Christian Petersen, Maren Sophie Pedersen, Rasmine Hansina Pedersen, Annie Christine Petersen
Another history found in the records of Golden Rulon Andra. This is the grandmother of his wife, Utahna Bird Andra (1927-2001). Archie and Emma Bird are Utah’s parents, Emma is the daughter of Annie.
“Annie Petersen was born at Lindberg Denmark on October 9, 1862. Her father was Hans Petersen and her mother was Kjirstin Jeppesen. They were a poor family as her father was a tenant farmer. Most of his time was spent working for a landlord to pay rent for a small piece of ground that he would call home. They lived in a small thatched roof house and as is recalled there were but two rooms. The landlords brother having come to America at a previous time had been sent to Denmark on a mission from Utah. The landlord was very bitter against the Mormons and forbid his brother to even come on his land but being a very sincere man with no fear the man held meetings at several places. One night he was at Annies fathers home in spite of all the mob warnings to her father. After the people came her brother Chris stood at the door with ax in hand to keep intruders out; at another time while the missionaries were at their home some of the non members climbed on the house and stuffed old rags in the stove pipe and smoked them out. Annie was the oldest of four girls and one boy Christian. When she was about fifteen years old she joined the Morman Church. At that time men of Zion were sending money to women and girls for them to come to America. She was sixteen at the time. As none of her family was able to come at the time, her parents gave her a gallon of butter and a feather pillow and she came alone. It was a rather rough and stormy all the way across the sea. Many were seasick and some died. The day she could see land a big storm came up and blew the ship back to sea and it was a week before she could land. Later her mother, brother and sisters were converted and came to America. Her father later came to America and joined his family. Brother Chris is the father of Mark E. Petersen who is now an Apostle. The family came to Mesa Arizona because that is where the missionary lived and no one was at the station to meet them so since they could speak no English they stayed in the station overnight. They were met in the morning. It took the family 3 years to earn enough to get to Salt Lake where all but Annie settled. Upon her arrival previous to theirs she had been met by Mr. Staley in Kanab, Utah and then went to St. George, Utah where they were married. By covered wagon they went to Old Mexico where she was to live in pologamy with the first family of Mr. Staley. He had children as old as she was at the time and she lived in an adobe house. The first Mrs. Staley was good to her in her way but the life of a pioneer isn’t too easy and she didn’t know the language very well. When she had four children Chester, William, Vermina, and Dicey Ann her husband died and left her 5 months pregnant with her fifth child Maryett (Marie). She gleaned fields, washed, worked in a store and was given the siftings of sugar that were in the bottom of the sacks. She did almost anything to keep the little ones fed. After Maryetta or Marie was born it really was a struggle. The boys helped what they could. With the first money that Chester earned he bought an oil lamp and a small white kettle for her. About 1896 she met Jorgen Jorgensen. He had two teenage sones. His wife had been dead for sometime. They were married and at the time they only place they could find to live was an old cow shed. They worked hard cleaning it up and fixing it to be liveable. She cooked over a campfire. They were later able to find an adobe house which seemed like a mansion. Her husband Jorgen was a miller by trade but because there was no mill there he farmed. While living in Mixico there ware five children born to them. Annie, Ephraim, Pernellie (nell), Emma and Clara. In 1911 there was a mixican uprising and all white people were driven out of the country. One of Jorgens sons had stayed in Arizona and when the uprising came the other stayed behind in Mexico. Minnie had married a Moroni Feen and they had stayed in Arizona. Dicey was married to William Chestnut and they came to the United States with their parents. Before leaving they made a lot of soft soap and made their own yeast cakes of hops and cornmeal dried in the sun. They had two wagons and a load of children. Hyrum Jorgensen and wife stayed in Airzona also. It was a long tireing trip. They stopped on Sundays to rest and when they came to water they stopped to wash and bake bread. Near Moab, Utah one of the mares foaled and they had to wait two weeks before the colt could travel. They settled in Ferron Utah and then moved to Blue Valley to farm. It was a beautiful place; very lush and fertile, but the dirty devil or Fremont river ran threw it and befor long lived up to its name and becuase of the floods in the river they couldn’t keep their dams in the river so they couldn’t keep water on their farms. The last few years they lived there they hauled water in barrels on a sled behind a horse to water their garden. Before long the Blue Valley settlers had to leave their homes and settle elsewhere. Annie and Jorgen moved to Fruita, Wayne Co. Utah in 1914 and had a Fruit Farm. Eph was getting old enough to help so he peddled the fruit during the summers and the smaller children picked fruit and had other jobs. Thus their children grew up. Annie married Floyd Pendelton, Pernellie, George Dewey Gifford: Emma, Archie Bird; Clair, Lamar Nielsen; Eph May Lerwill.
In 1929 they sold out to Nell and Dewey and moved to Salina, Sevier, Utah. There Jorgen died Oct. 1929. Annie lived along as long as she could take care of herself and then lived with her children. She died Aug 1953 age 91 at Salina, Utah.
Jorgen and Annie Jorgensen family, kids (l-r) Annie, Pernelle, Clara (sitting), Emma, Ephraim
Ole and Constance Christiansen are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Martha to Herbert Coley, son of Stephen and Hannah Coley. They were married in 1874 in Norway. While I normally like to start these historical posts as a wedding announcement, I trip up there. We do not have any histories that give us an actual marriage date and location. Knowing the period, it is not imagined they were not actually married. Their first child was born in 1875. Curiously, after their immigration to the United States due to their conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they not only went to the Logan Utah Temple to be sealed, but also applied to be married. As such, they were married and sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on 26 April 1893.
Martha was born the second of eleven children to Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen and Ole Christiansen on 16 April 1879 in Fredrickstad, Ostfold, Norway. I have not written their history yet, but as linked above, I wrote some limited information on Constance when we visited her grave first in 2018 and again in 2020. Ole was born in Trogstad, Norway and Constance in Drammen, Norway. Both Ole and Constance were baptized and confirmed into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 26 January 1876 in Norway.
