My Great-grandfather

The Life of Marinus Lund

Mormon Pioneer

Came to Utah in 1853

Written by Jane Lund Armistead

His daughter

Of Camp Battle Creek

Of Daughters of Utah County

Of North Utah County

Pleasant Grove, Utah

Edited by Lorna Lund Collins

Marinus Lund was born in Aalborg, Denmark on May 7, 1849. He was the third son of Paul Diderich Soltoft Lund and Anna Marie Sorenson Larson.

He came to America with his parents and two brothers in 1853. They were converts to the Church of .Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They embraced the Gospel as taught by the traveling missionaries of the church. He was four year's old when his folks landed in America.

His father was quite wealthy, being a merchant in Denmark. He sold his store and prepared for their journey, leaving many relatives and friends, who were angry with him for joining this unpopular Mormon Church. He also was interested in registered livestock and was bringing some to America. He brought six large trunks filled with bolts of expensive materials, lovely linens, bedding, and silverware.

While crossing the ocean, a terrible storm came up. It threatened to capsize the sailing ship. It was necessary to throw these trunks overboard to relieve the weight of the ship, thus avoiding a shipwreck. He managed to save some cattle and brought them to America. He suffered a great financial loss in losing his belongings. Many of the passengers were very seasick all the way across. But no one died,

After they landed in in America, they traveled to Spring City. They did not stay there very long. They left and went to Ephraim in 1853 and 1854 because of the Indians being so troublesome. It was an order from President Brigham Young. Before moving back to Spring City, their fourth son, Joseph Paley, was born on February 7, 1855.

When they came back, they purchased a lot on Main Street and built an adobe house.

Father was four years old when they arrived at Spring City, but as he got older, he helped his father and brothers haul timber from the canyon, make fences and break up land for farming, as his father had bought some farm land west of the depot. They raised grain, potatoes, and corn for food and also for his cattle. They also raised pigs and chickens.

The boys were town herders and hired out to herd peoples’ cattle. They took them to the foothills in the morning and returned them in the evening. They were appointed guard duty to watch the cattle and give warning if any Indians were skulking around.

A, few years later, the oldest boys were mustered into the Militia service to protect the settlers from attacks by the Indians. While Father, not old enough to join, stayed home and helped his parents.

Father and his brothers attended school in a large one-room rock building located on Main Street.

In 1872, Father, age twenty-three, married Mary Jane Ashworth, age seventeen, by slipping away and being married by Justice of the Peace, George Brough, Sr. Abe Acord and wife Nancy were witnesses.

They rented a house and started a new life together He was old enough to take responsibility and do a man’s job. With his brothers, he hauled lumber from sawmills in Black Canyon. They also worked in the sawmills during the spring and summer months. In the fall, he would harvest the crops and cure pork for meat during the winter.

He and Mother enjoyed dancing with only an accordion or fiddle to furnish the music. They had a jolly good time with their friends.

Then there were home dramatic plays, which provided good entertainment. They also attended husking bees and honey and molasses candy pulls.

On June 2, 1873, they went to Salt Lake by wagon and were married in the Endowment House.

On April 30, 1873, their first child was born, but it only lived two days. [This was a son, whose name was probably Adolphus or Dolphin Eugene.]

In the summer when the family was small, for a vacation, Mother would go to the canyon and cook for Father while he cut wood for fuel. Coal wasn't used much in those days.

As time went on and the family became larger, more food and clothing were necessary. [Lilly May 6 Jun 1874, Marinus DeLoss 12 Jun 1876, Sarah Edith 31 Jul 1876, Edward Paul 28 Jun 1880, Arthur Atwell 26 Oct 1881, Claude Melvin 6 Aug 1883, Don Clement 24 Jan 1885, Henry Ramsbottom 31 May 1886] Industries or trades of any kind were not available to the people at that time. Father had a herd of cattle and a few horses. He was told to take them: to Emery County as it was wonderful grazing country.

One day in the spring, when the children were quite small, they put their belongings in a wagon and were on their way. It was a very rough, narrow road with large boulders. They had to lift the wheels over them at times. The streams were swollen and dangerous to cross

At last, they came to the place called Muddy. They lived in a wagon box und cooked out in the open. Father built a log cabin later on. Father was very handy with the saw and hammer. They took their cattle and extra horses along with them.

