Louis (Lewis) Olsen (Olaus Jacobsen) 1847--1922

Compiled by Joyce M. Harrison April 1998

The Early Years the same parish where Olaus was joined by a Olaus Jacobsen was born January 17, brother, Nestor August, on February 19, 1847 on Strandgade (gade = street) in 1849. Nestor lived only eight months. The Christiana, Akershus, Norway (now called family moved again shortly after Nestor's Oslo).52,4 He was the first of eight children death to Pilestrædet Street in Vor Frelser's born to Jacob Peter Olsen, who was born parish, where Frederik August was born on November 17, 1814 in Vestre Aker parish in July 2, 1850. Sisters Anna Mathea, born Christiana (Oslo)51 and Eli Olsdatter (later May 14, 1853, and Lovise Pauline, born known as Ellen Monsen), who was born March 18, 1856 were also christened in Vor March 13, 1820 on Qvale farm in Vestre Frelser's cathedral, which dates back to Slidre, Oppland, in the Valdres Valley in before 1700.54 Then Marie Lovise was born 49 Norway.53 Following the Scandinavian November 3, 1858 and christened in custom of conferring upon the oldest son a Trinity (Trefoldighets) Church, shortly after 37 surname composed of the father's given the death of little Lovise Pauline. name and the word "son" he was christened It was the custom in Norway for a child Olaus Jacobsen in the Vestre Aker parish to go to school until he was twelve years old church on January 27, 1847.52,57 and then prepare for confirmation in the Vestre Aker parish is on a small hill in Lutheran Church. Undoubtedly they studied the western section of Oslo, then called much from the Bible, progressing from one 61 Christiania. The Aker River, with factories book to another at various grade levels. alongside using power directly from the However, although he probably began to river, was Norway's largest industrial district study with the priest for his confirmation, he in the 1800s and the focus of its was never confirmed in the Lutheran manufacturing trade. A modern commercial Church. Following confirmation, a young system developed with a large, urbanized man was ready to choose his field of labor or working class, and the growth of trade and go to the workshops as an apprentice.59 Most industry shaped the present city more than of Olaus' family were masons and any other factor.36 carpenters, and so he also learned those Olaus’ parents moved to Lakkegade in trades. Louis Olsen Page 2

Conversion by degrees he gained such influence Missionaries from the Church of Jesus with his superiors through his skill Christ of Latter-day Saints came to Norway that he was made the trusted foreman in 1851. However, it was not until 1853 that of large gangs of workingmen, Elder Carl Christian Anthon Christensen, among whom he engaged several of 16 traveled with Elder Johan Frederik the brethren. Ferdinand Dorius to Christiania and, on In October, 1854, Elder Johan F. F. December 8 C. C. A. Christensen organized Dorius returned to Norway from Denmark the little Christiania Branch, with nine adult and was appointed to labor in Christiania. members. Meanwhile, Elder Carl Christian By December, 1854, the branch in Nikolai Dorius was experiencing success in Christiania had 50 members, in spite of the nearby city of Drammen. The Dorius continued imprisonment of the elders for brothers were born in Copenhagen and had proselyting. Gradually the membership been baptized in 1852 in Denmark. In 1854, increased and in 1860, the Christiania Elders Carl C. N. Dorius and Carl Wideborg conference was created with 695 members, began to experience success in Christiania. with Carl C. N. Dorius as president. If it can The History of the Scandinavian Mission be said that the Scandinavian Mission records: flourished at some time in its history, it was One of the local Saints, Jonas in 1861 and 1862. The Dorius brothers were Otterström, who lived at the base of in Norway at this time, Carl having a high hill, called Egebjerg, emigrated to America in 1857 and returned overlooking the city, bore testimony in 1860. They led a group emigrating to to his customers and others, and thus America in 1863. Gustav Anderson, a good and highly Olaus’ parents listened to the message of respected man who lived on the top the Dorius brothers and were baptized in the of said hill, became a convert to Christiania Branch in 1860, leaving their "Mormonism.". . . former affiliation with the Lutheran Church 4 The Elders, having found their . After the Olsen family joined the Church, first converts among the laborers in two more children were born. Dorothea the factories along the falls of the Josephine, born May 14, 1861, and Carl river, next commenced propaganda Ephrain (Charles Ephraim), born September in the extreme opposite edge of the 25, 1864. They were both blessed in the city where Gustav Anderson and his Christiania (Oslo) Branch.4 Little Dorothea 37 wife joined the Church and became died at the age of eight months. Olaus was ardent supporters in the work of sixteen years old when he was baptized by 4,16,57 God. . . They would bear testimony Ferdinand Dorius in 1863. to the truth to any and all with whom About this time, many Norwegians were they came into contact, and thus they assuming the father's surname instead of the became the means of leading others patronym and so Olaus and his brothers and into the fold of Christ. Being a good sisters changed their surname from Jacobsen stone-mason, Bro. Andersen was to Olsen. It is for this reason that we descend 4 employed by the city engineer, and from Olsens instead of Jacobsens. Louis Olsen Page 3

Emigration morning. Proceeding up the fjord, we Olaus’ parents wanted very much to join soon reached the city of Kiel, where the Saints in , but they didn't have we landed, and then tarried several enough money for the whole family to hours in the fine waiting room at the emigrate, so they sent their oldest son, station. . . Kiel was in 1866 an Olaus, in 1866. He was 19 years old. He attractive city with about 30,000 undoubtedly embarked sometime in the inhabitants. It is situated in a fine and middle of May by steamship from Oslo to fertile district of country and the Copenhagen, Denmark, with a group of harbor, or fjord, on which it is built, Norwegians, including the president of the is one of the best natural and safest Christiania Conference (District), Elder harbors on the Baltic. At 12:00 George M. Brown.16 o'clock noon the emigrants were all Since the transportation of the emigrants seated in the railway cars and left in 1865 from Hamburg direct to New York Kiel for Altona, about miles had proven successful, the presidency of the distant, where we arrived after three European Mission in Liverpool decided to hours pleasant journey through the send the Scandinavian emigrants in 1866 on green and beautiful Holstein the same route. [Germany]. This was my first Olaus and the other Norwegians joined railroad ride, and the same could be the last Scandinavian company of that year said of the majority of those who bound for Utah, which left Copenhagen at 1 composed the emigrant company. p.m. on May 28, 1866, on the screw From the railroad station in steamship Aurora. This iron steamship had Altona we all marched down the hill three masts with sails and one funnel and to the banks of the river Elbe, where was owned by a German company. It ran the women and children boarded a from Christiania to Copenhagen and then to little steamer and went by water, Kiel.45 One of the passengers commented: while the men walked a mile or so The voyage along the coast of through a part of Altona into the city Zealand (Sjaelland) and Moen was of Hamburg, where we were all very interesting. The most lodged in an emigration house, and conspicuous landmark which we we enjoyed a comfortable night's passed was "Moens Klint," a hill of rest.15 chalk formation which rises abruptly The Norwegians and some others went on from the sea to a height of 450 feet. board the ship Humboldt about 4 p.m, while The weather was pleasant and the 200 other emigrants boarded the ship 16 surface of the sea undisturbed. Joy Cavour, which sailed from Hamburg June and happiness reigned supreme on 1. board; all of the Saints seemed delighted with the prospects before Crossing the Ocean them. Having spent the night on the The Humboldt, a German square-rigged Baltic [Ocean], we reached the ship under Captain H. D. Boyson,45 sailed mouth of the "Kieler Fjord" in the from Hamburg on June 2, 1866, with 328 Louis Olsen Page 4