What happens for the next few years is unclear on the reasons. Martha’s older sister, Walborg, was born 24 December 1875 in Fredrickstad, then Martha in 1879. We really have no records during this period and so I am unclear if there was another child, or two, in that period of time. Eivelda was born 20 October 1881 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I have no clue why or what took the family to Australia. Their next child, Constance, was born 9 November 1883 also in Collingwood, then a suburb of Melbourne. Apparently Walborg and Martha were left in Norway while their parents went to Australia. Alice, Martha’s granddaughter recalls Martha telling of her sitting on the mountainside overlooking the fjord waiting for her parents to return and her missing them terribly. Martha’s first brother, Henry Owen, was then born 27 March 1887 back in Fredrickstag, Norway. Ole and Constance were back in Fredrickstag by March 1887.
I have been unable to find the immigration records for the Christiansen family between Norway to Australia and back. But the family was in Australia for at least 3 years, maybe as long as 6 years. They were not back in Norway very long as Rhoda was born in Richmond, Cache, Utah on 18 September 1890. Martha moved with her family to Richmond in the late 1880s. One record has it in 1887, another 1889, Martha was listed in the 1900 Census as immigrated in 1888. Either way, we now are in the vicinity of where she would have met Herbert Coley. Of Martha’s remaining 6 siblings, 5 were born in Richmond and 1 in Hyde Park.
Herbert was born the 5th of 9 known children to Hannah Maria Rogers and Stephen Coley on 12 February 1864 in Lutley, Worcestershire, England. It was while living in Lutley that the LDS missionaries first made a visit. We do not know the conversion story but Herbert and his siblings joined the church. Martha joined 23 August 1867, Herbert 1 June 1881, George 22 August 1881, and Frank 2 June 1882. The 1871 English Census has the family still living in Lutley and Herbert listed as a scholar. The call to gather in Utah was strong enough that these four children made the venture. We don’t know if Stephen and Hannah came begrudgingly or not, but they joined some of their children in Utah. Unfortunately, the other children left in England we do not know where they went or what happened to them.
Herbert shows on the 1881 English Census in Dudley, Worcestershire, England as farm labor for the Doorbar family. Herbert appears to have boarded the Nevada in Liverpool arriving 3 July 1882 in New York City, New York. I cannot see that any siblings went with him on the trip. Stephen, Hannah, and Martha all traveled in 1890 (with Letitia Lea Willetts and her daughter Clara, and two known Frank and Mary Coleys). Stephen Coley was baptized 5 January 1892 and Hanna 26 October 1892 (same day she was endowed in the temple, so either that date is wrong or the prior record could not be found and the ordinance was duplicated. Hannah died 22 October 1894 in Franklin, then Oneida County, Idaho and was buried in Lewiston.
I don’t know any of the details of how they met, but the stars seem to have aligned in Richmond. However it happened, Herbert and Martha were married and sealed 1 December 1896 in Logan at the Temple. Herbert was a diligent laborer who would acquire full ownership in their home by 1910. Martha was a strict and involved homemaker and mother.
Herbert and Martha maintained their home, large garden, and raised 10 children. Lillian was born 26 August 1898 in Lewiston (listed in the Coveville Precinct, which is now the area of Cove). The 1900 Census on 9 June 1900 lists Herbert as a farm laborer with his immigration in 1881 and Martha’s in 1888. By 1910, the Census finds the family in Wheeler (about six miles west of Lewiston) where the home was owned outright. We don’t know exactly where the family lived. Edna was born 23 November 1900, Wilford Herbert 1 Mar 1903, Carrie 20 April 1906, and Hannah Marie 3 June 1909. Ole Christiansen passed away 27 February 1900 in Richmond and was buried there. Carrie is listed as born in Richmond, but we do not know the circumstances how she was born there instead of Wheeler/Lewiston. Hannah’s birth certificate lists Herbert as a farmer and Martha as housewife. The 1910 Census on 26 May 1910 shows Herbert as a Laborer and that he “Works Out.” Whatever that meant in 1910.
All the remaining children were born in Richmond. As such, it is likely at this time the family moved to the cabin south and east of Richmond estimated about 2016 E and 9000 N. I have tried to pinpoint where the cabin remains are still located. Here is a photo of the cabin from the 1980s. The 1920 Census on 16 January 1920 lists Herbert as a Farmer and Teamster with the additional insight of “Hauls Milk & Farms.” This same Census also lists Wilford as having his own Farm, but still living with his parents.
Coley Cabin near Richmond, Utah
It was in this house that the remaining children were born. Ivan Stephan on 26 June 1912, Roland Charles on 20 July 1915, Oley Lloyd on 11 February 1918, Arthur Christiansen on 15 July 1921, and William Golden on 22 January 1924. In 2012 the home had collapsed to a pile of rubble. It was after Ellis Jonas’ funeral we visited as family (Ellis is Lillian’s son). Ellis had taken me there about 2002. Stephen Coley died 22 October 1913 in Lewiston and was buried by his wife.
The 1930 Census taker showed up 15 April 1930 and shows the family in Richmond with Roland, Lloyd, Art, and Golden still in the home. The 1940 Census on 8 April 1940 has the family still in Richmond with Art and Golden the only two remaining.
Herbert and Martha Coley in the garden
Over the years, the family kept busy with marriages. Lillian married Joseph Nelson Jonas on 6 September 1917 in the Logan Temple. Edna married Gerald Andrus 17 April 1921 in Richmond and after a short marriage, divorced, and remarried to Olof Alma Neilson 23 July 1923 in Logan, sealed 30 July 1924 at the Logan Temple. Wilford married Edith Dagmar Cammack 15 May 1924 in Logan, sealed 3 June 1946 in Logan Temple. Carrie married Joseph Lorus McMurdie 21 July 1924 in Logan, sealed 21 October 1926 in Logan Temple. Hannah married William Surgeoner Thomson 2 July 1927 in Logan, sealed 14 June 1972 in Salt Lake Temple. Ivan married Clara McMurdie 22 October 1930 in Buhl, Twin Falls, Idaho, sealed 10 February 1932 in Logan Temple. Joseph Jonas passed away 6 September 1932 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. Constance Christiansen passed away 10 December 1932 in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon and was buried there. Roland married Veda Anderson 5 May 1937 in Logan Temple. Lloyd married Verda Anderson (twin sister to Veda) 23 November 1938 in Logan Temple. Arthur married Gladys Bernice McMurdie (his niece!) 10 September 1940 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho, that marriage lasted a short time for hopefully obvious reasons. Arthur remarried to Mary Elizabeth Popwitz (his nephew’s WWII widow) 3 May 1946 in Evanston, Uinta, Wyoming. Golden married Shirley Mae Hall 15 March 1946 in Elko, Elko, Nevada, sealed 11 May 1965 in Logan. Many grandchildren were born in these years as well for Herbert and Martha.
