Andrew Andersen ~ Index
Andrew Andersen was born in Denmark in 1833 and died in 1922 at Mendon, Utah. He was a prominent figure in Mendon from 1860 until the time of his death. He worked in the church, civic and industrial affairs.
He had charge of the Scandinavian Saints in the early days of Mendon's settlement, as there were quite a number of them at that time, who couldn't understand or speak English. He was a carpenter and a proficient one too. He engaged in farming, stock raising, merchandising, molasses making from cane and even worked watermelons into syrup. In fact engaged in every kind of work at one time or another, that was carried on in the community. Was for part of one winter at least, one who was out on the Promontory on the north side of the Great Salt Lake herding and caring for stock belonging to the people of Mendon. That in those days were wintered there, so as to save feeding hay during the winter. About 1890 went to Bannock Valley, now Arbon, Idaho and aided in locating his six sons on homesteads which proved to be a good investment for the family, as the home and farm in Mendon which he retained, was not sufficient to furnish a living for all of them.
From the early settlement of Cache Valley and until 1875, military organizations were formed in each town to guard against Indian attacks and recover stock when possible, if stolen by Indians. Andrew Andersen having taken training as a soldier in Denmark was in charge as captain of all local military matters in Mendon in which all able bodied men were required to take part in drilling occasionally and being equipped with arms and ammunition the best they could procure. Such measures were then absolutely necessary for the safety of the people. He built two houses in Mendon, both good sized and substantial.
A rock house in 1873 and a frame house in 1877 where his wife now resides. Also improved the livestock of the town by purchasing and breeding chickens, pigs, cattle and horses and was one of the first in town to keep burros. His skill as a carpenter got him the job of making coffins when a death occurred, as the first coffins not home made, was used here in 1880. And bare in mind he made coffins and did not charge a cent for his work. And no doubt at times furnished all the material to make them.
He served as first counselor in the bishopric of the ward for nearly thirty years and much more work involved the holder of that office, than is now required in it. In civil affairs he served several years as school trustee on the board in and for Mendon precincts, an arduous labor. As at that time taxes for maintenance of schools were collected by the trustees in each district, served also several times in Mendon city council, in fact took an active part in everything spiritual or temporal undertaken in Mendon during his lifetime.
In person he was of medium height, dark hair blue eyes, strong and compact in build, weighing when in his best physical years, about one-hundred eighty pounds. I am not aware that he was sick during the last sixty years of his life and death came peace and quietly like going to sleep. In dispositions was genial and benevolent, always willing to help others in a material way as well as by giving advice. All in all he was a valuable asset to the community. A true friend and benefactor to all with whom he had occasions to associate.
Life Sketch
Andrew Andersen (son of Jorgen Christian Andersen and Anne Petersen). Born 18 September 1833, Bromme, Denmark. Came to Utah in 1858. Married Catherine Sophie Sorensen, 14 November 1857, Copenhagen, Denmark (daughter of Nicolai Sorensen and Malena Olsen, pioneers with Russell K. Homer company). She was born, 7 May 1831. Their only child: Lydia Ann Alvira, born 4 October 1858, married George L. Farrell. Settled at Mendon, Utah in 1859.
Married Sophia Larsen, 13 November 1871, Salt Lake City (daughter of Magnus and Mary Larsen, both of Mendon, Utah, pioneers 1862). She was born 7 February 1853, Denmark. Their children: Catherine Sophia born 21 April 1873, married Francis C. Andersen; Andrew Otto born 10 May 1875, married Ana Maretta Hansen; John Christian born 22 May 1877, married DeSena Sorensen; Lars Magnus born 3 September 1879; Ezra Taft born 3 March 1882; Mary Caroline born 14 January 1885; George Lionel born 22 February 1887, married Elizabeth L. Shelton; William born 31 July 1889, died 1 August 1889; Anne Amelia born 17 January 1891, married Charles Bruce Pett; Henry Waldemar born 4 January 1894. Family home in Mendon, Utah.
Member of 57th quorum seventies; first counselor to Bishop Henry Hughes for fourteen years; president of the high priest quorum Hyrum Stake, for ten years. Occupation carpenter.
Notes…
Andrew was an apprentice in the carpenter's wood workshop of Nicolai Sorensen and family in Denmark, along with his brother Nils Otto. The Sorensen family brought Nils Otto with them to Utah in 1857, Andrew married Nicolai's oldest daughter Sophie, in Denmark and they came to Utah the next season, in 1858. Due to the difficult birth of Lydia Ann Andersen, in the back of the wagon as it made its way down Echo Canyon, she was their only child. Andrew married a plural wife, Sophia Larsen in 1871 and had a large family of ten with her. Sophia Larsen was always very kind to Sophie Sorensen while she was alive.
Catherine Andersen Gibbons noted here is Andrew's oldest child and daughter with Sophia Larsen Andersen. This second part was taken from Frank Esshom's big black book, the 1913, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, page 718. I have my great grandfather Isaac Sorensen's copy of this tome. Andrew Andersen would be Isaac's brother-in-law.
The picture above of the painting of a carpenters workshop in Denmark, would have been most familiar to Andrew and his brother Nils Otto. It was painted in 1855 and is a most remarkable document from this period.
Nils Otto Jorgensen was the last name Andrew's brother took in America, and he was killed by the Indians at Salt Creek, along with his wife and a few others. This was down towards Nephi in Juab County, Utah on 4 June 1858. The name Otto has been a frequently used name in Andrew Andersen's family, since that time.