After staying: here on the Muddy a few years, Father decided it wasn't such a good idea moving there. His cattle and horses began to disappear one by one. Finally, they couldn't stand it any longer.. He put his family in the wagon and left most everything in the log cabin. He locked the door, hung the key over the door and returned to their home in Spring City. He was more discouraged than ever before.

In the spring of 1887, Father thought if they went to Nevada, he might make a good living on a ranch putting up hay. They prepared two wagons and provisions. He put one barrel of water on each side of the wagons. Water would be very scarce going through the desert. It took them, four days to make the trip, as they had to travel quite slowly driving the cattle along. When they came to Deseret, they filled the barrels with water and whenever they came to water, the barrels were refilled.

The road was rough all the way, going through very rugged canyons and winding roads much like a cow trail.

It was necessary to camp twice after leaving Deseret. The older boys took turns driving the cattle on their ponies.

They reached the Hampton ranch at last, very tired, weary, and dusty from such a long, exhausting journey.

Father began to work as soon as he and his wife and children settled. This ranch was very large with plenty of hay to get up and cattle to take care of. He also had a freight wagon, which carried vegetables and meat to Peoche, Eureka, Ely, and Oseola.

They met some nice people, such as the Clays, Shoemakers, and Bakers, who became very dear friends of the family. The Clays and Shoemakers lived in Garrison.

The next year, 1888, the family moved on to the Clover Spring Ranch in White Pine County. Mother wasn't very well, so Father hired an Indian squaw to help with the work. The washing was done on a washboard in a tub, then boiled in a large iron kettle over a fire on the ground. Mother was a very clean and tidy person, much like her mother. No matter where she lived, her clothes had to be clean and white.

While here, her mother came to visit the family. Grandmother came as far as Deseret by train, and her two grandsons met her with a covered wagon and took her back on the long rough road to Nevada.

On May 12, 1888, I, Jane Lund (Armistead), was born to Marinus and Mary Jane Ashworth Lund. I was the tenth child and the only one born out of the state of Utah.

Mother was so happy to have her mother with her at this time, being so far away from all her relatives and friends. Two firefighters, Thomas James and James Adamson from Pleasant Grove, camped at the ranch the night Mother was confined.

One year passed. Mother came back to Spring City in 1889, in the same wagon, over the same rough roads that took her to Nevada. She came to visit her mother and relatives. She left her family in the care of their father. The girls, [Lilly] May and [Sarah] Edith, were to keep house and cook for the ten of them. Father was still working on the ranch when not firefighting.

On May 14, 1890, her eleventh child, a son, George Willard, was born in Grandmother Ashworth’s log cabin. After resting and visiting for two months, Mother returned to her family in Nevada.

The family moved back to their home in the spring of 1892, bringing everything they had with them.

On August 8, 1892, another son was born and named Darwin Travis. Mother and baby got a long wonderfully.

The long trips were very hard on Mother as well as the children. Not much was gained by moving about. As the saying goes, "A rolling stone gathers no moss.” A true saying.

It was hard on Father, too, and he tried to do his duty and make a living for them.

Through all their trials and hardships, Mother never complained. She made the best of everything.

As the years went by, they grew better off financially. Mother could smile her tears away, and her lovely spirit endeared her to the many friends who knew her. They called her Molly. Their home was the gathering place for their friends.

The next year another son was born on December 9, 1893. The baby, Er Rupert, was healthy, but something was wrong with Mother. She became very ill. Three days later, on December 12, 1893, she passed away. She had given birth to thirteen children, twelve of whom survived. Her husband, mother, and sister also survived her.

Before she died, she requested that Mrs. Margaret Christiansen should have the baby. Father would not consent for them to adopt him. *Grandmother was to raise the boy who was born in her home.

On April 11, 1893, their daughter, [Lily] May, had married Eugene Allred. Her sister, [Sarah] Edith was left to work and care for the rest of this large family.

I went to Pleasant Grove to live with my father’s brother, Lewis [Louis] P. Lund, and his family.

