Nebraska

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Sharp – Bailey Wedding

Mary Ann and William Sharp

James and Sarah Goodlad Bailey are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Mary Ann Bailey to William Sharp, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Cartwright Sharp. William and Mary Ann were married at Loup Fork, Howard, Nebraska on 10 July 1853. (Loup Fork appears to have been a crossing of the Loup River, somewhere between Fullerton and Palmer Nebraska, in order to go turn south to rejoin trail along the Platte River.)

William is mason and farmer. They will make their home wherever they are called to settle once they arrive in the Utah Territory.

Due to the circumstances of this family, it is pretty unlikely an announcement would have ever been written. Everything about these families was in motion. Family members on both sides were strewn all over two continents and their lives were still recovering from a number of personal blows. While this was probably a high point, they knew there was a long road still ahead of them. All four of their parents had passed before their marriage.

William was born the third of eight children born to Thomas and Elizabeth Cartwright Sharp 10 December 1826 in Misson, Nottinghamshire, England. His baptism is recorded on 7 January 1827 at Misson Anglican church, confirmed by the Bishop’s Transcripts at Nottinghamshire Archives. He spent his life as a mason but kept a farm. We do not know where or how he learned how to be a mason. His father, Thomas, is listed as “Ag Lab”, which is probably an agricultural laborer on the 1841 English Census. Thomas died in 1841 after the census was taken.

In 1848, the LDS missionaries came to visit in Misson. William was the first in his family, that we know, to join the church on 20 June 1848. His mother followed 11 August 1849 and his sister Isabella 16 September 1849. The records available do not show that William’s siblings, Elizabeth and James joined the church, but they came with the family to the United States on their way to Zion. The family story tells the family was friendly and open towards the missionaries. One of the missionaries was a George Emery (the only potential George Emery I could find appears to have lived 1792 – 1867).

Elizabeth Sharp was determined to emigrate with her family to Utah. Her family attempted to discourage her by warning her about the dangers of the American Indians. Nevertheless, she departed with William, Isabella, Elizabeth, and James. The other four children had died as infants before leaving England. The family purchased tickets at 25 pounds sterling in Liverpool. The family set sail on the “James Pennell” on 2 October 1850 commanded by Captain James Fullerton. The LDS leaders on board were Christopher Layton (1821–1898) and William Lathrop Cutler (1821–1851) leading the company all the way to Zion. Right before hitting the waters of the Mississippi the ship encountered a storm where the masts were broken and the ship drifted for a couple of days. Luckily, a pilot boat found them and another ship (that left two weeks later from Liverpool) tugged them to New Orleans, Louisiana. The ship arrived at dock on 22 November 1850. The family struggled with sea sickness and chills and fevers that beset them in New Orleans and St. Louis. From there the entire group boarded the “Pontiac” and continued to St. Louis, Missouri where they found work and spent the winter. Despite having crossed the Atlantic, Elizabeth, the mother of the family, died 17 February 1851 in St. Louis and was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Among the fellow passengers on the James Pennell were the Singleton family of Misson. The Singletons were neighbors in Nottinghamshire. William Singleton (1793–1850) sailed with his children, including Thomas Singleton (1825–1885) and Charles Singleton (1838–1907). Tragically, William Singleton died in St. Louis on 16 December 1850, just three weeks after the ship docked. His son Thomas pressed on, becoming one of Plain City’s 1859 founding pioneers, where he worked as a carpenter and band leader alongside William Sharp. Thomas Singleton is listed among those excommunicated alongside William Sharp on 31 January 1879. Generations later, Thomas’s grandson Bert Elmer Singleton (1918–1995), born and raised in Plain City, became one of Utah’s most celebrated baseball players, pitching in the major leagues over 28 seasons. The Sharps and Singletons, neighbors in Misson, remained neighbors in Plain City across the generations.

Elizabeth’s death left the four siblings to fend for themselves. William and Isabella both still desired to move on with the Saints to Utah. William became fast friends with Mary Ann Bailey Padley, a widow who had lost her husband before leaving England. They were such good friends that Anne Elizabeth Padley (she went by Sharp her whole life though) was born 31 October 1852. Isabella married Joseph Carlisle, who had arrived two years earlier, 18 May 1853, in St. Louis. That same day the Moses Clawson Company, “St. Louis Company,” departed from St. Louis. Joseph and Isabella Carlisle, along with William Sharp and Mary Padley (with her son Lorenzo Padley and new infant Anne), left with the company. Joseph and William were well respected because they were apparently very good athletes and challenged anyone to a wrestling match.

The Sharps and Carlisles drove a wagon for William Jennings, a Salt Lake City merchant and freighter. The outfitting was done in Keokuk, Iowa. The company for traveling over the plains was formally organized in Kanesville, Iowa. On the trail, William and Mary Ann Padley were married 10 July 1853 in Loup Fork, Nebraska. The company arrived in Salt Lake City between the 15th and 20th of September the same year.

Mary Ann was born the first of seven children born to James and Sarah Goodlad Bailey on 28 November 1828 in Mattersey, Nottinghamshire, England. Her baptism is recorded on 8 December 1828 at Mattersey Anglican church, confirmed by the Bishop’s Transcripts at Nottinghamshire Archives. James was a blacksmith. The Bailey family were practicing members of the Church of England. Mary Ann attended school and obtained training in millinery and sewing. Sarah died in 1843 and James remarried to a lady named Harriet. We don’t have a death date for James at this time.

Shortly before her 18th birthday, Mary Ann met missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and converted. She was baptized 20 October 1846. Her father and Harriet dismissed her from the home for becoming a Mormon. She soon met William Padley, another LDS member and a tailor who lived on Allen Street in Sheffield, and married him on 4 February 1847 at the Church of St Peter and St Paul (now a cathedral) in Sheffield.

Padley – Bailey marriage record

William Padley was born 22 September 1826 in Morton, Lincolnshire, just across the River Trent from Mattersey, and they may well have known each other from their home area before both moved to Sheffield. They had a son, Lorenzo Joseph Padley, born in December 1847. William became ill when Lorenzo was born and died 22 February 1850 in Morton, Lincolnshire. Left alone with a new son, Mary Ann went back to her parents, who would have nothing to do with her unless she gave up her religion. She would not, and instead decided to join the Saints in Utah.

Mary Ann and Lorenzo sailed from Liverpool on 8 January 1851 on the “Ellen” with James Willard Cummings (1819–1883) as the leader of the company. The ship had a difficult passage with measles and what others thought was whooping cough. She arrived in New Orleans 14 March 1851. On the 19th they left for St. Louis on the “Alleck Scott” and arrived on the 26th. Mary Ann and Lorenzo stayed in St. Louis while the company moved on, and it was there that she met William Sharp and his family.

William and Mary Ann grew close during their time in St. Louis. A daughter, Anne Elizabeth, was born to them on 31 October 1852. Both were still determined to join the Saints in Utah. They arranged to drive a freight wagon west for William Jennings, a Salt Lake City merchant and freighter, as the means of joining the Moses Clawson Company. On the trail, William and Mary Ann were married on 10 July 1853 at the crossing of Loup Fork in present-day Howard County, Nebraska. The company arrived in Salt Lake City between the 15th and 20th of September that year.

They settled in Lehi, Utah, Utah for a couple of years but had a number of issues with range for the cattle and some other minor squabbles. Water was also not found to be very dependable in the Lehi area. During this time, William and Mary Ann gave birth to two children, William and Isabella in 1854 and 1856, but both died as infants. Milo Riley was born in Lehi 23 July 1857. I have written of Milo and his family previously at this link: Sharp-Stoker Wedding.

William learned of land north near Ogden, Weber, Utah that was going to be opened up from some of the Saints passing through Lehi (abandoning Salt Lake City before the arrival of Johnson’s Army). These Lehi Saints were told of ample land and good water that was available west of Ogden. A scouting expedition went to search out the area in the fall of 1858 and visited with Lorin Farr (1820–1909) who told them of the available plain to the west.

The Sharp family left with other Lehi Saints on 10 March 1859 to travel to this new area. The group of about 100 arrived 17 March 1859 at what is present day Plain City, Weber, Utah. The company arrived at about 5 PM during the middle of a snowstorm. The company lined up the wagons to protect them from the wind and dug a hole in the ground for the campfire. Reports indicate that snow was deep and conditions uncomfortable. Plain City apparently lived up to its name with sagebrush that rose over 4 feet tall from the high water table beneath the soil.

William Sharp put his carpentry and masonry skills to work making adobe brick and helping build the first homes in Plain City. William and Mary Ann lived in one of these homes. William served in the Plain City band, on the Plain City Z.C.M.I. board, acting as a builder, and also serving as a city leader. William and Mary Ann’s daughter, Evelyn, was the first girl born in Plain City in October 1859. Victorine Mary was born 8 April 1862 and was their last child. Mary Ann kept busy sewing and making suits, coats, and other jobs. Each of her daughters learned to become dressmakers.

William and Mary Ann each received their initiatory and endowment on 17 August 1861 at the Endowment House. On the same day, Mary Ann was sealed by proxy to her deceased first husband William Padley. As a woman already sealed to another man, she could not be sealed to William Sharp during their marriage, as the church did not permit women to be sealed to more than one husband at that time. The Sharp children’s sealing situation caused considerable family angst as all children born to Mary Ann after the 1861 sealing were born in the covenant to William Padley rather than William Sharp.

Lorenzo Joseph Padley died 24 July 1866 at Plain City, aged 18 years, 7 months and 11 days, putting his birth approximately 13 December 1847 in Mattersey, Nottinghamshire, England. He had grown up to become a valued member of the Plain City Music and Dramatic Association, which mourned him as a true friend and gifted musician. His remains were followed to their last resting place by a very large number of citizens, preceded by the brass band of the Association. The notice requested the Millennial Star in England to copy — a reminder that Mary Ann’s roots, and Lorenzo’s birthplace, lay in Nottinghamshire. The photo we have of him is pretty scratched, but here is a cleaned up photo, but it is not perfect. It is hard to tell what is his nose and what was deformities in the photo.

