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Lars and Mette Jensen
Lars and Mette Jensen Family
Lars Peter Jensen
Born: 28 March 1844 at Sæby, Løve, Holbæk, DenmarkMette Cathrine Jensen
Born: 23 November 1848 at Rådved, Hansted, Skanderborg, DenmarkTHE HISTORY OF LARS PETER AND METTE CATHRINE JENSEN (As told to Shirley Jensen, a granddaughter, by Anna Jensen Baker, a daughter)
Lars Peter Jensen was born March 28, 1844, in Soby, Denmark. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints January 11, 1866. He filled a mission in Denmark under President Knud Peterson. When he was about to be drafted into the Army of the King, President Peterson released him and advised him to go to America. In 1868 he crossed the ocean in a sailing boat and came to America. They were six weeks crossing. After he arrived he made his way to Draper, Utah because he had relatives there; his sister Caroline and her husband Niels Boberg had arrived earlier, in the summer of 1866. He worked for Bishop Allen Jackson for about two years. Those two years were difficult for him while he was learning the English language.
At this time his sweetheart, Mette Cathrine Jensen, whom he had left in Denmark, arrived in the United States with her parents in the spring of 1870. They were the last ones of their family to come to America. Lars and Mette were married January 22, 1870 in the Salt Lake City Endowment House. They went to Parowan, Iron County to make their home. Through the next ten years, they acquired a nice brick home, a good farm and many fine animals. Five lovely children had blessed their home. They were - Anna Kathrine, born November 11, 1871; Peter Oliver, born June 3, 1873; Parley Andrew, who was born October 10, 1875 and who died in April 1877; Caroline Mary Ann was born February 4, 1878; and Orson Parley on October 10, 1879.
In the spring of 1881 they were called on a mission to go down into southern Utah and help settle San Juan County. They gave up their home, farm, and cattle and with a good wagon and fine team of horses they left with their four children for San Juan on April 30, 1881. They and the others in the company had to build the road as they went along. They had to cross the Escalante River 27 times. Upon reaching the Colorado River, they met a Mr. Hall at Hole in the Rock crossing [original states "Lee’s Ferry'] who was to ferry them across on a big flat boat. Each wagon and team of horses were driven, one family at a time, onto the boat and taken across. When the first outfit reached the other side, one of the horses fell off the boat and nearly drowned. Fearing an accident with the families, they took all the wagons and horses over first and then the women and children.
As they continued on their journey, they were making their road along a hill that was sand rock and the horses were not sure of their footing and were afraid. Lars Peter’s wagon, with the entire family in it, tipped over, almost falling into a very deep gulch. A small pine tree saved them from what would surely have been death to the family and horses.
They arrived at Bluff City (a name only - there was no city there) on June 1, 1881. This is where they remained while filling their mission. They lived in a fort. The houses had no floors and they had to carry water from the two wells - one at each end of the fort. They had to travel to Durango, Colorado for provisions. The indians however, were peaceful and caused them no trouble on these trips. Indians often visited the fort and a room was built for them to stay in while they were there. The Navajos were the most frequent visitors and they were friendly and did no harm but Grandmother was very much afraid of them. There were many hardships and much suffering. Grandmother’s parents were quite well-to-do in Denmark and she was not used to such hardships but she was very brave and courageous and bore up well and did not complain. She, like Lars, was very religious and believed strongly in the Gospel and had faith they would be taken care of and would return to their home in safety. They stood by each other through all their trials.
Two more children were born to them while in Bluff City. They were John William, born October 16, 1881 and Alfred Oscar, born November 27, 1883. When they were released from their mission after three and one-half years, they had six children, an old worn-out wagon and two tired old horses - and each other.
They didn’t return to Parowan but instead traveled to Richfield, Sevier County, Utah. They had to take a different route and the trip to Richfield was a hard one. They ferried across the Green and Grand (Colorado) Rivers. When crossing the Grand River they had to take the wagons apart and take them across a few parts at a time in a small row boat. They arrived in Richfield in the fall of 1884. They were very poor and weary but grateful their lives had been spared. The people of Richfield were very good to them, giving food and shelter until they could provide for themselves.
They acquired a lot (a quarter of a block) on Third South and First West where they built a log house with three rooms. Also, Grandfather homesteaded a farm on the west bench and pasture land southeast of town, where, when water was plentiful, they harvested wild hay which they fed to their horses.
Lars Peter had not seen his parents since he left Denmark. They did come to America but his father died in Draper soon after they arrived. As soon as he was able, Grandfather went to Salt Lake City to find his mother. It had been twenty years since they had seen each other. That was a very happy reunion for mother and son and all of the family.
There were four more children born to them after they moved to Richfield. They were - Delbert Marion, born February 3, 1886. He lived to the age of sixteen and died in 1902. Lester Edgar, born June 3, 1888, passed away 1891 at age three. Hortense Margaret was born April 25, 1891. Harvey Richard was born on May 20, 1894 when his mother was 45 years old.
In a few years Mette and Lars Peter built a nice brick house on the corner of their lot. They continued to be active in the church and at the time of his death Grandfather was a High Priest. He was also very active in civic affairs. He was the Water Superintendent on the Sevier Valley Canal for many years. He served on the City Council and was responsible for laying the first cement sidewalks in Richfield. He helped plan and lay out the cemetery and was responsible for the planting of the trees. He lived a full and active life as husband, father, and neighbor and was greatly respected by all who knew him. He passed away on March 29, 1911 in Richfield, Utah.
Mette was a kind gentle mother who spent her life in the service of her God, her church, and her family. All who knew her loved and respected her. She went through life never complaining about her hardships but only doing good. She was born in Raadved, Skanderborg, Denmark, on November, 23, 1848 and passed away on April 11, 1915 in Richfield, Utah.
Right-click [Mac Control-click] to open full-size image:
Lars and Mette Jensen
Lars and Mette Jensen Family