Herbert and Martha Coley (I have the original of Martha, but not of Herbert, so I know it is still out there)
Recorded family stories are fairly scant. Nobody wrote much down and that generation was gone before many were asking questions. Ivan Coley told his daughter Colleen that Herbert was a short, very English man. Apparently Herbert met Wild Bill Hickok at one point and shared that fact regularly.
In 1942, Herbert went to visit Ivan and Clara in Buhl. I will have to find out if Martha was there as well. While out in the yard, I have been told by a well, or a trough, he slipped and broke his hip. There was not really much to do for someone in that condition then. He was in terrible pain. He was taken back to Richmond and passed away later of pneumonia. He died 7 September 1942 at age 78 (obituaries all have 75) and was buried in Richmond Cemetery 9 September 1942.
Martha Coley and Hannah Thomson in a garden, dresses and even a brooch
Martha moved into town shortly afterward. Various family members lived in the cabin when they started out their marriages. Martha’s new home was somewhere near 400 South and 200 East. With the new homes I cannot tell as well, but I have tried to pinpoint the spot. She lived in this home until she needed assistance and went to live with Lloyd and Veda in Salt Lake City. When they could not care for her any more, she then lived in a care facility in Logan the last months of her life.
5 generations about 1959, Lillian Coley Bowcutt, Martha Christiansen Coley, Joseph Hebert Jonas, Robert Lee Jonas, Joseph Leland Jonas.
In 1948, Martha was honored for successfully Relief Society Teaching for more than 40 years. Here is a photo from that occasion. You can find more detail here.
Back (l-r): Lydia Leavitt, Estella Blair, Sarah Preece, Susanna Allen, Livinia Wilcox, Clara Wheeler. Front: Lavina Poulsen, Christensia Hansen, Martha Coley, Martha Lewis, Sarah Snelgrove.
Unfortunately I do not have a many more stories. But I do have a few more photos. We have these two photos of a gathering about 1950.
Back(l-r): Doreen Neilson, Martha Coley, Golden Coley, Edna Neilson, Unknown, Gloria Neilson holding unknown child, Olof Neilson. Middle: Shirley Coley, Joy Coley (baby), Mary Coley,
Mary (holding Joy), Shirley, Doreen, Unknown, Martha, Edna, Gloria
This wonderful family reunion picture from 1955. I have linked the other post sharing the other photo. That link also names everyone in the photo. Martha is sitting surrounded by her grandchildren and children.
1955 Coley Reunion, Richmond, Utah
Herbert’s obituary in the Salt Lake Telegram on 8 September 1942 reads:
“Richmond, Cache County – Funeral Services for Herbert Coley, 75, who died at his home in Richmond Monday at 7:45 a.m. following a brief illness will be conducted Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Richmond South L.D.S. ward chapel by E. M. Hicken, Bishop.
“Mr. Coley was born in England on February 12, 1867, a son of Stephen and Hannah Rogers Coley. In 1885, at the age of 16, he immigrated to the United States.
“On December 1, 1896, he married Martha Christiansen in the Logan L.D.S. temple. He was a prominent farmer in the Richmond district.
“Surviving are his widow of Richmond, 10 sons and daughters, Mrs. Lillian Jonas, Ms. Edna Nielsen and William Golden Coley of Richmond, Wilford Herbert Coley of Logan, Ms. Hannah Thomson and Lloyd Coley of Salt Lake City, Ms. Carrie McMurdie, Ivan, Roland and Arthur Coley, all of Buhl, Idaho, 37 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Martha France of Richmond.
Lillian, Edna, Martha (sitting) Coley in the 1940’s
“Friends Pay Tribute to Richmond Man
“Funeral Services for Herbert Coley, 75, prominent Richmond farmer who died at his home in Richmond, Monday at 7:45 a.m. following a brief illness, were conducted Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Richmond South ward chapel by Bishop E. M. Hicken.
The rest of the article follows nearly verbatim what the Salt Lake obituary listed, then this line.
“Burial was in the Richmond cemetery under direction of the W. Loyal Hall mortuary.
Martha Christiansen Coley very small picture enlarged
Martha Coley and Scotty
Martha Coley serious
Martha Coley smile
Martha passed away in Logan at age 82 on 14 August 1961. Here is the language from her obituary and an article of the funeral. She was buried in Richmond 17 August 1961.
“Richmond – Martha Christensen Coley, 82, died at a rest home in Logan Monday of causes incident to age. “She was born April 16, 1879 in Norway to Ole and Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen Christensen. When she was eight years old she came with her parents to America. “On December 1, 1896 in Logan she married Herbert Coley. The marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in 1900. They made their home in Lewiston and Richmond. She was always active in the LDS church, especially as a Relief Society block teacher. Mr. Coley died September 7, 1942. “Surviving are Mrs. Lorenzo (Lillian) Bowcutt and Mrs. Edna Neilsen, Richmond; Wilford H. Coley, Logan; Mrs. William (Hannah) Thompson and Lloyd O. Coley, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Lars (Carrie) McMurdie and Ivan S. Coley, Buhl, Idaho; Roland Coley, Mesa, Arizona; Arthur C. Coley, Ogden; William G. Coley, Hyrum; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. “Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Richmond South Ward with Bishop Oral Ballam in charge. “Friends may call at Hall Mortuary in Logan Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and at the South Ward chapel Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until time of services. Burial will be in the Richmond Cemetery.
