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Right-click [Mac Control-click] to open full-size image:
Hans Joseph Nielson
Ida Evelyn Lyman
Hans Joseph & Ida's home appears in background of 1908 Charles Goodman photo
Hans Joseph Nielson
Born: 24 January 1860 at Parowan, Iron, Utah, USA
Parents: Jens Nielson and Kirsten Pedersen
Married: Ida Evelyn Lyman, 30 Nov 1881
Died: 24 Dec 1903 at Bluff, San Juan, Utah, USA
LIFE SKETCH OF HANS JOSEPH NIELSON
A first-person narrative written by Judy Lyman and contributed to FamilySearch by: lisatate1 24 October 2016
My family and friends called me Joe. I was born in Parowan, Utah to Jens and Kirsten Nielson.
When I was nineteen years of age I went with the first scouting group to San Juan. A few months later I
went with the pioneer company through the Hole in the Rock. I learned young how to wrangle a team of two,
four or six horses. I knew all about horses in the harness or under the saddle, how to hunt, to chase and
herd stock on the range. My people said I was fearless and forthright in my demands of what I took to be
right. I did have a fiery temper and was always a force to be reckoned with in the important affairs of making
the San Juan Mission a success.
Two years after settling in Bluff I married Ida Evelyn Lyman and we became parents to nine children. I
worked as a freighter between Bluff and Durango. I also farmed at Bluff and ran sheep in the Blue Mountain
vicinity. Being that I was a cow puncher, I rode the range and worked with the Texas cattle outfits that came
into this country. The men I rode with were Texas cowboys and pretty tough characters. We had trouble with the
Indians. Sometimes I would ride all night to get away from the fights that would erupt. I had many narrow escapes.
I was 33 years of age when I was called to serve a two-year mission in the Northern States. I left my wife
and six children living in a small log cabin. After my mission my cattle and sheep increased greatly and I became
a well-to-do man and was able to build a beautiful two story home for my family.
Then the people of Bluff were released from their assignment of finding and settling Bluff
and were allowed to go where they desired to make their home, my father, Jens Nielson and I would
not leave, but stayed here in Bluff. I only lived eight years after my return from my mission. I was
stricken with pneumonia and died on Christmas Eve. My body was buried on the hill on Christmas Day.
I was just 43 years old.
Sources:
Hans Joseph Nielson, memories, FamilySearch
Right-click [Mac Control-click] to open full-size image:
Hans Joseph Nielson
Ida Evelyn Lyman
Hans Joseph & Ida's home appears in background of 1908 Charles Goodman photo