Saints under a missionary returning from sailing vessel ran into us causing Norway, Elder George M. Brown. The slight damage to our ship.44,19 company was organized into four districts, After the first ten days, the ship subdivided into nine divisions, with a encountered headwinds much of the time. president over each of them. Besides the The captain was very kind to the Saints, Saints were sixty or seventy other saying that he had not had such a good, passengers. A steam tug took the Humboldt orderly company of emigrants before. He down the River Elbe to the North Sea. was kind and sympathetic to the sick, even Taking the route north of Scotland, the ship sending them extra food from his kitchen. passed the Shetland Islands a few days later. One of the passengers on the Kenilworth, a Many passengers were seasick.3,45 Olof ship that arrived the day before the Jenson, a passenger on the Humboldt tells Humboldt, described their joy upon seeing his story: the land of America for the first time: The food on the boat consisted of Soon the green shores of Long Island soup, potatoes, beans, fish, bread, or were observed on our right by hardtack biscuits. The cooking was everybody. Perhaps only those who done in iron pots so large the cook for weeks and months have been could get inside. No bread was made tossed about on the stormy face of on the ship, the biscuits having been the ocean can appreciate the pleasure made months before and were of seeing terra firma again. The extremely hard and dry. The potatoes emigrants, who for about two months were sour and soggy. The drinking had been confined to the decks and water was taken from the River Elbe, berths of [the ship] appreciated to the in Germany, put in wooden barrels, fullest extent the change of vision that had been burned on the inside, that they enjoyed on this memorable and was as black as coal, when we day. The drooping spirits of all were drank it. Water was also put in large revived and the desire to live in hope iron barrels, holding about five of a happy future was manifested hundred gallons, and when the water universally among the passengers. from the wooden barrels was The men shaved, cut their hair and exhausted, the water from the iron cleaned up on general principles, barrels was used. This was red with while the women began to look for rust. Pigs would object to the food their best dresses in which to attire and water but had to take it. themselves when the happy privilege The beds on the ship were made of landing should be enjoyed by of common lumber, with room for them. To us Latter-day Saints, the four in width and were two tiers first sight of America had more than high. There were about three usual significance, as this was the hundred L.D.S. emigrants in the "land of promise," the land of company. We had a good trip except Joseph, about which we had spoken, for fog as we neared the dreamed, and sung for many years Newfoundland Coast, where another before beholding it. Louis Olsen Page 5

"How beautiful," nearly all to convey the emigrants westward, but Elder exclaimed when we emerged from Taylor succeeded in making a contract by an our quarters on the lower decks and entirely new route, which was several saw the green hills of Staten Island hundred miles longer, but much cheaper.16 and the tall steeples and magnificent Olof Jenson recounted the journey: buildings of the cities of New York We left New York City and went up and Brooklyn in the distance. The the Hudson River [by steam] boat to pleasant morning breeze wafted the Albany, New York, where we were odor of vegetation and flowers from put in very dirty cattle cars. After the shore out to us. . The doctor many days, we reached St. Louis, came on board to find that there were Mo. having changed cars at Chicago, no contagious diseases among the Ill. We went in a paddle wheel emigrants and nothing in the shape steamer up the Missouri River to of disorder or sickness which would Florence, Nebraska. 19,44 prevent us from landing. A second passenger added: Consequently, the anchor was lifted When we saw the string of cars into and we sailed into the bay or harbor which we were being herded, our and anchored a short distance off the hearts almost failed us. But what city of New York, almost opposite could be done about it? We were on Castle Gardens.15 the road and must follow it through, Elder Thomas Taylor, the emigration even though we were treated like agent for the Church, came on board to cattle. For that was the kind of cars arrange for their landing. Two adults and the train was made of.56,16,47,3 three children died on the voyage.16,45,19,47,3 Florence was a bustling frontier camp Olof Jenson continued: “We were six weeks located on the west bank of the Missouri crossing the Atlantic Ocean and were glad river just north of Omaha. Here the East and when we reached Castle Garden, New York, West met face to face. On one side was [on July 18th] where we stayed for three civilization; on the other, vast stretches of days.3,45,19 The Saints boarded a small wilderness, Indians, deserts and mountains. steamer which took them to Castle Gardens, The place was alive with people, scouts, which was described as follows:”At Castle traders, freighters, and soldiers. The Civil Gardens we passed through the usual War created an insatiable demand for horses, examinations and scrutiny, including the mules, oxen, cattle, all means of enrollment of names, ages, nationality, etc., transportation and food. The need was after which we enjoyed a few hours rest in increased by the constant stream of the large and airy rooms of the Gardens.”15 Mormons going west. The Saints were confronted with strange people and strange Elder Taylor had experienced much conditions, thousands of head of livestock, trouble making the transportation wagon trains being fitted out, and arrangements for the emigrants from New plainsmen.40 York to Nebraska. The railroad companies On Sunday, August 1, they arrived safely in New York wanted an unusually high price at the landing below the village of Louis Olsen Page 6

Wyoming, Nebraska, which was the accommodations as the circumstances outfitting place for the Saints crossing the afforded.40,15 plains that year. It was on a knoll on one About 450 wagons sent by the Church to side of a town consisting of a dozen houses. the Missouri River to aid the emigrants, each It undoubtedly was established by Mormons with three or four yoke of oxen,30 had primarily to house the emigrants and wagon already waited some time at Wyoming for trains. One of the emigrants commented: the arrival of the emigrants.15 Thus, At that village we could breathe the preparations were hurriedly attended to in fresh air more freely than upon any order to begin the journey across the plains previous occasion since we as soon as possible.16,47,3 commenced our long journey. Both on ship board, and in the railroad Crossing the Plains cars, we had been confined to narrow Very few Scandinavians crossed the quarters, but here on the grassy hill plains with their own teams in 1866.16 Most of Wyoming we had plenty of room went in the four Church-sponsored ox-trains to spread out and inhale the fresh air led by Captains Joseph S. Rawling, Peter and drink the pure water as it gushed Nebeker, Andrew H. Scott, and Abner forth from the hillside. . . Lowry.16,15 [Here] we were permitted to Olaus was undoubtedly in the Scott pitch our tents on any of the Company, but no list has been found for unoccupied land lying adjacent to the those in this company. The company was village. Those of the emigrants who reported as “one of the finest. . . They are had no tents, made themselves mostly from Norway, in Europe, from a temporary shelter of brush and highly respectable class of society, and have branches cut from trees in the a fine choir of 25 voices.”48 As they arrived neighboring woods. While enjoying at Wyoming, each family or individual these conveniences we spent several moved to the place designated for their days busily engaged in washing respective company where they had their clothes and otherwise preparing for baggage weighed. On Monday August 6, the our journey across the plains. . . immigrants who were to cross the plains in While stopping at Wyoming we Captain Scott’s train were assigned to their could draw provisions from the respective wagons, ten or twelve persons to Church store house, which had been each wagon. There were 46 wagons in the 15 erected on the camp ground. company, which was made up of British, One of the young men sent to fetch the Norwegian, and Danish immigrants.15,20 new immigrants noted their various customs Olaus was assigned to drive one of the ox 27 of dress and their unusual diets. Life was teams across the plains. He walked all the certainly different for the new immigrants. way to the Salt Lake Valley beside the Here camping began in earnest. The 1,200 oxen.58 All of the able bodied persons Scandinavians who came in 1866 spread out walked, including the drivers of the ox on the prairie where their leaders directed teams.46 He took several pairs of shoes and and made shelter and living carried the spares over his shoulder. When Louis Olsen Page 7 the pair he was wearing became so worn it Wyoming, interpreted for the Scandinavians would no longer hold together, he discarded who did not understand English and was it; however, the last pair he saved and appointed to be their spiritual leader while walked barefooted so that he could have a crossing the plains. On account of the good pair when he reached the Valley of the company being so large, it was divided into Saints.57,11,29,59 two companies.55,15,17 It was the last year emigrants traveled all The next morning they broke camp at 8 the way from the Missouri River to Salt a.m. and traveled until about noon. During Lake City with ox teams. The following year their stop, provisions were distributed, (1867), the Union Pacific Railroad consisting of 1-1/2 pounds of flour, 1 pound continued westward from Omaha for several of bacon per day for each adult, sugar, hundred miles.16 molasses, coffee, dried fruit, and other food, Olaus may have become friends with all of which they were to cook to suit their Andrew Jensen (later Church historian) , a own tastes. Baking bread and cooking meals sixteen-year-old who keep a diary of the in the open air was very difficult at first, but journey of Captain Scott’s company.17,15 The after a few days they learned how to get company intended to roll out on August 7.15 satisfactory results.17 Just as they were but a terrible rainstorm, accompanied preparing the noon meal, one of the older by thunder and lightning, such as boys called out, “‘Oh Mother, Ditlow is none of us from Scandinavia had dying.’ He was the first of the company to ever experienced, visited the camp. be left by the side of the trail. The little body The rain poured down in torrents was wrapped in a blanket and laid in a nearly all day and the following shallow grave.”41 night. The ground was thoroughly Andrew Jensen described their new soaked by the downpour and while life: the storm was at its worst the whole The life on the plains and our daily village seemed to be a perfect lake. travel soon became quite natural and Such storms occurred frequently in pleasant to those of us who were this locality in July and August every young. To the older members of the year. Wednesday, August 8, 1866, company and to such as had large will always remain a red letter day in families of children, the experience my recollection.15,17 was a hard one indeed. Our general The wagon train left Wyoming about 10 daily routine was something like the a.m. August 8 for the long journey across the following: We generally broke camp plains. Rolling slowly out of Wyoming, they at 8 o’clock in the morning, to travel traveled about five miles and camped on the from 15 to 20 miles a day. As a rule, brow of a hill where they held a meeting to we stopped about two hours at noon organize for traveling. George M. Brown, an to rest and feed ourselves and American who had filled a in animals. The task of walking as Norway and served as president of the much as possible was enjoined upon Christiania Conference (District) and who every young and able bodied person, had led the Humboldt from Hamburg to in order to lighten the burden of our Louis Olsen Page 8