Anne Elizabeth married Daniel Claiborne Thomas Jr. on 29 January 1872 in Salt Lake City at the Endowment House, where they also received their initiatory, endowment, and sealing the same day. Daniel had been born 14 July 1850 on the Platte River in Nebraska on the trail to Utah. His father, Daniel Claiborne Thomas Sr., had been converted to the church by his brother Preston while on a mission to the Southern States, and the family had come to Utah in 1850, settling in Sulphur Springs (later named Lehi) among the earliest settlers there, before joining the Plain City founding group in March 1859. They settled in Plain City and had six children: Claiborne William (1872), Francis Milo (1875), LeRoy Bertrand (1878), Estella Inez (1884), Delbert (1888), and Elizabeth La Vieve (1889). Anne Elizabeth died 29 July 1891 in Plain City at thirty-eight, leaving six children ranging in age from two to nineteen. Daniel outlived her by thirty-eight years, dying in Ogden on 2 September 1929, and was buried beside her in Plain City Cemetery.

After several instances of desertion, Mary Ann moved out of their home on Christmas Eve 1875 and utterly refused to go back to William. William sued for divorce and Franklin Dewey Richards (1821–1899) granted the divorce (in probate court) on 19 May 1876.

At this time, it is possible that Bishop Lewis Warren Shurtleff (1835–1922), branch president 1870–1877, bishop 1877–1883, extended himself beyond what the members felt was right — going so far as to dictate how much everyone should pay in tithing — and some families were very vocal in expressing their discontent. William Sharp began construction on St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 1877, and many disaffected members found a religious haven in this new faith. The building still stands today, owned by the Lions Club in Plain City. A significant group of members were excommunicated on 31 January 1879, including William Sharp, Mary Ann Sharp (listed separately because of the divorce), William Skeen, Edwin Dix, George Musgrave (father of their future daughter-in-law), Thomas Musgrave, Thomas Singleton, Thomas Davis, George W Harris, Jonathan Moyes, John Moyes, Winfield Spiers, James Wadman, Robert Davis, John Davis, and Thomas Robson. These lists also have “and wife” as well as “and family” which seems to indicate that spouses and families were included. Many of these families returned to the church after time away, some individuals never did. Milo Ross’s 1997 oral history interview offers one family perspective on the causes of the split.

This same year, William remarried to the widow of Charles McGary, Charlotte Elizabeth Earl, about 1879. We do not know exactly when or where.

Milo Riley married Mary Ann Stoker (aka Lillian or Lilly Musgrave) 11 May 1879 in Plain City in the little church William built. He died in 1916 in Plain City. Read about them here.

Evelyn Carlisle married James Henry Taylor 16 January 1880 in Plain City. She died in 1941 in Oregon.

Victorine Mary married Robert Edward Maw on 8 April 1883 in Plain City, her twenty-first birthday. Robert had been born in Plain City on 15 October 1859, the son of Robert Maw, one of Plain City’s founding pioneers who had consecrated his Lehi property in January 1857 and arrived in Plain City on 17 March 1859, the same day as the Sharp family. William Sharp had built the elder Robert Maw’s adobe house in those early Plain City years and had played cornet alongside Abraham Maw in Plain City’s first band. The marriage of Victorine Sharp and Robert Edward Maw united two of Plain City’s founding families. They had seven children: Ruby Ada (1884), Alice (1885), Jessie (1886), Florence Eveline (1888), Grace (1890), Edith Louise (1893), and Edward Clyde (1896). On the morning of 23 April 1897, a snow slide struck the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company’s Garfield Mine in Gibbs Canyon, four miles north of Brigham City. Robert was killed. The Brigham City Bugler reported the disaster that week, noting that he was a married man who left a widow and seven children. Victorine was thirty-four years old. Her youngest child, Edward Clyde, was barely a year old. She did not remarry, living in Plain City and later Ogden until her death on 18 March 1945. She is buried in Plain City Cemetery.

Mary Ann Bailey Sharp

Mary Ann continued to work as a dressmaker until she could not do so any more due to age. She lived with her Granddaughter Elizabeth Taylor from before 1900 and even moved with her to Baker City, Baker, Oregon. Mary Ann moved back to Plain City not long after Beth married.

Evelyn & Victorine Sharp

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Evelyn and Victorine Sharp

William died at 950 Washington Ave in Ogden on 22 December 1900 at 74 years and was buried two days later in the Ogden cemetery. Mary Ann died 30 October 1913 in Plain City at 84 years and was buried there three days later.

Mary Ann Bailey Sharp death certificate

William and Mary Ann both died outside the church.

In December 1933, fifty-four years after the excommunication, three of Isabella Sharp Carlisle’s sons — Joseph Carlisle, James Carlisle, and Harvey Carlisle — wrote to LDS Church President Heber J. Grant requesting proxy reinstatement for their Uncle William and his former wife Mary Ann. Their letter described William as “honest, virtuous and kind” and was addressed care of Mrs. James S. Thompson — Annie Thompson, who would later write the 1957 history of Elizabeth Cartwright Sharp, and who was the daughter of James Carlisle. The letter explicitly identified William as “born 10 Dec. 1826, Misson, Notts., England, and later settled in Plain City, Utah.”

President Grant responded on 16 December 1933, consenting to proxy baptism for both William and Mary Ann. He noted that since they had previously received their endowments on 17 August 1861, those ordinances would need to be restored by proxy as well, and authorized Elder George F. Richards, President of the Salt Lake Temple, to officiate. On 3 February 1934, proxy baptism and confirmation were performed for both William and Mary Ann at the Salt Lake Temple, with William’s sealing to parents following on 2 July 1934. The restoration of William Sharp and his wife to the church, by the hands of his sister Isabella’s sons, closed that chapter.

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Heyburn Gill Family

J Street – Heyburn – December 7th 1908

The Heyburn Citizens group received some photos from a Rose Pederson in Vancouver, Washington. These were given to the City of Heyburn. I took the opportunity to scan them and make them available more widely.

Burley Idaho Feb. 1920 – Mr. E. Bowman – Jossie & Flossy (Bays) – Walt Gill

I was able to track down Walter Arthur Gill fairly easily. Walter Arthur Gill born 19 July 1889 in St. Edward, Boone, Nebraska. The 1900 Census has him with his family still in St. Edward. The 1910 Census has him in Heyburn, living with his parents. His brother, Amos, is living next door with his family.

This letter from 1911 indicates he was now the owner of some real estate in Heyburn, Idaho.

This letter indicates his homestead application is allowed in Section 14, Township 10 South, Range 23 East. This would put this farm east of Heyburn’s A Street (400 West), west of 300 West, south of 400 South, and north of 500 South. Nothing on the 1910 census tells me exactly where they were living, but I don’t know that was where he homesteaded either.

Walt Gill (holding son Art Gill – born in 1922), Eva Lenore Anderson (from Edith’s prior marriage), Edith Marion Howell Gill, Amy Jane Hall Gill

Walt is the son of Arthur Erwin Gill (1854 – 1923) and Amy Jane Hall Gill (1858 – 1935). He married Dolly Genevera Baily (1891 – 1966) on 11 January 1911 in Albion, Cassia, Idaho. I do not see any children and do not know how that marriage ended.

He married Edith Marion Howell (1899 – 1940) on 19 July 1921 in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. The 1920 Census does not provide where he lives, but Dolly is not with him. Ralph Arthur Gill was born 4 April 1922 in Jarbridge, Elko, Nevada. Aimee Jean Gill was born 21 January 1924 in Idaho (not clear where).

Mr. E Bowman – Walt Gill

I cannot tell how long he was on the homestead he claimed. It doesn’t seem to have been very long.

Burley Idaho – Feb. 1920 – Anona Gill on Flossy – Lady & Rock (Blacks) – Walt Gill

Anona Gill (1912 – 1974) is his niece, daughter of Amos Hiram Gill (1881 – 1940) and Jane A Vizzard (1881 – 1953).

Edith remarried to Robert Earl Taylor (1894 – 1953) on 27 January 1931 in Elko, Elko, Nevada.

The 1930 Census has Walt living in Inyo County, California. He appears to be in or around Bishop, Inyo, California for the 1940 Census and reports he was also living there in 1935. The obituary for his mother lists him as living in Taft, Kern, California in 1935. When he registered for the draft in 1942, he was living in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. He remarried to a Jessie Opal Shafer, nee Fowler, in California. She was using the Gill name for the 1940 Census, so likely married before then.

Nancy – Sis & Joy (Bays) – Walt Gill

I don’t know what Nancy is as referenced as a name on the photo. Maybe that is her shadow on the horse?

Walter died 13 February 1943 in Hollywood. He is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

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1957 Jamboree and 1958 Colorado River

As I worked through the photos of Dave and Betty Donaldson, I stumbled on some pictures sent from Dad. Dad, Milo Paul Ross, attended the 1957 Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. I thought I would share those photos along with some other items I have scanned related to that trip. Since there were a couple of photos from the 1958 High Adventure Trip, I thought I would include those too.

First, be aware that the Great Salt Lake and Lake Bonneville Councils published a book about their trip. “Onward for God and My Country” was the motto. I have scanned the entire book – it is provided below.

JamboreeDownload

The book says the trip occurred in July 1957. The book provides plenty of photos of the highlights. These few photos show what Dad thought was interesting enough to take pictures.

The trip took them east through a variety of states. Included was Chicago, Detroit, and Palmyra. Stops included the Sacred Grove and Smith Farm. Albany, Springfield, Boston, and New York City.

Dad does not recall the names or even knowing anyone in the photos at Jamboree.

I remember Dad talking about the Statue of Liberty. They climbed the stairs to the crown. He also indicated that at that time they let some of them climb to the torch. It was a very memorable experience. He also mentioned the Empire State Building and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Vice President Nixon addressed the Scouts.

Kammeyer’s supported the Jamboree.

