Jens Jensen ~ Index
I was born November 3rd, 1858 in Sjelland (Zealand), Denmark, son of Niels Jensen and Karen Torkeldsen Jensen. Father was born 1829. Mother was a year or two older than he. (I) have no record of date or month of birth of either of them. They were peasant farmers of the better class. They joined the Mormon Church in 1862, sold home and all other property and came to America early in the year 1863 on way to Utah. Mother died on board the ship and was buried in New York. None of the family have any knowledge regarding location of her grave. Father and family, consisting of Kirsten (Christina), aged seven years and Jens, aged four and one half years, continued the journey to Utah, reaching Salt Lake City September 12th, 1863.
The Atlantic Ocean was crossed in a sail ship and took a long time to make the trip. Went by railroad from New York City to Florence, Nebraska, at that time the outfitting place for crossing the plains to Utah. Father bought a new Schuttler wagon, four oxen and two cows for the journey; had plenty bedding, a small cook stove (I think the first brought to Mendon). John R . Young, nephew of President Brigham Young, was captain of our company, which consisted of about seventy-five, wagons and perhaps 150 to 200 persons, men, women and children. It was called an independent emigrant company (that meant that they owned their own teams, wagons, etc.). Many of the Mormons crossing the plains had teams sent from Utah to take them across the 1100 miles from Omaha or Florence to Salt Lake City. All of our company, except the captain, were Scandinavians. So John R. Young had a difficult job to handle. The start was made July 7th and Great Salt Lake City reached September 12th, 1863.
At one place on the journey a couple of people were killed and others hurt in a stampede. The oxen took fright and ran away, wagons and all going in a tangle until order was finally restored again. Our wagon had five persons as passengers, father, two children and a young man and a young woman, both unmarried. The man drove the team to pay his way. He went from Salt Lake City to Sanpete. The woman came with us to Cache Valley and shortly after married a Mr. Monsen in Hyrum.
Father began living in Mendon the fall of 1863, self and two children. His property consisted of four oxen, two cows, a good wagon, cook stove, bedding and some cooking utensils, a few carpenter tools, two shotguns, a rifle, a pistol. Our first winter was spent in a log house about fourteen by twelve feet and so far in my life was the most dreary winter I have lived. At that time all houses in Mendon, except a small frame house owned by Jasper Lemmon, were built of logs and the roof covered with saplings or willows, a coat of straw and dirt laid over all to guard against wind and rain.
Spring of 1864, we moved to a lot purchased of Christen Jensen, a blacksmith who moved to Bear Lake Valley. On the lot were two log houses, in one of which we lived until father's death, September 15th, 1868. Father, the five years he lived in Mendon, farmed. (He) bought thirty-five acres irrigated land and twenty-five acres of meadow land. Only quitclaim deeds could be given in land deals at that time. Government title and survey came later in 1872. (He) also had quite a few cattle, perhaps twelve cows and young animals at time of his death.
He married Elizabeth Nielsen in 1866, by whom he had one child, Mary, born 1867. She married Henry Larsen. They live in Cleveland, Idaho. They are childless. Last two years of father's life, he suffered from tuberculosis which caused his death in 1868, at age of forty years.
In person, he was of medium height, weighing about 145 pounds, black hair, skin very white, active and energetic. Fond of hunting such game as geese, ducks, grouse, prairie chickens and rabbits all of which were plentiful there. Was quick tempered, but not unreasonably so, soon got over anger.
Being only four and one half years old when mother died, I recall very little about her. Financially her people were better off than father's folks. Christina and I had a small legacy sent us from an aunt of hers in Denmark in 1893. Father arranged and divided his property several months before death among the heirs. Our step-mother retained home and land until I was twenty years old, then it reverted to me. She was left three or four cows, a few sheep, one wagon, household goods, etc. Her daughter Mary received one cow and a few household trinkets. Christina got one cow, five acres irrigated land and a few articles of clothing. I was given two horses, harness, wagon, three two year old steers, what tools on hand and the guns, a buffalo robe and three Indian blankets. He also arranged for Christina and me to live with Ole C. Sonne and wife Mary. They were childless. He was forty-six years old, his wife twenty-nine years of age. We had a good home with them. Christina stayed until 1873. Later married Joseph C. Hamilton of Mill Creek, Salt Lake County, where she lived until her death, 1910. She left two girls, Valeria and Beatrice. Last I heard about them, they were in the Raft River region, Idaho. Valeria married a Mr. Fuller, do not recall name of man Beatrice married.
I lived with Brother Sonne and wife until I was married, 1885. Brother Ole Sonne died 1900, aged 78 years, his wife, 1913 at age of 74 years. They were a worthy couple, good friends and neighbors, devout Saints, sincere and honest in all walks of life, supported the Church with tithes and financial dues as well as by prayers and meeting attendance. Brother Sonne filled a mission to Denmark, 1879 to 1880. Paid fare for two of his nephews from Denmark to Utah, Christian Sonne in 1872 and Ole H. Sonne in 1880. Ole C Sonne and wife led useful, unselfish lives.
