Niels Christensen by Ruth H. Barker
History of Niels Christensen
by Maud D. Christensen and Clare B. Christensen
In the green wooded country of Denmark on August 4, 1844, Niels Christensen was born, the son of Peder Christensen (who died on December 18, 1847 when Niels was only three years old) and Ellen Andersen. Niels was born under the name of Pedersen. They had one other child, a son, Paul Christensen.
For generations back their forefathers had cared for the section of ground in which they lived. Very few people in that country owned land, so Niels and Paul, being left fatherless at an early age, helped their mother care for the property. Wild nuts and fruit grew in abundance and the boys loved to gather them. The tenants must look after the timber land, cut wood, preserve the animals that lived in the forest and in every way protect the interest of the land owner.
Niels loved to tramp the woods with the game keeper and to see him shoot foxes. He wanted to be a game keeper when he was grown. There were very large oak trees in the woods, and Niels enjoyed climbing right to the top of them. Once he made a little wagon. He sawed the ends off a log to make wheels. Paul was more of a school boy than Niels, who didn't care much for a teacher who would box his pupils ears when they didn't do their lessons well. A weekly trip to the nearest town to buy bread was quite an event. Two five pound loaves were carried by each boy and made walking no easy task.
Very few people in that country owned land. For generations back Ellen’s forefathers had acted as steward tenants on the section of government land on which they lived. When Peder died Dec. 18, 1847, Ellen subsequently married Hans Christensen on April 28, 1848. Niel’s stepfather was soon taken into the war with Germany. This was the war in which Germany took Schleswig-Holstein from Denmark. As small boys Paul and Niels were compelled to help their mother make a living by caring for the timber land and operating such ground as was allotted to them. When the war was over their stepfather, Hans Christensen, returned.
Then came messengers of Truth bringing stories of a free country where one could own a farm and home. In the year 1856, when Niels was eleven, the family, Hans, Ellen Paul, and Niels, joined the Mormon Church in Denmark. They went at night, May 11th to a pond to be baptized, so no one would know. A year later they left Denmark to cross the ocean. It was a long tedious journey in the sail ship, Westmoreland. They were five weeks on the water with no conveniences and little comfort.
The ship Westmoreland departed Liverpool, England, April 25, 1857 and arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Easter Sunday, May 31, 1857. The number of LDS passengers was reported as 544. Passage length was approximately 36 days. Matthias Cowley was in charge of the LDS emigrants on this crossing of the Atlantic as well as the ensuing crossing of the plains. Ship details are as follows: 999 tons, 170' x 36' x 18', built in 1851 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a two-decker with three masts, a square stern, a figurehead, and built of oak with iron and copper fastenings. In 1873 the vessel was wrecked by fire and sold at auction.
With 544 Latter-day Saint passengers, the full-rigged Westmoreland of Philadelphia sailed from Liverpool on 25 April 1857. Of this company 540 were from Scandinavia, and four missionaries were returning from Great Britain: Elders Matthias Cowley, Lorenzo D. Judd, Henry Lunt, and George W. Thurston. Elder Cowley presided over the emigrants with Henry Lunt and Ola N. Liljenquist as his counselors. Among the emigrants was C. C. A. Christensen, the famous Mormon painter (who painted the below image of the Westmoreland) .
Master of the vessel was Captain Robert R. Decan. He had considerable experience at sea. before assuming command of the Westmoreland in 1854. The crossing was one of harmony and good feeling among the emigrants. During the voyage an old man and two small children died. Five couples were married, and a baby was born and appropriately named for the master and ship — Decan Westmoreland Goff. After a thirty-six day passage the emigrants landed at Philadelphia on 31 May.
As Niels and his family were on this same ship, included is a copy of Nicolai Sorensen’s account of the voyage:
Thursday, April 23rd, 1857 — We got up at 6:00 a.m. and as usual had morning prayer. We then were served coffee and French bread, all we could eat. Each family was given their passport. It was made out in English so we could not read them. We left the hotel to go to the dock where the big steamship lay that was to take us over the mighty ocean to the State of Philadelphia in America. At 12:00 noon we all was registered and had to spend the night on the ship at harbor. We had very nice beds to sleep in, three in a bed. Husband, wife and one child in each.
Friday, April 24th, 1857 — Friday morning, for the first time, we crawled out of our nests and we were all happily satisfied. We spent some time straightening up our belongings. At 8:00 a.m. together with two brethren, Olsen and N. Nielsen and a few more, we went into the city of Liverpool. Here we bought six loaves of English bread and a looking glass. We would have bought more things but didn’t have more time to spare as the ship was to leave at 12:00 noon. We got there plenty early. We didn’t leave till 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 25th, 1857 — This morning was very special. We were to begin our long journey across the big ocean from Liverpool to Philadelphia. At 8:00 a.m. a small steamer pulled our large ship out of the harbor to deeper water. Here the sails were hoisted. The wind was good and we sailed along at good speed and all was well. There was given out food, one-half loaf of bread to each and 1 lb. of pork a week per person. A few began to get a little seasick. We went to bed at 8:15 p.m. Three men were chosen to stand guard.
Sunday, April 26th, 1857 — Again we saw a most beautiful morning break forth. This was Sunday and we were especially happy as were told we were to have an assembly in the afternoon at 2:00 p.m. on the upper deck. All that was feeling well attended. We had a wonderful meeting and I was very thankful for all the things we were taught. As the day ended many got seasick as could be expected as most was not used to the sea.