animals. Only the old and weak were Although other companies on the plains permitted to ride to any great extent. that year reported a large herd of buffalo, At noon and at night, when which stampeded in front of their ox train camping, we had our busiest time. and into a nearby stream, holding up the First, we patched our tents and train for nearly an hour,34,46 Andrew Jenson gathered fuel and fetched water. reported they saw very few buffaloes Then we made fires, baked bread and because they “had been wantonly destroyed cooked food, and finally ate our by white hunters, thus wasting the food of meals around our camp fires in the the Indians, which made them very angry, grass. For us, Europeans, it was and while the Sioux and other tribes showed indeed a new life to lead, but we hostilities to travelers generally, they usually soon got used to it and acted our distinguished between the ‘Mormon’ different parts, tolerably well, though caravans and others, and would steal from we often found our energies taxed to other travelers when they would leave the the utmost. ‘Mormons alone.”15 John Lingren added: Fuel was frequently a scarce Being now out on the vast plains article and we resorted to the use of where nothing but grass could be cattle chips (dried manure) in such seen, the country looked like a big cases. They served as a very good meadow as far as the eye could see. substitute, and when we got used to Buffalo chips were resorted to for them we never complained, if we fuel, large sacks full were gathered could only find enough of them. every time the train stopped. Frequently, we had to tramp a long Precautions were taken in regard to distance after water, and on different camp fires as by slight carelessness, occasions we made so called dry large prairie fires had occurred. . . camps--that is camped at places We could feast now and then on where no water could be obtained. currants, chokecherries and grapes.27 Often we had to cook our meals when the rain poured down in Andrew continued: torrents and drenched us to the skin, In making our camps, the usual and put out our fires. At other times Mormon method of forming two half the wind blew so hard that our tents circles with the wagons was fell and our food, in courses of observed, so that a corral was made preparation became spiced with sand into which the oxen could be driven to a greater or less extent, as the to be caught and yoked up anew. Our wind raised the dust and enveloped tents were pitched outside the the camp in a complete dust cloud. enclosure, each tent opposite the But, we soon learned to look upon wagon to which it belonged. The these things as the unavoidable oxen and such other stock we had difficulties of crossing the plains along were herded during the night with teams, and we bore them by four special herdsmen; but the without murmur or fault-finding.15,17 regular night watch was taken in turn Louis Olsen Page 9

by the immigrating brethren. we witnessed their earthly remains Public prayer was offered in the deposited in mother earth, in the camp every night, in which nearly wilderness, we all wept, or felt like everybody participated. After the weeping; for the thought of burying prayer, the captain, or some of the dear ones in this manner, when other leaders, generally made friends and relatives must remarks of an encouraging and immediately hasten away, without instructive nature. The essence of the hopes of ever visiting the resting remarks, if important, was translated places of their dead again, was sad into Danish, for the benefit of those and trying indeed. . . Those who died who understood not the English today were only the beginning of the language.17 mortality in our company, for I The next week the company was believe nearly thirty of our number hampered by rain and hot weather. One man died before we reached Great Salt died and was buried on the plain without a Lake City.17 coffin. On August 16 they reached the Platte Three days later they passed Fort River. The next day they followed the river McPherson, situated on the plain between and camped late in the evening near the the Platte River and the bluffs. These bluffs, river. Up to this point they had traveled which run parallel with the river form the through thinly inhabited country, but after northern and southern boundaries of the that they saw only forts, trading posts, mail Platte Valley. The grassy valley, through stations, and Indian tents. August 18 they which the river flows, is from 4 to 25 miles arrived at Fort Kearney, situated on a broad wide. The fort was occupied by a strong plain about a mile from the Platte River. garrison of soldiers, whose duty was to About two miles west of the fort was a protect travelers from the Indians. On the trading post, where they obtained provisions 24th they camped at noon close to the river, that Captain Scott’s company had left there near an Indian camp.17 on their journey east. The next day they were About one hundred Indians were overtaken by a small mule train, consisting encamped here and some of their of the brethren who had acted as emigration tents were large and comfortable. agents at Wyoming, along with a few These were the first Indians we had returning missionaries. The Elders held a seen on our journey and after we had meeting in the evening, gave good subdued our fear and timidity they instructions, and reported on the immigrant became the object of our greatest train behind them, known as the SanPete attention and curiosity, and as they train. Cholera had already taken lives and were a friendly band, a number of others were sick and dying.17 them soon appeared in our camp. On the 20th the company crossed Plum Some of the young warriors Creek. One of the brethren with the mule entertained us by showing us their train died and two in their own company. skill as marksmen with their arrows. Brother Jensen recorded: Most of them were scantily clad, and It cast a gloom over us all, and when some of the young boys were entirely Louis Olsen Page 10

