*Orin Kelsey and Emeretta Amanda Angell*

History of Joseph Smith Woolsey and Maren Nielsen

Joseph Smith Woolsey
Born: 8 May 1844 at Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA
Parents: James Hopkins Woolsey and Lovina Patterson
Married: 22 October 1864 at Providence, Cache, Utah, USA
Died: 1 May 1922 at Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, USA
Mary (Maren) Nielsen
Born: 17 March 1845 at Slots Bjergby, Sorø, Denmark
Parents: Niels Larsen and Karen Christensdatter
Died: 30 August 1910 at Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, USA

LIFE SKETCH OF JOSEPH SMITH WOOLSEY AND MARY (MAREN) NIELSEN (LARSEN)
Joseph Smith Woolsey was born May 8, at Nauvoo, Ill., the son of James Woolsey and Lovina Patterson. He crossed the plains to Utah as a child along with other Mormon emigrants in 1849.

In 1864 he married Mary Nielsen at Providence, Utah. Mary was a convert to Mormonism having sailed from Denmark in 1860. The young couple moved frequently, living at Beaver Dam, southwest of Santa Clara, Utah, West Point (part of the Muddy Mission), Nevada, and, when West Point was abandoned in 1871 it was on to Joseph's mother's home at Pine Valley, Utah. Mary was threatened by Indians at Pine Valley while the men were away, and bravely stood up to one 'brave' choking him senseless after he struck her young son. Ridiculed by his companions, the Indian rode off but did not return. By 1873 the Woolseys were in Panguitch, Utah, where they remained for about four years. They grew restless again, and moved to Escalante.

Early in 1879, Mary gave birth to their sixth child. When this son was eight months old Joseph left his family and accompanied the seventy families who were headed east to San Juan. He worked with them as they chiseled a road through the famous Hole—in—the—Rock on the Colorado River to colonize the San Juan River Basin in southeastern Utah. He returned to Escalante shortly after the group reached their new home at Bluff.

On June 8, 1880, he and his family are listed there in the census. At least one company followed the original trail to Bluff in 1880 and another in 1881, among whom was the family of Joseph Woolsey. (The Woolsey family cabin is shown on the map of Bluff Fort drawn from memory years later.) They made camp late one night at what is known as Hole-in-the-Rock . The next morning, bright and early, they were up and ready to go. Mary started to climb up into the seat of the wagon, at that moment the horses became startled and they jerked the wagon forward throwing Mary from the wagon and the wheel of the heavily laden vehicle ran over her, before it could be stopped. This was just before her seventh child was born. They had to camp there for many days and Mary tossed in delirium and pain. Mrs. Laura Mae Barney, who they had known in Pine Valley and with whom they were traveling, stayed beside Mary night and day and kept the small flickering flame of life going. After many anxious days, Mary was soon able to travel and again they took the trail. The child, a daughter, was born at Bluff 3 September 1883.

Two years later (1885) the Woolsey’s traveled again with Laura Barney by covered wagon from Bluff, Utah, Luna, New Mexico, Safford, Arizona, and finally settled at Thatcher.

Joseph was a wheelwright by trade, but also a good builder and preferred farming to cattle raising. In 1902, he homesteaded land at Lebanon, Arizona and built a home and farmed there until his death.

The Woolsey’s had seven children: Joseph Henry, Mary Elva, Lovina, James Ira, Lars Walter, William Arthur and Laura May. Most of the children lived in the Safford area for many years. (Mary Elva Lived in Luna New Mexico and is buried there) Joseph’s wife, Mary, died Aug. 30, 1910, and Joseph, April 30, 1922. Both are buried in the Thatcher Cemetery. Submitted by Norman Woolsey

Sources:
1 JOSEPH SMITH WOOLSEY from —Mt Graham Profiles, Vol I Published in 1978
2 1880 Census, Escalante, Iron County, Utah, page 3
3 Maren Nielsen Story at FamilySearch
4 History of Moapa Valley, and Muddy Mission