“Funeral services were held in the Richmond South Ward chapel Thursday for Mrs. Martha C. Coley with Counselor Quentin Peart conducting. Lloyd Coley gave the family prayer. “Prelude and postlude music was played by Reese Murray. The ward chorus directed by Mrs. Florence Lewis with Mrs. Billie Lou Bagley as accompanist sang “The Lord’s Prayer.” Ila Rae Richman and company sang “That Wonderful Mother of Mine.” Mrs. Florence Lewis and Mrs. Rebecca Lewis sang “In the Garden,” and Ronnie Lewis sang “Beyond the Sunset.” “Prayers were by William Thomson and Larus McMurdie. Speakers were Mrs. Leona McCarrey who read the obituary, Noel Stoddard and Counselor Peart. Pallbearers were her six sons, Wilford, Ivan, Roland, Lloyd, Arthur and Golden Coley. The grave in Richmond Cemetery was dedicated by Joseph Jonas. Flowers were cared for by the Relief Society.
~
I have written previously about the video that came from the funeral and graveside service of Martha. In that post I walk through the video and the identified individuals. It also scans the 10 children standing in the cemetery. This photo below is of the same instant.
Art, Golden, Wilfred, Roland, Lloyd, Edna, Hannah, Carrie, Lillian, Ivan at their mother’s grave in Richmond, Utah
I hope some day I obtain more photos to share of Herbert and Martha.
This wasn’t intentional. Not sure why or how it happened, but it did.
Anyone who knows me knows that I stop and visited deceased people and ancestors anytime I am in the neighborhood. Kinda like stopping in to visit any other cousin or friend when you are driving through, are in town, and have some time. Ancestors are very accommodating whenever you want to stop in and visit. Maybe COVID-19 just gave us more time.
I have the following ancestors who are buried somewhat nearby, western United States. I will link each ancestor I have written about previously if you want additional information. Here are my ancestors and where they are buried.
As of this writing, I see there are two ancestors that I haven’t stopped and visited in the last few years and got pictures with the kids and the tombstone, Christiana Andra in Salt Lake City and William Sharp in Ogden (I now have the goal to get it done before the end of the year). I also have a couple of known ancestors without tombstones, David and Gwenllian Jordan in Ogden, Utah, Hubert Jonas in Ellensburg, Washington (but we got pictures at the grave), and Damey Ross in Olivehurst, California (who we visited after hours and couldn’t even locate the grave). We should remedy that but we may just have to stop and get pictures with their grave locations.
I also cheat and use the 2016, 2018, and 2019 photos with three ancestors, Johanna Benson in Spring City, Utah in 2018, John William Ross in San Bruno, California in 2016, and James Thomas Ross/Meredith in Fresno, California in 2019. I could do a 2020 photo for Johanna, but I am not going to California just to redo a tombstone photo with the two Ross ancestors.
Lillian (in background by Wanner tombstone), James, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Louise Wanner (1901-1991) and William Fredrick Andra (1898-1990) on 26 July 2020.
Aliza, Paul, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Ann Bailey (1828-1913), Mary Ann (Lillian “Lillie” Musgrave) Stoker (1861-1935) and Milo Riley Sharp (1857-1916) on 23 May 2020. Mary Ann Bailey is the mother of Milo Riley Sharp, don’t confuse mother Mary Ann with spouse Mary Ann. We shorten our Lillian’s name to Lillie’s spelling in her honor.
Aliza Ross with tombstones for Hermina Jansen (1860-1921) and George Henry (Gerhardus Hendrick) Van Leeuwen (1856-1932) on 28 June 2020.
Joseph Jonas – Richmond, Utah
Tombstone of Joseph Jonas (1859-1917) on 26 July 2020. The S is a mistake put there by someone. Some have put his mother’s maiden name “Schumacher” there, but we have yet to find any evidence of that middle initial or name.
Annie Jonas – Crescent, Sandy, Utah
Lillian and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Annetta Josephine Nelson Jonas (1864-1907) on 11 July 2020.
Herbert & Martha Coley – Richmond, Utah
Lillian Ross with tombstone of Martha Christiansen (1879-1961) and Herbert Coley (1864-1942) on 26 July 2020.
Christiana Andra – Wasatch Memorial, Latona Section, Salt Lake City, Utah
Aliza Ross, Jill Hemsley, Lillian Ross with tombstone of Christiana Wilhelmina Knauke (1869-1957), widow of Friedrich Theodor Andra, on 6 September 2020. She went by Wilhelmina in the United States and married Johann Wendel, as I have written previously. The other grave is her daughter-in-law and grandson, Rebecca Emelia Christensen (1904-1931) and Otto Carl Andra (1929-1929).
Lillie, Paul, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of William Sharp on 27 November 2020. This was the first time I had ever been to William’s grave.
Mary Sharp – Plain City, Utah
Aliza, Paul, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Ann Bailey (1828-1913), Mary Ann (Lillie Musgrave) Stoker (1861-1935) and Milo Riley Sharp (1857-1916) on 23 May 2020. Mary Ann Bailey is the mother of Milo Riley Sharp, don’t confuse mother Mary Ann with spouse Mary Ann. We shorten our Lillian’s name to Lillie’s spelling in her honor.
Aliza, Lillie, Paul, James, and Hiram Ross at the graves of Gwenllian Jordan (1842-1900) and David D Williams (1832-1911) on 27 November 2020. Neither have a tombstone.
Hubert Jonas – Holy Cross, Ellensburg, Washington
Lillian Ross with tombstone of Emma Schriber Jonas (1855-1898), wife of William Jonas on 5 August 2020. William and his father Hubert both do not have tombstones and are buried next to Emma.
Hiram, James, Lillian, and Aliza Ross with tombstone for Agnetta Benson (Bengtsson)(1832-1873) and John Nelson (Johann Nilsson)(1827-1902) on 25 July 2020.
Paul, Aliza, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen Christiansen (1857-1932) on 8 August 2020. Portland apparently isn’t watering their cemeteries this year.
Paul, Aliza, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstones for Margret Watkins (1816-1902), David Jordan (1820-1893) and Thomas Jordan (1857-1880) on 23 May 2020. Thomas is the son of David and Margret.
Paul, Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Johanna Johannsson Benson (Bengtsson)(1813-1897) on 7 September 2018. I know I am cheating, it wasn’t 2020. But it was recent.
Aliza Ross with tombstones of Hanna Mathea Christensen (1831-1900) and Olavus Jorgensen (1830-1904) on 26 July 2020.
Others visited this year.
