Caroline Christensen Dahle ~ Index

Caroline Sophia Christensen Dahle was born October 29^th, 1867 at Jyderup, (Holbæk Amt., Sjælland) Denmark. She is the daughter of Lars Peter Christensen and Christina Sorensen Christensen. She is one of seven children. Three were born in the old country. Four were born in this country. A baby boy, Peter, born in Sweden, died, and was buried there. Caroline and her brother James were both born in Denmark. The four younger members, Josephine, Joseph, Annie and Elizabeth were born in the United States. None of Caroline's people have ever lived in Clarkston.

The family of Lars Peter Christensen came to Utah in 1875. First they lived at Newton for two years. Then they moved to Logan and lived there several years. Following that Lars Peter bought one-hundred and sixty acres of land in Preston, Idaho and farmed there until he retired in the year 1907.

Caroline does not remember the name of the missionary who converted her father in Denmark. "My mother joined later. It was after the baby died in Sweden. This sorrow brought my mother into the Latter-day Saint Church which my father had already joined."

Caroline only lived at Preston, Idaho for about five weeks because she had met and was engaged to marry Hans Dahle. They were married November 26^th, 1890 in the Logan Temple. Caroline was twenty-three years old, Hans was twenty-six years old.

"When I was a young woman I 'worked out' for many people. I also worked in the dairies, which were operating in Cache Valley at the time. Often I went into homes where new babies had been born to work in the house and help care for the mother. Most always the mid-wife had officiated at the birth. I helped with the many responsibilities that followed. (All of Caroline's children were born with a mid-wife officiating). For housework I got ^$1.00 to ^$1.50 a week. I found that at the dairies I could get more pay; so I worked at the dairies. If I milked twenty cows every day, I received ^$2.50 a week. I also helped with the cleaning and caring of the utensils and with the making of cheese and butter."

The places I worked were:

When Hans and Caroline were first married they lived on a ranch two miles north of Clarkston on what is now better known as the "Ingie Buttars property." They were there two years. Their second home was south of the Rachel Clark, now James Clark property. Their third home was on the Bishop John Ravsten lot on the county road coming from Newton into Clarkston. "We only lived there for three years. In 1902 we moved to the present location." The present home, the city lot on the Southeast corner of the Trenton and Newton roads, Caroline has lived in for fifty-two years. "The first house on this lot was the granary. It still stands. We lived there from 1902 to 1911. On April 11^th, 1911 the foundation was laid for our present house. This was a very nice home at the time it was built."

Children born to Hans and Caroline are: Hans Russel Dahle, born February 15^th, 1892. Herman C. Dahle born September 6^th, 1893, dies August 28^th, 1902 of burns he received while visiting his Aunt Josephine over in the Banida District (known then as Poverty Flats). "He was playing with fire in a stove. He poured coal oil on the flame and there was an explosion. His body was not too badly burned. The doctor said he died of the fumes. He died that night." Lottie was born August 9^th, 1895. She dies November 7^th, 1904. "They called her disease

"Brain Fever"

but from what I have seen of Polio, I'm sure that is what Lottie had." Ethel Dahle Christiansen, born April 14^th, 1897. Newel, born April 14^th, 1899. Lewis, born August 9^th, 1903. Lucille Dahle Humphreys, born March 10^th, 1909.

Susannah Thompson Clark, Aunt Dolly Griffiths' mother (Laura Penelope Clark Griffiths' mother) assisted in the birth of Lottie, Ethel and Newel. Laura C. Griffiths and her mother Susannah Thompson Clark were and always have been good friends of Caroline Dahle.

She has not been one to visit to long. Caroline has enjoyed very much her good friend and neighbor Laura Griffiths. These two do visit and have done for many years— fifty and more. One kind of trip Caroline liked to make was a trip to the hills. "A party of forty or more people," says Caroline, "Would get together. There would be my husband Hans and I and our family; 'Frank' and 'Dolly' Griffiths and their family; 'Fish' and Isaiah Thompson and their folks; Hans and Ann Jensen and their people and many more. We would all go to Steel's Canyon. We'd camp in the 'Big Meadows.' I remember once when my eldest son Russ and Lawrence Smith (Lawrence was Frank and Dolly Griffiths' son-in-law) went back into the hills and shot Grouse. We cleaned them in the mountain stream and fried them over the open campfire. I still remember how delicious they tasted."

"Each fall," continued Caroline, "a group of us made up a 'camping party'. We would go to Brigham City, Utah for fruit. This was generally a three or four day trip. We always went by wagon because we wanted to bring a big fresh load of produce back home to 'put in bottles' and 'dry' for winter. Once I remember Johnny and Sarah Clark, 'Frank' and Dolly Griffiths and Hans and I went. We bought peaches, pears, melons, onions, ripe and green tomatoes and prunes. I remember we paid ^$2.00 a bushel for our pears. That was a high price. Sarah Clark suggested that we tell no one how much our pears had cost us. This was a luxury we were going to afford."

Caroline's work in the community was the care of the sick and the care of the dead. In those days undertakers did not necessarily come at once as they do now. The town folks often took care of their own dead. The Bishop and his counselors "set apart" ladies to take care of the ladies and children who died; and men who held the Priesthood to take care of the men who died. The ladies made the clothing for all. Bishop John Ravsten set Caroline apart for this work. "I was just one of the many other ladies who was called," says Caroline. "After some one died we'd go to the house and 'lay them out.' This meant washing the body completely, including the hair and placing the remains on flat boards. In hot weather we always used ice. We packed all around and often over the corpse to keep it cool. Later the undertaker would come with the casket. We dressed the departed and fixed their hair and face in a like and becoming manner. We sewed the burial clothes right after we laid the corpse out. For the married folks it generally meant getting a full set of temple clothes. For the children, it was getting a complete new outfit. We always made them white too. We made the shoes, unless the family chose to buy white ones for a special person— like a young girl.