Losing my mother was a terrible blow to my father. He was left with a large family to raise, but my sister, [Sarah] Edith, became like a mother to the children.

Less than a year later [24 Nov 1894], Father married Georgiana Lambert Allred. [She already had five children from a previous marriage: Effie Mary Ann Allred 15 Nov 1878, Louie Georgiana Allred 11 Dec 1880, Nellie Faith Allred 1 Jan 1884, Delva Louisa Allred, Ethel Avelia Allred 7 Feb 1890]. On 30 Jun 1895[, she gave birth to a son, Veo. On 10 Apr 1899, they had a daughter, Faun. On 28 Sept 1901, she gave birth to twins, Hollis and Collis. Hollis died at two months of age, on 7 Nov 1901, and is buried in the cemetery in Spring City near his parents.]

Marinus Lund died on June 10, 1922. [He was buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Spring City next to Mary Jane, his first wife.]

*[Jane’s grandmother, raised three-year-old George Willard Lund, who was born in her cabin, not Er Rupert, the youngest child.]

Another Great-great-grandmother

The Life of Sarah Elizabeth Ramsbottom Ashworth

Mormon Pioneer

Written by her granddaughter, Jane Nevada Lund Armitstead of Pleasant Grove, Utah

Edited by Lorna Collins

Sarah Elizabeth Ramsbottom was my grandmother. [She was born on 3 September, 1835 in Oldham, England].

Her parents, William Henry and Mary Sykes Ramsbottom, were very strict with their four daughters, Hannah, Sarah, Mary, and Elizabeth. At the age of eleven, they started working in the textile mills, twelve hours a day. It was here that Hannah overheard the workers telling of the missionaries in their midst preaching a new gospel, telling of miracles and unusual things. On several occasions, Hannah and her mother slipped away to attend meetings where the Latter-Day Saint Elders were preaching. On one occasion, they witnessed a man named “Lord” ask for a sign. At once, his son began to yell and scream as an evil spirit took possession of him. The Elders ministered to him, rebuking the evil spirit. Almost immediately, he quieted down. The father rose to his feet with a strong testimony, and many were greatly impressed

Sometime later, Hannah joined the church. On March 3 1849, Sarah and her half brother, James Ramsbottom, were baptized. (Sarah’s mother died after several years of ill health when her the youngest child was eleven. James was the son of her father’s second wife, Martha Whitehead.)

At the Mormon meeting, Sarah met an attractive young man, William Edward Ashworth, who was baptized 4 Nov. 1852. They were married 16 April 1854. Their first child [Mary Jane] was born in 1855, at which time they were planning to go to the United States to join the saints. However, they did not move until in 1861 when, under the direction of John Forsgren, they sailed from Liverpool, England. [Their second daughter, Eliza Ann, was born in 1859 and died when she was a month old.]

They endured six weeks of stormy weather where waves almost capsized their ship, The Underwriter, several times. They reach Philadelphia weary but safe. In 1862, they traveled to Florence, Nebraska with 53 saints in the group. All were glad to remain there for the winter, as the weather was so cold.

In the spring of 1863, they purchased a wagon, oxen, and a cow. They traveled in the Ira Eldridge Company to Salt Lake City. In their wagon were ten adults and four children, including the Ashworth grandparents [William Henry and Mary Sykes Ramsbottom]. They arrived in June. They soon went on to Lehi and sometime later to Moroni, in Sanpete County. The Indians became troublesome, and the president of the church advised the settlers to go to Gunnison for a while.

Like all the early settlers, they worked to build homes, places of worship and learning, feed, clothe, and care for their families. [Their third daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, was botn in 1864.]

Sarah told the story of going to her friend’s home, a few miles from Moroni, to get two quilts she had promised to wash for her. She rode part way with her husband, who was going to the mountains to get firewood. She had not gone far alone when she met some Indians. Great fear overcame her, and she prayed for protection. She was surprised when they told her, in their language, they knew where her husband had gone, and finally went on their way. She continued on, arrived at her friend’s home. [They] visited awhile, and [she] started back. She met the same Indians near the same place. In great fear, she concluded they meant to scalp her. She sat on the quilts as prayers again rose in her heart. Again they were answered. She reached home safely. Later, she learned they were friendly Indians.