For those LDS Scouts, Harold B Lee and Delbert L Stapley spoke to the boys on Sunday. Here is a letter Dad wrote home while there.

I previously wrote about Dad and scouting. Here is his Eagle Scout picture.

Milo Paul Ross achieved Eagle Scout

Here is a note Grandpa made about this picture.

Milo Ross, Bill McBride, Leon Taylor, Freddy Cox Eagle Announcement
Milo James Ross commented about Milo Paul Ross receiving his Duty to God award on 27 April 1959
Duty to God Award
Letter from Church Headquarters

Here are a couple of the photos from the Colorado River rafting trip. Dad thinks there are more photos. He does not remember or recognize any of the individuals in the photos.

Dad remembered they had to pull out of the river to go around the Glen Canyon Dam construction.

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Both of these were trips of a lifetime. Neither have been forgotten.

Another clip, I don’t know the year or time.

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Casper Wyoming Temple Open House

We took the opportunity to attend the Casper Wyoming Temple Open House on 31 August 2024. We planned the weekend to do some sightseeing and visit some church and family history sites. I am reposting as this has updates on 3 additional ancestors that also came through the Overland Trail.

We left on the Friday morning with the hope of making it all the way to Casper before nightfall. We took old US Highway 30 through Soda Springs and Montpelier. We made a stop to visit the grave of my Grandmother in Dingle.

Aliza, Lillian, Paul, James, and Hiram Ross at the graves of Bud and Colleen Lloyd

We drove through Cokeville and reminded the kids of the story of the Cokeville miracle. As we drove along the old highway, I pointed out the old railroad Y that used to go to the Stauffer mine that was located in Leefe, Wyoming. I spent the first summer or two of my life at Leefe while my dad was tasked with tearing down and removing the mine with Circle A Construction. We stopped in Kemmerer to refuel and also drive past the first J. C. Penney store. We made a quick stop at the Parting of the Ways along the California, Mormon, and Oregon trails.

James Ross at Independence Rock

With four kids, we often stop at rest areas. As you can see above, we stopped at the one at Independence Rock. The rock is nearby and doubles as the parking location to visit the rock.

We finally made it to Casper about sunset. We ate an amazing Italian meal at Racca’s Pizzeria Napoletana and checked into our hotel.

Casper Wyoming Temple

We got up early, dressed appropriately, and headed out to visit the Casper Wyoming Temple. It was beautiful. Much smaller than I had anticipated. It is definitely one of the smallest temples, but that is because of the population and distance to other temples. It will supposedly have five stakes in its temple district, some of which will still come from a long distance to attend. Don’t let size fool you, it still has all the distinct parts of a temple and related quality. I think I may very much prefer the intimacy of the smaller temples. It actually reminded me of the Helena Montana Temple on size and flow.

Ross family at the Casper Wyoming Temple Open House

The temple does not have an adjoining chapel, but it does have a distribution/visitor center. We watched the video, enjoyed waiting in the line, and got to see the whole temple. If I were asked, there are a couple of design changes I would make for flow, but this temple will not regularly see these types of crowds or have those issues.

Ross family with the Casper Wyoming Temple

We hurried back to our hotel, changed, loaded up the car, checked out, and headed off to our next stop: The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper. I did not take any pictures there, but it was very well done. I enjoyed the visit, helped the kids with their junior ranger activities, and learned a few things. Part of the museum had its own little room and video dedicated to the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies.

We stopped at Independence Rock again on our way headed west. We walked around the massive rock and looked at a number of the signatures carved into stone from over 160 years ago. It was hot and we needed to get our little doggies along to Devil’s Gate.

I will write about this more in a bit, but Devil’s Gate was a major landmark on the trail going west for all pioneers on the trails. But Devil’s Gate became more than a landmark and became a historical site in the tragic fall of 1856. Fort Seminoe was based there on the west side of Devil’s Gate, but it had been abandoned earlier that same year. It was that fall that the Martin Handcart Company found itself stranded in the snow. Days later the stranded handcart company moved into a nearby cove to get away from the wind, snow, and cold. That cove is now known as Martin’s Cove.

The Sun Ranch from Devil’s Gate, now The Martin’s Cove: Mormon Trail Site

We found the visitor’s center much more hospitable than some of our ancestors. As I worked through my family history, I had some of my own ancestors who passed through this very Devil’s Gate and area. Here are my ancestral lines that came across on the Mormon Trail. I had counted only 3 while in Casper, but hadn’t realized the Williams clan came over in two separate trips.

William and Mary Ann Sharp in 1853. Wagon train. Moses Clawson Company. William and Mary Ann met in the wagon train and married in Nebraska in 1853. William and Mary are my 3rd Great Grandparents.

John Williams in 1860. Wagon train. John Smith Company. John came over with his two sons John Haines (1829) and Richard (1838). I don’t know why his son David went separately in 1864. I am a descendant of John through David. John is my 4th Great Grandfather.

Johanna Benson in 1862. Wagon train. Joseph Horne Company. Johanna came over with some of her children and their families, her daughter Agneta, came over in 1864 with her family. Johanna is my 4th Great Grandmother.

William Edward Stoker in 1863. Wagon train. Unknown Company. William was traveling with his family, including the baby Mary Ann. William is my 3rd Great Grandfather, Mary Ann is my 2nd Great Grandmother.

John and Agneta Nelson in 1864. Wagon train. William Preston Company. Agneta is the daughter of Johanna Benson who came over in 1862. John and Agneta are my 3rd Great Grandparents.

David D and Gwenllian Williams in 1864. David is the son of John mentioned above. Wagon train. William S Warren Company. Gwenllian came with her sister Mary. Both married on the ship in Liverpool before setting sail for Utah. Gwenllian and Mary’s parents, David and Margaret Jordan, came over in 1872 crossing the plains by rail. David and Gwenllian are my 3rd Great Grandparents.

That gives me 10 ancestors that crossed the plains by wagon, none by handcart that I can tell. The unknown companies were all wagon trains as there were not handcarts those years.

Devil’s Gate – 2024

Every single one of these seven ancestors of mine who came west on the trail would have passed through Devil’s Gate. Here I stood on this sacred ground and snapped this photo of my daughter, my descendant and their descendant, at Devil’s Gate.

Aliza Ross at Devil’s Gate

It took me a bit more work, as I am not as familiar, to find those family lines of Amanda’s that also would have passed along the Mormon Trail to the west before the railroad made it much, much faster and safer. It took me several occasions over a couple of weeks to spend the time to research all these lines.

Henry and Ann Jackson in 1852. Wagon train. James C Snow Company. This is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents.

Regina Hansen in 1853. Wagon train. John E Forsgren Company. Her son, Hans Hansen, also accompanied her on the trip. Regina’s husband stayed behind. Regina is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandmother, Hans is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Grave of Hans Hansen in Plain City, Utah. Edith Sharp Ross’ stone is the stone at 10 o’clock from the top of this stone, my Great Grandmother.

David Buttar in 1854. Wagon train. William Empey Company. He appears to have traveled alone. Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Birthe Jacobson in 1854. Unknown if wagon train or handcart company. Birthe’s daughter, Maria Jacobson, also accompanied her on the trip. Her husband Jorgen died in Missouri as part of the trip. Birthe is Amanda’s 5th Great Grandmother, Maria is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandmother.

Harriet Housley in 1856. Handcart company. Edward Martin Company. Harriet’s son, George Housley, also accompanied her on the trip. Two other children came later. Harriet is Amanda’s 5th Great Grandmother, George is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather.

Richard and Christine Hemsley (1836 – 1915) in 1857. Handcart company. Israel Evans Company. This is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents.

Ole and Anne Jensen in 1861. Likely wagon train. Unknown company. Amanda’s 5th Great Grandparents.

John Crompton in 1862. Wagon train. Joseph Horne Company. John also had his daughter, Hannah Crompton, with him. John is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather, Hannah is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother.

Anna Nielsen in 1862. Wagon train. Christian Madsen Company. She traveled alone. Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother.

Joseph and Penelope Thompson in 1862. Wagon train. John Riggs Murdock Company. Their son, Joseph Thompson, also accompanied the family. Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents, Joseph is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Joseph Wayment in 1863. Wagon train. Unknown Company. Appears to have come alone. Although his parents and most of his siblings would come later by rail. Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Axel Boyer in 1866. Wagon train. Abner Lowry Company. Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather. Also traveled with the Keeps, other ancestors of Amanda.

James and Ann Keep in 1866. Wagon train. Abner Lowry Company. Their daughter, Sarah Keep, also accompanied the family. James and Ann are Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents, Sarah is Amanda’s third great Grandmother. Also traveled with Axel Boyer, other ancestor of Amanda.

Richard Hemsley (1801 – 1866) and his later wife Sarah in 1866. Wagon train. William Henry Chipman Company. Amanda’s 5th Great Grandfather.

Peter Peterson in 1866. Wagon train. Joseph Sharp Rawlins Company. Peter is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather.

That is the Hemsley line alone, Amanda’s Dad. I count 26 ancestors of Amanda’s Dad that came through Devil’s Gate.

James, Lillian, Hiram, and Aliza Ross at Devil’s Gate Mormon Handcart Visitor Center

Amanda’s Mom’s line, the Holden family, has the following:

Edwin and Ruia Holden in 1852. Wagon train. Uriah Curtis Company. Their son, Henry Holden, also accompanied the family. Edwin and Ruia are Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents, Henry is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Jesse and Temperance McCauslin in 1851. Wagon train. Unknown Company. Temperance passed away in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She did not make the trail in Wyoming or Devil’s Gate. Their daughter, Louisa McCauslin, also accompanied the family. Jesse is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather, Louisa is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother.

John and Adelaide Roberts in 1863. Wagon train. Thomas Ricks Company. Their son, Hyrum Roberts, also accompanied the family. John and Adelaide are Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandparents, Hyrum is Amanda’s 2nd Great Grandfather.

