TWO BABY BOYS DIE IN A BARN FIRE

 

PHOTOS FROM THE PAST

 

ANITA LOUISE MIKKELSEN~~~ HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND

 

Anita Louise Mikkelsen

January 24, 1947 — February 16, 2025

Mt. Pleasant

Anita Louise Simons Mikkelsen, 78 passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Mt. Pleasant, UT, on February 16, 2025.

Anita was a wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She is now happily reunited with her loving husband Andrew who passed on 25 years before her.

Mother of Ed Mikkelsen, Any Mikkelsen Wall, Bret (Kristie) Mikkelsen, (late) Sean Mikkelsen. Grandmother of 8 grandkids, Darci, Abbi, Whitney, Shantel, Karlie and Sonny, McKenna, Andrew; 12 great-grandkids; sister to Darlene (Charles) Stevens and Lisa (Jeff) Johns.

Anita enjoyed getting together with friends and family, vacationing and her daily visits with the coffee crew. 

Anita’s kids all live close and spent a great deal of time with her. She loved going for rides and picnics in the mountains. 

Preceded in death by her parents Dee and Wahnetta Simons; brother Dick Simons; husband, Andrew Mikkelsen; son, Sean Mikkelsen; son-in-law Brian Wall and granddaughter Karlie Ison.

Services will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Rasmussen Mortuary with a visitation one hour prior starting at 10:30 a.m.. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery. 

To Watch Funeral Services Live, Click Here. The Live Zoom Link will Activate at 11:15 a.m. MST prior to services

SCOUTING ON THE SKYLINE ~~~ JAMES L. JACOBS

 

 James L. Jacobs

1052 Darling Street

Ogden, Utah 84403

Senior Citizen Division

Second Place Historical Essay

Boy Scout camping trips were never better than those we Scouts

of Mt. Pleasant enjoyed in the mountains east of town in 1920 and

1922, The five-day trips each August were filled with high adven-

- ture and great scouting activities. Hiking, swimming, fishing,

nature study, games and sports, and practicing Scout lore in a

choice mountain setting were thrilling amd stimulsting.

The first trip included thirty-two Scouts of Troop 1 - the

North Ward boys - and a mumber of men officiating. Soren M.

Nielsen was scoutmaster and Ray Riley was his assistant. Daniel

Rasmussen of the stake presidency, Bishop H. C. Jacobs, and several

other men assisted with the trip.

Teans and wagons to haul us and our gear to canp were furnished

at no cost by Joseph Seely, Daniel Rasmussen and Amasa Scovil.

We rode in the wagons on our bedrolls and tents by way of North

Creek to our camp. We walked up all the steep hills to spare the

horses.

Canp was set up on Hog Flat - a rich mountain meadow surrounded

by a forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees. Tents were pitched

on the fringe of the forest. "Pine bough beds" were made of evergreen

tranches piled deep, with the tender tips up to meke spr'ngy

and fragrant mattresses. Clear spring water, abundant firewood,

colorful wildflowers, fresh mountain air and scenery, lush fordge

for horses, and stately trees made an ideal setting for the camp.

Cleveland Reservoir furnished excellent swimming, a five-mimite

walk away. Log seats were placed around a fireplace circle where

campfire programs were held. The camp was named “Camp Heber J.

- Grant® to honor the Church President.

A bugle call at six each morning summoned everyone to a flagraising

ceremony to start the day's activities. These were carefully

planned to promote scouting principles and provide enjoyment

to all who participated.

On Tuesday a hike was made to the top of Seely Mountain..

re we repeated the scout oath, law, and motto while we viewed

the beauties of the mountains. On Wednesday we visited the Larsen

coal mine and had scouting lessons on the mine dump. Everyone went

fishing on Thursday and caught speckled trout in the mountain streanms.

On Friday we returned home by way of Gooseberry ana Fairview Canyon.

o

Each day we studied hard to learn more about scouting and

qualify for advancement in the scouting program. Twenty-five of

the boys passed tests to make them tenderfoot scouts, and several

achieved second class rank.

Both Troop 1 and Troop 2 from the South Ward participated in

the 1922 trip. Many brought their fathers along, so there were 65

boys and men in the party. J. Seymour Jensen served as camp director,

Harold Oliverson was scoutmaster of Troop 1 With Evan Madsen

as assistant; Calvin Christensen was scoutmaster of Troop 2 with

Marvin Anderson as assistant. Frank Bohne was chief cook, Harry

Ericksen was butcher, and R. W. Weech was photographer, Additional

teams and wagons were furnished by Bruce Seely, Byron Hampshire and 9

Clair Jacobsen.

