HISTORY OF NIELS HANSEN * MY GRANDFATHER

Written by Leona H. Carlson & Martha Daines May 1960

Birth: 6 Apr 1815, Sjaelssmark, Blovstrod, Frederiksburg, Denmark Father: Hans Jensen Mother: Marthe Markussen Marriage: 28 May 1843 to Spouse: Elizabeth Jensen Death: 28 May 1893 Long, long ago a party of Italian adventurers left the sunny shores of Italy to cruise in Northern waters. Their explorations finally led them through the angry North Sea, around through the Kattegat Bay and on to the Isle of Sjaelland. Charcoal, was used a great deal in those days and these adventurers used the trees in the forests of the Isle to make this product which they sold to the Danes. This occupation naturally made them appear darker than they actually were, at times, and the Danish people looked down on them and did not treat them quite as equals with the other people of their nation. But as time passed some of these people inter-married with the Danes. In Danish drama, the story is told of these people, how they rose to defend the Nation against the Swedish invasion and after their success King Christian and his Queen, in a day of thanksgiving for their victory, placed their hands on the head of each Sjaellander and pronounced them an honorable people, equal with others of the nation. This story was told to me, by my mother, when I wanted to know why some of grandfathers family was so fair and others had such black eyes and hair. Two of my aunts, Ani and Kirstine, were beautiful but of olive complexion and shiny jet black hair. My friends once asked me if they were Indians. My black-eyed, Danish Grandfather, Niels Hansen, of whom I am so proud, was a descendent of these people. He was born 6 April 1815, at Bloustrod, Fredricksborg, Denmark, the first son and fourth child of Hans Jensen and Martha Marcussen. His sisters were: 1. Johanne 2. Lena, who died in infancy, and 3. Lena. His brother Christian was born three years after Niels. He married, 28 May 1843, Elizabeth Jensen, daughter of Jens Nielsen and Kirsten Larsen. At the time of their marriage Elizabeth had a six months old son, Jens, whom he adopted and gave the same devotion as his own children. The devotion of this son was returned to his father and he became a great blessing and help to him. The children of this couple are: Martha Kirstine, born 19 July, 1844; Hans Peter, born 28, May, 1846; Ane Margrethe born 17 April, 1851; Ole Julius born 5 July, 1853 and died 25 May 1861, nearly 8 years old, he was buried in Denmark; Julianne Sophia born 19 June,1859; and Ole Julius, my father, born27 May, 1862. According to the genealogical records, these children were all born at Horsholn, Bloustrod Parish, Fredericksborg, Denmark. Their home had a title and was called Takkerdruset, Home of Niels Hansen. His parents and grandparents occupied the same home, or their house was known by the same name, on the same farm in the same parish.

Grandfather was a very ambitious man, a farmer, but during the season of the year when his farm did not need him he busied himself by hauling turf or peat to sell in Copenhagen. This turf was used extensively in Denmark for fuel at that time and was dug from a portion of the land, which he farmed. In his old age, he used to laugh when he would relate an amusing incident which happened on one of these trips. Becoming tired and sleepy on his tedious journey, he fastened the lines securely and lay down on top of the load for a nap, trusting to his faithful team to take him to his destination. A little later he was awakened by a sudden halt and through his sleepy eyes he saw standing before him a guard of the Danish King. The road passed by the Royal Estate and Palace. The horses had seen an open gate and turned in so he awoke to find himself trespassing on forbidden ground. His fear of punishment was relieved when the kindly guard told him to hurry away and not let it happen again. According to the custom in Denmark. Children would normally complete their public school training at about fourteen years of age, them be confirmed members of the Lutheran Church. The two eldest of his family completed the school and were confirmed Martha Kirstine in 1859 and Hans Peter in 1860. The record does not give any information on the boy, Jens. At this time the boys would usually go to work as an apprentice and learn a trade or vocation by which they could make a living. They received very little pay for this work, and sometimes very poor food, and the hours would be long. Peter said that he worked one whole year to earn enough to buy a thin coat. His noon meal usually consisted of vegetables and a piece of liver, which he despised. He had pancakes for breakfast and rice for supper. The girls at this time would go in the homes of well-to-do people and work as a maid, either helping in the kitchen, tending children or, if on a farm, help with milking cows and other chores. Jens had learned carpentry and Peter learned harness making and paper hanging. But at this time the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints came to them and changed their course and mode of living. We do not know much about their conversion to the Gospel, but an elder by the name of Terring, was the first to teach it to them and he baptized some members of the family. The Field was white and ready for the harvest at this time following the bringing of the Gospel to Denmark by Erastus Snow, P.O. Hansen and John Forsgren the first of June, 1850, for many of the Danish people joined the church. The acult members of the family were soon interested and easily converted to this new religion. It was the answer to that which they had hoped for. Kirstine and Ane, the two elder girls, were baptized in July, 1863; the parents, Niels and Elizabeth were baptized 17 October, 1863; Hans Peter, 13 February, 1864. We do not have the exact date of Jens baptism, but by the information of the endowment record it was prior to immigrating to Utah. Early in the spring of 1864, the family started preparing to come to Zion. It was with great difficulty that they sold their belongings and possessions. They had had many friends but now they were hated and treated despitefully by their neighbors and even their relatives for joining the Mormons. Most of their possessions were sold at great loss. Their friends, who had now become their enemies, took advantage of the situation. But the