Thomas and Mary Ashton in 1851. Wagon train. Morris Phelps Company. Mary also passed away in Iowa. She did not make the trail in Wyoming or Devil’s Gate. Their son, Joseph Ashton, also accompanied the family. Thomas is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather, Joseph is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Sarah Jarvis in 1854. Wagon train. Job Smith Company. She came with some of her family, but not with her son, Amanda’s ancestor, George Jarvis. Sarah is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandmother.

George and Ann Jarvis in 1853. Wagon train. Unknown Company. George and Ann are Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandparents. George is the son of Sarah Jarvis mentioned above.

William and Rebecca Finch in 1854. Wagon train. Daniel Garn Company. William and Rebecca are Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandparents.

Joseph Finch in 1853. Wagon train. Joseph Young Company. Joseph is the son of William and Rebecca Finch mentioned above.

John and Hannah Davis in 1851. Wagon train. Eaton Kelsey Company. Their daughter, Mary Jane, also accompanied the family. The family also has Davies listed for their last name sometimes. John and Hannah are Amanda’s 4th great grandparents, Mary Jane is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother.

John Evans in 1866. Wagon train. William Henry Chipman Company (same company as Amanda’s Richard Hemsley above). His wife, Sarah, died on the trip from the United Kingdom in New York. His son, John Evans, also accompanied his father and brother. John is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather, John is Amanda’s 2nd Great Grandfather.

James and Elizabeth Boyack in 1855. Wagon train. Milo Andrus Company. James and Elizabeth are Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents.

James Boyack in 1853. Wagon train. Appleton Harmon Company. James is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather. James is the son of James and Elizabeth Boyack above that came in 1855 across the plains.

Margary Waterhouse in 1855. Wagon train. Milo Andrus Company. Margary is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother. She came across with the same train as James Boyack’s parents, presumably that is how she met her future husband. The Company arrived 24 October 1855 in Utah, James and Margary married 23 November 1855 in Springville, Utah.

That is the Holden line alone, Amanda’s Mom. I count 26 of ancestors of Amanda’s Mom that came through Devil’s Gate. As an aside, I also looked at her biological line (as she is adopted), and not a single one of her biological ancestors passed through Devil’s Gate.

James riding while Hiram, Lillian, and Aliza Ross pull a handcart at Devil’s Gate Mormon Handcart Visitors Center

We also stopped and visited with the sixth crossing of the Sweetwater River. This was the location where, like the Martin Handcart Company, the Willie Handcart Company also got stuck in wind, snow, and cold in 1856. Their rescue occurred here.

The next day, on our way to Grand Teton National Park, we made a stop at Fort Washakie, Wyoming. This is one of the alleged graves of Sacagawea. We stopped and remembered her, whether her final resting place or not.

All in all, I was surprised by my own connection to the Mormon Trail. I had never considered that I have 7 ancestors who had literally came this way. Or that my children have 59 ancestors that literally come this way. They passed by Independence Rock, through Devil’s gate, and two of those 59 suffered with the Martin Handcart Company. I will write more on the Housleys later as there have been other interesting interactions with that clan since our marriage.

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Agneta/Annetta Bengtsson Nilsson/Nelson

This article was provided to me related to my 3rd Great Grandmother Agneta Nelson. I have previously shared the history written by Carvel Jonas related to Agneta and John Nelson. I have also shared the Carvel Jonas history of their daughter, my 2nd Great Grandmother Annetta “Annie” Josephine Nelson Jonas. I also note that Agneta and John’s son, Nels, also wrote a lengthy autobiography that tells some of his parents’ history. Some of the parts of this history are likely using Nels’ autobiography, parts of it mirrors and quotes from it.

Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude was published by the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1998. It is a four volume set, ISBN: 0-9658406-1-1. This biography starts on page 2121.

I note some revision of Agneta’s name over the last years. This article includes the Bengtsson/Nilsson last name. But as those familiar with Scandinavian naming protocols, Bengtsson/Benson was her father’s last name, but her early live documents reference her father’s first name, Nils. Hence her name in Sweden was Nilsdotter, not Nilsson or Bengtsson. With that, here is the language of the article.

This biography suggests that Agneta was married before and that marriage produced Bot[h]ilda and James. Curiously, James’ baptism record lists Johannes Nilsson as the father. Further, Nels, in his autobiography, indicates he was the third child of John and Agnetta Nelson. James appears to be John’s, but the baptism of Bothilda without a father suggests not John. I don’t know that we will know, and this biography shows unknown.

“BIRTHDATE: 9 Dec 1832 Oringe Hallands, Sweden

“DEATH: 4 Nov 1873 Logan, Cache Co., Utah

“PARENTS” Nils Bengtsson (Benson) – Johanna Johansson [Johansdotter]

L-R: Johanna Benson, Johanna Icabinda Benson, John Irven Benson, Nels Ernst Benson, Mary Ann Angel Works holding Merrill Lamont Benson.

“PIONEER: 15 Sep 1864 William Preston’s Wagon Train

“SPOUSE I: Unknown

“MARRIED: In Sweden

“DEATH SP:

“CHILDREN (Adopted and sealed to second husband):

“Botilda (Matilda), 31 Dec 1853 (died at age 11)

“James Peter, 13 Dec 1[8]55

“SPOUSE II: John / Johannes Nelson/Nilsson

“MARRIED: 17 Nov 1855 Veinge, Hallands, Sweden

“DEATH SP: 26 Nov 1902 Logan, Cache Co., Utah

“CHILDREN:

“Nels August, 18 May 1[8]57

“Josephine, 5 Feb 1860 (died as a child near Omaha, Nebraska)

“Amanda, 26 Dec 1862 (died as a child buried at sea)

“Annette Josephine, 18 Nov 1864

Annie Josephine Nelson Jonas

“Joseph Hyrum, 14 Jun 1868

“Jacob Nelson, 9 Dec 1870 (twin)

“Jacobina, 9 Dec 1870 (twin)

“Charlotte Abigail, 16 Dec 1872

“Moses, 25 Oct 1873

“Agneta was born on December 9, 1832 in Oringe Hallands, Sweden. Agneta was the oldest child in a family of eight children.

“On Thursday, April 28, 1864, with 973 emigrants aboard, the ship, “Monarch of the Sea,” sailed from Liverpool, England. Patriarch John Smith was President of the company. At Florence, Nebraska, they traveled by teams under the Company Captain William B. Preston, to Salt Lake City, arriving September 15, 1864.

Monarch of the Sea, 1020 LDS passengers on this voyage.

“The Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to their home in 1862, and Agneta, her mother and some of her brothers accepted the message gladly. But it wasn’t until the Spring of 1864, that Johannes and Agneta were ready to leave Sweden for America and the West.

Nilsson family on the Monarch of the Sea passenger list

“The voyage was long and stormy with much sickness aboard. The rations were meager; raw beef, lard, and hard crackers, water, mustard and salt. Many times they would wait all day for their turn to cook the meat, and sometimes the turn never came. Agneta saw several bodies being lowered into the deep ocean; and then it was her turn to watch eighteen month old with a rock tied to her feet, slipping into the ocean.

“Laying to rest little ones is unknown territory was to be Agneta’s experience two more times. Matilda, in New Jersey, near the Delaware River, and four year old Josephine near Omaha, Nebraska.

“During these trials, she valiantly went forward, giving birth to her sixth child in a cold, stark dugout in Logan, Utah.

“Arriving in late October, most homes in Logan that fall were underground, about five feet deep, with a rock chimney in corner. Fuel was willows from the Logan River bottom. It was quite warm, until spring thaw caused the room to fill with water about two feet. The cold of Cache Valley became known to all new settlers that winter.

“The next winter found John and Agneta in a snug log cabin, with cows, sheep, a yoke of steers, and 120 bushels of wheat raised on their six acres. Agneta also gleaned wheat from the field. She sheared the sheep, washed, carded, spun and wove the wool into clothing for her family; and with her gleaning, she was able to provide nice clothes for herself, and children.

“On October 4, 1867, three years after their arrival in Utah, John and Agneta traveled to Salt Lake City, to be sealed in the Endowment House. In the next six years she gave birth to five more children, with only two surviving beyond the age of accountability.

“Just nine years after her entering Utah, Agneta gave birth to her last child, Moses Nelson, born October 25, 1873; and she did not survive this birth. Moses died November 12, 1873. A mother had sacrificed for a child of God.

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Jonas History: Joseph Jonas and Annette Josephine Jonas

This is another chapter of the Jonas history book compiled by Carvel Jonas. “The Joseph Jonas clan of Utah (including – early Jonas family history; early Nelson family history)” I am re-posting this as I received much better photos of Joseph and Annie, so those are now included!

Joseph and Annie Jonas 1883

“Joseph Jonas was born 10 January 1859.  We learn the exact date and year because of research and the United States Census.  His death certificate has the year of birth as 1858, and the headstone has Oct 1, 1860.  I was told that members of the family couldn’t remember if he was born 10/1 – Oct. 1st or 1/10 – Jan 10.  Fortunately, when Grandpa Jonas was asked during the 1900 census he told them January 1859.  So we know he was born 10 January 1859.  Also, all the other census records but one seem to agree.  Joseph was born at Frenchtown, Monroe County, Michigan.  His father was Hubert Jonas, who was born 8 Oct 1816 at Kirchheim, Rheinland, Prussia (Germany).  His mother was Maria Catharina Schumacher, who was born 13 September 1815 at Oberdrees, Rheinland, Prussia.  Joseph was the sixth and last son of a family of all boys.  These three older brothers were born at Rheinbach, Rheinland, Prussia.  These three older brothers died before marrying.  Joseph lived with his family on the family farms in Michigan until 1879.  Joseph was educated in the public schools in Michigan and could read and write.  Joseph remained a member of the Catholic Church and went to St. Michaels Parish, which is still located at 502 West Front Street, Monroe, Michigan.  This was a mostly German Parish, and this is the Parish that recorded Joseph’s older brother, John who was buried Sept 1870.  Joseph moved with his family in 1871 to Ash Township.  There the Jonas land was bordered by a railroad on its east border and was probably was the place where Joseph first became introduced to a very long career working on the railroad.  In 1879 the family sold their land in Michigan and moved to Nebraska, Platte County, in a place called Pleasant Valley.  This is where Joseph’s mother died in March of 1880.  Pleasant Valley was a large area of county and the place where Joseph visited is now called St. Bernard.  St. Bernard was a German settlement, and is probably the reason that first attracted the family to the area.  His father and brother, William, farmed with a man named Michael Jonas.  It was first believed that this other Jonas family was a branch of ours.  Research proved this incorrect.  Our Jonas family owned no land in Nebraska.  Members of our family helped this other family to operate their farm for 4-5 years.
   