Some of the ladies with whom I have worked were; Sisters Annie Jardine; Ann Jensen; Sarah Shumway; Mae Fisher: Clara Ravsten and others. During the flu epidemic of 1918 the town was quarantined. It seemed that every household had the disease. There were not many well people. So few of us could go about "our duty." I remember one bad night. It was a Tuesday. The Sunday and Monday before we had just finished sewing and laying out Joseph Larsen's little girl. Now I was with Ester Buttars, Minnie and Bob's daughter who was near the age of my girl Ethel. Ester was very sick; in fact, she died some few hours later. During late evening or early morning, word came to us that Albert Griffin, a young married man with a young family and wife, had also just passed away. I remember when morning came and we began looking for folks well enough to help sew for the dead— there just didn't seem to be any. Finally Jane Dahle and her sisters came to our assistance. They made Ester's dress and I made Albert's suit. This was when the epidemic was at its peak in January and February of 1918. I had told Minnie and Bob Buttars, Ester's parents, I'd be back later, but I could not go. I had the flu myself. I remember how sick I was in the night. Those epidemic days were real hard days.

Caroline C. Dahle has taken the L.D.S. Relief Society magazine every month, with no exception, since it was first published. Russel, her eldest son, served in World War I. He volunteered. "My other sons were to young," she says. At present, Caroline has seventeen grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren. She is eighty-seven years old. If I, Josephine Smith Heinrich may write a few words about Caroline, as I have heard my grandmother talk and as I have known her since I was three years old, I'd say she is an excellent homemaker, housekeeper and manager.

The Dahles' have always had plenty. Caroline has been and still is a woman of exceptional energy, strength and ambition. She has now and always has had very good method about her daily task and living. One never has seen work undone around Caroline's household. Her day begins very early in the morning and ends fairly early in the evening. The cleaning, the washing and ironing are always done during the early morning hours. As a little girl I remember how good her homemade bread was and the many pickles she used to make. Hans, Caroline's husband, went to his meetings probably more often than Caroline went, but always Hans would come home to a well ordered household. Always his clothes were in "tip top shape," whenever he wanted to dress up. Always the meals were prepared on time when he came home.

To Caroline's close friends she is excellent company. But she has never been one to "gad about." She has always found too much to do. She sews beautifully. She used good judgment in business dealings and is what one could call a practical sensible lady. She has never cared for any sort of show. Caroline is genuine in all she does. She is a good neighbor.

Josephine Smith Heinrich

More About Caroline

At the regular monthly meeting of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Martin Harris Camp of Clarkston, Utah, held March 17^th, 1955, at Mrs. C.T. Hansen's home the ladies present who know Caroline today and those who remembered her in her younger days— also those who knew her late husband, had the following remarks to add to "A Talk With Caroline Christensen Dahle" written before and read at the meeting by Josephine Smith Heinrich: Hans Dahle was a member of the First Organization of "The Prayer Circle." His standing in the L.D.S. Church's Priesthood was that of High Priest. Mrs. Andrew (Adeline) Griffiths said, "Hans Dahle's name appears first on "The Prayer Circle Records," March 1910. Membership in the circle was and is composed of "Exemplary Men."

Those chosen should be tithe payers, keep the Word of Wisdom, not swear, etc. The organization met and meets twice each month. Its purpose was and is to administer to the sick and pray for the general welfare of the community. This was and is done with the same Sacred Procedure that the organization does in the temples. Hans held this office until he died." The Prayer Circle of March 1910 consisted of twenty-one people. They were: ten high Priests, (Hans Dahle was one); four Bishops; two Elders; and four Seventies. The Bishopric at this time was: John Ravsten, Bishop; Ole Petersen, Counselor; Walter L. Thompson, Counselor; William Clark, Ward Clerk. For further information see Records at Clarkston, Utah, in care of the Clerk of the Clarkston Ward.

Before electricity was brought into Clarkston, the church house had beautiful and quite elaborate kerosene lamps with shades hung in the arrangement of chandeliers. There was work in "Keeping these Up," each week or so. At this time there was no paid janitor. Hans just took the responsibility of washing and polishing the light fixtures.

Caroline C. Dahle was a Relief Society teacher for years. She was always "so very prompt," at the regular weekly meetings. One could "set a watch" with fair accuracy, when one saw her "Turn a certain corner" which was on her way leading to the church house. Caroline has always paid her dues. She was and is a generous donator. She worked with the Old Folk's committees and was always there when the dish washing began.

When I visited with Caroline and my grandmother Laura Griffiths, Caroline said, "In that Talk you wrote about me, I wish I had told you about my daughter Lottie getting kicked in the face." "Let's put it in," said Josephine. Caroline continued, "When I lived up to the ranch, north of town, my little girl Lottie got kicked in the face by a horse. This was in the morning. I got on a horse, Lottie with me. We raced two miles to Garrett Dahle's ranch. There we got a horse and buggy. We drove to Cache Junction. We got on a train and went to Logan to see a doctor. It was nine o'clock that night before I reached Logan and the doctor. I was all day getting help for my injured girl. Now the trip can be made in an hour."

Josephine Smith Heinrich

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