Niels Hansen family must have had a considerable amount to be able to gave enough to pay for the journey for eight peo;le- six children and the parents to cross the ocean and also to buy an ox team, wagon and the supplies to cross the plains. The family had lived on this farm all their lives to that time and also several generations before them did the same, it must have been very dear to them. The Danish people are steady and reluctant to change their customs, so the Gospel must have made a deep impression on them. What a challenge they have set for us, their descendants. The fact that all members of the family immigrated together is unusual. Seldom did this happen in those days. They have lifted a high standard of family unity for us. (Next copied from history written by another granddaughter, Martha H. Daines) Although they started early in the spring, they didnt reach the valley of the Great Salt Lake until October 1st. They boarded a sailing vessel at the Port of Copenhagen with a company of saints, sailing to England over the North Sea, from there across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Gulf of Mexico and landed at New Orleans. Then they went up the Mississippi To St. Louis, Missouri. They had been on the water sic weeks and were glad to be on soil once more. This was during the Civil War and the Captain of their boat cautioned them to hasten of lest the older boys be taken into military service. Now came the task of preparing for the trip across the plains, The older boys were very helpful to their father and also helping other families in their preparations. They also helped with driving the cattle, making camp, harnessing oxen and other duties. They jouned the Independent train of immigrants lead by Captain John Smith . John Smith later became Patriarch to the Church. The company consisted of forty ox teams and five hundred handcarts. Near the end of the journey, this company was without food for three days. Then their prayers were answered in a miraculous way. A sack of flour was found by the wayside which caused much thanksgiving and rejoicing in camp. (Two pages missing) They didnt learn to speak or understand the English Language very well, so associated mostly with the Danish people of Hyde Park, In the early days Indians came begging for food quite frequently, from the Pioneers. The red men, having learned to say biscuit, came to the Niels Hansen home asking for biscuit, biscuit Not knowing the meaning of the word, Niels shook his head, then looking at his little boy, Julius, who had been playing in the dusty yard, answered, Ya, drengen er beskidt. (yes the boy is dirty.) He enjoyed the joke later when it was explained to him. He was a good farmer, having had many years practice in his native country and the virgin soil brought forth good crops. He usually had a larger harvest per acre than did his neighbor farmers. He was calledNiggar Hansen or the Black Danishman by the young people because of his dark complecion, which is unusual for a Scandanivian. Elizabeth Jensen Hansen was an excellent housekeeper and cook. Her house was always immaculate and she was never seen with a soiled dress or apron although she had few changes. When anyone was having company or a special party, Sister Hansen was

asked to help with the cleaning and cooking preparation. She could make the unpainted white pine floors look their best with the use of sand and a scrubbing brush. Brother Lars Christensen said that he and other boys liked to go to Julius home because they knew they would always be welcome and given some refreshments, either cookies or candy made from molasses or honey. By hard work and thrift the Hansens prospered and were getting along quite well in the few years that they were in Utah. Elizabeth Hansen passed away 20 November 1879, at the age of 58 years, in her home at Hyde Park, Utah. Niels married another woman, whom we know only as Grandma Hansen. She had a daughter, Christine, who married Jens Hansen, a pottery maker, of Hyrum , Utah.