Monday, April 27th, 1857 —Got up as usual. Had prayer and as other days we were given our allotment of water every morning at 10:00. We got more food given out. 13 and one-half lb. meat, 16 and one-half lb. beans, 16 and one-half lb. rice, 16 and one-half lb. flour, 11 lb. oatmeal, 22 lb. potatoes, 11 packages of tea, salt and pepper. The main problem now was to get some food cooked. Our kitchen was very small for so many.
Tuesday, April 28th, 1857 — The weather was quite ruff. The wind blew hard. A few of the brethren met in prayer to our Heavenly Father. Our prayer was answered. The wind stopped blowing and we were very thankful and happy.
Wednesday, April 29th, 1857— I stood watch from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. therefore being the first man up I put the teakettle on and had plenty of warm water when the rest got up. Most of the saints were feeling better, all but mother. She was still pretty sick although some better.
Thursday, April 30th, 1857— I woke up early as I had rheumatism in my legs. Peder came with the teakettle of warm water and I had to get up anyhow. The time now is 6:00 a.m. We had good day. The weather was fine and the wind
just right and the ship made good speed.
Friday, May 1st, 1857 — This morning I was extra happy and thankful. Mother had slept good all night and felt much better. This day went as usual. We had good wind but it came from a direction that made the ship roll an awful lot. So much of our belongings fell on the floor of the cabin. Those who had porcelain got most of it broken up.
Saturday, May 2nd, 1857— The night had been bad for me. I had been busy bringing pots and picking things up that was always falling down and rolling around the floor. Most cases of things were not fastened. I would say most of them were just thrown about. I had fastened ours when we first went aboard. I had some rope with me from Sorø. We were given some more provisions, bread, bacon, meat and potatoes. The weather was very good and all the sick was brought up on deck and here we were many hours. I got some of our bedding up on deck in the sun. Everyone enjoyed this day and all felt much better. In the evening we as usual had prayer and our Brethren Robt. and L. Larsen spoke many enlightening things to us. Brother Liljenquist also joined us. He also spoke and gave us many things to think about. Also reminded us it was Fast Sunday the next day and wanted everyone to go to the kitchen to do the cooking needed as to be free all day Sunday. He promised us we should have meetings at 10:00 a.m. and also 2:00 p.m. This made us all very happy and we all went to bed very happy.
Sunday, May 3rd, 1857— At midnight we were all awakened by all our belongings again being thrown around the floor. The ship was rolling very bad all day and we were not able to have our meetings.
Monday, May 4th, 1857— This day did not promise to be any better. Big waves rolled over the deck and some water came down to us. We were busy wiping up the floors under beds and all over. The day went as the others. Being of the Mormon faith we looked forward to the holy things and the promises to all faithful, that make our lives worth while and makes us happy day-by-day. I now remember a very special event May 3rd. Brother Goff’s wife presented him with a son and was named after the ship. Those saints were from Sjælland. The mother and baby were getting along fine.
Tuesday, May 5th, 1857— This morning the weather was a little better. Niels Jorgensen had been standing watch from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. He told me there was a good fire in the stove and to bring the teakettle so we could have some boiled water. I was soon upon my feet to help some of the others that were not feeling well. We again were given our provisions. Rice, flour, beans, sugar, tea, sennip and pepper. We also could have had some oatmeal and vinegar but we had some so didn’t take any. We also were given some fruit juice. In the afternoon all the sick was brought up on deck. The weather was very calm. The ship did not make very good speed as the wind had almost stopped blowing but what little we had helped the speed of the ship. We saw a lot of sea hounds near the ship. A lot of them were bedding out on deck, drying in the sun.
Wednesday, May 6th, 1857— This morning the teakettle did not awaken us. We had two cooked meals the day before and had used all our water that had been given us. Bro. Mikkelsen had saved two cups of water. He gave it to mother and me. At 6:00 p.m. all was called together for prayer meeting. I forgot to tell that we had been divided in four different branches. I was head of one of them. We belonged to the second branch. Me, Mother, Kirsten, Maria, Henrik, and Stine. We opened with song No. 29 and 30 in the outside room where the drinking water was stored. Peder, Abraham, Isak, Jacob, Kristian and Niels were also in the same room. For two days we had no wind. It was for this purpose that we had met for prayer to ask our Heavenly Father to let it blow enough so the ship would make speed. Our prayers was answered and all went to bed happy and thankful.
Thursday, May 7th, 1857— After a good night’s sleep I woke at 5:00 a.m. Got up feeling very happy although my clothes were all wet from being too warm and had been sweating. The weather was wonderful and the wind just right. Niels and I were busy all forenoon fixing things. In the afternoon at 4:00 all had to meet to pay the tickets for the train fare across America. I paid $132.00 for my family. For the stay in Liverpool $4.20. Then there were some small debts to pay. Like money spent for drinks for the sailors that cooked for us from Copenhagen to Grimsby in England. You could give any amount you wanted to. I gave 80 cents. This was to be given back to us at the purchase of the rest of our tickets. Bro. Laurizt Larsen went around to each to see how many would like to learn English by having a class. We all signed up. Our President Kovlif was to have charge of the school. Another day went and we all were happy and thankful.
Friday, May 8th, 1857 — After a good night the morning broke again with a beautiful dawn. The sky was overcast with bright red. I had slept good as the night before. I was again ringing wet with sweat. I had a little cold and thought this would do me good. I got up feeling good and the hot water was ready for us to use. The wind was beginning to blow a little harder.
Saturday, May 9th, 1857 — I woke up after six hours sleep. I heard from some of the brethren already up that we had the best wind we had ever had so far on our journey. I got up happy and contented. I made two cups of coffee. This was all the water we had and I gave Bro. Mikkelsen one cup. We were to have provisions given out but as it was blowing quite hard, it was given up till Monday. The wind changed to northwest and we had to change our course accordingly. The wind was blowing very much now and the waves were very high. The ship rocked very badly, not side ways but up and down. The front would stand straight up from the water and then down again like it was going under the sun.