From age of ten to age of seventy, my time was mainly given to farming and caring for livestock. Spent part of summer of 1882 working on railroad grade in Deer Lodge Valley, Montana, for $40.00 a month and board. Spent 31 months (1883-1885) in Virginia as a Mormon missionary. Married Mary Emma Baker, December 17th, 1885, daughter of George W. Baker and Agnes Richards Baker. She died December 14th, 1940 and funeral was held on December 17th, exactly the 55th anniversary of our wedding day.
There were born to us eight children.
- Sibyl Jensen, born December 21st, 1886.
- Victor Jensen, born December 17th, 1888; died February 11th, 1889 of pneumonia.
- Mary Jensen, born January 30th, 1890. Married Atherton Farr.
- Agnes Jensen, born January 10th, 1892.
- Lillian Jensen, born June 12th, 1894. Killed in auto wreck, Rexburg, Idaho, July 25th, 1931.
- Ether Jensen, born March 5th, 1896. Died of tuberculosis, September 29th, 1937.
- Milton Jensen, born July 19th, 1898.
- Olive Jensen, born September 3rd, 1902.
Mary E. Baker was born in Mendon, Utah, July 30th, 1864 and resided there all her life. (She) was educated in the district school and the Brigham Young College, Logan. Prior to marriage, she taught school several years in Mendon and Hyrum. In person she was of average height, weighing; when in normal condition, about 140 pounds; hair dark, eyes blue gray, was kindly and genial in disposition; Took great interest in church work, in Sunday School, Relief Society and Mutual Improvement organization. Was excellent as a mother and housekeeper. Skillful in fine needle work to weaving rag carpet on an old style hand loom. If necessary, milked cows and last few years of life took great interest in keeping a fine flower garden. In her as wife and the mother of our children, my fondest hopes were fully realized. I can well remember her as a child about four years old, a young girl, full grown at eighteen, and a mature woman, and an elderly woman of 76 at time of her death. Death was caused by falling on Novembrt 29th, and breaking right hip. (She) was taken to Logan hospital in an ambulance and given all medical and surgical aid available, but death claimed her December 14th, 1940, ending a long life of unselfish usefulness.
I went to the Big Horn Valley, Wyoming in 1900, intending to locate there with a Mormon colony that settled there at that time. Decided not to make a home there. Was away from Mendon from May 1st, to July 19th. About six weeks of that time was required to make the trip both ways by team. Filed on a homestead entry of 160 acres of land in Bannock Valley, thirty-five miles north-west of Malad City, Idaho in 1908. Spent part of four summers there farming. Built two log houses, put in a drive well fifty feet deep and a pump, getting a good supply of pure water. Best crop we had there was 800 bushel wheat in 1912. Before making proof and getting government homestead title, I relinquished claim to Philip Hatfield of Dayton, Washington for $1,300.00.
From 1913 to 1928 I farmed in Mendon; owned home, forty acres dry land and fifteen acres irrigated land. Kept five or six horses and same number of cows. Up to 1928, when at age of sventy owing to physical disability, I was obliged to quit manual labor. My ailment was caused by injury sustained when a horse I was riding fell and injured my legs. So I have not been able to walk well for the past twelve years. This is written September 16th, 1941.
My health has been very good most of my life. At age of eighteen years my lungs were affected. Some thought I had tuberculosis, was ailing for a time. Patriarch Charles Hyde gave me a patriarchal blessing and promised me health and recovery which was fully realized and I have had no real sickness or illness since then. Observance of the "Word of Wisdom" has no doubt preserved me in bodily health. Most all of my boyhood associates have died years ago, though they were physically more robust and stronger than I was. I have consulted a doctor only once, in Rexburg, Idaho in 1941. Paid him $3.00 and $2.75 for medicine, and it did me no good. The ailment was itching of some sort, it gradually went away. At age of 83 my sight and hearing is very good, do not use glasses. During my years of doing manual work, from twenty to seventy, I weighed from 155 to 170 pounds. Would say I am of average height. As to my disposition, I will leave my children to tell that.
I was ordained a priest in 1874, an elder in 1876, seventy 1885 and high priest 1912. Have been ward teacher, Sunday school teacher and conducted classes in priesthood quorums. In charge of M.I.A. a few years. Have not been as active in church work as I should have been. God has answered my prayers so many times, for which I am truly thankful. I am as certain of the fact that the gospel restored and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God is true, as I am that I am alive, and also that the authorities succeeding him are all right, and that God inspires them in their positions.
I was made a U. S. citizen by naturalization in 1882. From 1886 to 1941 have filled various political office in Mendon. School trustee for several two-year terms. Four years mayor of Mendon. City councilman for a number of years, about eight or ten. Justice of Peace by election and appointment for the precinct and city many years, so many that I cannot with certainty give the number, about eighteen or twenty.1
Notes…
Jens Jensen died on Novvember 16th, 1941 at Sibyl's home in Rexburg, Idaho. He is buried in the Mendon, Utah cemetery.