“Joseph had a long career working with section gangs for railroads.  By the time he was 21 years old, (maybe before this age) until he was about 57 years old he worked for the railroads in section gangs.  The only exception was a year and a half when he tried farming.  That is over 35 years that we know of.  “A section gang was a group of men – muscular, sunburned, streaked with dust and sweat; using crowbars and mallets.  They were maintenance crews, the housekeepers of the railroad.  All summer they chip away at their allotted section of railroad roadbed, weeding, spraying, burning, resurfacing, reballasting, repairing the ravages of frost and rain.  The crew rode a handcar, which was nothing more than a flat, open truck on wheels, which raised about a couple of feet above the rails.  It could be lifted on and off the tract by four men, two at each end.  The men stood up to pump the handles by which it was propelled”  Joseph’s work consisted in “Keeping the track in good level order.  He used a jack to raise the sunken rails, shoveling earth beneath the ties to keep them in place.  Besides the regular pay, they made overtime when there was any special work to be done, as unloading gravel trains.  Only a few hands were kept on past November in the Northwest where Joseph mostly worked, two on a section.  The rest got free passes, there being next to no work on the track until the frost breaks up.”  Much of the information about section work was adapted from “Section Life in the North-West,” an anonymous article published in “Cornhill Magazine,” in January 1888.     

“When Joseph worked for the Great Northern Railroad he had to keep the track he was working cleared when the Fast Mail came.  A train that carried the U.S. Mail from St. Paul to Seattle traveled the track once a day.  The men had to be careful to get out of the way for the train.   

“Research indicates that Joseph used the following tools: claw bars, line wrenches, spike malls, adzes and tongs.  Each of the rails were thirty three feet long, and were held together by bolts and fishplates.  The men who worked on the railroad comprised the most cosmopolitan crew in American History.  They included Civil War veterans and freed slaves, Irish and German Immigrants, Mormons and atheists, Indians and Chinese.  They would ride the rails on their hand cars replacing rotting ties, tamp loose spikes and tighten bolts.  Joseph’s daily wages averaged in 1892 $1.76 to $2.20 in 1914 a day as a section foreman (statistics found in Railway Statistics of the USA published in 1917).   

“Now a little early history about great grandmother, Annette or Annie Nelson Jonas.  Annette Josephine Nelson was born 18 November 1864.  Logan 4th ward records tell us she was given a priesthood blessing 2 Feb 1865.  She was born one month after her parents had arrived in Utah from their immigration from Sweden.  She was born in a temporary dugout on College Hill, Logan, Utah.  Her parents were Johannes Nilsson, (He later changed the last name to Nelson, and also used Neilsen at one time).  He was born 4 Oct 1827 in Tonnersjo, Hallands, Sweden.  Her mother was Agneta Bengtsson who was born 9 December 1832 in Oringe, Hallands, Sweden.  Annie was the sixth child of her family.  Her husband, Joseph, was also the sixth child in his family.  She had ten siblings, 5 sisters and 5 brothers.  When Annie was born it was raining, so members of the family put pans on the bed to catch the water as it dripped through the sod roof.  Annie’s older brother, August, told about this day in his life history.  The following is a quote from he history.      “We were just moved into your home when Annette Josephine was born…She was the first child born in the Logan fifth ward.  Mother was alone except for James (an older brother) and me.  James sent to fetch father who was threshing wheat for John Anderson.  When he arrived with a sister, mother had already taken care of herself and the baby.”  The Nelson family had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the year they left Sweden.  They had built a temporary dugout until they could build a wooden cabin the following year.  That winter was very hard for everyone in the area.  An early January thaw had caused the snow to melt and the water inside the dugout was knee deep.  Boards were used so the family could walk without wading in the water.  They bailed out the home and went back the same night.    

“When Annie was a baby the following events happened.  “When mother went gleaning, I (August) had to stay with the baby (Annie).  One day I left her on the bed while I went out to play.  She rolled off the bed and got a big lump on her head.  She was still crying when mother came home.”  When Annie was almost nine years old her mother died, 4 November 1873.  It was just about 14 days before Annie’s ninth birthday.  And just six days before her birthday her infant brother, Moses, died.  Moses was less than a month old when he died 12 November 1873.  When Annie was about 11 years old her father remarried.    The three younger children were raised by a stepmother.  We have no details now, but life was very unpleasant for these three children because of the relationship with this stepmother.  This marriage didn’t last more than eight years.  Before Annie’s mother died she said to her son, “August, if I die, I want you to take care of the children.”  He continues, “That had always been my job around the house.  Later one evening mother kissed me and said, “You have been a good boy.  God bless you.”  With a smile she turned her head and breathed her last.  God alone knows what little children lose when mother is gone.  While she was sick I heard her say, “I don’t want to leave my little children.”  Little did I know or realize what home would be like without her.  She was more than ordinarily ardent and spiritually minded with high ideals, had a comprehensive knowledge of the gospel.”   

“Annie had light red hair and blue eyes.  Annie’s mother her sister Abigail, and her first daughter, Margaret, all had red hair.  Annie wasn’t very much taller than five feet, and was slender.    

“While Annie was a teenager she went to work in a boarding house.  She didn’t like living at home with her stepmother and her step siblings.  While she was working at the boarding house she met Joseph Jonas, who was renting a room.  Joseph had a dark, wavy hair and brown eyes.  During their courtship Annie received a letter from her brother, August.  He said, “I suggested to her that she marry a Mormon boy.  Her reply was that Mormon boys were not as genteel as a Gentile.”  With Annie’s unhappy life at home she must have thought marriage would be a better life.  Annie was married the same month she turned 19 years old.  Joseph was 24 years old, two months shy of being 25 years old when they were married.  They were married November 1883 in Logan, Utah.  Since Annie was born in November she may have been married on her birthday, but the day isn’t known.  Joseph was 5 years older than Annie.  Their first child was born 17 Jun 1884 in Logan, Utah.  I am told Annie’s children would come early, before the normal nine months.  Shortly after their first child was born Annie and Joseph moved to central Washington State near or at Ellensburg, Kittitas County.  That move was made before the birth of their second child, Mary, who was born 17 Jul 1885.  The rest of their children, seven in total, were all born at or near Ellensburg.  They eventually lived in several, little towns near Ellensburg, such as Bristol in the 1890’s, Thorp in 1901, and Cle Elum 1900.  Annie and Joseph moved to Washington because Joseph’s father and brother, William, had moved there from Nebraska about this same time in 1883-84.   

“By 21 Jun 1887 Joseph and his brother bought 240 acres of land.  Their father, Hubert, was living with the two families.  An 1885 census of Washington Territory has William’s wife, Emma, Joseph’s wife, Annie, our great grandmother, living at the same place.  The land was about three miles south east of Ellensburg according to the speedometer on our car when we drove the distance.  These two sister-in-lays, Annie and Emma, would help each other take care of their babies.  Annie’s daughter, Rosa, said they washed the clothes on a washing board and then would take them, especially the diapers, down to the creek.  The clothes were rinsed to get all the soap out of them.  Then they would hand the diapers over some bushes to dry.     

“The families shared responsibilities.  Rosa and some of Uncle Williams children would take the cows out on the plateau to graze.  Mary and Margaret would help take care of the house.  There were a lot of rattle snakes in the area.  Occasionally Rosa Jonas would take a forked stick and hold the snakes head down.  Then the boys would stone the reptile to death.  One time the snake was so large it pounded the ground and jumped until it got loose.  The kids never realized the danger they were in until years later.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.  Another time a large, wild cat kept attacking the cows so the kids brought the cows home.  When their parents got upset at them for bringing the cows home the kids told them about the large cat.  Uncle William Jonas rode his horse to the plateau and found the large cat tracks so the parents knew the kids were telling the truth.     

“Joseph and William sold their 240 acres 28 Dec 1888 for 100 dollars in gold coins.  They owned the land for a year and six months.  Joseph gave up farming and went to work for the railroad again, much of the time working as the section gang boss.  William stayed in the area as a farmer and homesteaded.  William lived about three miles north of Ellensburg.  While the two brothers, Joseph and William were buying their land a third brother, Francis Jonas, came to live with them.  On 5 Sept 1887 Francis baptized his son at the St. Andrews Church in Ellensburg.  For a time Joseph’s two brothers and his father lived together as a family in the same area.   

“An important date for the Jonas families must have been 3 April 1886.  This day there were three Jonas children baptized.  Joseph and Annie’s daughter, Mary; Williams and Emma’s two children, Elizabeth and Hubert.    

John, Joseph, and William Jonas probably right before moving to Utah in 1901. The photo is stamped with Ellensburg on the matting.

“It seems that Joseph and Annie rented after this time in 1889.  William’s family lived close and the cousins would visit each other.  Uncle William’s family had a gorgeous watermelon patch.  William’s children chided Joseph’s children because they didn’t have a watermelon patch.  One night, Rosa, John, William and Joseph swiped a watermelon and ate it.  They didn’t want anyone to know so they fed the rhines to the pigs.  The pigs wouldn’t eat the rhines.  So uncle William’s kids discovered the rhines and the kids were caught.    Joseph, soon after selling his land, began working for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. He became a section foreman for the railroad.  Both the 1900 and 1910 United States Census tell us he was a section foreman.  Joseph would also make money besides working on the railroad.  In the fall of 1895 the whole family went and picked hops.   