naked, a feature which was rather a peculiarly shaped rock which rises shocking to us people from the north, almost perpendicular from the midst who had never seen anything like it of a system of high bluffs. It is a before. Some of them who made noted landmark for overland themselves more free with us than travelers and we could see it for the rest partook of our food and several days while traveling towards seemed to be particularly fond of our it.17 bread and pan-cakes.17 On September 4, the group saw a number The next day the caravan passed Fremont of Indians who appeared to be hostile. In the Springs and met several wagon trains afternoon they crossed the Laramie river and carrying goods to Denver and the Colorado camped about a mile from the fort, which mines. The weather turned cold. The Saints was located in a beautiful little valley crossed the South Platte at a point where the opening into the larger Platte River Valley. river was about ½ mile wide and quite deep Fort Laramie was about halfway between the in places. They had to double the teams to Missouri river and Great Salt Lake Valley make the crossing, which took a long time. and the most important military post on the The men waded across.17 trail. Some of the officers from the fort On August 27, they left the South Platte visited them to examine their arms. Their and traveled over the hills in a northwesterly 100 guns were considered sufficient to direction toward the North Platte. They protect them from the Indians and they were made a dry camp for the night on a hill and allowed to proceed.17 the next morning descended a very steep hill In the Nebeker company the story was into a deep valley known as Deep Hollow or told of a very stubborn woman who couldn't Ash Hollow and, after traveling a few miles get along with her husband. “She used to tell further, reached the North Platte River. The him she would rather live with the Indians North Platte and South Platte join some than try to get along with him. One day distance east, forming the Platte river, which some Indians did capture her and take her is a tributary of the Missouri. In the away. There was nothing the husband could afternoon, they traveled 16 miles up the do but keep up with the company and he river, over a sandy road and camped for the never did hear from her or find out what night near the river. They passed some became of her.”38 wagons from which the Indians had stolen On September 6 they left the plains all the animals, leaving the company unable behind and entered a mountain country. A to proceed until they received help. The young man lagged behind the company Indians were said to be very hostile, and eating berries and was found walking those who walked were instructed to keep leisurely in the hills. At prayer meeting that near the wagons. Several persons were sick night the captain gave strict orders that the from eating wild berries in Ash Hollow, and passengers must stay close to the train; for if a young Danish lady died.17 On the last day they roamed they were liable to be scalped of August, the company camped near or killed by Indians. They traveled that day Chimney Rock [and Scott’s Bluff], which about 22 miles. The next day they traveled a Andrew described as long way through a rocky area. Grass for the Louis Olsen Page 11 animals was quite scarce, and the oxen were of food, but indicated that he was blessed.11 getting skinny and weak. The weather was Andrew stated: very changeable and often in the mornings During the early part of our journey and evenings quite cold. They passed a we had plenty of food and some to number of mule and ox trains and frequently spare, but on reaching the mountain saw Indians on horseback and in camps. country, where the temperature was Wading across a deep, cold stream, colder, our appetites increased and especially on a cold day was anything but yet our daily rations were cut down pleasant, and was followed by exposure to until we suffered for the lack of food, several heavy rain showers.17 owing to the fact that the provisions By September 10, the Saints awoke to which Capt. Scott's train had cached find thick ice on the water, but toward the at different points on the road to be middle of the day it was more moderate. The taken up and used when the train next day they reached Deer Creek, a returned with emigrants, had been tributary of the Platte and then traveled stolen by Indians, or perhaps westward to cross the Platte on a bridge near renegade whites so we were put on the site of the present city of Casper, half rations which made us go Wyoming.15 There they found a trading hungry at times. Before we reached village, consisting of places where our stock of provisions a couple of log houses, half a dozen could be replenished, we suffered dugouts and a number of Indian considerably, and I, who was a tents. Small as the town was, it was a robust and growing boy with a good contrast to the wilderness through appetite, could at times think of which we had passed since we left nothing more desirable than to live Fort Laramie; the few people who long enough to enjoy a square meal, constituted the inhabitants of Platte or to have my appetite satisfied.15 Bridge village were of the rough On the 14th, a small mule train passed en western type and not much like route to help the SanPete train, which was Christians. At this point our train said to be in a suffering condition. The oxen took in a supply of provisions, which in the Scott train were showing signs of the train had left when it journeyed weariness, and a few had already died. east; but 38 head of cattle which had Continuing in a southwesterly direction, the been left here at the same time for company passed Independence Rock and the purpose of strengthening the ox Devil’s Gate station and then followed the force on the return journey were lost, Sweetwater River about seventy miles to the most likely stolen. After crossing the Continental Divide.15,17 A downpour river on the bridge, we traveled about continued from the time they camped 10 miles over hills and a rough throughout the night, accompanied by the country generally and camped for the howling of wolves, which approached the night on the Platte river for the last camp in large packs.17 Andrew Jensen’s time.17 journal continued: Later in life, Olaus mentioned the scarcity Devil’s Gate station was established Louis Olsen Page 12

by some mountaineers many years forenoon. It was very cold indeed, ago, and is especially known from and we all suffered in consequence the events of 1856, when a terrific severely, especially when we were snowstorm overtook some of our making the morning camp fire. What hand-cart emigrants. The fort is added to our discomfiture was also situated in the east end of a beautiful the scarcity of fuel. There was no valley, through which Sweet-water timber near, and the snow covered river runs. It is surrounded on three the sagebrush and everything else sides with mountains of considerable that could burn. But while many of height. Near the fort the river passed the emigrants felt themselves through a gap in the mountains helpless to cope with the situation, where perpendicular rock walls stand the teamsters kept up courage, and it on both sides, several hundred feet only took them a few minutes to get high. The water in passing through an immense sagebrush camp fire the gap, makes a great roar, as the under way, from which we all took bottom of the chasm is full of large courage, and soon the smaller camp fragments of the rocky walls, which fires were kindled all around. The from time to time have tumbled snow, however, continued to fall all down. The noise produced by the forenoon and we made no attempt to river, as it pitches over the rocks, can move. It was truly the coldest and be heard a long distance.17 most unpleasant day spent by us on Mon. Sept. 17. We passed a the whole journey. Toward noon, the place which is called the “Three teamsters succeeded, after much Crossings” of Sweet Water. Closed labor, to get the hungry and half- in between the high rocky cliffs on frozen oxen hitched up to the both sides the river is crossed by the wagons, and we traveled a few miles; wagon road three times. When the but as the snow was deep, and more water is high, the crossings are kept falling, we only made very slow dangerous. Later in the day, we headway and soon found it necessary crossed the river once more and to form an encampment in a snug encamped for the night on a plain. little valley. This is a cold country, The weather was getting cold.17 the altitude being high and the Thurs. Sept. 18. Traveled about country very windy. Many emigrants 20 miles. The weather was cold and have suffered terribly in this locality, the roads uneven and rocky. In the and not a few travelers have perished evening, before we camped for the there in bygone years, not to speak of night, it commenced to snow and thousands of cattle which have died blow furiously.17 through cold and starvation. Wed. Sept 19. When we awoke Occasionally snow falls here in the this morning, the ground was middle of summer.17,33 covered with snow about six inches Thurs. Sept. 20. We made a late deep, and it continued to snow all start and traveled 7 miles in the Louis Olsen Page 13