Garrett Lee Smith – Weston, Oregon
Paul Ross with tombstone of Garrett Lee Smith (1981-2003) on 9 August 2020. Garrett was my last missionary companion.
Eli Benjamin Stoker – Mullan, Idaho
Tombstone of Eli Benjamin Stoker (1870-1952) on 3 August 2020. Eli is the half-brother to my Mary Ann Stoker Sharp.
Mary Nelson Jonas – Holy Cross – Ellensburg, Washington
Aliza Ross with tombstone of Mary Nelson Jonas (1885-1899) on 5 August 2020. Mary is the sister to my Joseph Nelson Jonas.
Ezra & Flora Benson – Whitney, Idaho
Aliza and James Ross with tombstone of Flora Smith Amussen (1901-1992) and Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) on 26 July 2020. Many know Ezra as the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower.
Spackman Plot Marker – Lewiston, Utah
Aliza Ross with the Spackman Plot Marker. She recognized and wanted a picture with the Pacman tombstone on 26 July 2020.
Walter Theodor Andra – Logan, Utah
Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Walter Theodor Andra (1896-1967) on 25 July 2020. Walter is brother to my Bill Andra.
Charles Wilson Nibley – Logan, Utah
Aliza, Hiram, James, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Charles Wilson Nibley (1849-1931) on 25 July 2020. Charles is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a member of the First Presidency (non-apostle) to President Heber J Grant of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Moses Thatcher – Logan, Utah
Lillian, Hiram, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Moses Thatcher (1842-1909) on 25 July 2020. Moses is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Allison Ann Parker – Logan, Utah
Tombstone of Allison Ann Parker (1976-1997) on 25 July 2020. Allison is a friend and brother of my high school friends Ryan and Russell Parker. She passed away after a tragic accident driving back to Utah after our Senior Prom date night in 1997.
Peter Maughan – Logan, Utah
James, Aliza, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Peter Maughan on 25 July 2020. Peter is known for various positions and business interests, as one of the founders of Cache Valley, Utah.
Ezra Benson – Logan, Utah
Aliza, James, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Ezra Taft Benson (1811-1869) on 25 July 2020. Ezra is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Nels Nelson – Crescent, Sandy, Utah
Hiram and Lillian Jonas with tombstone of Nels August Nelson (Nilsson)(1857-1935) on 11 July 2020. He is the brother to my Annetta “Annie” Jonas.
Stanley Spatig – West Warren, Utah
Tombstone of Stanley Hazen Spatig (1940-2013). Son of Eva Virtue Wanner Spatig, sister to my Mary Louise Wanner Andra.
Joseph & Ann Wayment – West Warren, Utah
Bryan Hemsley, Amanda, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstones of Ann Reed (1852-1931) and Joseph Wayment (1844-1931). Amanda’s Great Great Great Grandparents on 24 May 2020.
Louis & Martha Hansen – West Warren, Utah
Bryan Hemsley, Aliza, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Sarah Eveline Judkins (1886-1943), Louis Alma Hansen (1876-1951), and Martha Ann Wayment (1877-1908) on 24 May 2020. Louis and Martha are Amanda’s Great Great Grandparents.
Walter & Myrtle Hansen – West Warren, Utah
Bryan & Jill Hemsley with Aliza, Lillian, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Myrtle Thompson (1902-1959) and Walter Wayment Hansen (1904-1995) on 24 May 2020. Walter and Myrtle are Amanda’s Great Grandparents.
Evan & Lona Jonas – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah
Aliza and James Ross with tombstone for Lona Rae Jensen (1930-2012) and Evan Reed Jonas (1928-1999) on 23 May 2020. Evan is the brother to my Norwood Jonas.
Spencer & Jimmie Jonas – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah
Aliza Ross with tombstone of Viola Amelia (Jimmie) Cole (1920-1996) and Spencer Gilbert Jonas (1919-1988) on 23 May 2020. Spencer is the brother to my Norwood Jonas.
Melvin Thompson – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah
Amanda, James, Aliza, Lillian, Hiram Ross, Bryan and Jill Hemsley, and Alyssa Smart with tombstone of Melvin J Thompson (1925-2018) on 23 May 2020. Mel is Amanda step-Grandpa.
Merle & Belle Hemsley – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah
Bryan & Jill Hemsley, Hiram, Lillian, Aliza, and Amanda Ross with tombstone for Belle Sarah Peterson (1917-2003) and Richard Merle Hemsley (1912-1962) on 23 May 2020. Merle and Belle are Amanda’s Great Grandparents.
Ellen Weller – Hooper, Utah
Tombstone of Ellen Watton Weller (1828-1894) on 23 May 2020. I stumbled upon this tombstone in Hooper. I was walking around, felt inspired to walk over, and looked at this one knowing there was a link. Name looked vaguely familiar. Half-sister to my Hannah Maria Rogers Coley. Didn’t know she was buried in Hooper, FamilySearch didn’t have it either. Her and Joseph Weller are now documented and updated.
Dee Hemsley – Hooper, Utah
Alyssa Smart, Bryan and Jill Hemsley, Aliza, Lillian, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Richard DeLece Hemsley (1936-2013) on 23 May 2020. Dee is Amanda’s grandfather.
William & Martha Wayment – Plain City, Utah
James, Amanda, Lillian, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstones for Martha Brown (1823-1905) and William Wayment (1822-1883) on 23 May 2020. William and Martha are Amanda’s Great Great Great Great Grandparents. The tombstone above Aliza’s head is William Edward Stoker mentioned above, my Great Great Great Grandfather.
Lorenzo Snow – Brigham City, Utah
Hiram, Lillian, and Aliza Ross with tombstone for Lorenzo Snow (1814-1901) on 23 May 2020. Lorenzo Snow is known as the 5th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
David & Ruby Haight – Wasatch Memorial, Salt Lake City, Utah
Aliza & Lillian Ross, Jill Hemsley, with tombstone of Ruby Olson (1910-2004) and David Bruce Haight (1906-2004) on 6 September 2020. David Haight is known as an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I previously interacted with him regarding marriage.
