HISTORY OF ANDREW PETER JENSEN

HISTORY OF ANDREW PETER JENSEN

Andrew Peter Jensen was born September 28, 1837 on a large farm or estate called Kornheddinge in Kyrkheddinge, Malmahus County, Sweden. His father, Per Jonsson, was a prosperous farmer, and had his own grist mill among the many buildings on the farm. His mother was Hanna Hansson of Esarp in the same county. The mother’s work was more to manage the household and oversee the women who were hired to help, rather than to do the work herself. His father was also an alderman and a juryman.
The land had been in the family as far back as records are available and as owners of the land they had to furnish troops. At that time Sweden was not engaged in any war, but did maintain a standing army, which probably Andrew would have had to join.
Andrew was the third child in a family of eight. The oldest daughter was Kerstina, then Annie (who lived only thirteen months), then Andrew, the twins Anna and Hanna, next Nils, Elna, and Fredricka. As was the custom in Sweden and Denmark, if a child, another one born later was sometimes given the same name.
As a child Andrew herded geese. He had to walk two Swedish miles (6 miles) to school. He became well educated, was a good dancer and liked outdoor sports such as skating and skiing. He grew to manhood assisting his father and as the older son took many responsibilities.
The Missionaries came. He and the girl he later married, Anna Mansson Stangberg, were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was baptized April 1, 1857, and he was baptized April 8, 1858.
In 1859 they decided to emigrate to Utah and get married after they reached their destination. His father was opposed to his joining the Church and going but his mother had either joined the Church by this time or did so within a few years. On March 14, 1862, she left Sweden, her husband, part of her family, and taking two children, Annie and Nils with her, came to Utah to join Andrew and his family.
Andrea and Anna went to Liverpool and engaged passage on a sailing vessel, the William Tapscott. The ship’s log records that Jens Jonson, aged 25, was with Andrew. They left Liverpool April 11, 1859. I t was a rough voyage. They were tossed here and there for six long weeks, often hungry and sick. Two children died and were buried at sea. They arrived in New York, took the train to the end of the line, then walked.
At Florence, Nebraska, they joined the handcart company of Captain George Rowley and started June 9, 1859, on the trek across the plains. It was a long wearisome journey. They walked the more than 1000 miles, taking all they could in the handcart, but each person was allowed only 20 pounds, which included their baggage, cooking utensils, etc., some things had to be left behind. There were 236 persons, 60 handcarts, six ox teams and eight wagons in the company.
At first each person was allowed one pound flour per day and two pounds of bacon per week. This was their main diet. Sometimes an emigrant train ahead would kill a buffalo and after using all they could would leave a ticket on the carcass giving the date when it was killed so that those who followed would know if it was fit to be used for food.
Many brought nice clothing and jewelry. These were traded along the way with the Indians and whites for food. Whatever they had was shared with the others of the company.
It was quite an ordeal to ford the cold deep, swift rivers. In crossing the Platte River, they were at first able to wade, the water became deeper and deeper until finally the handcarts floated on top. Some days they were able to travel only three miles and sometimes fourteen. The company met several apostate groups coming back from Salt Lake City who tried to persuade them to turn back.
Provisions got very low. On August 12, two of the company oxen died from drinking alkali water and on the following day, they cut away and used the best part of the meat. On August 23, an oxen was slaughtered and the meat divided into portions of two pounds to each person. By this time provisions were so low that there were days when a spoonful of meal each was all that could be had and this they stirred into water and drank it. Some made soup of willows and cow hide. The hair was scraped off the hide, it was then pounded, soaked, cut into pieces and made into soup. When their shoes wore out they made shoes of buffalo hides.
Someone was on guard every night for protection against the Indians. The wolves were a menace, too. The people were cautioned not to stray from camp. An aged woman and a younger person were lost this way, eaten by the wolves. Bits of hair, grey and blond, were found.
They did have some enjoyment, though, --in the meetings at night, and singing and dancing around the camp fires. There were many good singers in the company. Captain Rowley had a very good voice.
They arrived in Salt Lake City Sunday, September 4. When word reached the city that the Handcart Company was near, all available horses and vehicles were used to meet the company and escort the worn out travelers to the square, there provisions donated by the people of the various wards were brought to them. They were so thankful, for it seemed they hadn’t had a square meal since they left the “Old Country”. The brass band came to meet them, too.
Due to exposure and hardship, the legs of most of the women had become sore and bleeding to the knees and it was such a relief to be about to ride the last few miles. But Anna, like many others who have never been used to hardship, did not complain.
She and Andrew were married in Salt Lake, he worked there for a short time, then they again took their handcart and walked the long rough road to Mt. Pleasant where a new settlement was being formed. At this time, men who were farmers in the old country were sent to Sanpete and Cache Counties. These two counties were called the granaries of Utah. Grandfather came from the Skane Province which was the grain producing area in Sweden.
At first they lived in the fort for protection against the Indians. They had two children, Andrew and Hilda. On April 4th, 1864, their marriage was solemnized in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. He was ordained a Seventy. In 1865 another son Anthone was born, but Grandmother and the baby died in June 1865.
On April 4, 1868, he married Jacobina Wilhelmina Lumblad of Moroni, Utah. To them were born ten children, Annie, Selma, Eleonora (who died at the age of two years), Lurinda, Arthur, Elvina, Leona, Elmer, and Afton. He became inactive in the Church.
By this time they had built a fine six room home on the farm north of town, had lovely lawns and flowers, had a big orchard, and built a reservoir primarily for irrigation purposes. It was also a place to fish and in the winter time many skating parties were held here. Ice was cut and the big ice house filled for summer use.
Grandfather kept abreast of happenings in his old home. He subscribed for the Swedish newspapers and read them whenever he was resting. He appreciated his privileges as an American Citizen and never missed voting on election day. Another thing he never missed was the big Ringling Brother’s Circus when it came to town.
He served in the Black Hawk War doing his share in guarding against the Indians. For many years he was Vice President of the North Creek Irrigation Company.