal Solo:  Floyd Young of Fairview with piano accompaniment by Ernest Staker

Talks:  Dr. Samuel H. Allen and Amasa Aldrich both former residents; now of Salt Lake.  The spoke reminiscently of school days, dance days, and wash days, etc. in Mt. Pleasant.  (Dr. Allen died the following September)

Overture:  North Sanpete High School Orchestra 

Benediction:  Pres. S. M. Nielsen of North Sanpete Stake

The meeting adjourned to Mt. Pleasant Carnegie Library where relics were displayed and old-time refreshments served.

The days activities were concluded by a dance in the Hansen Armory Hall where the receipts of the dance were $77.50, expenses were $71.70 with cookies donated by member of the committee.

Members who had passed to the beyond during the year 1925-26:

Mr. Hazzard Willcox

Mr. Washington Averett

Mrs. Hannah Anderson

Mr. John Knudson

Mrs Isaac Phipps Smith

Mr. William H. Seely

Mrs Peter Micklesen

Mrs. Dorothy Bramstead Swensen

During 1926 Mrs Annie Peel Candland, a board member died and James Borg, a board member removed to Salt Lake City.

signed:  Hilda M. Longsdorf, Secretary

 

AFTER THE BURNING OF HAMBLETON SETTLEMENT ~~~ MT. PEASANT

 

James Monsen (from our archives)

 

James Monsen was the son of Peter and Dorothy C. Monsen, two of Mt. Pleasant's earliest pioneers. James grew up in Mt. Pleasant. The Introduction of his autobiography reads: "Since, by reason of circumstance, the writer of this little book has had little or no access to scholastic training, I suggest that when read, it be done with no critical intent, and that grammatical errors, if any, be by-passed. And, I most sincerely trust that its contents will convey to the reader a clear and correct concept of its true meaning and the purpose for which it was written."  We wish to thank James Monsen for taking the time to write this "little book" as it contains some real treasures of early Mt. Pleasant History.  In this post we share his early childhood memories of new wooden shoes, reading materials, school furniture and construction as well as dying yarn and weaving.


Mother was a great teacher, and in those days reading matter was not so plentiful as now (printed in 1949), and to say the least, much more expensive.  So, to economize, Neils Johansen, our neighbor and mother joined in subscribing for such papers as suited them best.  One was called the Dacota Post, and a novel with continued stories. Father thought it best to read the Deseret News, and especially the gospel sermons, which, of course, mother did read, but she enjoy other kinds of reading, and knowing that father rather opposed fiction and the like, many of the evenings were spent in Neils Johansen's home, not to sit idle with arms folded, but to work as well as read.


Johansen was a weaver and always had something on hand that even a child could do.  Washing wool, picking, carding, spinning, spooling, and often making skeins, tying them into knots, dipping them into homemade dye pots for different colors.  So, while mother read, Johansen was not idle; and when he read, mother was busy at something, and even I sometimes wound yarn into a ball.  I also ran the spooler while Johansen would weave, and to say the least, I listened very attentively to the reading, most of which was Danish; thereby I think I acquired much of what I know of the language.


While I enjoyed hearing them read while they worked, sleep would sometimes overtake me, and to be awakened to go home was anything but appreciated.


I recall now going with my sister Stena to the store.  On our return we passed the then-called second ward school house, where my brother Joe was going to school.  We didn't pass by unnoticed.  Joe came rushing out and grabbed me.  I well remember how I protested and cried.  My crying and Stena's pleading did not dissuade Joe from taking me by force into the schoolroom.  Joe knew I liked roasted potatoes and they were there in abundance.


The house was heated from an open fireplace where they used wood for fuel, a splendid place to roast things.  In the corner of the room some boys were engaged in pitching buttons.  With all such going, I soon became pacified and glad that I was forced to join the gang.


The teacher's name was Hans Jorgen Schultz, and I remember he wore barndoor pants (?Means it has buttons to close the front, no zipper) and leather suspenders and wooden shoes.  He had in his hand a birch stick about three foot long, which he used as a pointer, as well as a fire poker, and he was not adverse to poking the rude boys occasionally.


The desks were a double arrangement, about two feet wide on either side, sloping to the center, with benches on both sides, the students facing each other.  I think four such desks constituted the furniture  A blackboard, made from planed lumber, hung on the wall,  That was my first introduction to a schoolroom.


The home was about 16 x 25.  The desk and benches stood crosswise in the room, full length, except a pass-way at the ends.


Father had learned to make wooden shoes in his native land, and brought with him some tools with which to make such shoes.


I had arrived at school age, I guess about six or seven years old, but to go to school required footwear, and I had none.  I think it proper here to say that as long as the ground was free of snow we went barefooted.  I used to look forward with great anticipation to the advent of spring, so I could go barefooted.  Now back to the school shoes.


By invitation I went with my father over in the Cedar Hills after a load of wood.  When his wood was all loaded, he proceeded to find a pitch pine tree just to suit his fancy, and I wondered why he was so particular about his choice of a tree and asked him that question.  "Well"he said, "I want a stick best suited for wooden shoes.  I am going to make you a pair so you can go to school."


I looked forward with much pleasure to the finishing of my new shoes, so I eagerly watched that piece of wood from the tree to the finished wooden shoe.  Mother had them nicely shined from the soot she gathered in the fireplace, and when I arrived at Sister Morrison's home (she was the teacher) I was more proud than ever, because of the comment made by her about my new shoes.  I think, however, I was the only one there with wooden shoes.


At that, they were nice shoes, and there was none like them worn by others.  The only objection I had to them, I couldn't run as fast with them as without.

Barndoor Pants 

What are barn door pants?

Barn door pants are an Amish style of pants. They are homemade pants without a zipper where the front of the pants may be folded up and buttoned along the top.