Charlotte Sharp – Ogden, Utah
James and Paul Ross at the tombstone of Charlotte Elizabeth Earl (1816-1907) on 27 November 2020. Charlotte married my William Sharp (1826-1900) after she was widowed of her first husband Charles James McGary (1808-1875).
Lorin Farr – Ogden, Utah
Paul Ross with tombstone of Lorin Farr (1808-1907) on 27 November 2020. Lorin Farr was the first Stake President of the Weber Stake which covered all the territory of all my ancestors in Ogden and Plain City. He was also the first Mayor of Ogden.
Thomas Marsh – Ogden, Utah
Paul Ross with tombstone of Thomas Baldwin Marsh (1800-1866) on 27 November 2020. Thomas Marsh is known as the first Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who had he remained faithful, would have been President before Brigham Young.
Sergene Sorenson – Pleasant View, Burley, Idaho
Lillie, Hiram, Aliza, and James Ross with tombstone of Sergene Sorenson (1932-2013) on 2 January 2021. Sergene is the sister to my Grandma Colleen.
Scott Sorenson – Pleasant View, Burley, Idaho
James, Lillie, Hiram, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Scott Sorenson (1951-2001) on 2 January 2021.Lillie, Hiram, Aliza, and James Ross with tombstone of Bert Sorenson (1924-1991) on 2 January 2021.
The writing of this post comes after receiving two photos in the mail this week of my fourth great grandparents. I supposed there were photos out there somewhere and finally found some of them.
Here is the photo I had been given of Hanna Mathea Christensen Jorgensen by one of the descendants of her daughter, Amanda. These old photos that are a watercolor/drawing of a photo means there is a photo out there somewhere. It was just a matter of finding it. This photo obviously had some issues with it, like water damage and the print just bothered me for a number of reasons.
Hanna Mathea Christensen Jorgensen
Well, I found a descendant of another daughter, Othelia, in the past month. She provided me this photo of Hanna, the actual photo the print above came from. It too looks like a print, it is of higher quality, and the eyes are. Further, they removed some of her facial features, which I suppose they could be viewed as a defect, but they offer much more personality and flavor than the doctored picture.
Hanna Mathea Christensen Jorgensen
Along with the photo of Hanna come the colored print of Olavus. I have also seen his name spelled Olaves, Olavis, and variations of that. No clue on actual pronunciation, but I have my guess. But his tombstone has Olover Jorgensen. But that we have this coloring means there hopefully is still an actual photo floating out in the world somewhere. The ears seem a bit much, maybe they were actually like that, or maybe it is the imperfections of the artist.
Olavus Jorgensen
Before I get much into the facts, I think it is important to share the story of Olaves and Hanna as told by their daughter. Amanda Emilie Jorgensen wrote this short biography about 1933. She married Albert Sigvard Swensen. Her grandson, Robert Mathis, shared the handwritten story with me.
~
“History of my Parents
“My father Olaves Jorgensen was born in Drammen Norway 19 November 1830.
“When he was twelve years old he started working in a saw mill for Mr Kjer.
“My mother Hannah Mathea Christensen was born in Drammen Norway fourteen November 1831. She was a dressmaker when she was old enough to work. They were married fourth november 1855 in Drammen Norway. Two girls were born there. Constanse and Olga. Then Mr. Kjer transferred Father to Fredrikstad Norway to another saw mill and he worked there until he came to America in 1896.
“Mother was very religious and always went to a church but never felt satisfied. She lived in an apartment house and was talking to a lady named Mrs. Ask that lived across the hall. Religion was mentioned and mother said she wanted to find a religion that baptised people like Jesus was baptised.
“Mrs. Ask asked her if she had ever heard about the Mormon people and mother said no. Mrs. Ask said to be ready Sunday afternoon and she would take her to hear the Mormon Elders.
“As soon as mother heard the Elders preach she knew it was the true church. The Priest and other people tried to tell her it was wrong but she wouldn’t listen. The Elders had to take her to the ocean to be baptised after dark as they would be arrested and put in jail if they were seen baptising people.
“Mother was a very faithful member and the missionaries were always welcome in their home. She was President of the Relief Society for years.
Father wanted to join but didn’t dare to because he knew he would lose his job. Father was baptised just before he and mother came to Utah.
“They went directly to Richmond Utah in Cache Valley to be near their daughter Othelia. They were here four years and had never had the opportunity to go to the temple when mother died in November, 1900. Father and Othelia and Constanse came to Logan and did the work for mother and she was sealed to Father. Father died in November 1904 and they were both buried in Richmond Utah.
“Mother told me that the pastor of the Luteran Church said her parents Christen Hansen and Marie Evensen were the most beautiful couple he had ever married while he was a pastor.
~
Olavus Jørgensen was born 18 November 1830 according to his christening record, christened 26 December 1830 in Bragernes, Drammen, Buskerud, Norway. His parents are listed as Jorgen Olsen and Oline Knudsdatter.
Olavus and Hanna Mathaea Christensdatter were married 4 November 1855 in Stromso, Buskerud, Norway.
On the 1875 Norwegian Census, Olaves is listed as a Skiber ved Kjos Brug at Nygaard Gulbergsiden Glemmen, Ostfold, Norway. Not sure what that means and I could not find a good translation. He did something with ships.
On the 1875 census and in the family history records are the following children:
Konstanse Elise Olavesen who is 18 and born in Drammen. Her husband, Ole Kristiansen is also listed along with their oldest daughter Valborg Olsen. Ole and Valborg listed as born in Glemminge. It is interesting that my Constance/Konstanse’s last name is Olavesen which should give more clarification on her father’s actual name. Valborg/Walborg Olsen, her father certainly was Ole, but it is interesting they appear to have stopped using the datter by this point. I have written on Constance previously and you can read about her here.
Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen Christiansen
Olga Olavesen, 15, born in Drammen.
Marie Olavesen, 11, born in Fredrickstad.
Otilie Mathilde Olavesen, 8, born in Glemminge.
Amanda Olavesen, 3, born in Glemminge.
Amanda Emilie Jorgensen Swensen
With the gaps in the children, we know of at least one more child, Olav Emil, who was born 28 October 1870 in Fredrickstad and died 16 February 1871. There may be more, but we don’t have records of them yet.
Constance married Ole Christiansen. I have linked her history page above.