In 1883, her husband died, leaving her a widow at age fifty-two. In addition to her two children, she raised two other children: her husband’s nephew, William Baxter, and a girl named Minnie Acord. Her daughter, Mary Jane (mother of Jane Armitstead) died 12 December 1893, leaving twelve children. Sarah raised the youngest son, [George] Willard Lund from the time he was three.

Sarah was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, neighbor, and servant of the Lord. She died 29 January 1927 at the home of her daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Sears, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sarah Ashworth was buried in Spring City, Utah. Her sister, Hannah Gledhill, lived in Gunison and was buried there.

SARAH ELIZABETH RAMSBOTTOM ASHWORTH

By Florence Smith Woodbury

Our Pioneer Heritage—Courageous Pioneers

In the small village of Lezley Brook, Lancashire, England near the large city of Oldham, Sarah Ramsbottom (Ashworth) was born to William Henry and Mary Sykes Ramsbottom on September 3, 1835. At the age of eleven, Sarah became a weaver in a nearby textile mill where she became proficient in her work and was advanced to the job of thread mending after only a year of service. At an early age, the Ramsbottom children became acquainted with Mormonism through attending meetings, and on March 3, 1849, Sarah was baptized. Her sister, Hannah, and brother, James, were also baptized at about the same date. While attending Latter-day Saints meetings, Sarah was introduced to William Edward Ashworth, born September 18, 1830 at Kelrose, Lancashire, England, the son of John and Jane Diggle Ashworth who had been baptized November 4, 1852. Their acquaintance developed into an everlasting affection for each other, and they were married April 16, 1854, moved to Oldham where they set up housekeeping, and continued to work at the textile mills. Their first child, Mary Jane, was born September 29, 1855, and William’s widowed mother, who lived with them, cared for the baby while Sarah was at work.

[In 1859, their second daughter, Eliza Ann, was born. She died within a month.]

After saving since their marriage in preparation to emigrate to the Valley of the Saints in America, the Ashworth family, which included William’s mother and little Mary Jane, sailed on the Underwriter from Liverpool, England, in the fall of 1861. They remained in Philadelphia for three weeks after landing, and left by train for Florence, Nebraska, as the water routes were held at that time by the Southern Rebels.

In June of 1863, plans were finally complete for the Ashworths to leave Florence in the John R. Murdock company on the final phase of the journey to Zion. Sarah was a neat, orderly housekeeper and excellent cook. Even on the trail, she found time to make bread from the yeast start she had brought from England, and to darn her husband’s socks which created envy in another pioneer whose wife, he complained, pulled the holes together, thus casing his feet to become sore as he walked all day.

In late August of 1863, the Ashworth family arrived in the Valley. After resting in Salt Lake and Lehi, they journeyed to Moroni, Sanpete County, where they began their life in Utah in a dugout with a dirt floor. In a year, they settled in a home which was reputed to have the first board floor in the area. In this home, in 1864, their [third] child, Sarah Elizabeth, was born. Later they moved to Gunnison during an Indian uprising, then finally settled in Spring City.

The Ashworths found conditions in Utah very different from those in England, but, after a time, were able to adjust to rugged pioneer life. Sarah felt pride in the accomplishments and adjustments of her frail English husband and encouraged him to greater proficiency in his rural tasks and labors, but the struggle of building a home in a new, untamed wilderness expended his strength. On October 8, 1883, William Edward Ashworth passed away, leaving Sarah a widow at the age of fifty-two.

Mary Jane, Sarah’s eldest daughter, married Marinus Lund on July 16, 1872, and became the mother of twelve children. When Mary Jane died on December 12, 1893, her mother took the three-year-old boy, [George] Willard, to raise and helped care for the other children. Sarah’s second daughter and only surviving child, Sarah Elizabeth, married George Loren Sears on August 12, 1880.

Sarah and William had adopted two children, William’s nephew, Andrew Baxter, and Minnie Acord, whose mother had died when she was very young. These two children lived with Sarah until their marriages.