Some of the boys in the party, identified from a photograph

were; Nelson Aldrich, Ray Aldrich, Waldo Barton, Willie Barton,

Elvin Bills, Ray Bohne, Allie Christensen, Barl Christensen, Theodore

Christensen, Robert Ericksen, Boyd Hafen, Lynn Jensen, Ray

Jorgénsen, James Jacobs, Ralph Jacobsen, Kemnis Johansen, Floyd

Larson, Evan McArthur, Chesley Norman, Arley Munk, Nathan Nielson,

Edgar Olsen, Owen Olsen, Paul Rasmussen, Paul Reynolds, Theodore

Reynolds, William Reynolds, John Rosenberg, Carlton Seely, Ray

Seely, Theron Seely, Clayton Sorenson, Miles Sorenmson, Gordon Staker,

Charles Wall, Wendell Wall, Aristol White and Perry Wright.

We were organized into patrols of eight Scouts each. The

patrols competed with each other in learning scout lore, in passing

advancement tests, in games and sports, and in giving stunts at

the evening campfire programs. The patrols were named for animals

or birds. I was a member of the Beaver patrol, amd we worked like

the beavers we were to be the best patrol in camp.

To qualify for tenderfoot rank the Scouts had to know the

scout law; oath, sign, salute, motto, care and history of the U.S.

flag, and tle nine required knots. When one of the boys learned

to tie the difficult carrick band knot, he danced around the camp

chanting repeatedly, "I can tie the carrick band."

We also learned safety rules, first aid to the injured, signalling

by Morse code, semaphore and wigwag, how to use knife and

axe properly, to cook on a campfire, to read maps and to use a

compass. «

Forest Ranger Merrill Nielson, who was statloned at nearby

Lake Ranger Station, and Deputy Forest Supervisor Serrin Van Boskirk

took us on a nature hike and taught us to identify many native

plants. I still remember the beautiful columbine, bluebell, paintbrush,

elderberry, wild geraniun, niggerhead, and the names of the

trees in the forest. These men also showed us how to fight and

prevent forest fires, and to keep from getting lost in the woods.

Food never tasted so good. Cook Frank Bohne and his helpers

were experts at preparing camp meals. They served mutton we got

from a nearby sheep herd, beans, potatoes, and all the trimmings,

including gallons of dixie molasses we spread on bread for dessert.

We ate each meal like it was to be our last one.

Swinming in Cleveland reservoir was a special delight and we

21l swan every day in our birthday sults. Swimming races were held,

and some of the boys passed tests for advancement, including quali-

. fying for swimming merit badges.

There was one crisis. Senior Patrol Leader Theodore Christensen

supervised the boys while they were swimming. One of the swim-

- mers came running up to Theodore with tears streaming down his cheeks

and cried, “We can't find Paul anywhere. He must have drowned."

There was a frantic, fruitless search for the missing boy, then the

boys were ordered to dress and return to camp. There in his tent,

on his pine bough bed, Paul was found peacefully sleeping.

Foot-races were held daily on the smooth slope of the reservoir

just above the water level, which made an ideal racetrack. A

baseball game was played with the boys against their fathers, and

the boys won by a small margin. We leaped and rolled and tunbled

in a large sawdust pile which had been left by an old sawmill.

After supper each night everyone gathered around the campfire

for a program. There were stories and recitations, appropriate

talks by the leaders, and peppy stunts acted out by the patrols.

But the part T enjoyed most was the lusty singing of songs. We

sang patriotic songs, church hynns, and many of the lively songs

fron the Boy Scout Songbook. We always bellowed forth our favorite

ditty, which ran something like this:

 

Axtel J. Bjelke

Mt. Pleasant's Own Brass Band

The following was recorded by Mrs. Louise Hastler: In the autumn of 1869 the governor sent out a notice to the citizens of Sanpete County that a military drill would be held the first week
in November, did requested all soldiers and men that could bear arms to be ready and on hand for a three-day drill. The gathering place would be between Ephraim and Manti. All captains and officers of the Indian War organizations should be represented and also the Military bands . . . .

When this notice was served the brethren wanted to make a good showing and made necessary preparations. John Hastler had arrived in Mt. Pleasant in October and brought with him a full set of musical instruments from Switzerland. Bishop Seeley and the leading brethren engaged him to organize a Brass Band at once. This was affected about the 15th of October, 1869, with John Hastler, James Hansen, Bent Hansen, John Waldermar, Andrew Beckstrom, Daniel Beckstrom. James C. Meiling, August Wall, Aaron Oman, Peter Syndergaard. Andrew Syndergaard, Soren Hansen, Lars Nielsen (Fiddler), Mortin Rasmussen, Jacob Hafen, Ulrich Winkler, Oscar Barton, Charlie Hampshire, and Paul Coates. John Hastler and Olaf Rosen­lof were chosen as their leaders. John Hastler distributed the instruments at once.

