Preston, Nevada     September 14, 1912

A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING, given to Mary Luana Terry Lauritzen, born April 2, 1880.  Daughter of Mary Elizabeth Baker and Wm. A. Terry, given by Patriach Levi J. Taylor.

Sister Mary, I lay my hands upon thy heah [sic] and confer upon you a Patriarchal blessing.  The Lord has blessed you with pure and good parentage and a faithful and devoted husband.  Thy leanage [sic] is that of Joseph who was sold by his brethren into bondage.  And the eyes of the Lord hath been upon thee from thy birth.  And thou hast a great wotk [sic] to perform in the earth.  Thou has been chosen to become the mother of many of the choice spirits held in reserve to come forth in this day and age of the world and the Lord will bless thee with wisdom and make thee equal to the many responsibilities required of thee.  And thy influence shall be for good in thy household and among all with whom thou art associated.

The Lord will give unto thee faith and in thy ministrations to thy children and to thy sect the goodness and mercies and power of God shall be made manifest.  And many shall receive comfort and blessings through thy ministrations.  Thy posterity shall become very numerous in the earth and shall hold many positions of responsibility and help bear off triumphantly the Kingdom of God in the earth.  I seal upon thee the blessings of health and of strength and of long life.

Yea and thou shalt live as long as life shall be desireable.  [sic]  Thou shalt witness many trying scenes and see the establishment of the Kingdom of God in power in the earth.  And wickedness overthrown and the Melinium [sic] ushered in.  I seal upon thee the blessings of eternal life to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection.  And I do it by the authority of the Priesthood I hold and in the name

of Jesus Christ.  Amen.                              Recorded ihn [sic] Book "A"

!"BIOGRAPHY OF THE JENSEN-LAURITZEN FAMILIES WHO EMIGRATED TO UTAH IN THE YEARS 1862 AND 1864" (Accn 537)

INVENTORY

J. Willard Marriott Library, Manuscripts Division <../spcmss.html>
University of Utah

You are the person to visit this page since October 4, 1997.

This inventory was prepared by Dorothy Mortensen in July 1997.

The Jensen-Lauritzen families' emigration from Denmark to Moroni, Utah, is told in a carbon-copy, six-page typescript, entitled, "Biography of the Jensen-Lauritzen Families Who Emigrated to Utah in the Years 1862 and 1864." Peter Jensen, his wife Kyirsten Anderson Jensen, and seven children left Farre, Denmark, in April of 1862. After a nine-week Atlantic crossing by sailing ship, they arrived in New York. They went to St. Louis, then to Omaha, from where they started across the plains, making most of the trip on foot. They arrived in Salt Lake City on September 29, and went on to Moroni, Utah, that fall. Lauritz Lauritzen, his wife Marie Petersen Lauritzen, and seven children left Norris Nodem, Denmark, in the spring of 1864. The family arrived in Salt Lake City in September. During the arduous ocean and plains crossings, three children died of communicable diseases. A fourth died shortly after arrival in Moroni. Both families experienced the usual hardships of pioneering life and were united by marriage. Andreas Jensen married the oldest daughter of Marie Lauritzen, and Peter Lauritzen married Caroline Jensen, to whom were born ten children. Peter served a mission to Minnesota in 1869, served as superintendent of the Sunday Schools, and in 1885 was elected mayor of Moroni. He died October 3, 1890, from injuries suffered from an attack by a bull. Caroline supported the family on her 40-acre farm. Her last child was born shortly after her husband's death. She died at age eighty-four on February 5, 1936. This item was received by the library ca. 1979. Size: 1 folder.

Bx 1

Fd 1 - "Biography of the Jensen-Lauritsen Families Who Emigrated to Utah in the Years 1862 and 1864"

Time Line:

1850- Peder Laursen born in Hedegaard, Sjstrup, Skanderborg, Denmark

1852- Caroline Christine Jensen born in Farre, Aarhus, Denmark

1869- Peder and Caroline md. in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1870- Maria Lauritzen born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1873- Peter born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1875- Dorthea Christina born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1878- Lewis Edward born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1879- Peter went on mission to Minnesota and returned 1881

1880- Lizette Martine born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1882- James Orson born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1884- John Irvin born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1886- Andrew Elmer born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1888- Peter appointed Superindent of Sunday School until apr 1890

1889- Royal Wilford born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

Maria md. Frantz Peter Jensen Smith in Manti, Sanpete Co., Utah

Peter presided over 4th Quorum of Deacons

1890- Caroline Margreatha born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

Peter was appointed City Councilor in Oct., died 3 days later.