forenoon. Eight of our oxen were left barren sage brush plain, without water. On in a dying condition on last night’s September 26, they crossed the Green River. camping ground, and about fifty The men and older boys waded the cold, others were so cold and benumbed dangerous stream, which ran strong and that they could scarcely drag swift at the crossing. After the whole train themselves along. Later in the day, had crossed safely, they traveled 25 miles to the sun peeped through the clouds Hams Fork station, which they reached late and most of the snow melted before at night. There they received a supply of its warming touch. In the afternoon provisions which the train had left on their we traveled about eight miles and way east, and also obtained a few fresh cattle camped by a creek.17 to strengthen the weaker teams.17 Fri. Sept. 21. We remained in Accidents were common on the plains. camp all day in order to give the Several experiences were related in the oxen a chance to rest. The grass was journals of immigrants from the other quite plentiful at this place. It was companies crossing the plains that year. One the only day on the whole journey man, trying between the Missouri river and Great to get into the wagon while the team , that we did not move was in motion, fell down and the at all. The captain sent the following wheels ran over his arms and legs. telegram to Salt Lake City: He was not any more hurt than he “South Pass, Sept. 21. could jump up and walk along as tho Encountered a very severe snow and nothing had happened. Another wind storm, for twelve hours while accident happened to a man [who] passing from Sage Creek over the was run over and died a little while Rocky Ridge. Some cattle were after. A woman was also run over. . . badly frozen, eight head died and The teamster picked her up and she fifty more were disabled. The snow was all right in a few days.27 was six inches deep, feed covered On September 30, the company camped up, heavy wind from the northwest; in a beautiful place near Fort Bridger, 112 very cold. Today fine weather, cattle miles from Great Salt Lake City. From there looking better. Camp in good they traveled on a well beaten road along the condition. Shall move from here Bear River, Yellow Creek, and other streams tomorrow. A.H. Scott.”15,17 and midweek reached Castle Rock in the On September 22, they passed South Pass upper end of Echo Canyon. On Thursday and camped where there was neither grass they arrived at the mouth of Echo Canyon, nor water for the cattle. It snowed again where they saw the first houses in the during the night and the next afternoon. The mountains inhabited by Latter-day Saints. roads became muddy and heavy, They traveled up the Weber River, through nevertheless, they traveled 20 miles and the little settlements of Coalville and encamped on Little Sandy, which they Hoytsville to Wanship; through the seven crossed in the morning and the Big Sandy in mile long Silver Creek Canyon, over the afternoon, they camped for the night on a Parley’s summit and into Parley’s Canyon, Louis Olsen Page 14 making about 100 miles for the week since at whatever he could find to do. He settled passing Fort Bridger.17,15 down in Logan for a while, where he worked The mule train overtook them and passed for a neighbor for twenty-five cents a day. them, bringing quite a number of the This was enough to send a letter home to his emigrants from Captain Lowry’s train, parents.59 Then he got a job working on the which was reportedly two weeks behind first railroad to Utah 11,58 While working on them. Andrew recollected: the railroad, it happened that two of his We traveled slowly, down through fellow workmen were named "Olaves." To Parley’s canyon, and reached the avoid the confusion, Olaus changed his mouth of the canyon late in the name to Louis,29 and was known by Louis afternoon.17 The city appeared grand the remainder of his life.59 However, his and beautiful, as it nestled in the full name was spelled both as Louis and as blaze of the afternoon sun. Together Lewis and sometimes it was written into a with my companions I shouted for record with both spellings. Olsen was also joy as we felt that our fondest hopes spelled Olson. In fact, he signed his name and anticipations had been realized. Lewis Olson on at least one occasion that we As long as I can remember I had know of and Louis Olsen on another. prayed and hoped for the opportunity The Union Pacific and Central Pacific to gather to Zion. Now, at last, the companies had been racing for months to chief city of the Saints was in sight complete the tracks connecting the West and our dreams were about to come with the East. Brigham Young contracted true.15 with both companies to provide work for the After leaving the mountain pass, they Saints, as well as to keep the Gentiles as far traveled through the Sugar House Ward, away as possible from the Mormon crossed the State Road and camped for the settlements. The most modern tools night on the Church farm. On Monday, available--shovels, sledgehammers, picks, October 8, 1866,48,17 they traveled about four and black powder, were supplemented with miles and arrived in Great Salt Lake City. muscle power supplied by men, mules, oxen, The train stopped at the Tithing Yard, where and horses.13 everything was unloaded. Those who had By 7 a.m. on May 10, 1869 the first nowhere to go remained in the Tithing Yard spectators and railroad workers (including temporarily, where they were well treated Louis, who was also a fireman on the train) and fed at the expense of the Church. They began to gather around the small gap in the slept under sheds. track at Promontory Point, near Ogden, On their long journey to Utah they were Utah.58,61 It was a perfect morning, with seven weeks on the ocean,12 days on the white clouds highlighting a clear blue sky. train and rivers and two months on the Shortly after 10 a.m. two Union Pacific plains.33 trains, led by Engine No. 119, pulled up to the gap with important dignitaries and two Louis Olsen in America bands. At 11:15 the Central Pacific engine, Upon arriving in Utah, Olaus first located Jupiter, puffed into view. The Jupiter was a in Cache Valley where he worked diligently flared balloon or funnel stacked Louis Olsen Page 15 woodburner, while No. 119 was a straight or of the Temple. They were loaded tall-stacked coalburner, with a spark arrester onto the [railroad] cars at the quarry on top. The engines faced each other across and delivered at the Temple Block the gap, while the dignitaries shook hands where they were properly dressed and produced their spikes. About 600 or 700 and laid in the walls. Little did I people watched as Leland Stanford, dream when I was splitting those Governor of California and one of the heads huge stones in the hot sun on the of the Central Pacific and Thomas Durant, mountain side that I would live to vice president of the Union Pacific see that magnificent Temple attempted to drive in the spikes, both dedicated and receive all the missing entirely. The telegraph signaled the ordinances given in it.6 completion of the railroad long before a Louis was a hard-working, proud, railroad engineer finished the job, touching thoughtful, quiet and honest man. He was off a national celebration, the first event to always thrifty.59 He saved all he could so he be “broadcast” coast to coast. Photographs might make it possible to bring his brother were taken and the trains ceremoniously and his sister, Fred and Annie (Frederik and crossed the gap and returned to their Anne) to America--this was accomplished in respective sides.1,13 1869.50 Fred and Annie bade farewell to In his early life, Louis was a stone mason, their family and friends on July 4 and so after the railroad was completed, he boarded the steamship Odin, along with the moved to Salt Lake City, where he got a job President of the Christiania Branch, Elder in the granite quarries in Little Cottonwood Saamund Gudmundsen and a number of Canyon, quarrying stone for the Salt Lake other Norwegian Saints bound for Zion. Temple11,57 He lived in Salt Lake City for They left Copenhagen on July 10, landed in about 5 years. One of the workers described Hull, England on the 14th, and traveled by the work at the quarry as follows: rail to Liverpool, where they boarded the Physically, this was the hardest work steamship Minnesota, which sailed July 15.5 I had ever done. Great granite stones They docked in New York July 28 and as big as a house were cut into proceeded west by train to Tailors Switch or blocks by drilling a row of holes five Taylor’s Mill, just outside of Ogden, or six inches deep and as far apart, arriving about 11 p.m on August 6. There along a line of cleavage, putting into Louis met them with a wagon. What a joyful each hole two slips and an iron reunion that must have been. The entire wedge, and tapping each wedge in journey from Copenhagen to Utah had taken turn with a hammer, a mighty only 27 days. The following morning, after pressure would be gradually loading the wagon with the Norwegian developed that would finally split the women, the men walked alongside to Salt huge stone along the desired line. Lake City. On the way they were greeted by The two halves would then be cut a solar eclipse and a rainstorm. They stopped into blocks of stone of suitable size at the Old Tabernacle to listen to a talk by and shape to be shipped and dressed Apostle George Q. Cannon, whom they had to fit into certain places in the walls met in Norway.22,32 Louis Olsen Page 16