Sunday, May 10th, 1857 — I had been awake most of the night and had listened to the howling of the wind. At 5:00 a.m. Niels came. He had been standing watch and offered me a cup of coffee. I got up, washed and had prayer. We were told each to say how we felt. A brother from Jylland talked to us to keep everything neat and clean and gave much good advice to the saints. We saw four ships go by not far away from our ship.
Tuesday, May 12th, 1857 — I woke up and found my hurts was almost gone. I was very thankful for this and I knew my prayer has been answered in my behalf. A man with the water pump came. I had a barrel I kept some of our provisions in and it had to be moved. Where we stayed was just across from the water supply. It was time to give out water again. All was asleep yet so I had to take care of this alone. I got the teakettle and when the rest got up at 6:00 a.m. they came one after the other for hot water. One thing happened at 3:00 p.m. The first one to die since we left Sjælland was a baby. The baby’s mother was alone as her husband was not of our faith. The baby was buried at 5:00 p.m. Bro. Liljenquist gave a good talk and Pres. C. Larsen gave the prayer. We also sang a song.
Wednesday, May 13th, 1857 — I got up at 5:30 a.m. and as usual got the teakettle on. I had good hot water when the rest got up. We were all ordered to get up on deck at 10:00 a.m. but it has turned very cold so all that was not feeling well had to stay in their rooms. We just had peas for dinner. I was thankful to my Father in Heaven that we were as good as we were. The wind was not too good but the ship’s captain said we were doing ok.
Thursday, May 14th, 1857 — I woke up early after a good night’s rest but instead of getting up I just lay and rested when I was informed if I didn’t hurry up all the hot water would be gone. It didn’t take me long to get up. Inside of 15 minutes I had my hot tea. It was a wonderful morning. The sun was shining and the wind just right to make good sailing. We were all very happy and were told to all be on deck by 10:00 a.m. Just about that time it started to rain and hail very bad. At about 1:00 p.m. the sun again came out and we were able to bring all the sick upon deck in the sun. At 5:00 p.m. it started to storm again. The sea got very rough and everyone was ordered down below to their cabins. The ship’s help had plenty to do to take care of the sails and for a time it looked very bad but after awhile it stopped and again we were happy to have the privilege to meet together in a wonderful meeting. It was the first time we had Bro. Kovhy with us. He bore his testimony and gave us many faith-promoting incidents. Bro. Liljenquist translated it in Norwegian language. Many of the brethren bore their testimonies. The meeting lasted till 9:30 p.m. when we all went to bed.
Friday, May 15th, 1857 —I woke up early. It was still dark so I just stayed in bed till it got light. As I usually did first thing in the morning was to get hot water ready for tea. The wind was good and we made good speed. At noon it started to storm and by afternoon it was really bad. Most of the sails had to be taken down but we still made good headway, more so than any time before. The storm was bad the rest of the night. The sea was rolled and we in our bunks rolled from side to side. I didn’t sleep very much and was far from well.
Saturday, May 16th, 1857 — This morning the weather was still bad. I got up but did not feel very good. I met in prayer with the rest but most of the time I spent laying down. I felt some better after having had dinner.
Sunday, May 17th, 1857 — This was Sunday. I got up feeling fine after having a good night’s sleep. I was especially happy as we were to meet in conference and also was asked to fast. The weather was again good with sunshine. The wind was not blowing as hard as before and as the day advanced it got better. In the middle deck we all met for conference. We had a very inspiring time and I felt we were very much blessed. We left the meeting at 12:30 and we were to meet again at 2:30 p.m. We again had a wonderful time together. We all were happy there out on this big ocean. Another child died, 9 months old. The father’s name was G. Jensen from Copenhagen.
Monday, May 18th, 1857 — Got up as usual things. 7:00 a.m. the baby was buried. There was given provisions. The weather was just right all day and we made good speed.
Tuesday, May 19th, 1857 — Got up at 6:00 a.m. did my morning chores as usual . I had oatmeal soup to warm up instead of tea. The wind was good but it rained bad all forenoon. In the afternoon it let up some but most of day it rained. We met a large steamship. It was not far from our ship. I heard it was carrying mail from America to England. The wind was good and we made good time. I thought it was faster than any time before.
Wednesday, May 20th, 1857 — As usual I got up early and done the usual things. The weather made good sailing. The ship rocked a lot no matter how little it blew. A large ship passed us in the afternoon. They said it came from Philadelphia.
Thursday, May 21st, 1857 — Got up at 5:30 a.m. did my morning chores as usual. There was almost no wind. We got all the bedding out in the sun. We were given out some provisions like rice, flour, oatmeal, peas and bread.
Friday, May 22nd, 1857 — Got up as usual at 5:30 a.m. The weather was fine and not much wind. We got some more things given us like potatoes and meat.
Saturday, May 23rd, 1857— Got up at 5:30. I got no hot water for tea, as there was something wrong with the stove and had to get repaired. The wind blew a little from the east. The weather continued to be good. Later in the day it blew a little more. Towards evening the wind almost stopped altogether. We did not make very good speed. Two other ships followed us almost all day. One with two masts, one with three. The one with two masts made fairly good speed but the other we lost entirely. We had seen many ships coming and going.