“Joseph and Annie lived together as husband and wife for 13 years and one month.  Annie’s mother, Agneta; Annie’s youngest sister, Abigail; her oldest daughter, Margaret; Annie’s Granddaughter, Verla; and also Annie all had a similar physical condition.  Some of the symptoms were that the heart would palpitate of flutter, not fully beating.  And their womanly cycles would last up to six months and then stop for two months.  There was a chemical imbalance in their systems.  Today we would call this PMS or premenstrual syndrome.  In our family it is apparently passed from daughter to daughter, and sometimes it skips a generation.  It also seems that it is harder to live with after each pregnancy, but during the pregnancy it goes away.  Annie had a severe case of this chemical imbalance.  After each pregnancy her condition made her more emotionally imbalanced.  During her seventh pregnancy she lost the baby girl who lived only a few hours.  Rosa and some of the family gave the baby daughter the name of her mother, Annette Josephine and later sealed her to her parents.  Lillian, who was Joseph Nelson Jonas’ wife, had a dream.  In this dream her husband was carrying an infant in his arms.  That experience got the family thinking and Rosa remembered the baby being born.  While Annie was having contractions with this seventh baby she went to her husband who was at work.  Joseph was very upset with his wife for not staying home.  Some say that Joseph did a very foolish thing while he was upset, and kicked Annie where the baby was.  I’m not sure why this happened, or what the entire circumstances were at the time.  On 12 August 1896 the little girl was born.  With Annie’s history of chemical imbalance getting worse and emotional health came to the last straw.  I am certain that both Joseph and Annie felt guilt that the baby died, and blamed themselves to some degree.  Joseph took Annie to the Eastern State Hospital in Spokane Country, Washington State.  She was admitted 29 December 1896, a little over four months from the time Annie lost her last baby.  After the baby died Annie continued to loose blood for several months after.  Annie agreed to go to the hospital.  The night before she went to the state Hospital her children knew something was wrong of different.  Annie put on her nice clothes, curled her hair and slept with her children.  The next morning Joseph and Annie took the train to Spokane.  While Annie was gone Margaret, the oldest child, was in charge of the household.  The children knew that if they didn’t mind Maggie she would tell Joseph when he came home from work.     

Margaret Jonas

“After Annie was admitted to the hospital she was later sent home 31 October 1899 after 2 years and 11 months of hospitalization.  Annie was just 32 years old when she first went to the state hospital.  She had her 32nd birthday a little over a month before.  She had been admitted four days after Christmas.  With needed time to travel she must have left just a day or two after Christmas.  It was probably delayed until after Christmas so she could have one last holiday with the children.  Later she was discharged on Halloween day.  Just about a month before she was discharged, 21 September 1899, Joseph and Annie’s daughter Mary Nelson Jonas had died.  Perhaps after the loss of this daughter Joseph thought of bringing his wife home to the family again.  The family was still living in the Ellensburg area.  The stay was short.  She was home for six months and 11 days.  Then she was readmitted 11 May 1900.  Her name is on the 1900 general census taken in Spokane County while she was at the hospital.  Annie never saw her daughter, Mary Nelson, after her 11th birthday because Annie wasn’t home when she died.     

Annie Nelson Jonas 1900

“After Annie was readmitted the second time she stayed for 14 months until 2 Jul 1901.  On this day she was released by her family and taken to Utah.  On the 3rd of July 1901 Joseph, Annie and their five living children arrived in Utah at Annie’s brother’s home in Sandy.  Joseph and Annie’s sister, Charlotte, were hopeful if Annie associated with her family, the Nelson’s, it might help her emotional and mental health.  Annie’s brother, August, had this recorded in his life story, “…my sister, Charlotte Abigail, lived with us that summer (Sandy, Utah-1893).  When she went to Logan that fall she had the fever.  Later, (1901), she went to Washington to visit with our sister, Annie, wife of Joseph Jonas.  Annie had been sick for a very long time, but none of us knew the nature of her illness until Charlotte brought the whole family to Utah with her.  It turned out to be a mental illness.  She kept running away so we finally had to put her in the institution at Provo, where she died a short time after…”  “…There were five children.  It was sad to see sister in her condition.  I had not seen her since 1878, (Annie was 13 years old in 1878 until November)…Her daughter told me that before she lost her mind she would hold her head in her hands and moan, will not my father or brothers come and get me?  …Her husband destroyed her letters to us so we never knew what she was going through.”  Joseph and Annie’s children did write to the Nelson’s while they were living in Washington because we have some letters or post cards that have survived.  So it is the belief of the author that Annie could have found a way to communicate with the Nelson’s.   

“August was asked to care for the children by his mother when she was on her death bed.  Instead, he left home when Annie was 13 years old and never saw her again until she was almost 29 years old.  In his life story August said that instead of caring for the children he wanted to go and “make money.”  To his credit August did help his other sister, Charlotte, when she was older.  But it would have helped if care could have been given when the children were young.   

“After Annie arrived at her brother’s home in 1901 Annie stayed with them for a few days over four months.  Then August and his wife signed the warrant of commitment for Annie to be admitted to the Provo State Hospital 6 November 1901.  Annie’s records are still at the state hospital in Provo.  Annie remained there for 6 years 11 months until she died 23 December 1907 and was buried 25 December on Christmas Day.  She was buried in the Crescent cemetery.  For some reason the Nelson’s never put a headstone on her grave.  Years later members of the Jonas family, probably William Nelson Jonas, placed a headstone on her grave.  Annie was a young 43 years old when she died, the same age that her mother Agneta, had died.   

A copy of Annie’s Utah State Mental Hospital records are included after. There is very little in the record, but it is telling what little is included.

Annie-Jonas-Utah-State-Hospital-RecordsDownload

“While the Jonas family lived with the Nelson’s Joseph Jonas worked on August’s farm.  He was not a free quest.  While they were there it became harvest time.  Joseph worked with both families.  Joseph wasn’t a tall person, 5’6″ or 5’7” but he was a very strong man.  He often boasted that he could take the place of two men in the field.  Joseph worked on the threshing machine.  He lifted the bags of grain off the thresher.     

“Annie’s brother, August, condemned grandmother for not raising her family in the LDS church.  He would bring out his temple cloths and according to Rosa Jonas who was there, made grandma cry.  He would say, “This is what our mother was buried in.”  Then he would show her the temple clothes.  This happened a few times and grandma was so upset on time that she spit on her brother.  August probably had good intentions, but he handled the situation wrong.  Annie was a women who was sick and just released from a state hospital.  She needed special consideration and understanding.   

Joseph and Margaret Jonas about 1899

“Joseph and August had arguments, too.  August persuaded the Jonas children to stay in Utah and not go back with their father to Washington.  Rosa remembered that her father shook his fist at her and said “You remember where you belong.”  Finally, Joseph went back to Washington with only one of his five living children, Margaret.  The rest stayed in Crescent.  The four Jonas children finally went to Richmond, Utah.  Rosa married in 1904 and in 1908 the three boys left Sandy to live with their sister.     

Christian & Rosa Andersen

“An interesting book that may help the reader of this story to understand the life of Annie had while she was in the state hospitals was published March of 1908 and is entitled “A Mind that Found Itself.”  This is a biography written by the author after his complete recovery from a mental illness.  He describes conditions in a state hospital during the same time period Annie was living in one.  The man’s name is Clifford W Beers.  People who were admitted at the turn of the century were often treated cruelly.  The people who were hired were untrained and needed no qualifications.  Add to this the low wage and one may understand that people who hired to watch the sick used physical restraints and force to control their assigned subjects.  Besides having their freedoms and dignity taken away, they were assigned to one style of clothes to wear.   

“According to Annie’s records Annie was rational at times and then would have a sudden stroke of passion come over her.  While Annie was in the state hospital she wrote to her children.  She was capable of writing beautiful intelligent letters.  At times she was in possession of her mental abilities.  Unfortunately her children never answered her letters, which only worsened the way she felt about herself.  The children were young, the oldest in her mid-teens.  But the lack of support of her children and all other family relatives must have made her very lonely and given her a feeling of unhappiness and probably despair.  Also, Joseph, her husband, must have been frustrated after taking her out of the state hospitals three different times and unable to help her.  The circumstances would try the patience of any man.  Joseph and Annie were given certain trials in this life which would be hard to bear by most people.  Perhaps their trials in this life will help their standing before God in the next.  A feeling of empathy for them comes over the author when he thinks of their lives and their loneliness.   

“All of the children of Joseph and Annie, who lived past the age of 20, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.  John, William, and Joseph Nelson were all baptized 10 January 1902.  Rosa was baptized 6 February 1902.  Margaret, Mary, and Annette Josephine had short lives.  Mary died of typhoid fever 21 September 1899 being 14 years and two months old.  Her sister, Rosa, said she chided her sister and told her, “You’re not sick because your face is so pink.”  Mary unfortunately died the next day.  The children did not realize it was the high fever that caused her cheek’s to be so flushed.  Mary was baptized in the St. Andrew church in Ellensburg 25 Jul 1886 with two of her cousins, Elizabeth and Hubert.  She was just one year old.  Her headstone is on the main road or trail which runs through the Holy Cross Cemetery in Ellensburg.  Her headstone is facing away from the road so you would need to go to the back to see the words.  The original road was moved from in front of her headstone to the back of her headstone.  The headstone reads, Mary dau. of Joseph and Anna Jonas born 17 Jul 1885 died 21 Sep 1899.  She is buried next to her grandfather, Hubert Jonas and close to her sister, Margaret, and Uncle William Jonas.  Her baptism and death records are at St. Andrew’s church.  Margaret died of Bright’s disease.  Bright’s disease is characterized by heightened blood pressure.  The city paper called the Ellensburg Dawn dated 22 Sep 1904 reads, “Miss Jonas, daughter of Joe Jonas died Sat of Bright’s disease.”  Margaret was born 17 Jun 1884 in Logan, Cache county, Utah.  No records were found for her baptism in Ellensburg, although she was baptized.  We have pictures of her graduation from catechism.  Margaret was the only daughter who had red hair like her mother.  Margaret was the only child who went back to Washington with her father sometime in 1901.  She lived in Thorpe when she died.  She has a beautiful headstone with a lot of detail embossed on it and these words, “Margaret beloved dau of Joseph and Annie Jonas died 17 Sep 1904 aged 30 years 3 months.”  Both Margaret’s and Mary’s headstones were bought by grandpa Joseph Jonas.  We know that because grandma was absent from the family during both deaths.  Margaret also had a 4″ X 6 1/2″ card made at the time of her death.  This card, too, was Joseph’s idea.  The card is in a silver and black print with white background.  There is a bird that has a paper in its mouth with the following description, “Let us be patient: These severe afflictions not from the ground arise, but often times celestial benedictions assume this dark disguise.”  There is a small arch with “In Living Remembrance of.”  Then a box elaborately decorated with, “Margaret Jonas” died Sep 17, 1904 aged 20 years and 3 months.”  Then at the bottom in silver letters the following poem.  “We miss thee from our home, dear, We miss the sunshine of thy face.  We miss thy kind and willing hand, Thy fond and earnest care, Our home is dark without thee, We miss thee everywhere.”  Joseph Jonas’ sentiments are realized to a degree by the headstone and card he left behind.  He was obviously deeply hurt by his daughter’s death.    