Sarah kept her small farm, which she operated with the help of the children; but she leased her herd of sheep on shares. From these two sources, she provided for her needs. When she was eighty years of age, she visited in St. Louis with her sister and returned, alone, after completing her visit.

At eight-five years of age, she regained her “second” eyesight, enjoyed her friends, remained keen of mind, and continued to be blessed with a sense of humor.

On January 29, 1927, at the age of ninety-five, Sarah Elizabeth Ramsbottom Ashworth passed from this life and was buried at Spring City, Sanpete County, Utah, beside her husband, William Edward Ashworth. 

My Great-great-grandmother

Last week, I wrote about my great-great grandfather. This week, meet his wife.

The Life of Anna Marie Sorenson Larson Lund

Early Utah Pioneer

Written by her grandchild (unknown)

Edited by Lorna Lund Collins

Anna Marie Sorenson Larson, the daughter of Lars Sorenson and Mette Marie Hansen, was born May 29, 1811, in Vinge, Skanderborg (orKandelborg), Denmark, in the countryside.

In 1836, she married Nicolai Hjorring Larson, with whom she had two children: a boy named Soren and a girl named Anna. According to the family story, they both drowned in 1844, along with their father. (They may have had another son, but the records of his life are unclear.)

When she met Paul Dedrich Soltoft Lund, the son of Nicholi Christian Lund and Mette Marie Ferelev, she was a widow with no children. After a time, they became engaged. They married on 12 August 1844.

The couple moved to Aalborg, Denmark, where they began their life together. Three sons were born to them: Lars (or Louis) Peter Nicolai, born 7 February 1845; Nicolai Christian, born 10 June 1847; and Marinus, born 7 May 1849. After they arrived in Spring City, Utah, their fourth son, Joseph Parley, was born on 7 February 1855.

Anna Marie was so short she could walk under the extended arms of her three oldest sons. Her youngest son was not as tall as his brothers. She was plump and wore mostly dark clothing with full skirts, which required several widths of fabric. Her eyes were blue and her hair light brown. She spoke English very well.

When the LDS Missionaries came to Denmark in 1850, she and Paul became interested in attending the meetings conducted by Elder Erastus Snow, George P. Dykes, John E. Forsgren, and Peter O. Hansen, who was a native of Denmark but was converted in America and returned to Denmark. While Elder Erastus Snow journeyed to Sweden, the other elders stayed in Denmark. Elder Snow returned to Denmark and joined the other elders to preach the new Gospel. Brother Peter O. Hansen went along as interpreter. They were well received by the people and made many converts in a short time.

On 27 Sep 1852 in Denmark, Peter and Anna Marie were accepted, baptized, and confirmed in the Church of Latter Day Saints. By this time there were nearly 600 members in Denmark.

Because Anna Marie was from the country and considered a peasant, she was not accepted by his family. The converts learned about America and were anxious to emigrate. Because of their decision, they were disowned by their families. In 1852, 300 converts made arrangements to leave for America. By the end of December, they prepared to say goodbye to their friends, homes, and loved ones.

The family sold and disposed of their property and packed their belongings and the food they would need for the journey. They boarded a small steamship, the Obetrit, with the other converts on 20 Dec 1852. After some delay, due to bad storms, they sailed for Copenhagen. They encountered more delays when they arrived in Copenhagen on 22 Dec 1852. They finally set sail for Kiel and arrived 24 Dec 1852. On Christmas Eve, they boarded the English sailing vessel Lion. On Christmas morning, they sailed for Hamburg, Germany. Upon reaching the North Sea, their progress was hindered by rough weather. On 26 Dec 1852, the ship was tossed in choppy, icy waters. The storm raged for twenty-four hours. Shipwreck threatened, so, many boxes and trunks were thrown overboard. Paul owned some blood stock cattle, and some of these were put over the side of the ship as well as three large chests of merchandise. The sailors almost gave up hope of survival. Many other ships were destroyed during this storm.

The passengers were sent down into the hold of the ship, and the hatches were closed. The hold was a large room with beds and bunks in rows along and against the walls. Here, the 300 passengers crowded together with little comfort.