Together, Louis, Fred, and Annie worked island of Bornholm, Denmark23 and Caroline and saved to bring the rest of the family to Elizabeth Sorensen, who was born July 20, America. This dream Louis realized when 1840 in Hals, Aalborg, Denmark.10 the remainder of his family, his father and For a number of years after their mother and Louise Marie and Charles, marriage, Louis and Maria Olsen lived in immigrated in 1871 on the same ship and by Salt Lake City, in a lovely little home in the railroad to Green River, Wyoming, where Salt Lake City Second Ward.11,57 Maria they stopped and built the Masonry Round bought a spelling book and a primer and House--the first one in Green River. Then Louis taught her how to read a little, because they continued on to Salt Lake City, where she had never had the opportunity to go to they made their first home in the Salt Lake school. She always spelled words in a City Second Ward. After about five years, phonetic fashion, such as “shugar,” but she they moved to Sandy, Utah, where they lived became a good reader.11 During this time until their deaths.11,29 they welcomed two children into their home, who were blessed in the Salt Lake City Louis Olsen and Maria Christina Second Ward by their grandfather, Bishop Peterson Samuel Peterson. They were Louis Moroni, born October 6, 1877,18,25,42 and Samuel While living in Salt Lake City, Louis 8,26 sang in the Tabernacle Choir, where he met Joseph, born September 7, 1879. and courted his bride, Maria Christina In the early 1880s, they moved to Park Peterson. Their romance blossomed from City, where Louis ran the sawmill for Bingham and Company and was a their association as members of the Salt 57,59 Lake Tabernacle Choir.11,57 They kept each surveyor. They lived in a little home other's company for about three years. there. They were told that they must not tell anyone that they were Mormons or they During their engagement, Louis went to 11 Park City to earn some money, leaving would be driven out. They had only lived instructions with Maria to set the wedding there a short while when a little girl came up date and send him a letter, so that he might to the house to buy some milk. She said, arrive before the planned day. The wedding "Do you know that we haven't seen a day arrived and Louis did not show up. A Mormon since we came to Utah." Maria day later, he came into town wondering why then asked if she would know one if she saw Maria had not sent him a letter telling him one. "Oh, yes, they have horns, and bells on the marriage date. Arrangements were made their toes." When she was told that Maria and they were married on July 26, 1875, in was a Mormon she could hardly wait to go the Old Endowment House in Salt Lake home and tell her mother that she had seen a City.7,11 They were married by Daniel H. Mormon. They lived there for eight or ten years and also purchased a ranch at Oakley Wells, the second counselor of Brigham 59,11 Young.58,8 Maria was 18 years old. and another at Wanship . When Louis and Maria Christina Peterson was born July Maria moved away from Park City, they 19, 1857 in Salt Lake City, Utah;42 the received many complements. One neighbor daughter of Samuel Peterson, who was born said that Maria was the best neighbor on the November 23, 1825 in Klemensker on the street, and Maria was sorry that she hadn't Louis Olsen Page 17 told them more about the Church.11 temperature did not change), the chicken run Jacob Alma, born April 2, 1881 and and chicken coop, and the pig pen. The Caroline Elizabeth Kathryn, born August 3, wheat from the granary was ground into 1883 during these years in Park City were different flours. Louis built his own smoke also blessed by their grandfather, Samuel house. Different parts of the meat were hung Peterson in the Salt Lake City Second in different places in the smoke house. Pork Ward.42,59 was smoked to make ham and bacon. Apple In September, 1886 they sold the ranches wood was used to make nice hams. Lamb and purchased a farm in Pleasant Grove, was kept going often in the smoke house. Utah near Utah Lake on the west edge of The “two holer,” their restroom, was made Lindon, which consisted of about 140-160 of one by twelves when the wood was green. acres.57,11,58,61 When the wood dried out, it had cracks in Maria moved to Pleasant Grove with the it.62 four children, while Louis stayed in Park There was no heat in the house until they City to run the sawmill. He stayed for two got a kerosene stove. There was no heat in years and then moved to Pleasant Grove, the bedrooms, so in the wintertime Louis where he started farming.11 During this time, wore a stocking cap to bed. The children a little son entered the family, Franklin used to laugh about that. Before retiring, William [or William Franklin],8 born Louis would cut some shavings with his January 21, 1887 in their new home in knife and put them on the coal stove. Maria Pleasant Grove.26 Later, three more sons got up first, started the fire and got the were born to this family. Royal Aaron was children out of bed. The children dressed by born May 6, 189525 and two little boys John, the cookstove. After the children left for born February 4, 1897, and Arvil Earl, born school at 7:30 am, Louis would get up. On December 21, 1898,9 lived only a few days Saturday nights, they all took a bath in a big or weeks.39 wash tub.62 The land they purchased was heavy with When the threshers would come to thrash clay in some areas. Louis built their house of the grain everybody had a good time. The adobe bricks which he made from the clay. threshers blew the straw out of the big tubes At first the house consisted of only two and the children played on the stack. Louis rooms. Later Louis built on a living room would say, “these damn young-uns.” and two bedrooms.62 It was a two-story Everyone enjoyed the big feast held for the home with thick walls and window-sills in threshers.62 which the grandchildren later loved to "play Louis loved his home and his family. house" with their dolls. There were four Ruby, his granddaughter told about the fun rooms on the ground floor and several he had with his boys: upstairs.29,61 Grandpa Olsen was healthy. In the The outhouses included a root cellar in summer they, Pa and Grandpa, the ground with a dirt roof, a garage, a would swim across Utah Lake from building with part of a blacksmith shop and Geneva Resort to visit the Olmstadt's stuff, a granary (with wheat the children family who lived at Saratoga. Then could bury their hands in because the in the winter, they would ice skate Louis Olsen Page 18

across the lake. Uncle Al, Pa's artesian wells. They drilled many large brother, told me that it was true, artesian wells with their own well rig. Louis "Grandpa would take one hand and was very honest in his dealings. When Rone, my father, would take the Brother Westphall was paid, he would other and as they skated along and divide the money by taking the bills in his they would come to a seam in the hand and dealing out, "one for you and one ice, we would all jump the seam and for me. It was always divided equally.”61,28 I would fly through the air with They had no water in the house until their them.”61 grandson Leland was seventeen years old, Louis especially loved the winters. He was when he went down and installed plumbing. an excellent ice skater and would often take Everyone was driving wells then They had a his boys skating on Utah Lake.29 One pressure tank and pumped the water into the granddaughter, Hazel, wrote: house. One of Leland’s friends went to He was probably the only person in Chicago and learned the electrical trade. He Utah Valley who had his own Ice came back and put electric lights in the House. He cut blocks of ice from home, which hung from the ceiling and Utah Lake and hauled them by sleigh could be turned on by a string.62 to his packing house which made Louis was an educated man. He read the possible many ice cream treats for bible well in English. Most of his education hungry grandchildren in the hot, was from reading the Bible at home and at summer weather.28 church. His granddaughter indicated: Louis had a dairy farm and kept a fine My father said that he didn't know herd of dairy cows. He ran the dairy and anyone who could recite scripture as grew sugar beets and feed for his cattle. He well as his father could. It seemed shipped milk every day. With his buggy and that he knew it by heart. team, he delivered milk to a milk station; I recall a discussion about how there the train stopped to pick up the milk. many times we should forgive When Louis got $1.80 for ten gallons of others. Grandpa strongly advised, milk shipped to Clover Leaf Dairy in Salt "not only 7 x 7 but 70 x 7, and I the Lake City, they were pleased.62 Lord will forgive whom I will, but it They made cheese and took it to Provo is required of you to forgive to sell. Maria made the trip to the town of everyone.”61 Lindon regularly with her horse and buggy During these years in Pleasant Grove, the with the fringe on top, as well as to the family always had family prayer each night mercantile store on the north side of center and morning.57 Leland, a grandson, street near 500 West in Provo. She would commented: knit on the way--she figured a sock a trip.29, I can’t remember, personally, 61,28,58 Louis also loved his horses and was Grandpa especially going to church. proud of them.29 However, I remember he was very His huge farm required a great deal of religious. He read the bible water for irrigation, so Louis formed a especially in the wintertime in the partnership with Jake Westphall digging evenings. They knelt in prayer every Louis Olsen Page 19

night. All of us knelt in prayer and loved to play as we sat in a circle Grandmother or Grand-father would was the game where we rolled up a say the prayer. We went to Church-- paper to make a bat and then placed all the time; if we didn’t, we couldn’t it in the middle of the circle. The go swimming on Saturday night for person chosen to be "IT" would take our bath—in the summertime.62 the paper bat, hit someone on the knee, put the bat in the bucket and Grandfather was about 19 years try to sit in his seat before that old when he left Norway. He started person could get up, grab the paper in his early teens to chew tobacco. bat and hit him back. If he got hit, he When he came over here, he tried to had to be 'IT" again. Well, one time I quit and he became ill. The doctor remember, Grandpa and Grandma told him to do whatever he could to got caught in the act of trying to not make him feel better. He finally quit be "IT;" they got so involved going entirely.62 around each other, we were all In the evening after dinner they sang laughing so hard and they were too hymns. Louis loved to sing and Maria and that they had their arms around each the children usually joined in.57 His other and rolled on the floor. We granddaughter commented on their family loved parlor games with them.61 life: Another grandson, Leland, talked about Grandpa really came from a happy celebrating his grandfather’s birthday on family. They were so happy in their January 17th. It was like a "Norge" [Norway] greetings and picnic—everybody came and brought compatibility. It was always a nice something. Louis said, bit of news to hear someone from “I just learned how to say yelly, and Sandy was here and we would be now they call it yam.” They all spoke asked to come to Grandpa's or they broken English. . . He had two would stop and visit us with happy brothers Fred and Charlie. . . and a talk and sometimes singing; sister Annie. . . One brother who especially Uncle Fred, he would sing lived in Sandy took care of the some songs to us that I would like to church. He was a good entertainer. hear again. Grandpa and Uncle Fred He would sing those Norwegian had very beautiful voices. . .Uncle songs and he would dance. The other Fred was the choir director in his one was more like grandfather.62 for many years.61 Leland added: When the Olsens got together, it It was a little different when he lived was a happy time! The parlor would in Norway, but when he came to be opened up by opening the double America, he said he would never doors between the parlor and kitchen have any of his kids learn the dining area and we would sit in a language. He was a quiet man, didn’t circle around the room. Sometimes, go into very much history that way, we would play games. One game we and he was a very talented man.62 Louis Olsen Page 20