 

Margaret Jonas

“Another interesting story we have, which gives us insight to Joseph’s personality, is how he handled his three son’s misbehaving.  The three Jonas boys, John, William, and Joseph, had been caught stealing apples.  Joseph was very upset.  But instead of doing something immediately he went and chopped some wood for the fire.  He chopped long enough to get rid of some of his anger.  Then he disciplined his three boys.  Joseph had a quick temper, but this story reveals his attempt to control his temper.  If Joseph came home and got upset he was capable of turning the furniture over.  However, Rosa’s children who knew Joseph Jonas really loved him.  Rosa said that she had often wished she had sealed her mother’s sister, Charlotte, to him after he died.   

William Nelson Jonas

“Joseph gave annual donations to his church.  One record reveals the following: “Mr Joe Jonas paid $5.00 this 11 day of October.”  Also, 5 July 1910-paid $5.00 for cemetery care; 1911-his name was written for contributions; 1912 contribution of $3.00; 1913 contribution of $10.00.  Joseph was also one of the witnesses when his brother, William, sold his land on the 18th of October 1905.  The above records reveal faith in God.  Also, there were probably other donations before 1910 that weren’t recorded.    We have a census record for Joseph in the following years; 1860, 1870, 1880, 1885, 1887, 1900, 1910.  We learn from the 1900 census that the family lived in Cle Elum, a place north west of Ellensburg, at which time they were renting a house.  The 1910 year has Joseph living in the South Kittitas Precinct.  He was living in a house with two single men, who were also of German extraction and were also workers for the railroad.  Joseph was 51 years old and his roommates were 47 and 56 years old.  He told the man taking the census that he was the head of his family and that he was a widower.  next to Joseph’s name on the 1910 census is the record of seven men who were living in a section house.  Joseph was most likely living in the foreman’s house that was owned by the railroad.  Counting the two people living with him it is likely that Joseph was the foreman of nine men during this summer work.     

Margaret Jonas

“On 19 February 1912 Joseph Jonas went to a notary and recorded the following affidavit: “Joseph Jonas to public.  Joseph Jonas, being first duly sworn, on oath states: That he is a brother of William Jonas who died in Kittitas County Washington, Oct 11, 1905; that said William Jonas died seized the following real estate situated in said Kittitas County, to wit: the south west quarter of section twenty three (23) in township eighteen (18) north of range eighteen (18) east, W.M.; that said William Jonas at the time of his death was a widower, his wife, Emma Jonas, having died in said Kittitas county, on March 17, 1898, intestate: that said William Jonas was married once; that George Jonas, son of said William and Emma died on the third day of July, 1908, at the age of ten years, intestate.”   

“Joseph Jonas was a hard working man.  He was strict with his family, and was a good provider.  He often helped neighbors by letting them stay in his house and by feeding them.  One time grandmother, Annie, had made some rolls and jam which were given to a visitor.  The man decided that he didn’t want to eat the food so after he got outside he gave the food a toss.  Joseph saw this and gave the man a verbal tongue lashing.  Also, Grandpa one day was cooking a pan of eggs.  It was a large fry pan.  A fly landed into the eggs, so he threw the eggs, fly and all, into the fire.   

“About 1907 Joseph was visiting his daughter, Rosa.  He needed some help on his section gang.  So his son-in-law, Christian Anderson, went to Washington and worked on the railroad.  His son-in-law thought Joseph was a good man to work for and after Joseph died he made a wooden cross for his grave.   

“When Joseph was 58 years old he came to Utah to die at his daughter’s home in Richmond, Utah.  Joseph had sugar diabetes and dropsy.  He had been sick for a year and six months before he died.  He stayed at Rosa’s home for about two months before he passed away.  Lillian, Joseph Nelson Jonas’ wife, who remembered seeing Joseph said that he was a handsome man even on his death bed.  He died 28 Jun 1917 at 3:00 A.M. and was buried 30 Jun 1917 in the Richmond Cemetery.  He has a headstone.  It is exactly like his wife’s headstone and were both placed on the graves by a member of the Jonas family years after their deaths.  The records aren’t clear, but the only sibling they had who could have bought these headstones was William Nelson Jonas.  All the other siblings had died rather early in life.     

Joseph Nelson Jonas and Lillian Coley Jonas

“During one of the visits Joseph made to his daughter, Rosa, in Richmond, Utah, Rosa had forgotten to put Annie’s picture away.  Joseph picked it up and said, “They didn’t tell me when you passed away, but you came to me so I knew you were dead.”   

“Some time after Cy Anderson was born, the first grandson of Joseph and Annette, Joseph made a visit to Utah to see the family.  That was probably in 1908.  Joseph bought him some new clothes, a sailor’s outfit.  During his visits he would ask the children to help their mother.  Joseph would be standing at the top of the stairs and would toss someone a nickel and say, “clean up the table for your mother and the nickel is yours.”  The grandchildren who knew Joseph really like him.  Joseph rejected any attempt his children made to convert him to the LDS Church.  But Joseph was a religious man, and believed in God.   

“Rosa loved to take her father’s coat and smell the lapel when he came to visit.  She liked to smell the smoke from the big cigar Grandpa smoked.   

John and Nellie (Andersen) Jonas

“Grandpa Joseph Jonas lived to see his wife, Annie, die; three of his daughters; both of his parents; his brother, William, and Emma his sister-in-law all die.  He lived away from his four living children for most of their lives.  He was a man with a family, but wasn’t able to be with them very much for the last 16 years of his life.  He was very much alone except for friends he made in Washington.  Grandma, Annette Nelson Jonas, except for a few brief months, spent the last 11 years of her life alone or in the company of strangers.  Annie experienced her family’s lack of support and certainly a broken heart sped her to an early death.  One may wonder why some people are asked to suffer such hardships in life.  Yet, we should always appreciate them for giving us our lives and for the sacrifices they made in raising a large family.  They provided for and loved their children, and raised them well under extreme hardships.

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Open primaries bill introduced in Congress

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History of Nils Bengtsson and Johanna Johansdotter’s Family

I received a copy of a history from Julie Jonas Kowallis. It is attached to Johanna’s profile in FamilySearch. Whoever compiled or rewrote the previous version seems to have mixed in references and stories related to Johanna’s son and grandson as if they were Johanna’s husband or son. Both emigrated to Utah at different times and had different trips. Further, this author edited out parts of the other history that seem to be passed down, although not verified. Some of the other history is missing, I will share it if I can find the missing second page. 

I have previously written about Johanna. I make only minor corrections within brackets. Nils and Johanna’s daughter, Agneta, is my Great Great Grandmother through her daughter Annetta “Annie” Josephine Nelson, who married Joseph Jonas.

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The country of Sweden is about the same size as the state of California. Southern Sweden is made up of flat, fertile plains. The lan (which means country) borders have changed very little since they were established. Each lan is subdivided into smaller units that are known as parishes. 

Little is known about Swedish history before 800 AD. About this time two different tribes of Vikings entered Sweden. The Svear, who lived in the eastern parts, and the Gotar, who lived in the western parts. THey were almost continuously at war with one another. It was only after the introduction of Christianity in the 9th century that they united and formed a nation. The name Sweden comes from the phrase Svea rike, which means “Kingdom of the Svear.”

For many generations the farming class comprised most of Sweden’s population. The farmer who owned his land was usually quite stable. However, trades-men could travel great distances to obtain employment in their professions, often seeking a good position in the city. There are many lakes and streams in Sweden, so it is logical to think fishermen and seamen would have resided along the coasts or lakes. 

The people of Sweden are known to be energetic, hardworking people who value order and tidiness.

Our ancestors Nils Bengtsson and Johanna Johansdotter’s families were among the parish district of Halland in Sweden. Nils came from a long line of tall strong men of the north. Legend has it that one of his relatives was so large and strong that he was considered a giant. He could pick up two ordinary sized men, one in each fist, and bump them together. Nils was a big man, handsome and strong. He possessed unusual physical strength. An attribute many of his [descendants] would inherit. 

We have no details as to where or how Nils and Johanna met but we know that when Nils was 28 years old and Johanna 17 they were married on July 4, 1830. Johanna affectionately called Nils “her big handsome man.” They were blessed with eight children, raising seven of them to adulthood. 

The Nils Bengtsson family lived in the usual country home in Sweden. There was a long building on the south with the family residence in the east end and the west end was used for pete or turf and wood. They had a building on the north side where the cattle and the hay and grain were stored. Thatch roofs were the rule for the ordinary farm house. On the ease side of the house was a path running south past a meadow and then over a hill covered with trees. On the west there was a road leading down through the green and across a stream through a field to the north. It is difficult in our day to imagine what it would be like to live in a small one room home with a family of seven children. 