Olga married Oskar Darius Danielsen and remained in Norway. They had 10 children together. They were LDS but I think they struggled with activity due to the constant flow of LDS people out of Norway to Zion.
Mari Caspara married Lorenz Christian Mathisen. I believe they also remained in Norway but I have not been able to confirm anything on this family.
Othelia Matilda married Niels Lillienqvist Eskelsen. I believe Othelia emigrated with her parents. She met and married Niels in Utah and married him in 1896 in the Logan LDS Temple. She did not emigrate with her parents in 1896.
Amanda Emilie married Albert Sigvard Swensen in 1894. I referenced her and provided a photo in a previous post.
Olaves and Hanna immigrated alone to the United States. They departed from Glasgow, Scotland on the Circassia and arrived 17 December 1896 in New York.
Hanna and Olaves are located on the 1900 Census on 10 June 1900 in Richmond, Cache, Utah.
I really don’t know anything more than what Amanda wrote above.
Hanna died 2 November 1900 in Richmond at age 69. Her death certificate indicates her name as Hanna Mattie Jornsen and she died from Asthma. The certificate says her husband is Oloyes Jornsen, probably some sign of a person taking the record from a thick accent.
Olaves died 16 November 1904 in Richmond at age 74. His death certificate indicates his name as Oloyes Jornsen and he died of LaGrippe. I had to look up LeGrippe, which is apparently another name for influenza. His son-in-law, Neils Eskelson provided the information and indicated Olaves was a widower.
Later this year will be our 10 year anniversary. Ten years since we were married in the Logan LDS Temple in Cache County, Utah. Since we were down with the kids in Logan for a reunion, we made a stop.
Hiram, Aliza, Amanda, and Lillian Ross
The day turned out to be beautiful despite being the middle of October. Other than the angle of the sun, you might never have known it was October.
We took a picture in one of the doorways that we also took pictures 10 years ago. Time flies.
Amanda, Lillian, Hiram, Paul, and Aliza Ross
Of course I have heard multiple comments on my neon toes! Thank you to my in-laws for making me push my boundaries and wear toed shoes.
On the way home I asked the kids their favorite part of the trip. The quick response for both was the temple.
I have always felt a strong family connection to the Logan Temple.
John Nuffer and Eva Greiner, my 3rd great grandparents were sealed here 123 years ago in 1892. They were married 25 July 1867 in Neuffen, Esslingen, Wuerttemberg. You can read of them here.
Olle Christiansen and Constance Jorgensen, my 3rd great grandparents were sealed here 122 years ago in 1893. They were married in 1874 in Norway (and have yet to find the exact date and location).
John Wanner and Anna Schmid, my 3rd great grandparents were sealed here 117 years ago in 1898. They were married 6 June 1870 in Holzgerlingen, Boblingen, Wuerttemberg. Read more about them at this link.
John Wanner and Regina Nuffer, my 2nd great grandparents were married and sealed here 117 years ago on 31 August 1898. Read of them with this click.
Herbert Coley and Martha Christiansen, my 2nd great grandparents were sealed here 115 years ago in 1900. They were married 1 December 1896 in Lewiston, Cache, Utah.
Joseph Jonas and Lillian Coley, my great grandparents were married and sealed here 99 years ago on 6 September 1916. Read more of their marriage here.
Paul Ross and Amanda Hemsley, us, were married and sealed here 10 years ago on 20 December 2005.
This is just the sealing ordinances. This does not include endowments, baptisms, or second washings and anointings for my ancestors. I received my own endowment here with my father on 1 September 1998. Who knows what future ordinances for my family may take place in Logan.
All I know, I miss the days of attending the Logan temple. I miss learning in the House of the Lord for Stake instruction. I miss the fill the temple sessions where we would work in the temple all night long. I miss going to the temple with roommates. I miss doing endowment sessions on a regular basis with my wife, we often feel guilty leaving our kids with others for that long (and the drive).
One thing I know, and I hope my family history work proves this, I know the temple blessings are real. I see them in my life and feel them on a regular basis. I am grateful for my ancestors who went before and provided an example of what, and what not, to do.
Aliza kept asking if she could go inside the temple. I told her she would have to wait until she was at least 12. I am glad Aliza and Hiram also feel the draw to the temple. Hopefully those covenants are already beginning to find the way into their little hearts. Great promises and responsibilities come from the temple. That is my testimony.
As if the name is not enough in and of itself! She is my Great Great Great Grandmother and since we stopped at her grave in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon this past week, I thought it fitting to write about her.
Constance was born 23 April 1857 in Drammen, Buskerud, Norway to Olaves Jorgensen and Hanna Mathea Christensen. According to the 1875 Norwegian Census, her name was Konstanse Elise Olavesen, but when she immigrated to the United States she was given her father’s last name, Jorgensen. Actually according to the 1875 Norwegian Census, however correct it is, the last name is Jørgensen, but Americans don’t use that extra letter in our alphabet, so it dropped to the regular ‘o’. I don’t know where she picked up the Josephine, if she ever really did.
She married Ole Christiansen about 1874, I have yet to find that date and location. The two of them immigrated in 1889 through New York, New York, New York. However, they both took the long way to America. Walborg and Martha, their daughters, were born in Fredrikstad, Ostfold, Norway in 1875 and 1879 respectively. Martha is my Great Great Grandmother. Eivelda and Constance was born in 1881 and 1883 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Then Henry was born back in Fredrikstad in 1887! Then, the remaining six children were all born in Cache County, Utah starting in 1890.
Her parents later emigrated and lived nearby in Richmond, Cache, Utah. Two of her sisters, Matilda and Amanda, also emigrated and lived in Cache Valley.
Constance Jorgensen Christiansen (heads up, there is argument this might be Constance Christiansen Clawson/Huff, trying to get other photos to compare)
Her husband Ole passed away 27 February 1900 in Richmond, Cache, Utah and is buried there. She passed away 10 December 1932 in Portland while staying with her daughter Jennie. She had stayed for some time with Jennie as she was listed as living with her on the 1930 census. I don’t even know what she died of for certain. I was told at one point she stepped off a trolley in Portland, slipped and hit her head, and she later died from those injuries, but I cannot confirm that lore.