In three weeks, at the appointed time, they were able and ready to play six or more of our national and popular tunes, which made a good showing for Sanpete County. Their efforts were much praised and appreciated by the visiting staff."
At these drills all the Indian War officers and soldiers wore blue coats trimmed with brass buttons. These coats were home­made, but, in the different communities there were a number of tailors as well as women who came to the various homes and made men's clothing. It is remembered that Mrs. Jepsen Stohl, as well as others, were thus employed.
HISTORY OF MT. PLEASANT by HML pp 131-132

LIBERAL HALL/ WASATCH ACADEMY/PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ~~~Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

Home of Martin Van Buren Aldrich and his wife Joanne Marie Olsen ~~~ Updated by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

PIONEER DAY 1970 ~~~ 111th Anniversary ~~~ Taken From Louise Johansen Scrapbook

 

Class of 1924 "They're Comin' Back to NSH

Salt Lake Tribune  May 10, 1974

 

Carl Gustave Bjelke and his wife Mary Wall ~~~Pioneers of the Month ~~~March 2023

 

Carl Gustave Bjelke, son of Niels and Catherine was born in Malmo Sweden December 13, 1823. He learned the trade of shoemakers.  He joined the Latter Day Saint Church in 1857 and immigrated to Utah in 1861, crossing the plains in an ox train under Captain Murdock.

After residing in Salt Lake for one year he came to Mt. Pleasant in 1862 and worked at his trade and on a farm.

When he landed in New York he had just 50 cents left and he gave that to a Danish emigrant whose wife and baby were ill.

He was the only one in his family to come to this country except for a cousin by the name Streeper whose posterity is living in Davis County.

He lived in the fort the first winter and the next winter he had a shop where the Texico Service Station now stands (no longer).

Anthon H. Lund who later became prominent in the Church lived here with him during the winter.

He served 3 and 1/2 years in the mission field in the old country before coming here and was the means of converting several families to the Gospel, who then came to Utah and were located in Fairview and Moroni.

Mr. Bjelke was married to Mary Wall in the fall of 63. Seven children were born to them and four of them passed away in infancy.

The couple moved to Moroni in 1866.  That was the year the Black Hawk War was an uprising.  The subject of this sketch is Captain Swenson Company. 

After spending years in Moroni, they moved back to Mt. Pleasant where they resided ever since. 

After coming back to Mt. Pleasant Mr. Bjelke worked with four other shoemakers: Hafen, Hendricksen, Nielsen, and Omen to make shoes for the growing community.

He was one of the companies that built the amusement hall which was afterward sold to Duncan McMillan and became the Wasatch Academy and later the First Presbyterian Church. 

He was also one of the first stockholders of the Snpete Coop in business 58 years.

Mr. Bjelke died in December of his 85th year. He belonged to the King's Hussars while in Sweden  

(1823 to 1909)

The following are the original manuscripts found on Family Search 

~~~~~

OBITUARY OF MRS. MARY BJELKE

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Mrs. Mary Wall BJELKE, 84, widow of Carl G. BJELKE, pioneer shoemaker of this city, and a Mount Pleasant resident 67 years, died Monday evening a the family home following a paralytic stroke.

Mrs. BJELKE came to Utah and Mount Pleasant in 1857 from Vanersberg, Sweden, where she was born May 23, 1847, a daughter of Carl and Katherine WALL. She was married the same year in Mount Pleasant and had resided here continuously since, excepting the winter of 1866-67, when her husband was enrolled with the Blackhawk war company, and they were in Moroni. Mr. BJELKE died in 1909.

She is survived by a daughter and two sons, Mrs. G. W. BRAND, J. A. and O W. BJELKE, Mount Pleasant; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church with interment in the family plot in Mount Pleasant City Cemetery.

(Published in The Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, UT), Wednesday, July 08, 1931.)
∼

Pioneer Invitation 1964 -65 ~~~ Pioneer Fete (Taken from Louise Johansen's Scrapbook)

 

Home of Arthur Benjamin Williams and his wife Lenora Dianthia Justesen ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

CHILDREN GROUP WITH NAMES ~~~ From the Alice Hafen Collection

 

N.S. Neilson ~~~~ Pioneer of the Month ~ August 2020

N.S. Neilson, son of Neils and Benta 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. About 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 Company, 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 Benta, 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.

The following pages seem a little disjointed.  However I am posting them as they were typed and as they were numbered 1 thru 6.

Home of Martin Van Buren Aldrich, and wife Joanne Marie Olsen ~~~ (from our archives)

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox Message and Mt. Pleasant Brass Band ~ 1869

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

MEMBERS OF THE BRASS BAND 1869

John Hasler, Director

Daniel Beckstrom................... August Wall

Charlie Hampshire................. Andrew Beckstrom

John Waldermar.....................Peter Syndergaard

James Meiling.........................Andrew Syndergaard

James Hansen.........................Lars Nielsen (Fiddler)

Bent Hansen............................Morten Rasmussen

Loren Hansen..........................Oscar Barton

Jacob Hafen.............................Paul Coates

Aaron Oman............................Ulrich Winkler

Home of Carl Gustav Trygg Bjelke and his wife Britha Maria (Mary) Wall ~~~ Researched and compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

AUGUST WALL FAMILY by Oleah Wall Thorum ~~~ Pioneers of the Month ~~~ April 2020

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Diary of Mary Margaret Peel ~~~~ From the Alice Hafen Collection

Mary Margaret Ericksen Peel 

Mary Margaret started her diary on on Tuesday January 1, 1907.
However she waited until Saturday March 30, 1907 to
continue writing.