1901- Peter md. Mary Loanna Terry in Manti, Sanpete Co., Utah

James Orson md. Marilda Terry in Manti, Sanpete Co., Utah

1903- Lizette Martina md. Thomss Alma Bailey in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1904- Lewis Edward md. Hattie May Walker in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1907- James Orson died in McGill, White Pine Co., Nevada

1912- Royal Wilford md. Dorothea Loretta Williamson

1913- Andrew Elmer md. Elizabeth Marie Margretha Jacobsen in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1925- John Irvin md. Edna Stephenson in Washington D. C.

1928- Caroline Margreatha md. Harlin Hicks

1936- Caroline Christine Jensen Lauritzen died in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1947- Caroline Margreatha died

1948- Maria Lauritzen died in Salt Lake City, bur. Redmond, Sevier Co., Utah

1951- John Irvin died in Riverside, Riverside Co., California

1953- Dorthea Christina died in Redmond, Sevier Co., Utah

1960- Lizette Martina died in Hyrum, Cache Co., Utah, Bur.in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

1962- Peter died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1970- Royal Wilford died

1975- Lewis Edward died in Logan, Cache Co., Utah

1982- Andrew Elmer died in Hyrum, Cache Co., Utah

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History, "They settled in Moroni where they bought a farm and built a home. When I was young it was my pleasure to travel to Moroni with my parents and visit with my Grandmother on many occasions. I am not sure but think that the home Grandmother Caroline was living is at that time was the same home she and Grandfather, Peter, built after their marriage in 1869. On a recent trip through Moroni, Lois and I stopped and took pictures of the old house. It is still in fairly good condition and is currently lived in by some family. At the rear of this home is the barnyard where Peter Lauritzen was killed.

This was a very productive union and 10 children were born to this family. It was my privilege to know all of them with the exception of James Orson. He died in an accident on a cattle ranch near Ely, Nevada in 1907. My Mother, Dorthea, was the third child in this family of four girls and six boys.

This marriage marked the beginning of a beautiful story of love, hardship, sacrifice, tragedy, sorrow and joy. To have known Grandmother Lauritzen and shared her great spirit has always been very special to me. And as I study and learn more about the lives of all these great people I feel a close kinship to them and would hope that all their descendants might learn about them and appreciate the great heritage they left us."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Lauritzen, (Dad's Father) born Apr 1850 Nare Snederiel Ampt. Denmark. Married 20 Sep 1869. Mission to Minnesota 22 Dec 1879. returned 23 Jan 1881, Supt of Sunday Schol 1888 to 13 Apr 1890.

(Photo album notation)

  Time Line:

1873-C- Peter Lauritzen born in Moroni, Sanpete Co., Utah

Maggie Williams bornin Capcork, Glenn, Wales

1880- Mary Loanna Terry born in St. George, Washington Co., Utah

1896- Peter md. Maggie Williams

1899-C- Peter divorced Maggie Williams

1900- Went to Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada looking for work with brother Orson.

1901-C- Peter md. Mary Loanna Terry in Manti, Sanpete Co., Utah

1902-C- Laurits Eldon born and died in Lund, White Pine Co., Nevada

1903-C- Eva Loanna born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1905- Zelma born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1906-C- Hazel born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1908-C- Olive born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1910 Census, Preston, White Pine, Nevada

1910-C- Edna Ina born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1912-C- Mary Caroline born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1914-C- Wilson Peter born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1916- Verna Enomia born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1918-C- Orson William born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1920- Moved to Metropolis, Elko Co., Nevada

1921- Vaughn Kent born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

1923- Verda Mae born in Preston, White Pine Co., Nevada.

Eva Loanna md. Raymond Hyde in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1929- Mary Caroline md. Joe Hartman Miller in Union, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1932- Zelma md. Alden Claire Glines in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1933- Wilson Peter md. Ann Seenson in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1934- Olive md. John Patrick Monahan in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Edna Ina md. Forace George Green in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Hazel md. Ralph William Price in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Hazel died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1937- Verna Enomia md. Angelo Caesar Prina in

1939- Mary Loanna Terry Lauritzen died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Peter Lauritzen md. Viola Morris.