Sunday, May 24th, 1857— Got up at 5:15 a.m. The weather was wonderful. It was blowing some from the east and as we were going west it did not help us any. We seen a lot of fish swimming in front of the speakers. It was Sunday and we had meetings. Bro. Liljenquist and Bro. Kovey was the speakers. We had a wonderful time together. The meeting lasted from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. In the evening we saw a lot of small fishing boats.
Monday, May 25th, 1857 — Got up at 5:15 a.m. There was hardly no wind and a thick fog was laying over the water. But as the sun rose higher it lifted, and by noon it was all gone. The wind was hardly blowing so we made poor headway.
Tuesday, May 26th, 1857 — Got up at 6:00 a.m. Sometimes it was not possible for all to use the stove so some had to wait their turn for hot food and tea and this day we could not use it. The weather was still calm and we did not make very good time.
Wednesday, May 27th, 1857 — Was glad to get up at 4:00 a.m. I cooked coffee and also served some to the cooks. The weather was good although we had a little fog. We passed a small boat. We were so close we could read the name Carolun on the side. We had much better wind for sailing and made better time. At this good speed we were promised to see land in a couple of days. We started to get our belongings together so when we got there we could know where our things were.
Thursday, May 28th, 1857 — I got up at 5:00 a.m. after a good night’s sleep. Bro. Gudmund came and told me there was a place on the stove for our teakettle. We all were busy cleaning and getting things ready as we expected to see land before night. We all got dressed and spruced up, to go up on deck. The weather was good and at 7:00 p.m. we lowered the anchors. We were to lay here till next morning before going into the harbor. We could see land on both sides of us. We had a meeting that evening and also some provisions given out.
Friday, May 29th, 1857 — [No entry for this day.]
Saturday, May 30th, 1857 — Got up at 5:00 a.m. The weather was good. We were still anchored. We could hardly wait to see the state of Philadelphia. At 10:00 a.m. the anchor was taken up. Two small boats were helping us to get in the harbor, one on each side. At 7:30 p.m. we again lowered the anchor as it was getting dark and was hard in the small stretch of water to get to the docks. It happened, an old man 82 died between 6 and 7 in the evening. He was from Vendsyssel. We seen many big and fine looking ships.
Easter Sunday, May 31st 1857 — Got up at 4:30 a.m. Today was Easter and never in my life had I seen such a wonderful Easter day. We were getting into the harbor fast. I got up on deck. I never will forget the most beautiful sight. I have never seen a more beautiful one. Those big beautiful buildings, the green meadows where cattle were out grazing, the green forest. It was all too wonderful for words. We landed at Philadelphia at 6:00 p.m. It had been very slow to get into the harbor, as the harbor is long and narrow. A few got to go into see the city and also to buy things needed. I sent with Bro. Jeppesen.
Westmoreland Passenger Listing
Fellow Dane, Ola N. Liljenquist wrote the following:
At Liverpool, we embarked on a sailing vessel called, Westmoreland, belonging to Philadelphia. After seven weeks at sea, we arrived at Philadelphia, and the first news we learned was that Parley P. Pratt had been assassinated, and President Buchanan had sent a large army against the Mormons. From here we took the railway to Iowa City; here I was appointed to go with the handcart company to Florence and my family to go with the wagon company. From Florence, I had the privilege of going with my family to Salt Lake City, where we arrived, September 13th, passing Buchanan's Army on the plains, they traveling on the south side of the Platte and we on the north. We did not see them, but on the plains we met Joseph W. Young on his way to Europe, calling all the missionaries home. Myself, wife and four children arrived all right and well in Zion, according to the prediction of F. D. Richards.
Landing in Philadelphia the Christensen family rode in box cars with only planks for seats, arriving at Iowa City, June 9th. Here preparations were made to take handcarts and make the rest of the journey on foot to the land of Zion. Many people encouraged the undertaking, assuring them it would be more pleasant than by ox teams.
From: Kate B. Carter, Compiler, Our Pioneer Heritage, Volume 12, page 472 and Andrew Jenson, History Of The Scandinavian Mission, page 120 - 122 the following is taken:
On Friday, April 18, 1857, a company of emigrating Saints, numbering 536 souls, bound for Utah, sailed from Copenhagen on the steamer L. N. Hvidt in charge of Elder Hector C. Haight, who accompanied the emigrants to England. After a successful voyage the ship arrived at Grimsby, England, April 21st in the afternoon, thence the journey was continued the following day by rail to Liverpool, where the emigrants, together with four returning Utah Elders from Great Britain, went on board the ship Westmoreland and sailed from Liverpool, April 25th. In the evening of the 24th, while the ship still lay at anchor in the River Mersey, five young couples were married, namely: Carl C. A. Christensen and Eliza Haarby, Johan F. F. Dorius and Karen Fransen, Carl C. N Dorius and Ellen G. Rolfsen, Lauritz Larsen and Anne M Thomsen and Jacob Bastian and Gertrud Petersen. Matthias Cowley was appointed by the presidency in Liverpool to take charge of the company, with Henry Lunt and Ola N. Liljenquist as his counselors. The Saints were divided into four districts under the presidency of Elders George W. Thurston, Lorenzo D. Rudd, Chr. G. Larsen and Carl C. N. Dorius.
The following discipline or order was observed during the voyage: The emigrants went to bed between 9 and 10 o'clock in the evening and arose about 5 o'clock in the morning. Prayers were held morning and evening, and, as far as possible, also at noon. The Sundays were occupied with fasting, prayers and preaching. Schools were also organized in each district for the purpose of giving the Scandinavian Saints instructions in English. A musical company was organized and the Saints frequently enjoyed themselves in the dance and other innocent diversions.