Louis helped build many homes in Utah, to their God and kept their along with the Provo Tabernacle, the Alpine commitments.58 They were especially Stake Tabernacle, the Timpanogos loved by their grandchildren who Tabernacle and many ward buildings. He were fortunate to have lived during drew the plans for the Windsor Ward their time.29 meeting house and helped to build it as well. Some of my fondest childhood It was there that the Olsen families attended memories are of Grandfather Olsen Church meetings throughout their lives.29,58 whom I lived by, respected and loved Our family history says that Louis, Frederik, greatly. 28 and their father built the home of Wilford Leland reminisced: Woodruff and also worked on the Temple My parents lived on a cattle ranch in and Tabernacle.57,11, 59 Wyoming. Father was sick and went He helped draw plans and lay the down to Utah where he lived in brick for the [Windsor] Ward Church Pleasant Grove (Lindon) until he was which we all referred to as better. He then returned to Wyoming. "Grandpa's Church."28 There was an argument between my Ruby told the following story about his father and my mother. Father took masonry skills: two boys with him. I was the oldest As Grandpa lived his life and built and Floy was the second. Clyde his homes, churches and schools, one Leroy was the third and he stayed could see that he indeed was a mason with mother; he was two years old. and carpenter. One day, as I was Floy was about four and I was six making myself a little flower garden years old. I would be seven in beside my bedroom window, I had another month after this happened. I put down rocks to edge or outline the lived with grandfather and area; when my father saw what I was grandmother–really as my parents. doing, he took time to show me how My father lived there too on this old to build with rocks by making them farm which became a resting place straight on the top and side and by for anybody who was without a filling in with dirt or mortar. It home, I guess. Father worked well looked so pretty; then, I learned that with his younger brother Roy.62 his father, my grandpa, had taught Norma wrote: him. My father had helped to lay the I think of my Grandpa Louis Olsen rock for NUUNS (Power and Light and cherish the times when he sat me Company) in Provo Canyon and on his knee and sang songs and told grandpa had passed on that me stories of Norway. Oh! How I knowledge to him. wish I could remember them. In Everyone loved and admired Louis Olsen those days there were no tape and Maria Christina Peterson: recorders and I was too young to They were a courageous couple who think of writing them down. worked hard to raise a family and to My mother had a very difficult provide for them. They were devoted pregnancy with my brother, Leo, and Louis Olsen Page 21

spent most of the time in bed. Many from his other property. He built the times Grandpa came up and sat with barn first. We lived in the barn, it Mom when dad was to work and I had a dirt floor, and we lived in it was at school. At beet-harvesting until the brick home was built. Then, time dad rigged up a large white of course, we moved into the new handkerchief on a pully at the corner home. Then he had a nice garden, of the house. If there was trouble, probably a half acre of fruit, berries Grandpa would raise the "flag" so and all kinds of vegetables.62 Dad could come in from the field, or The beautiful brick house, a mile south of Mrs. Hoolley would come from the original farm on about twenty acres of across the street. land known as Geneva Road, had four Louis and Maria had eight rooms and a pantry.11,58 Louis drew the plans children--seven sons and one daughter. Two and personally built this house where he of their sons died in infancy. When one of lived the few remaining years of his life. He their sons, Royal Aaron, was seventeen was a very hard-working man.”28,58 When he years old, he married Pearl Bezzant, a lovely was sixty years old, he built a huge barn of sweet girl in December, 1912. Louis and concrete. He mixed the cement by hand and Maria then sold the farm to them (The old poured it from a wheelbarrow. This barn adobe house had two bedrooms, a living was a landmark for many years.29 room, a pantry, and an attic), and moved to The new home was next door to his son Forest Dale Ward in Salt Lake City, where “Rone,” the village blacksmith. Rone they stayed for about a year. Leland learned his skills from his father, who had reminisced: been his own blacksmith for many years, They moved to Salt Lake with a with anvil, forge and other necessary tools. wagon and a team of horses. They He also learned masonry and farming from went into Simpson Avenue…that Louis.28,62 Ruby, Rone’s daughter said: would be Sugar House area.. The While Grandpa was building his new first year they were there they still brick home, he often needed to come had a pretty good family. They had to the shop to fix or sharpen or weld my Dad and my brother Floy and or create whatever he needed. myself. Leroy had gone with mother My mother would set me in my to San Francisco. Grandfather highchair to look outside to amuse couldn’t get along without his garden myself while she worked. As and he enjoyed that, but with his Grandpa would pass the window on granddaughter, Arlene, and daughter his way to the blacksmith shop to the Caroline…they had a houseful and back of our house, I would never let the money was going, I am sure. him ignore me. He was so nice to They moved back to Pleasant play with me— even when he was so Grove [Lindon] and they started busy; and so, I was bonded to him! building a four-room brick home on My mother told me that on one a portion of the 40 acres that he had occasion he was playing with which was about a half mile apart me--giving me a ride on his head; we Louis Olsen Page 22

were having a great time, he gave a old and Maria, sixty, they retired and went to gasp, she looked up and I had created New York for the first time to visit their a little "waterfall" right down the daughter Kathryn and her family. It was face of Grandpa! quite an experience for them, and they If there were ever errands to be stayed for about six months. Every day that run to my grandparents, I was sent. I Louis was in New York he went down and recall Grandpa coming in tired from bought a malt. He had never had them in the fields or the barn; but he was Utah. They had been home only a short time always happy and he relaxed in his when he became very ill. His granddaughter special chair. Ruby remembered: One of our family rules was that I was eight years old the summer no matter where we were without when Grandpa was ill—sometimes excuse, when the sun hit the more ill than at other times. He mountains in the west, we were to enjoyed ice water so my father took come home right then! One evening, us kids with him in the new model I saw the sun dropping low in the sky "T" ford to Boulters to get ice for about to hit the mountain in the west, him. It seemed he had stomach but I did want to see Grandpa. I trouble. I assumed that was what he hurried down there as fast as I could died with. One day he was very, very go. Grandpa had just come in. He ill.61 was getting seated in his favorite He died July 11, 1922 at their home in chair and had picked up his paper. I Lindon, Utah.11,39 Ruby recalled: inched in beside him and stood by The day of the funeral, he looked so his chair and pleaded, "Grandpa the peaceful. I knew that he knew how I sun has gone down and I'm afraid to felt. I put my little hand on his hand go home now.” (He fell for it!) to feel the comfort he had always "Well, I'll just have to walk you given me. It was cold, not soft and home", he said. He folded up his warm as I had always remembered. paper, took me by the hand, told The lovely white hearse with white Grandma he would be back in a horses, carried him from Grandpa's while and on the way home, I held and Grandma's house with all our his hand and skipped along. He family, friends and neighbors probably thought, "I'd better not let following in line to the Windsor this become a habit", for he Ward Chapel where the funeral explained to me that I had better service was held. From there, we all keep an eye on that sun and not let it went on to the Pleasant Grove go down next time until I could get Cemetery where he was laid to rest.61 home—then my Pa and Ma would Louis was buried in the Pleasant Grove not need to worry.” City Cemetery.11, 39 His wife, Maria Christina Peterson Olsen, died April 27, Death and Burial 1947 in Washington, D.C. and was buried in 39,43 In 1921, When Louis was seventy years the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Louis Olsen Page 23

References

1. Brown, Dee. (1980). Lonesome Whistle: The Story of the First Transcontinental Railroad. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Also in Brown, Dee. Hear that Lonesome Whistle Blow.

2. Brown, S. Kent, Cannon, Donald Q., Jackson, Richard H. (1994). Historical Atlas of Mormonism, New York: Simon & Schuster.

3. Carter, Kate B. (Ed.). (1969). Sailing Vessels and Steamboats. Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 12, pp. 489-490.

4. Christiania (Oslo) Branch Record of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Family History Library Film 123,202), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

5. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1849-1885). European Mission Emigration Records (Crossing the Ocean Index), (Family History Library Film 025,690), Salt Lake City, Utah.

6. Cummings, Horace Hall. Autobiography. Photocopy of transcript in Archives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Historian's Office. In Madsen, Susan Arrington. (1966 ). Growing Up In Zion: True Stories of Young Pioneers Building the Kingdom, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, pp. 55-56.

