History of Niels Christensen

I typed this up from a copy that I have in my personal files. I didn't clean up much of the grammar, so some parts may be a little difficult to understand. Niels Christensen is, of course, not to be confused with his son, Niels Christian Christensen. A note at the end of my copy says, "Taken from Emigration Record, Church Historian's Office at Salt Lake City; and from 'The Life of William Budge' by his son Jesse, page 75."

Niels Christensen was born in Stabrand, Randers, Denmark, on December 4, 1816. He was a son of Ane Marie Johansen and Christen Nielsen. He was the third child of his parents, having a brother, Ramus Hanson, and a sister, Marie Catrine, older than he was.

He spent his early life with his parents, and he was educated in many ways, as education was compulsory in 1814, as was baptism in the Lutheran Church until 1849. When he was 27 years of age, he was married to Kristine Marie Nielsen on October 10, 1843, and to this union there were born four children.

Life to this family went on in the ordinary way, until in the year 1858, when the Mormon Missionaries came to that land, and Niels Christensen heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached. It is interesting to know that religious freedom came just in time for them to hear the Gospel. He accepted it and became a member at the age of 42 years. He was baptized by Elder Ramus Mickelsen, July 6, 1858.

He was like many other Saints who accepted the Gospel, very desirous of gathering to Zion. His wife Kristine did not accept of the Gospel message, and thus had no desire of leaving her home or to immigrate to America, this of course was not a very pleasant situation for either of them, but he was very sincere, and knew he had chosen aright, and he was willing to leave his country, home; yes, even his wife and children if necessary for this new Gospel he had embraced.

It was, however, by mutual agreement that they chose to each go their way. Niels decided to go to America and Zion, and Kristine remained in her native land. She was, however, left with property enough, so she wouldn’t have to want, as they were considered in very comfortable circumstances there.

The next problem that arose was of the children, so it was agreed that the children be left to make their own decision in the matter, and when Niels prepared to go to America, the children came with him. They were: Niels Christian—age 16; Christen—age 14; Niels—age 12; and Ane Marie Christine—age 10.

It was May 2, 1860. They bade goodbye to their native Denmark and sailed from Copenhagen on the steamship Pauline in company with 312 Saints. They arrived in Grimsby, England, on the 5^th of May, and went by rail across England to Liverpool, arriving on the 6^th of May, where they boarded the “William Tapscott.” On Friday, May 11^th, under the command of Captain Bell, the William Tapscott sailed from Liverpool bound for New York. It was an old 3-decked ship. It was heavily loaded. There were 730 Saints, 312 from Scandinavia, most of them being very indifferently accommodated, even as accomodations were at that time.

Elder Asa Calkins had charge of the company. His health was poor, and he could not appear before the Saints often. William Budge was chosen counselor, and he gave what assistance he could to the people. This required considerable time and labor.

Bell, Captain of the ship, was good to the Saints. The voyage was prolonged by contrary winds and stormy weather. Smallpox broke out among the Scandinavian Saints. On Sunday, June 3^rd, nine came down. There were ten deaths on board among the Swiss and the Scandinavians, four children were born, and nine couples were married during the voyage.

On arrival in New York, June 15^th, 1860, Brother Budge received a communication from Apostle George Cannon, who had charge of Church immigration during 1860, giving him authority and instructions to take full charge of the entire company and conduct the Saints to Florence, Nebraska. All were vaccinated because of the smallpox. On the 20^th, all were landed at Castle Gardens, and the following day they continued their trip up the Hudson River on a steamship, “The Hudson Newton,” to Albany, arriving there the 22^nd of June. They traveled by way of Rochester, Niagara Falls, Winder, Detroit, Chicago, Quincy to St. Joseph. Thirteen sick were placed in a hospital, but they recovered and were able to go on with the company. It was decided that the group travel as far as possible by rail, as the most strenuous was the first part of the trip, taking more than 20 days, due to the low wet lands, clay soil, and heavy rains early in the season. From St. Joseph, they went up the Missouri River to Florence, Nebraska. They arrived there July 4, 1860. The company moved into several empty houses to make preparations for their journey westward. There were numbers of Saints waiting there because they had been unable to obtain cattle for their journey. Within a few days, they were ready for their departure.

A meeting was called to organize and receive instructions for the journey, as was the custom. It was necessary to have someone experienced in the mode of travel in charge, and supervise the company to avoid as much as possible any accidents and threatened trouble with the Indians, as well as maintain the necessary order and discipline so essential in travel across the plains. William Budge, though not experienced, was chosen to head the company, with Nephi Johnson, an experienced frontiersman, as his assistant. The train consisted of 72 wagons, all drawn by oxen, with two or three exceptions, where horses were used. There were also a few loose horses, cows, and young cattle. It is recorded in the records that Niels Christensen, with four children, and Doretha Johansen came in the Wm. Budge Company, and had one wagon, four oxen, and three cows. They started July 20^th, 1860, and arrived in Salt Lake City on October 5^th. It was the fifth wagon train, and he kept a journal for the Wm Budge Company of 1860.

The company proceeded to near where Evanston and Wasatch are found, down Echo Canyon to where Echo is now situated. At this point, the Weber River was crossed, and from there, the journey was made on to Little Mountain, where deep snow was encountered, which impeded travel. The loads were light by then, but the cattle were weak and were permitted to move slowly and thus save their strength as much as possible. Finally, the company arrived at the mouth of Emigration Canyon and in sight of Salt Lake City, a few miles below.

They proceeded to the square where the City and County building now stand for their first camp in the city. It was the last company of the season, and one of the largest to cross the plains.

From Salt Lake City, Niels Christensen and his children came to Hyrum, Utah, to make their home. The first winter, they lived in a dugout near the Old Rock meeting house, which used to be on what is now the public square.

Niels Christensen, being a man of energy, ambition, fearless and determined, set out to be better his condition. Land was obtained, a home built, and he took a wife to mother his children; this time, it was Dorethea Christine Johansen, who had been in his company ever since leaving Denmark. Besides the the four children who came with him from Denmark, five more were born. They were Joseph, Sophia, Dorethea Christine, Samuel, and John. The boys died when very young. The girl, Ane Marie Christine, who came from Denmark, only lived to be about 16 years of age, when she died.

On November 7, 1863, Niels took another wife, Christina Andersen (Christine must have been a favorite name of Niels—as all three wives were Christina) and nine children were born to them. They were: Andrew, Mary Ann, Ezra, Heber, Joseph, Hyrum, Nephi, Wilford, and Orson. Thus, Niels Christensen was the father of 18 children.

He was a farmer, and he also engaged in shoemaking and as a carpenter. He was a handyman, a man of energy. He was a good provider. He minded his own business. He was kind, liberal, and generous with the Saints and always ready to divide with ones in need. He was religious and strong in the faith. He held the office of High Priest, and by his diligence and faithfulness, he proved himself a true Latter-day Saint.

Many of his posterity have had the privilege of going into the mission field, some even going back to his native land; others have been called to hold responsible positions in the Church, and temple work has been done for as many of his progenitors as was possible to get records. It was at the age of 65 years that he passed away on July 30, 1881. He was buried at the cemetery in Hyrum, Utah, and his name with that of his four children appear on the plate at the Seagull Monument at Hyrum.