1941- Verda Mae md. Gordon Alvin Despain in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1944- Orson William md. Shirley Elma Rhodes in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1951- Vaughn Kent md. Lona Mae Hyde in Kensington, Washington D C

1962- Peter Lauritzen died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1972- Eva Loanna died in West Covina, Los Angeles, California

1974- Zelma died in Hillsboro, Oregon

1982- Vaughn Kent died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

1985- Edna Ina died in Kanab, Utah

Wilson Peter died in

1993- Olive died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Mary Caroline died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

　
Peter Lauritzen - born:  13 Mar 1873
Grandpa Lauritzen never ever swore. He used to saddle break horses for people and one time, he was trying to break a horse that proved to be very difficult and stubborn. Time after time, Grandpa would almost get the horse saddled, only to have it break away from him. Finally, after much effort and frustration, Grandpa succeeded in getting the horse saddled. He then turned to the horse and said, "You big nut!" That was as bad as the language got. (submitted by Eomia Prina)

One time the family had gone on an outing up in a canyon and Grandpa spied an unusual looking bug. He tried to catch it, but each time he got a little close, the bug would jump ahead of him. Eva saw him and joined in the chase and soon all the children were involved, but the bug continued to be one step ahead of all of them. this went on for some time. Finally they caught the "bug" - it turned out to be a feather. (told by Valoie Carter)

October 7, 1998 - The Pyramid - Page Three

Orson Lauritzen feted by family on 80th birthday

Mt. Pleasant -- Orson W. Lauritzen celebrated his 80th birthday with a luncheon for all his children and grandchildren. There were 30 people in attendance.

He was born in Preston, Nevada, but moved to Salt Lake as a young child. He attended schools in the Fort Union area of the Salt Lake Valley and graduated from Jordan High School in Sandy.

He was working at Lockheed Aircraft in Southern California when he received an LDS mission call to the Southern States, where he served from 1941 to 1943.

After his mission, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served on the transport Comet carrying new troops to the South Pacific during the war, and bringing back troops who had been relieved of duty.

After the war, he went to work at a Public Accounting firm in El Monte, California, and attended UCLA at night on the GI bill.

Following his studies there, he passed the Certified Public Accountant exam and was licensed to practice in California and Utah. He still maintains an accounting practice.

On Oct. 30, 1944, he married Shirley Rhoades in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They have 11 children, one son died at age 19, 36 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He has enjoyed playing basketball and hiking, and repelled down a cliff in Colorado at age 79.

　

He family lived 22 years in Hacienda Heights, CA, where he served as an LDS bishop's counselor twice, was on the stake high council and patriarch at age 45.

When the early morning seminary program was introduced in CA, he was chosen as a teacher and arose every morning at 5:30 a.m. for 14 and a half years to teach.

Orson is exceptionally well-read and has a reputation as an excellent teacher and scriptorian. The family moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1968.

Currently, he serves as patgriarch in the Mt. Pleasant LDS North Stake, and has been an ordinance worker at the Manti LDS Temple for the past seven years.

---

Laurs Lauritzen/Marie Pedersen Family

Laurs Lauritzen was born on 13 September 1816, the son of Lauritz Hansen and Ane Marie Pedersen at Westerlund, Vester, Vejle, Denmark.  His wife, Marie Pedersen, was born 23 November 1823, the daughter of Peder Christiansen and Karen Sorensen at Store Thorlund, Ejstrup, Skanderborn, Denmark.  Laurs received his early education in his native town and later became a school teacher there.  He held this position for a number of years.

On 1 May 1847, he married Marie in Ejstrup; he was 32 and she was 23.  Soon afterwards, he gave up his position to become a farmer.  When they had their first child, Marie, 18 May 1848, they were living in Jedegaard, Ejstrup.  Sometime between 1850 and 1853, they moved from Hedegaard to Gretterup, Noore Snede.  Here they lived for approximately ten years and raised a family of seven:  Marie, Peder, Laurs, Jens, Karen, Soren and Hans Johan. 

In 1862, after investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for seven years, the family was baptized.  In 1864, they sold their home and farm and emigrated to the United States.