7. Endowment House Record (Family History Library Film 183,400, p. 342; 183,406, p. 243)), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

8. Family Bible of Louis Olsen in possession of Ray Olsen, Copperton, Utah.

9. Family Records

10. Hals, Aalborg, Denmark, Parish Registers (Family History Library Film 043,397; 043,398), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

11. Harrison, Gladys "R" Olsen. (n.d.). The Biography of Louis Olsen and Maria Christina Peterson. Typed manuscript in possession of the compiler.

12. Her First Home in the Valley [Anna Cecelia Jonsson Nilsson Borgquist]. In Carter, Kate Louis Olsen Page 24

B. (1968). Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 11, p. 247.

13. Hubbard, Freeman. (1981). Encyclopedia of North American Railroading: 150 Years or Railroading in the United States and Canada. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 128-130.

14. Jenson, Andrew. (1914). Church Chronology: A Record of Important Events Pertaining to the History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah: , June 2, 1866 (Saturday).

15. Jenson, Andrew. From Autobiography of Andrew Jenson. In They Came in 1866, Carter, Kate B. (1967). Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 10, pp. 29-43.

16. Jenson, Andrew. (1927). History of the Scandinavian Mission. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News Press, 1927, pp. 101, 153, 190-195, 507.

17. Jenson, Andrew. [Journal extracts]. In Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1866, Oct. 8). Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Historian's Office, pp. 2-14.

18. Jenson, Andrew. (1936). Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women In The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah: Western Epics, vol. 1, p. 565 (originally published by the Andrew Jensen Memorial History Co.)

19. Jenson, Olof. [Autobiographical sketch]. In Carter, Kate B. (Ed.). (1969). Sailing Vessels and Steamboats. Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 12, pp. 489-490.

20. Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1866, October 8). Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Historian's Office, pp. 2-14.

21. Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1866, September 25). Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Historian's Office. 22. Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1869, July 15, 28, 30; August 4, 6 and 7). Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Historian's Office.

23. Klemensker, Bornholm, Denmark parish register (Family History Library Film 044,073), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Louis Olsen Page 25

24. Life of Jacob Peter Olsen. (n.d.) Typed manuscript in possession of the compiler.

25. Lindon Ward Record (Family History Library Film 002,059), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

26. Lindon 2nd Ward Record (Family History Library Film 025,581), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

27. Lingren, John. Autobiography of John Lingren. In Carter, Kate B., Treasures of Pioneer History. (1952). Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 1, pp. 249- 250.[John was sent from Salt Lake City to get the emigrants]

28. Lundgren, Hazel Carrie Maria Olsen. (1965). Information inserted in Wooley, Carrie Olsen. (n.d). Life Story of Maria Petersen Olsen and Louis Olsen. Typed manuscript in possession of the compiler.

29. Moss, Olive Merlene Olsen (compiler); Wooley, Catherine Olsen; Olsen, Ella Malinda; Thalman, Ruby Olsen. Louis Olsen. Typed manuscript in possession of Merlene Olsen Moss.

30. Mulder, William. (1957). Homeward to Zion: The Mormon Migration from Scandinavia. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

31. New York Passenger Lists for the Humboldt, arrived March 19, 1866. (Family History Library Film 175,625.

32. Olsen, Joe. (N.d.) Frederik August Olsen. Typed notes about his life in the possession of the compiler.

33. Olson, Lars Larson. In Jenson, Andrew. (1936). Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah: Western Epics (originally published by the Andrew Jensen Memorial History Co., vol. 2, p. 357.

34. Olson, William. [Interview]. Utah Pioneer Biographies, vol. 22, pp. 51, 53, 55.

35. Oslo City Census, (Family History Library Film 123,111), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

36. Oslo City Museum. [Pamphlet]. Louis Olsen Page 26

37. Oslo, Norway Death Announcements. (Family History Library Film 125,806; 125,807), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

38. Ottesen, Larsine Olsen. (Apr 8. 1942). [Reminiscences] Aunt Sina. In Portraits of Yesterday, Carter, Kate B. (1974). Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 17, p. 168.

39. Pleasant Grove Cemetery Record (Family History Library Film 824,269), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

40. Poulsen, Ezra. Danish Saints--The Poulsen Families. In Carter, Kate B. (1963). Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 6, p. 16-20.

41. Robins, Marie Neilson. Marie Neilson Robins–1866. In Our Living Pioneers, Carter, Kate B. (1954). Treasures of Pioneer History, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 3, pp. 122-123.

42. Salt Lake 2nd Ward Record (Family History Library Film 026,835), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

43. Services of Maria Petersen Olsen, died April 27, 1947. Services held April 29, 1967, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Columbia Road and 16th Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. Typed transcript in possession of the compiler.

44. Sonne, Conway B. (1983). Saints on the Seas: A Maritime History of Mormon Migration 1830 -1890, Salt Lake City, University of Utah Press, pp. 39, 56, 85, 87.

45. Sonne, Conway B. (1987). Ships, Saints, and Mariners: A Maritime Encyclopedia of Mormon Migration 1830-1890, Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, pp. 23-24, 99- 101.

46. Sorensen, Soren Peter. [Interview]. Utah Pioneer Biographies, vol. 27, pp. 12, 15-16.

47. They Came in 1866, Carter, Kate B. (1967). Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 10, pp. 24-25.

48. Train In. (1866, October 10). Deseret News, Vol. 15, No. 45, p. 357, col. 3.

49. Trefoldighets (Trinity), Oslo, Norway, Parish Register (Family History Library Film 255,760), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

50. Utah Immigration Card Index (Crossing the Plains Index). (1847-1868). (Family History Louis Olsen Page 27

Library Film 298,442), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (reference Journal History of the Church, September 30, 1853, p. 6) 51. Vestre Aker, Akershus (Oslo), Norway, Parish Register (Family History Library Film 125,840), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

52. Vestre Aker, Akershus (Oslo), Norway, Parish Register (Family History Library Film 125,843), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

53. Vestre Slidre, Oppland, Norway, Parish Register (Family History Library Film 125,643 and 125,644), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

54. Vor Frelsers, Oslo, Norway, Parish Register (Family History Library Film 255,749), Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

55. Wadsworth, Elsie Fowers. Fowers, Laura Swenson. In She Came in 1866, Ten Autobiographies, Carter, Kate B. (1969). Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 12, p. 95.

56. Warnick, Charles Peter. Charles Peter Warnick. In They Came in 1866, Carter, Kate B. (1967). Our Pioneer Heritage, Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol. 10, p.56.

57. Wooley, Carrie Olsen. (n.d). Life Story of Maria Petersen Olsen and Louis Olsen. Typed manuscript in possession of the compiler.

58. Wooley, Carolyn Olsen; Harrison, Gladys Olsen. (n.d.). Maria Christina Peterson Olsen. Typed manuscript in possession of the compiler. Written from letters from Maria to her granddaughter and great-grandchildren.

59. Olsen, Ella Malinda Newell. (n.d.). Olaves (Louis) Olsen. Handwritten manuscript in possession of the compiler.

60. Nichols, Norma. (May, 1997). [Memories of Grandpa Louis Olsen]. Typed manuscript in possession of the compiler.

61. Thalmann, Ruby F. Olsen. (June 1997). Remembrances of My Grandpa Olsen. Typed manuscript in possession of the compiler.

62. Olsen, Leland. (1997, June 8). [Reminiscences of Grandma and Grandpa Olsen]. Tape transcribed by Merlene Olsen Moss. Louis Olsen Page 28

Notes: 1. References at the end of paragraphs usually apply to the entire paragraph. 2. Most of the passengers in the Humboldt crossed the plains in the Rawlins, Nebeker, and Scott companies. The Rawlins company had a complete list. The Nebeker company had one page missing from its list. Louis was not on either one of those. The Scott company had no list, but indicated that most of the company was from Norway, was accompanied by George M. Brown, the president of the Christiania Branch of which Louis was a member, and had a wonderful choir and we know Louis sang later in the Tabernacle Choir, so I have chosen the Scott company. In any case, the companies traveled in close proximity on their journey across the plains. 3. Louis or Lewis: The name is written both ways in various records, some even with both spellings. One record even has Louis Jacob; the Jacob undoubtedly derived from the patronym, which was often shortened and used as a middle name in the Scandinavian countries.