Splendid health as a rule existed among the emigrants and only two small children and an old man (82 years of age) died during the voyage. A child was born May 3, 1857, which was named Decan Westmoreland, after the captain and the ship.
After a successful voyage, which lasted 36 days, the company arrived in Philadelphia, Pa., May 31, 1857. Here they were received by Elder Angus M. Cannon, who, during the absence of Pres. John Taylor, acted as emigration agent; he made the necessary arrangements for the journey of the company through the States.
On the 2nd of June, the emigrants continued by rail from Philadelphia, and, traveling via Baltimore and Wheeling, they arrived safely in Iowa City, Iowa, July 9, 1857. This place was the outfitting point for the Saints who crossed the Plains in 1857 the same as in 1856. During the railroad journey, a Brother Hammer from Bornholm and three children died.
About the 15th of June, a part of the company commenced the journey toward the Valley from Iowa City with an ox-train, under the captaincy of Elder Matthias Cowley, while another fraction of the company, about the same time, commenced the journey across the Plains with handcarts under the leadership of Elder James P. Park. [Note: It is believed that Niels Christensen and his family traveled in this company as they are not listed in the Christian Christiansen company roster.] Several of the emigrants who had not sufficient means to continue the journey to the Valley that year, remained in the States for the purpose of earning money with which to continue the journey later. The ox-train, which consisted of 198 souls, 31 wagons, 122 oxen and 28 cows, arrived at Florence, Neb., July 2,1857, in pretty good health; but when the handcart company reached that place the following day a number of the handcart emigrants were sick, owing to the change of food and climate, and also because of over-exertion.
Consequently, a council was called for the purpose of considering their condition, and, after some discussion, it was decided by unanimous vote that the company should continue the journey at once and that all who were not strong enough to stand the journey should remain behind, so as not to become a burden to the company. The ox-train rolled out of Florence, July 6th, and the handcart company, which consisted of 330 souls, with 68 handcarts, 3 wagons and 10 mules, continued the journey from Florence, July 7th, under the leadership of Elder Chr. Christiansen, who returned home from a mission to the Western States. Both companies arrived safe and well in Salt Lake City, Sept. 13, 1857.
Also, this article from a newspaper records the progress of the immigration of the saints, including the Christensens:
An immigration of four thousand persons was passed on the Plains by Elder Richards’ party. This includes the entire immigration of this season. There were eight or ten distinct trains, each under the guidance of its own Elder. All were in good health, first-rate spirits, and the parties looked forward to their arrival at Salt Lake with the pleasurable anticipations of people going home. Among them were English, Welsh, Danes, Swedes and other nationalities; the Welsh, especially, being strongly represented. The immigrants were passed between Independence Rock and Fort Laramie, and so far as could be judged, the “hand-cart” portion of the companies were having the best time — a fact which will gladden the heart of Brother Brigham. Hand-cart travel over the Plains is one of his great hobbies.
Source: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/source/0,18016,4976-15158,00.html
“Very Late from Utah,” New York Daily Times, 12 Aug. 1857.
In July with a company of five hundred they started westward. In the handcarts were bedding, clothing and provisions for the trip; three wagons carried tents and camp skillets. Each day they walked 16 to 24 miles a day, aiming to make watering places. Sickness often delayed the company, sometimes it was necessary to go back a few miles to help others into camp. At other times herds of buffalo, rushing along in a wild stampede forced them to sidetrack and find safer moorings. Such delays were hard on the bread basket and rations became scarce. There being no hunters in the company, very little wild meat was obtained. Some days they had nothing to eat, but wild berries and flour made into thick mush. The loads became more burdensome, and many useful things, such as feather beds and blankets were thrown away. Feet were blistered with the long hours of walking over rough roads. Those who had shoes discarded them and wrapped their feet in rags. Paul and Niels walked barefoot all the way. The weary travelers moved along every day stopping only to eat and sleep.
Behind them was Johnston's Army and the handcart company preferred keeping out of their way. Some of the supply wagons of the army's advance company overtook the company on foot and the captain gave a lame ox to the saints, telling them they could have it, if they would prepare it for the next evening. During the night a heavy rainfall made the ground so muddy that the army's heavy supply wagons moved very slowly. The saints pulled their light handcarts out on the grass beside the trail, and that night the army wagons were far behind. The lame ox was killed and eaten by the hungry Mormons. The next day a band of young Indians carried the women and children over a stream on the backs of their ponies and that night drove off the horses of the army's supply company, so that the handcart people saw no more of Johnston's army.
Paul took sick and nearly died on the way. For three days his mother and another woman half lead, half carried him – there was no stopping. He was never strong enough to help pull the handcart again. The last hundred miles Niels and his stepfather pulled the handcart alone. The other four were too worn out to help.
It was Sunday, September 13th, people were just coming out of church when the ragged, hungry, sunburned, weary plodders came into Salt Lake City. They had walked thirteen hundred miles. It was the happiest day in Niels' life. A ragged blanket, a ragged shirt, and ragged overalls were all he had of this world's goods. His mother gave him a little bucket and told him to go ask for some milk. The first house had none, but the lady at the second gave him some milk and asked if he had any bread. She gave him half of the loaf she had.
The first winter Niels stayed with a family in Cottonwood. The family lived in a two-room dugout. There were besides Niels, three women, two girls, and a little boy about six years old, from whom Niels learned to speak English. The father was in Echo Canyon helping to hold back Johnston's Array . Niels chopped wood,
herded, and milked cows. His board consisted mainly of potatoes and pumpkin butter. He had been promised a pair of shoes as soon as the shoemaker could secure some leather.