Lauritz Lauritzen

Born 18 September 1916 in Varterlund, Jutland, Denmark

Came to Utah in 1864 in Bishop Preston’s Company

Written by Urvin Gee and submitted by Serena J. Nielson

Edited by Kelly Lauritzen

Lauritz Lauritzen, son of Lauritz Hansen and Abelone Jensen Hansen, was born 15 September 1816 in Varterlund, Denmark, and his wife, Maria Peterson Lauritzen was born 23 November 1823 in Stortlund, Denmark.  He received his early education in his native town and later became a school teacher in the same place, which position he held for a number of years.  When he was thirty-two years old, he married Maria Peterson, and soon after gave up his position as teacher and became a farmer.

In the year 1855, he was visited by Mormon missionaries.  They were Hans Peter Olsen and Jens Jensen, the former of Fountain Green, Utah.  Their oldest child, Maria was then six years of age.  She took a great liking to the missionaries and they often asked her if she would go with them to Zion.  Lauritz Lauritzen investigated Mormonism for seven years before accepting it.  When in the presence of the missionaries he would argue against them, but among his friends and neighbors he would defend and explain the gospel.  During this time he and his wife were very kind to the missionaries; keeping an open house for them at all times.

In 1862, the Lauritzens accepted the gospel and in 1864 they sold their home and farm and emigrated to Utah.  He also furnished the necessary money for six other people to emigrate.  They left their home in Denmark on 6 April 1864.  On their trip from the mainland to Copenhagen, they encountered very stormy weather.  The waves dashed over the boat and made things wet and disagreeable and the whole company was seasick.  The boatmen were very provoked at the Mormon missionaries for being the cause of a woman with seven little children being in such a plight. 

On arriving in Copenhagen they were unable to find lodgings the first night and were forced to pass the first night there in the streets.  Five days later they resumed their journey by rail through Germany.  The set sail from Hamburg, crossed the North Sea and landed in England at Grimsby.  The emigrants camped in a large barn.  After crossing England to Liverpool, they were again delayed on account of the ship’s crew being short some sailors.  The crossed the Atlantic on the shi8p “Monarch of the Seas: and landed in New York.  Patriarch John Smith was captain of the company while crossing the ocean.  There were eleven hundred on board the ship and much sickness prevailed.  Lauritz and Maria lost a little boy, Soren, who was only four years, to measles.  He was buried at sea.

(Monarch of the Sea

Ship: 1979 tons: 223' x 44' x 24' 
Built: 1854 by Roosevelt Coyce & Co. at New York City, New York

Of the Mormon companies crossing the water under sail, the two largest were transported over the Atlantic in the largest sailing ship used by the Saints-the Monarch of the Sea. According to one of these passengers, she was "an excellent vessel, large, roomy, new and clean." The 1929 Mormons in the two companies were an assembly of nations, coming from England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, and Switzerland. The first company, consisting of 955 Saints, sailed from Liverpool on 16 May 1861. Elder Jabez Woodard presided over the passengers, which included some returning missionaries. His counselors were Elders Hans O. Hansen and Niels Wilhelmsen. Captain William R. Gardner of Providence, Rhode Island, commanded the ship. An experienced mariner, he apparently was master of the 934-ton ship Huguenot in 1849 for the New Line. During the passage the Saints were organized into eleven wards and lived together harmoniously. There were eleven weddings, nine deaths, and four births on shipboard. After thirty-four days at sea the Monarch of the Sea dropped anchor on 19 June at New York.

The second company, totaling 974 Saints, sailed from Liverpool on 28 April 1864. Elder John Smith, patriarch to the church, was in charge of the emigrants. His counselors were Elders John D. Chase, Johan P. R. Johansen, and Parley P. Pratt, Jr. Master of the packet was Captain Robert Kirkaldy. This company also represented many nations, particularly Scandinavia. Although the voyage of thirty-six days was quite pleasant, the death toll was unusually high-forty-five according to George Q. Cannon and forty-one according to the passenger list. Most of those who died were apparently children. The ship arrived at New York on 3 June.

A big three-decker, this clipper ship was exceptionally strong and fast and operated in the Washington Line out of New York. Built with the usual three masts, a round stern, and billethead, she was owned by Captain William R. Gardner and other businessmen. After more than a quarter of a century in service the Monarch of the Sea was reported lost in 1880. )

On landing in America the emigrants were unable to take the most direct route on account of the Civil War, which was in progress.  Part of the way was traveled by rail and part by river steam boat.  Their accommodations were often of the poorest kind.  They had many delays and had to travel part of the time in cattle cars.  They were at times so close to the fighting they could hear the booming of the cannon.