Although freedom of worship is guaranteed by the law in Sweden over 90 percent of the population belong to the Lutheran church, which is the state church. During the 1800’s missionaries from [The] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the [Mormons], began to proselyte in Sweden.

Sometime in the [1850s] missionaries called at the home of Nils and Johanna. At the time Nils was very ill. Their one room home was divided by a curtain to separate the area where Nil’s bed was. Even though he was very ill at the time he listened intently to what those missionaries said. Later he called his son Nils to his bedside and said, “What those men are telling us I feel it is right. I will not live long enough to join their church, but I want you to listen to them and if you feel that it is right you must embrace it.” Shortly after this on March 12, 1859 Nils died.

Two years passed between Nils death and the [family’s] acceptance of Mormonism. But when the Bentsson family were baptized they embraced the gospel with sincerity of heart and a love for its doctrines and principles. [Johanna was baptized a member on 11 May 1861. Agnetta was baptized 10 November 1863, Lars 5 May 1860, Ingjard 5 May 1861, Christina 4 February 1866, and Nils Jr 5 May 1860. Johann joined 7 September 1893 after immigration to Utah. The other two were after their deaths. Bengta and Borta did not join or immigrate to Utah.] Nils and Johanna’s son Nils [anglicized to Nels in United States] said that the songs of Zion filled their hearts and minds. The saints throughout the world were encouraged to emigrate to Utah to be with the main body of the church. Nils said, “I had a birds eye view of Zion in my soul and I yearned to go there.” So with a call from a Prophet and songs of Zion ringing in their hearts, the Bengtsson family began to prepare for the long journey to join with the Saints in Utah. Prior to their departure little Johan Peter, who was 6 years old, gave all of his toys away. I can’t even imagine the faith and courage that Johanna must have had. She was 49 years old at the time and she was leaving her family, her friends and her beloved homeland. The family loaded all their earthly belongings that they could carry and began their trek to America. They left Sweden because of their testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and their convictions in its teachings. 

Nils wrote of this experience, “the family hustled along the rock paved sidewalks of Halmstad to the coast. The noise of the horses feet and the rumble of the vehicles on the rock paved road drowned all of the voices of the little ones who complained of the unceremonious haste of departure. All were safely on board, the gang planks withdrawn, before we realized that we were moving. We could see that men on the shore were being left behind… As we glided out on the calm blue waters. As we Denmark we say the harbor at Copenhagen covered with sails and booming of cannons. The dense smoke made it difficult to see the city. Germany and Denmark were at war. We sailed and entered the city from the back just before sundown. We had a long way to walk but it was worthwhile. We saw the prettiest homes, lawns, shrubbery, and statues; such as a man on a horse with beautiful decorations representing warriors and noblemen. That even I first heard the Danish language, though odd at first I soon got accustomed to it and learned to understand it.” They sailed from Denmark to Norway on their way to Hamburg, Germany passing between Holland and Belgium. 

On Friday, April 18, 1862 Johanna and her children boarded the ship “Electric” and sailed from Hamburg with 336 Saints all bound for Utah. Elder Soren Christofferson was in charge of the Saints and H.J. Johansen was the Captain of the ship. The emigrants were from Holland and other conferences in Denmark and from the Norrkooping Conference in Sweden. The “Electric” sailed down the Elbe to Bluckstadt Roads, arriving there about noon. Here anchor was cast near the ship “Athenia,” which had another company of emigrating Saints on board. At this time there were 335 emigrants on board the “Electric and 486 on the ‘Athenia.'” The “Electric” lifted anchor April 22nd and sailed to a point off the coast of Hanover, where anchor was again dropped and the ship waited for the wind to change. Favored at last with good wind the “Electric” made the final start for America April 25th, sailing out into the North Sea. Once again Nils tells of their experience, “I remember traveling through a city, the streets were lined with wagons all loaded with all kinds of meat, beef in particular. We set sail that evening with beef cattle in the hold, sheep on the deck, and the passengers on the middle floor. When daylight came we were all easing ourselves by [emptying] our poor stomachs down into the hole.” After crossing England and setting foot at several ports they finally boarded the ship that took them to America. Before sailing, President John Van Cott came on board and assisted organizing the emigrating Saints, who were divided into nine districts, in each from 25 to 40 persons. Nils wrote of this experience, “We got on board the great ship that carried us across to America. When we boarded it it stood so high out of the water that it was quite a climb to get on. We had to wait some time while the sailors and others loaded rails and other heavy freight into the hold. I have tried to forget this part of the journey. Our rations were raw beef, lard, and hard soda crackers and water, mustard and salt. The passengers would take their turn at cooking their rations of meat and sometimes they never got to cook their meat. The winds and the waves were so high sometimes that the ship rolled from one side to the other, the flag on the main mast would touch the waves and this could be seen by looking straight up through the hole. Trunks and boxes had to be tied fast to the beds on the sides of the ship. Some times passengers as well as sailors and some women helped to pump water out of the vessel.”

It was stated that unity and harmony existed among the emigrants during the entire journey. A number of meetings were held on board the ship during the voyage and at least one marriage took place and one child was born. But many also lost their lives because of diphtheria and measles. After 49 days on the ocean the ship arrived safely in the New York Harbor and the emigrants landed at Castle Gardens on Friday, June 6, 1862. Upon arriving in New York there were merchants who were selling their goods along the dock. Nils approached one who was selling what he thought was the most beautiful red fruit that he had [ever] seen, he later learned that they were tomatoes. All the money he had was 5 cents, but he gladly spent it for one of those delicious looking fruits. Much to his surprise he found it to be the nastiest thing he had ever tasted. He told the merchant this and asked for his 5 cents back. After a good laugh the merchant [returned] his 5 cents. 

Here the company met the Saints who had crossed on the “Athenia.” Both companies left New York Jun [9th], 1862 and arrived at Florence, Nebraska, Jun 19th. Lars Bengtsson, the oldest son, who was probably 27 at the time, purchased an oxen team and wagon that would take their family the rest of the way to Zion. They left Florence on the 29th of July 1862. Their captain was Joseph Horne. There was a total of 570 Saints, 52 oxen teams and wagons. 

The first few days of the journey some difficult was experienced, as the oxen, who were not used to Scandinavian orders and management, would often follow their own inclination to leave the road and run away with the wagons, but after some practice on the part of their inexperienced teamsters things became much better. 

Their oxen team gave out many times and the Elders administered to them and they would revive and trudge on. Upon crossing a river one oxen gave out and Lars quickly let the animal loose and put the yoke on his own shoulders and pulled along with the other oxen through the muddy [current] to the dry bank. It was said that Lars was a mighty man. Nearly all able bodied men and women had to walk most of the way. Some of the women rode in the wagons across the larger rivers, while they would wade across the smaller streams like the men. Sometimes the women and children were carried across the streams by the men when it was feared that the oxen could not pull the wagons with their heavy loads. 

Nils tells us in his life history that crossing the plains was a very thrilling and adventuresome as they came in contact with the wild frontier and Indians. While crossing the plains Nils along with a group of teenage boys decided one day to go a considerable [distance] from the wagon train and explore the area. One of the teenagers, pointing to an island in the middle of the river, said, “Lets all swim out to it.” They were all excited about this suggestion, so off came all of their clothes which were folded and left in neat piles along the river bank. In they jumped and swam out to the island. They landed and laid down on it. It had no animal life on it and seemed like a paradise to them. However, as they did so they found it was just a floating mass of sod and trees that had broken off from the bank upstream. They immediately turned back and tried to swim to shore, but to their dismay, they found they were too far down stream and the river banks were now rocky cliffs. They were growing very tired as they searched for a place to crawl out of the river. They prayed they could find a spot, and they did find one, their spirits lifting until they found it was infested with huge snakes. They floated on their backs until they reached a place on the river where they could get out. Thank goodness it was now getting dark because they were naked. They followed the road back to camp and whenever a wagon would come by they would have to run and hide behind bushes. It was very late when they got back to their camp. 

In the meantime a search party was sent to search for the boys and when they found their clothes on the river bank they were all presumed dead. 

As Nils neared his mother’s camp site, he could see his sister Christina outside by the camp fire baking bread. He hid himself behind some bushes and called out to Christina to bring him some clothes. She dropped what she was doing and called out, “Oh Nils ghost.” Nils called again, “don’t be foolish, bring me some clothes.” There was much rejoicing in the champ when it was discovered the boys were not dead. 

There were other exciting experiences as they crossed the plains. One day while they were crossing the North [Platte] River one of the brethren began to go down in a whirlpool. Although Nils was young he was an excellent swimmer, he quickly dove in and swam to the man. The man grabbed on to Nils and Nils pulled him to shore. 

The Saints often gathered berries for food. One day while Nils was gathering berries he because occupied with trying to find the berries and had not noticed that the wagon train had moved on. He picked up his pail and started running after them. All of a sudden a big Indian on horse-back swooped down upon him, trying to grab him as he leaned over the side of his horse. But, Nils was quick and dodged and ducked his attempts until the Indian spied some scouts from the company and fled. (Indians often succeeded in capturing young white boys and then would raise them as Indian Braves.)

L-R: Johanna Benson, Johanna Icabinda Benson, John Irven Benson, Nels Ernst Benson, Mary Ann Angel Works holding Merrill Lamont Benson.

Upon arriving in Salt Lake Johanna and her family first settled in the Sandy-Crescent area. Here they homesteaded 40 acres on land and built a small sod and log home. They farmed and raised cattle. Later Nils went to work for a man named John Nielson from Sanpete Valley and Nils moved to Spring City. At some point in time Johanna went to live with Nils and his family. She died and is buried in Spring City. Other members of the family settled in different pioneer communities that were being settled at that time. Johan Peter our ancestor who was the youngest of the eight children grew up in the Sandy-Crescent area. When he was 27 years of age he married Amanda Josephine Peterson and they became the parents of 7 children.