After weeks of waiting he went to see if the shoes were ready. The shoemaker’s wife handed him a stout pair and the happy boy hurried away only to be stopped by the; shoemaker, who came running to say that he was the wrong boy and the shoes belonged to someone else. Niels handed them back and with tears in his eyes walked away. It was* three weeks more before his shoes were ready.
The family had all been separated during the winter and when they came together in the spring, Niels and Paul could converse in English and their folks could not understand them. That spring, 1858, the Christensen family moved to Lehi. Here they lived in a dugout near the place where the Lehi Sugar Factory later stood. It was a hard summer with little to eat. They returned to Salt Lake in the fall and spent the winter in a house with another family. Hans worked at the tithing office for vegetables and the boys had a month in school, their only schooling in America. Here they adopted the American way of using their father's surname and Poul began spelling his name Paul.
In the spring of 1859 the Christensens moved to American Fork. Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter owned a farm there, and he outfitted the Christensens so they could run his farm on shares. They began to break the land from its sagebrush covering, but the oxen had been pastured out all winter and were too weak to pull the big sages, so the man and boys had to dig them up with a grubbing hoe before the ground could be plowed. They planted grain, but before harvest time their food supply had run out. While Niels was herding cows one day an Indian approached and asked him for food. The boy had none, so the Indian said, "Me get some." He cut a tall thistle, stripped the bark and began to chew, saying it was good. Niels also tried some. It was very bitter and not at all to his liking. Later, however, necessity cultivated a taste of thistles and they often helped to satisfy his hunger.
While walking down through the fields one morning, Niels met a boy about his age, herding cows. His name was Henry Miller. Henry was the eldest of widow Miller's four sons. There immediately developed a friendship between Niels and Henry and between the Christensens and the Millers.
It was necessary to go to Salt Lake at times. Niels made several trips alone on foot, carrying only a butcher knife for defense. One morning he left American Fork at sunrise and was in Salt Lake at one o'clock.
The Hunter farm with its virgin soil responded to tilling and the Christensens soon began to see more prosperous times. Niels and Paul cut hay with a scythe. They hauled the hay to Johnston's Army at Camp Floyd. Johnston's Army was camped out there in the desert with hundreds of horses and mules to feed. This meant a ready market for all surplus hay in American Fork. In fact, hay was very scarce before spring. A neighbor named Jensen told Niels and Paul if they would cut some of the tangle grass standing on the frozen land, he would haul it out to the army. The grass was red from frost and age. When the army captain saw the hay, he wanted to know what kind of hay it was. "Well, sir," was the reply, "that's what we call Mormon Race Horse Hay." "Unload it," said the captain. "It must be good."
A few days later when Jensen went out with hay again (this time the hay was out of a stack), the captain asked if Jensen had anymore of that "race horse hay." Jensen said, "No." The captain replied, "Well, it's a good thing. Our horses wouldn't even lie down on the hay." For many years afterward, farmers in American Fork called tangle grass "race horse hay."
When the army left Camp Floyd in the spring of 1861, Niels was one of those who witnessed the departure. The army had a surplus of many things, but the officers would sell none of them. They threw large quantities of ammunition into the big spring. But what hurt Niels' feelings most, they piled a great many guns up and burned them. Niels saw a farmer meet a soldier out in the brush away from the camp, where one musket was traded for a bottle of whiskey. When the army came down to the Jordan River, six brass cannons were dumped over the bank. Many soldiers tried to desert. Two soldiers caught in the attempt, were tied by their wrists to the back of a tall supply wagon so that only their toes could touch the ground. When the wagon train passed out of discernible view, the two men were still dangling from the wagon.
The spring of 1861 Niels worked some for Stephen Chipman; the father of the Chipman family in American Fork. Niels, with his mild manners and willingness to work, soon held the confidence of the older man and he was trusted with the horses or oxen and the handling of affairs.
About this time the Christensens bought land of their own. Their first property was a ten-acre farm adjoining the west side of First West, south of Second South. Then they bought an eighty acre strip one-half mile farther west. Niels was out in the west hill country in the fall looking for cattle. Brigham Young had told the settlers to always take their guns along when they went into the fields or mountains. Niels and Paul always kept the advice, though Paul had a distaste for a gun. This time Niels was alone in the Tickville country. His horse was a spirited animal and as Niels rode him down into one of the washes the horse kept shying. In the bottom of the wash was a clump of oak. As he passed it two young Indian bucks stepped out. One of them seized the horse by the bridle. The other began fitting an arrow to his bow. The Indians were eyeing Niels up and down to see if he had a gun. He drew it quickly from its hiding place on his right hip. Immediately the two Indian countenances changed from arrogance to fear. The first one let go of the horse and the second dropped his bow to the ground saying, "Me good Indian." Niels had perhaps saved his life by keeping counsel. His first impulse was to shoot both the Indians for their treachery, but in after years he was always grateful that the blood of no man was on his hands.
Niels always talked about the spring of 1862. According to Bishop L. R. Harrington's Journal, there had been a very mild winter, with unusually heavy rains during January. The whole winter season was a wet one. The floods that spring changed the course of many streams in American Fork, unchanged since then. Crops suffered some because all old dams were washed away. During these early years the town was constructing the old church house, later known as Science Hall. Niels remembered the visits of Brigham Young to the church and how on one occasion he told the people assembled to stop clamoring for the grass lands below the town and asked them to take up the bench land. Said President Young, "Some day there will be more hay grown on the bench than there is in the bottoms." When Niels walked out on the steps after the meeting some of the brethren were laughing and wondering where the water for that hay was going to come from.