As the waves rolled, high seas tipped the ship, and water ran down into the hatchway. The passengers were soaked in their beds. One woman had her baby wrapped in a very long piece of material to keep it warm. The baby fell onto the floor. As the ship tipped, the baby rolled across the floor, unwinding this material. By following the material, they located the baby, who was all right. The storm caused a disturbance among the people, with some screaming, crying, and praying.

Elder Forsgren, who was the captain of the company, did his best to quiet them by praying for peace and deliverance.

During this storm, waves swept over the deck, washing away part of the railing around the deck. When the storm ceased, ropes were tied around the deck to replace the broken railing.

When the passengers were allowed on deck, they saw broken barrels and boxes, and apples rolling all over the deck. The children were permitted to gather the apples and eat all they wanted.

The sailors said this was the worst storm they had ever experienced, and the Latter Day Saints had saved the ship.

At last, they landed at Hull, England, then traveled by rail to Liverpool. On New Year’s Eve, they boarded the English freighter ship, Forest Monarch, which would take them to New Orleans, Louisiana in America.

On 16 Jan 1953, they sailed from Liverpool in very nice weather. After a sixteen-day voyage, they encountered trade winds and made better progress.

The food onboard ship consisted of split peas, cooked in large boilers, and hardtack. The drinking water was stored in large barrels, tasted horrible, and smelled worse.

The captain of the company designated certain jobs to the men to keep order among the people.

On March 17,  the ship was tugged by a steamer into New Orleans. They took another steamer up the Mississippi River until they reached St, Louis. On 21 April 1853, the company divided. Elder Peter Munk took part a group of 120 persons, the Lund family included. They continued up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa. They went ashore to camp and prepare for the western journey. They purchased wagons, oxen, and provisions.

On 19 May 1853, they began the westward trek by ox team. Many hardships, terrible winds, lightning storms, and danger of attacking Indians threatened their journey.

During their emigration from Liverpool, eleven marriages, nine births, and twenty-six deaths, mostly elderly folks and small children, occurred. Every evening, prayer meetings were held. On Sundays, sermons and testimonies were given by the leaders and members of the company. These meetings gave the party encouragement and counsel.

In September, they arrived in Salt Lake and camped in central part of the city. They found plenty of green corn to eat. But some ate the corn uncooked and became ill.

After resting a few days, President Brigham Young ordered those who had come from cold climates to continue their journey to Sanpete County to assist those who had already arrived to make a success of the settlement.

After short stops along the way at Lehi, Pleasant Grove, Nephi, and Moroni, the Lund family and others arrived tired and happy at “Little Denmark” in Spring City. Others traveled to Fort Ephraim. The Lund family found several dear friends who once had lived in Denmark.

Paul had never farmed but discovered there was no other way to make a living. So, he built a one room house of logs with a cellar. Later on, he added two more rooms of adobe.

He then took up farm land west of town, where he raised corn, potatoes, and grain. He also raised cattle and sheep. The wool was washed and corded for quilts and clothing.

Not long after they arrived in Spring City, the Indians became troublesome, stealing anything of worth. Word was sent to President Brigham Young, and he replied, telling them to move to Fort Ephraim and stay till the problems were settled. While in Ephraim, another son, Joseph Parley, was born on 7 Feb 1855. When it was safe, they moved back to Spring City.

During the latter part of the Blackhawk War, Paul and his two elder sons, Lewis and Nicoli, helped herd the cattle to graze outside of town. They also joined as guards in the militia.

Paul and Anna Marie were baptized a second time in 1883. At this time, Paul was called on a mission to his native country, Denmark. Anna Marie, stayed in Spring City and took care of the family and crops.

As time went on, their sons worked with their father, and one-by-one, they came of age and married. Three sons raised large families. Lewis only had one son who lived to marry.

Anna Marie seemed to enjoy her family and home. She was an accomplished good cook. Her Danish vegetable soup was excellent. So was her pink pudding.

She had many Danish friends living close by who visited back and forth. In her later years, she sat for hours knitting and reading the Bible.

Her husband died 6 Jan 1902 in the old home in Spring City, the same house he’d built when they first came to America.