I knew she is buried was Multnomah Park Cemetery in Portland and while driving through made it a point to stop and visit her grave this past Wednesday. I knew she had passed away and was buried there, I am not aware of another single relative in the entire cemetery. Not that the cemetery is that large. But I knew she was there, that she has an empty grave in Richmond so the circumstances were such that her body was not brought home for burial beside her husband.
It struck me how solitary her grave is. She does have two daughters buried or interred in Portland, but neither of them are in this cemetery.
It even took me a while just to find it, it is near one of the roadways in the cemetery.
I cannot help but think of how far away she is from her parents and husband, even though she does have two daughters at least in Portland. But for some reason her location disturbs me. I don’t know why, I obviously had nothing to do with the decision 80+ years ago to bury her in Oregon. Any person who might have known is long gone. A death certificate might tell me more about her death, but not the reasons for her burial in Multnomah Park. Some things we will likely never know in this life.
Okay, I admit it, I do a little family history. One part of that family history is the endless search for photos. I guess I am an eternal optimist in that regard. I keep visiting family with the hope that I might find another photo somewhere. Funny enough, as that optimism keeps me visiting people and looking through old photo albums, the eternal pessimist in me is become slightly more and more frantic as I know how often people die and the next generation just junks things. Okay, maybe not everyone throws things away or tears apart the historic photos and giving a dutiful part to each descendant, but it becomes a little harder to track these things down the father we get from the original descendant.
Let me give one example. I have not written more of this family history because I would like to find more photographs. There must be more out there. My fourth great grandparents are Olavus Jorgensen and Hanna Mathe Christensen Jorgensen. They were born in 1830 in Drammen and 1831 in Sonde, respectively, in Norway. Hanna joined the LDS Church in 1866 and members of the family started to join over the coming decades.
My third great-grandmother, Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen, joined in 1876. She had married Olle Christiansen in 1874. Both her and Olle joined the LDS Church in 1876. They made their way to Utah and settled in Richmond, Cache, Utah. Tracking down a photograph of Olle, despite 11 children, has been impossible, granted he died in 1900.
In that pursuit, I stumbled upon Amanda Emilie Jorgensen. She is the youngest sister of Constance, and as far as I know, the youngest child of Olavus and Hanna Jorgensen. Olavus and Hanna had immigrated to Richmond in 1896. Amanda had followed about 1898 or 1899 with her husband Albert Sigvard Swensen.
While I could not find a photograph of Olle, I stumbled upon this photograph of Amanda.
Amanda Emilie Jorgensen Swensen (1872-1945)
I recently posted this photo on FamilySearch and have a number of her descendants contact me asking me where I got the photo! It appears her own descendants do not have her photo. Yet, oddly enough, I obtained this photograph from her grandson. But that one grandson kept it sequestered away since he lives far from Utah to where nobody else knew of it. I found him along with some other relative photographs, and now I am making the photo of her available to more of her line.
The moral of the story is those photos are out there! They must be sought after. You have to make the visits to those long-lost cousins and ask to see their photos.
Back to my main point. I have hoped to find a photograph or two of the old Coley Cabin to the southeast of Richmond. I have my own photographs of the cabin almost completely collapsed in on itself. But this past couple of months, I became aware of a photograph of the cabin that hung on the wall of Sarah Colleen Coley Todd in Buhl, Twin Falls, Idaho. Apparently Colleen was born in the Coley Cabin near Richmond and someone took a photograph of it for her. Here it is.
Coley Cabin near Richmond, Utah
Unfortunately, the photo is not of the highest quality. It is more of a printer print than a photo print. But I will take what I can get. Now I have to find out who took the original photograph. Maybe they have it in its original photo quality.
Nevertheless, I keep hoping some day I will find some pictures from 50 or 80 years ago of the cabin. Sadly, those pictures of homes (and not of people) are the ones that tend to get trashed when photos pass generations. Nobody cares about a home that there is not a link to. Most of the time, the story of the home is not even known. But here is one that is preserved.
I am still working on the history of Herbert Coley and Martha Christiansen Coley. It is my understanding they built the cabin. But I have so few photos of them and I keep hoping that as I visit family, I can get just another photo or two of them. I do not have many.
Robert Mathis shared with me this copy of a short history written by Amanda Emilie Jorgensen. It is a history of her parents, my fourth Great Grandparents. It also has a reference to Hanna’s parents. This was written around 1933.
History of my Parents
My father Olaves Jorgensen was born in Drammen Norway 19 November 1830.
When he was twelve years old he started working in a saw mill for Mr Kjer.
My mother Hannah Mathea Christensen was born in Drammen Norway fourteen November 1831. She was a dressmaker when she was old enough to work. They were married fourth november 1855 in Drammen Norway. Two girls were born there. Constanse and Olga. Then Mr. Kjer transferred Father to Fredrikstad Norway to another saw mill and he worked there until he came to America in 1896.
Mother was very religious and always went to some kind of church but never felt satisfied. She lived in an apartment house and was talking to a lady named Mrs. Ask that lived across the hall. Religion was mentioned and mother said she wanted to find a religion that baptised people like Jesus was baptised.
Mrs. Ask asked her if she had ever heard about the Mormon people and mother said no. Mrs. Ask said to be ready Sunday afternoon and she would take her to hear the Mormon Elders.
As soon as mother heard the Elders preach she knew it was the true church. The Priest and other people tried to tell her it was wrong but she wouldn’t listen. The Elders had to take her to the ocean to be baptised after dark as they would be arrested and put in jaail if they were seen baptising people.
Mother was a very faithful member and the missionaries were always welcome in their home. She was President of the Relief Society for years.
Father wanted to join but didn’t dare to because he knew he would lose his job. Father was baptised just before he and mother came to Utah.
They went directly to Richmond Utah in Cache Valley to be near their daughter Othelia. They were here four years and had never had the opportunity to go to the temple when mother died in November, 1900. Father and Othelia and Constanse came to Logan and did the work for mother and she was sealed to Father. Father died in November 1904 and they were both buried in Richmond Utah.
Mother told me that the pastor of the Luteran Church said her parents Christen Hansen and Marie Evensen were the most beautiful couple he had ever married while he was a pastor.
Sagacity 