Niels finally acquired a horse, saddle, and gun so necessary in pioneer day. There were times when he was called out with other men to go to the point of the mountain to meet Brigham Young and other church leaders. These companies of young men would act in relay groups as a personal guard for the President all down through the territory.
In the summer of 1866 Niels was called with the first company to take his horse and gun and go to southern Utah to protect the early settlers against the Ute Indians under Black Hawk, who had become hostile. Henry Miller went in the same company. They rode side by side all down through Sanpete and Sevier as far as Circle Valley and Fish Lake country, and no Indians were encountered by the company in general. Every man was cautioned however, not to leave camp without his gun. A man, named Riley, disregarded the counsel. He rode over the hill from camp leaving his gun behind, saying that he just wanted to look around and would be right back. Over the brow of the hill some Indians rode out from behind the buses and blocked his return. Riley's horse was swift, so he wheeled it and ran in the other direction, but an Indian put an arrow into his back against his shoulder blade. Riley rode for ten miles in a great circle to allude the Indians and get back to camp. All the while, the Indians were in hot pursuit and every leap of his horse made the feather end of the arrow bounce up and down. Niels helped to hold Riley while they cut the arrow out. The company had to remain in camp about two weeks while Riley recovered sufficiently to go on. Those who went out in pursuit of Riley's attackers found no Indians.
The following summer, 1867, Niels helped to haul granite from Little Cottonwood Canyon to the Salt Lake Temple. Such seasons of labor were accepted as a missionary call. It was a summer of hard labor. Niels remembered that there were times when it was after midnight before they arrived at the temple lot.
The next summer Niels accepted a call to go back to Omaha for oncoming immigrants. When it was told about town that Niels would be in the company, four different men, who had been called to send oxen, requested Niels to take their span. He had a reputation as a good and gentle hand with the animals. So, Niels had eight gentle oxen to drive. After this, Mrs. Kelley came to Niels and asked him to be partners with her son, William, because she said, he needs some one like you to help him. Niels and Bill Kelly soon broke up, however, because Bill was not particular enough about the oxen. Then Niels took Bill Ovard as a partner. Bill was a big, husky man, but he had a lot of wild critters to yoke. It was necessary to resort to the lariat every day. When the call was sounded, however, Niels and Bill were always ready to take their position in the line of wagons. What a dust the four hundred oxen and fifty wagons would make on some of the long stretches. There were rivers to ford, some of them deep and Bill couldn't swim. In the crossing two men were drowned. Niels and Bill lashed two logs together and sat astride them for a raft, one man on each end. In the middle of the stream, when the logs began to swirl, Bill said, "I'm coming over by you." Niels said, "Stay where you are or we'll upset the thing, but Bill in his fright started coming anyway. Niels drew his pistol and his grey eyes shown fire. He said, "Go back!" and Bill went back. They landed safely on the other side. The next river they crossed Niels navigated by clinging to the tail of a swimming ox.
The return trip to Utah was comparatively uneventful. The rivers were not swollen with rains, and all the attention was given to the transporting of immigrants and their belongings.
The American Fork Second Ward record gave November 18, 1894 as the date when Paul and Niels Christensen were ordained elders by L. E. Harrington and William Greenwood. Since L. E. Harrington died in 1883 and William Greenwood in 1891, and Niels had long since been through the Endowment House, the writer assumes that the correct date was the 18th of November 1864 when Paul was 21 and Niels 20.
Stephen Chipman had died in February of 1868, but Niels continued to work at times for his young widow. Their oldest child was Phoebe Adelaide Chipman, eight years younger than Niels. She was a very pretty girl and had several suitors. Phoebe D. Chipman, the mother, could see in this rather shy, young man, latent qualities not so evident to the girl. Realizing that her days were numbered because of her long illness, Phoebe said to her daughter, "I want you to many Niels. He will be good to these children."
Phoebe D. Chipman died the 13th of November 1872. On the 10th of February 1873, Phoebe Adelaide Chipman married Niels Christensen in the Endowment House in Salt Lake. They settled down to the task of fostering her younger brother and sisters in the old Chipman home on Merchant Street.
Two years later their first child, Phoebe Helen, was born. Then a son came on October 3, 1876, Bernard Niels, and a second daughter, Edith on October 3, 1878. A third daughter, Mabel Elizabeth was born in 1880. During part of these years Niels ran the old Chipman farm as a partner to his younger brother-in-law, Stephen D. Chipman. Then Niels built a tall adobe home on the corner of Second South and First West.
At this time Hans Christensen died and Niels bought a farm at the north edge of town. Three more children were born to Niels and Phoebe, John in 1882, Homer Paul in 1885, and Olive Marie in 1888.
During some of these years, Niels had a financial struggle. One fall when he went out west for his cattle, they were not to be found. He raised potatoes and hauled them to Salt Lake in the fall with a team and wagon where they sold for as little as five cents a bushel.
There were trips for fuel in the fall which were pleasant to remember. He had been born in the woods and he was a robust man. The men usually went in groups of four or five wagons for protection. Niels was always the first to have his load cut, and when it was on the wagon there was wood left to help load Paul's; for Paul had remained a bachelor and devoted himself to the care of his aged mother. Paul went to live with Niels when ill health caused him to no longer be able to take care of himself.
In 1890 Phoebe Helen died suddenly. She was a charming dark-eyed, black-haired girl. Phoebe Adelaide was unconsolable in grief and a year later, in spite of their poverty, she made a trip to Manti to do the girl's temple work. Then in 1894 on the 14th of July, Phoebe Adelaide died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage. Although Niels lived nearly thirty years after this, he was never interested in remarrying. The only response to any mention of his wife's name was silent tears. Niels’ aged mother lived two more years and then died at the age of eighty-six.