After her husband died, she only lived eleven months. She spent part of this time in Pleasant Grove, Utah, with her son, Lewis Peter, and daughter-in-law, Susan McArthur Lund. She became homesick and was taken back to her old home, where her son, Marinus, and children cared for her. She died peacefully, without suffering, on 1 February 1903, at the age of 92. She left a large family to honor her name.

My Great-great-grandfather

The Life of Paul Diderich Soltoft Lund

Early Utah Pioneer

Written by his grandchild (I have no idea which one.)

Edited by Lorna Lund Collins

Paul Dedrich Soltoft Lund was born 1 August 1817 in the city of North Tranders, Alborg, Denmark. He was the son of Nicholai Christian Lund and Mette Marie Ferelev.

He married Anna Marie Sorenson, the daughter of Lars Lauritz Sorenson and Mette Marie Hansen, on 12 August 1844.

They had three sons: Louis Peter, Nicholai Christian, and Marinus, all born in Aarlborg, Denmark. After they arrived in Spring City, Utah, their fourth son, Joseph, was born on 7 February 1855.

Among Paul’s ancestors were professional people, ministers, and merchants. The Lund family has a coat of arms.

With the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the missionary system was organized. In 1850, the first elders were sent to open a mission in the Scandinavian countries. Elder Erastus Snow, leader of this mission, arrived in Copenhagen on June 14, of that year, accompanied by George P. Sykes, John E. Torsgren, and Peter O. Hanson (the latter, a native of Denmark and a convert in America, returned ahead of the others). He met the rest of the party when they arrived, took them to a hotel, and acted as interpreter. Elder Snow went on to Norway and Sweden.

A few days after their arrival, the missionaries began preaching about this new religion. Through them, Paul and Anna Marie became interested. They attended meetings for several months, listening to the testimonies. They asked for baptism. On September 1, 1852, they were baptized into the church.

Anna Marie was considered a peasant girl because she came from the countryside. Paul’s family felt she was beneath them socially. When they joined this new and unpopular religion, Paul was disowned. He appears to have been the only one from his family to have joined.

At the time, he was Earl Nicolaisen. He worked as a merchant of fine linen and was interested in blooded cattle.

By 1852, the church numbered 600 in Denmark. Elder Erastus Snow and the others organized three conferences in Copenhagen, Frederica, and Aalborg. Of all the missions organized in Europe, the ones in Scandinavia were the most fruitful. In 1851, Elder Snow published a hymn book. It became so popular and in such demand, he printed it semi-monthly. This book was still being published at the time the original manuscript of this document was written.

Many of the converts desired to emigrate to Zion in the New World—America. Arrangements were made, and by December of 1852, a large party of 300 was ready to say good-bye to their homes and loved ones.

After selling and disposing of their property, packing their belongings, and such food as they could take, Paul and Anna Marie, with their three small boys, boarded the small steamship Obetret. On December 20, 1852, following a delay due to bad storms, they sailed to Copenhagen, where another storm delayed their departure.

Finally, on Christmas Eve, they boarded an English sailing vessel Lion. The next day, they sailed for Hamburg, Germany. On reaching the North Sea, their progress was hindered by rough weather. On December 26, the ship was tossed on choppy, icy waters in a terrible storm. It raged for twenty-four hours. When threatened with a shipwreck, they tossed many boxes and trunks overboard. Paul led some of his blooded cattle to allow them to leave the ship, and three chests of his merchandise went overboard as well.

The sailors nearly gave up hope of survival. The passengers were sent into the hold, and the hatches were closed. The hold was a large room with beds or bunks in rows or tiers of three against the walls. Beds were also arranged on the floor. Here in one room, crowded together with little comfort and no conveniences, the immigrants, mostly Scandinavian with a few Irish and English, rode out the voyage. As waves rolled high, the ship tipped, and water ran down into the hatchway. The people were soaked in their beds.

One woman wrapped her baby in a long piece of cloth and tied the child to her own body. As the ship tossed, the baby fell out of bed and rolled across the room. They located the baby by following the material. The child survived.

People screamed, cried, and prayed throughout the twenty-four hours of the storm.