On arriving at Omaha, Nebraska, they were again delayed again for six weeks waiting for church teams to take them across the plains.  While they waited, the Lauritzens lived in a rude hut built out of oak brush.  They crossed the plains and came to Salt Lake City in Bishop Preston’s company.  The children had whooping cough while crossing the plains and one day while they were camping for noon, Maria Lauritzen sat on the wagon tongue nursing her sixteen month old baby, Hans Johan, when it took a spell of coughing and choking, from which it died.  A grave was hastily dug, hurried funeral services were held, and in less than two hours the company was on their way again, leaving one more grave to mark the path of toil and sorrow to the land of promise.

The journey across the plains and mountains took ten weeks.  Maria Lauritzen walked more than two-thirds of the way.  The family waited in Salt Lake City three weeks for teams from Sanpete to come in from the journey over so that they might come with them to Moroni.  On the day the Sanpete teams arrived in Salt Lake City, another child of the Lauritzens, a boy of eight, Jens, died of dysentery.  The father was unable to see to the funeral as he had to find the Sanpete teamsters and make arrangements to travel with them.  Maria alone followed the body to the cemetery, where it was immediately taken after death, and then hastily gathering up her remaining children and their scanty belongings set out for Sanpete.

They arrived in Moroni in October.  Their journey from their home in Denmark took six months.  To pay for the transportation from Omaha to Utah, Lauritz and his two sons and a son-in-law freighted tithing wheat from Moroni to Salt Lake City, each journey taking two weeks.  The new emigrants were well treated by the people of Moroni when they got there, and they were fortunate in buying a home from a family that was leaving Moroni because they had been called to go and establish a settlement in Sevier Valley.

After arriving in Utah, Lauritz took a second wife, Matilda, a Swedish emigrant by which he raised two children.  After arriving in Moroni, his first wife bore him another child, Sina.  At present writing, 9 March 1924, the oldest child Maria and the youngest, Sina alone survive them.  Brother and Sister Lauritze were faithful and energetic Saints and died in full faith and fellowship in the church.  Brother Lauritzen served for many years as a ward teacher and held other positions in the church.

The family passed through all the trials incident to the Indian Wars, grasshopper visitations, and pioneer struggles.  Brother Lauritzen died in Moroni 11 February 1896 and Maria Lauritzen passed away at the home of her daughter Maria at Jerusalem, Sanpete County, 15 October 1899.  Both are buried in the Moroni Cemetery.

This is  a true story published that happened to my Dad in World War II as related by the Prophet Spencer W. Kimball.  (related by Lita Lauritzen Burton)

                                                                               Priesthood Power

"Priesthood nor its power knows the limitations of national boundaries.  This was demonstrated many times in the conflict known as World War II.  This is the story from the lips of Wilson P. Lauritzen:

We were fighting in the 'Battle of the Bulge' near the town of Ammonius, Belgium.  By that time the Germans were on the defensive.  We had just succeeded in cutting off or surrounding a sector of the German line.  They were surrendering in large numbers.  As we were disarming the soldiers, one of them said to me in broken English:  'Would you know if there are any Mormon soldiers in your unit?'  I replied, 'Yes, I am a Mormon.'  He asked, 'Do you hold the Priesthood?'  'Yes, I do,' I answered.  'I was married in the temple.'  'Would you be so kind as to come with me to that shell hole over there and administer to my buddy?  He is pretty well shaken up, and pretty badly wounded.'  Of course I consented to go.  We found that his buddy was in a bad condition and was suffering much pain.  Then the two of us, who a few short hours before had been on opposite sides in the bitter struggle, knelt down and administered to the wounded lad.  And as we did so, I felt the spirit of the Lord very strongly.  I know that that feeling was shared by them, too.  As we finished, the litter-bearers were there.  We lifted the broken body to the stretcher.  Then our ways parted:  the wounded boy was taken to the hospital; the German solder was sent back with other prisoners, and I went on with my other duties."
By Spencer W. Kimball
Story Teller's Scrapbook
Compiled by Albert L. Zobell