Edith was the first child in Niels' family to marry, which she did on the 27th of April, 1898, to J. Peter Anderson of Lehi.
Niels' son, Bernard, went on a mission to New Zealand. It was a test of Niels’ faith to help send him, but in the three years Bernard was gone Niels always found the needed money to send to his son. Once when Bernard wrote and asked for a hundred dollars, Niels didn't have a cent in the house, but by night, he had one hundred and fifty dollars. A man came along that day wanting to buy some horses. Niels sold his favorite ball-faced saddle horse for a hundred and ten dollars. It was a big price. The children cried when the horse was led away. Bernard returned in 1903 and married Maud Rosalie Driggs in 1904; they moved to Idaho. Bernard his family returned to American Fork in 1906 and lived in part of his father's home during the next eight years.
Mable married Edward Reese that same year, and moved to Salt Lake. John and Homer went to Brigham Young University during the next years and were star athletes, but Niels had little interest in athletics. Marie remained at home until she married William Taylor Nuttal and moved to Salt Lake. John married Sarah Ann Whitaker on June 30, 1914.
On February 8, 1909, Niels was ordained a High Priest by James H. Clarke.
About 1910 Niels was plowing in the fall and continued on to the middle of December. On the afternoon of the 16th, a freezing wind came up. Niels should have gone home, but he sat on the plow until the day was done. Niels was sixty-six years of age and caught such a cold that he was in bed almost a month.
Bernard was anxious to have a home of his own and he purchased the old Christensen home (the home built by Hans Christensen in 1873). After consulting an architect about remodeling the massive brick house, Bernard decided to tear the big house down and use some of the materials to build a new home. Paul and Niels had worked for years to help build that house. It was not without proper emphasis that Paul condemned the idea of tearing it down. But Niels with the love and loyalty of a father went to work to help tear it down. It was an enormous job, and now 68 years old, Niels would pick up one end of a five-hundred pound lintel and help lift it down off the wall. Early in 1913 Bernard finished his new home and moved in.
On the 9th of January 1914, Paul Christensen died at Niels' home. Niels was alone with his brother when the end came. Niels lived much alone now except for one winter when he was sick and stayed at Bernard's. He always ate his dinner and supper there, but he insisted on sleeping and eating his breakfast at home. He no longer went out west for wood, but he did have a big wood pile from his own timber land down on the creek. Most winter mornings the ring of his ax was heard through the neighborhood. On winter afternoons he sat in his rocking chair by the fire. Often Henry Miller was there or Niels’ brother-in-law, Washbum Chipman. There were always peppermints and ginger snaps in the cupboard for the grandchildren. There were several guns in the house, too, but the grandchildren could see and not touch them. Niels had fourteen grandchildren now, seven grandsons and seven living granddaughters.
Homer, who taught high school usually came home for three or four weeks in the summer to help with the haying. There were two or three summers when he didn't and how hurt the old man was. But when the boy came, Niels lived anew. Homer was again his boy, even if the boy was in his thirties, very tall, poised and handsome. Together they went out into the meadow . The writer was there, too, as grandson and nephew, but he was only in the outer circle of their comradeship.
During these years Niels always went to the annual Black Hawk Encampment. There he met his old friends and reminisced on bye-gone days. Niels also went with his son, John, on a motorcycle trip down through the same country where years before, Niels had ridden a horse in search of the Black Hawk Indians.
Often in the summer time one or all of Niels' daughters would come home with their families for a visit. The grandchildren went out to the corral and sat on the fence while grandpa milked the cows. The silent satisfaction which the aged man then knew, the writer does not attempt to tell. Niels would take the younger ones as far as the corner, when he hitched his bay team to the wagon and went to the farm.
Niels had not done much reading in his life, and he never wore glasses, but in these last years he spent many evenings reading the Doctrine and Covenants. He had a copy in large print, which he always used.
In January, 1925, Niels went to an Old Folks party. Chicken was served, which had been cooked in a copper boiler. Many of the people became sick from eating it. Niels was ill for some time. Before Niels was completely well, Henry Miller was found dead in his potato pit. Niels met his grandson out at the log stable, where the boy was taking care of the horses. In a shaky voice Niels asked if the boy had heard the news. "I .guess you heard about my partner?" They had been great partners in friendship.
A few weeks later Niels was doing his work again. It was the 18th of May and the spring was late in arriving. His illness had delayed the planting. Niels had planted corn in his lot that morning. Then he and Maud had dinner. Bernard was late coming from the office. Niels was just climbing on the wagon when Bernard drove in and ran down to talk with his father asking him the wisdom of doing any more that day. Niels said that he felt fine and was off to the farm. When he did not return at sundown, his grandson was sent to find what the trouble was. A silent form lay on the soft earth beside the plow. Niels Christensen’s journey of life was ended.
This account is concluded with a quotation from the autobiography of Maud D. Christensen: "I shall always owe a debt of gratitude to dear Father Christensen. He was my friend – a father in deeds, a gentle patient grandfather to our children who adored him from their babyhood!"
Niels was buried in the American Fork Cemetery on May 21, 1923 in American Fork, Utah.
Headstone of Niels Christensen
American Fork Cemetery, American Fork, Utah
Headstone of Paul Christensen, Niel’s brother
American Fork Cemetery, American Fork, Utah
Compiled and edited by Ruth H. Barker
Sources: History of Niels Christensen by Maud D. Christensen and Clare B. Christensen in the possession of Bonnie Rice http://www.sorensenfamilyhistory.org/journey_west/westmoreland.htm
http://www.sorensenfamilyhistory.org/family_history/nicolais_account.htm