When they emerged, they saw part of the railing missing. The sailors had used ropes to replace the railing. With their tops broken, barrels and boxes discharged apples onto the deck, where they rolled around. The children were permitted to eat as many as they wanted. The sailors said this had been the most severe storm they had ever experienced. They credited the Mormons on board with saving the ship.

Brother John E. Forsgren, the captain of the company of saints, was a good leader. Every day, prayers weres offered. He gave the people council and advice to keep the commands of the Lord. The converts did much singing to keep up their spirits. They also held dances on the deck.

At last, they landed in Hull, England and traveled by rail to Liverpool.

On New Year’s Eve, they boarded the English freighter Forest Monarch, which would take them to New Orleans, Louisiana in America.

On January 16, 1853, they sailed in nice weather. After sixteen days, they encountered trade winds and made better progress. The food on the voyage consisted of split peas, cooked in large boilers, and hardtack. The drinking water, stored in barrels, tasted bad.

On March 17, the ship was tugged by steamer into New Orleans. On March 19, 1853, the immigrants boarded another steamer for the trip up the Mississippi River. On March 30, they landed in St. Louis, Missouri.

On April 21, the John E. Forsgren company divided. Peter Munk took part of the company, 120 persons including Paul and his family. The contingent traveled on up the Mississippi to Keokuk, Iowa. Here, the saints bought oxen, wagons, and provisions. On May 19, they began their journey westward by wagons pulled by oxen.

During the journey from Liverpool, the group experienced eleven marriages, nine births, and twenty-six deaths—mostly of the elderly and young children.

Each day on the trail, a prayer meeting was held, along with sermon and sacrament meetings.

They arrived in Salt Lake City on September 30 and camped in the central part of the city.

They were able to obtain green corn. Some ate the corn without cooking it and suffered illness as a result.

After a few days’ rest, president Brigham Young ordered those who had come from cold countries to continue their journey south to Sanpete County to assist those who had already arrived and make a success of the settlement.

After stops at Lehi, Pleasant Grove, Nephi, and Moroni, the Lund family arrived well and happy at “Little Denmark” (Spring City) where they intended to make their new home among dear friends from Denmark.

Since Paul had to make a living, he bought a small lot on Main Street and built a one-room log cabin. He later added two more rooms made of adobe. He and his sons had made trips to the canyon and brought logs and lumber for saw mills to build the house and outbuildings. He took up land in the lower part of town where he raised corn, potatoes, and grain. He also raised cattle and sheep to make clothes and quilts.

Not long after their arrival in Spring City, the Indians became troublesome. President Young advised them to move to Ephraim Fort, which they did. While living at the fort, their son, Joseph was born on February 1855. They remained there until the Indian troubles were settled. Then they moved back to their home in Spring City.

During the latter part of the Black Hawk War, two of the Lund sons, Lewis and Nicolai, helped herd cattle to put them out to feed. They were also made guards in Militia.

Paul was small in stature at five and a half feet tall, with light brown hair and blue eyes. He was a good man, faithful to the gospel, attending to his duties, and keeping the commandments of the Lord. He spoke English very well.

Some time later, he was called on a mission to his native land of Denmark. While there, he tried to get his inheritance, but he failed. His family believed he had married beneath his rank of Earl, so he was disinherited.

He inquired about the Lund Home, which was supposed to go to the eldest son in the Lund family. If he chose to stay in Denmark, he could have lived there free. However, he refused the offer, and returned to his home and family in America.

While in Denmark, he obtained a printed book of the descendants of his fourth great-grandfather, Jacob Peterson Deishman, as well as additional genealogy. The temple work for these sixty ancestors was completed in 1934 by Mrs. Draper. She had been hired by Lydia B. Lund of Pleasant Grove to undertake this work.

Paul Lund lived to the age of ninety-five. He remained true to his L.D.S. faith. He died on 6 January 1902 in his home in Spring City, Utah. He was survived by his wife and four sons as well as many descendants. Each son was blessed with a large family. He was buried in the Spring City Cemetery.

Anna Marie died thirteen months later on 1 February 1903 and was buried next to her husband.