| Notater |
- Emigrated to America
- LDSEP: Bornholm (Island) LDSEP: Bornholm Branch
Jeppe Bentsen & Maren Kirstine Hansdatter Kofoed (1851-1852)
[Submitted by Jens Peter Benson Family Organization, Carol Milligan (president), P.O. Box 56, Newton, UT 84327]
THE BENTSEN FAMILY(1)
Danmark (Denmark) is a small country made up of a number of islands. The island of Bornholm where Jeppe Bentsen (Yeppa Benson) was born is a small, rocky island far to the east of Danmark proper. His wife Maren Kirstine Hansdatter Kofoed was also born in Bornholm. They lived in a small village and had a family of eleven children, five died as children:
1. Bendithe Ipsdattter b 7 Jan 1833; d 16 Mar 1833 Aaker, Bornholm.
2. Martha Kirstine Ibsdatter (Bensen) b 19 Jan 1837 Aaker, Bornholm; d 1 Oct 1878 Newton, Cache, Utah.
3. Karen Kirstine Ipsdatter b 20 Mar 1820; d 2 Apr 1821 Aaker, Bornholm.
4. Karen Kirstine Ibsdatter (Bensen) b 21 Mar 1828 Aaker, Bornholm; d 11 Mar 1863 Rexburg, Fremont, Idaho.
5. Hans Koffed Ibsen (Bensen) b 30 Mar 1822 Aaker, Bornholm; d 1887.
6. Jeppe Peter Ibsen b 29 May 1829; d 16 Apr 1830 Aaker, Bornholm.
7. (Jens) Jeppe Peter Ibsen (Bensen) b 26 Apr 1831 Aaker, Bornholm; d 21 Jun 1898 Newton, Cache, Utah.
8. Jacob Ibsen b 29 Apr 1834; d 3 May 1835 Aaker, Bornholm.
9. Christina Ibsdatter (Bensen) b 11 Jun 1826 Aaker, Bornholm; d 28 Dec 1909 Lehi, Utah.
10. Anna Margrethe Ibsdatter b 6 Jul 1827; d 10 May 1835 Aaker, Bornholm.
11. Christian Peter Ibsen (Bensen) b 21 Sep 1838 Aaker, Bornholm; d 1 Oct 1878.
Their daughter M. Christine Ibsen (Benson) went to Copenhagen to learn dress making and tailoring, accompanied by her elder sister Karen Kirstine Ibsen (Benson), most likely to learn the same trade.
When Apostle Erastus Snow, leader of the Scandinavian mission, arrived in Copenhagen 4 June 1850, accompanied by George P. Dykes and John E. Forsgren, they were among those who heard their testimonies and believed that they were men sent of God. The first converts were baptized 12 August 1850.
Christine received a testimony, and was baptized 24 August, 1850,(2) by Elder George P. Dykes. Karen was baptized on 25 October 1850.(3) They were very faithful members and assisted the Elders in their missionary work. In the summer of 1851, they were called by Elder Erastus Snow to accompany the Elders and act as interpreters. They were anxious for the family to hear the message, so when Bro. Andreas Agren was called to go to Bornholm in 1851, he was:
"...accompanied by two native sisters, the Benson's, who were active in the Copenhagen branch. The sisters sincerely bore their testimonies and their lives were consistent with what they spoke, and five persons were soon baptized by Bro. Agren as the first converts on Bornholm." (4)
The sisters not only accompanied them to their hometown, but also took them to their parents' home. Here the missionaries were made welcome and established their headquarters in this humble home.
On 10 July 1851, their mother, Maren, their brother Jens Peter Ipsen (Benson), and Jens Nielsen, who was to become Karen's husband, were all baptized.(5) In a short time her father, Jeppe, 11 November 1851,(6) and Martha Kjerstine Ipsdatter (Benson), 15 February 1852,(7) joined the church. There is no information to indicate whether their brothers Christian Peter Ipsen (Benson) and Hans Kofoed (Benson) ever embraced the gospel.
Many of the new members became very earnest in their desires to emigrate to Zion and the Church responded. Arrangements were made for a large company of converts to leave for America by the latter part of December of 1852, and nearly three hundred persons living in the Scandinavian countries were ready to say goodbye to their native land. Elder John E. Forsgren was placed in charge of this large company of emigrating saints.
Soon after joining the church the family home burned to the ground, no doubt hastening the decision to cast their lot with the Saints in America. In December 1852, Jeppe and his wife and three children, Jens Peter, Martha and Christine, left Bornholm aboard the paddle-wheel steamship "Obotrit" heading for Copenhagen to join this first large company of Saints bound for Utah.
"A crowd of onlookers gathered at the wharf in Copenhagen to witness the departure of 293 Mormons, including children, on the small steamer "Obotrit." It was 20 December 1852. These emigrants were in charge of Elder John E. Forsgren, one of the missionaries who came with
Apostle Erastus Snow to introduce Mormonism into Scandinavia. The rabble on the dock jeered and cursed the Saints for following "that Swedish Mormon Priest" Forsgren to America.. The vessel sailed away from the custom house at four o'clock in the afternoon. After a stormy passage and much discomfort in cramped quarters, the emigrants arrived safely on the evening of 22 December at Kiel. They traveled on by rail to Hamburg and then took the steamship 'Lion' to Hull, England."(8)
During their short stay in Hamburg, Jeppe encountered a dog that bit him severely on the leg. on Christmas morning they boarded the steamship "Lion" bound for Hull, England. After encountering a furious storm on the North Sea, the "Lion" arrived in Hull, England, 28 December 1852. From Hull, the emigrating saints took the train to Liverpool, where they arrived 29 December 1852.
"A severe storm was raging on the North Sea, a storm which claimed about 150 ships, and the people of Hull were greatly surprised when the 'Lion' appeared on the Horizon.
"After a train ride to Liverpool, England the emigrating Saints went aboard the packet ship 'Forest Monarch', which was hauled out of the dock and anchored in the river Mersey on the last day of the year. Here the ship lay at anchor for two weeks awaiting favorable winds. One night the ship became entangled with another ship, and sustained some damage. A few days later, during a heavy storm, the 'Forest Monarch' got adrift, pulling up both anchors, and at just the right moment was saved by two tug boats from running aground. One emigrant had been bitten by a dog, and was counseled to return to shore and wait for the next company. So when sails were actually hoisted, 16 January 1853, the company under President Forsgren's direction numbered 297.
"The Atlantic crossing was tedious. The provisions were poor and the supply of fresh water inadequate to reach New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, where they arrived 6 March 1853. Four deaths and three births occurred."(9)
Several reports mention that Jeppe was excluded from the company at the time of boarding the "Forest Monarch." The passenger list of departures from Liverpool(10) and of arrivals at New Orleans(11) shows Jeppe Bensen, a 54-year old carpenter, to have been on board the "Forest Monarch" when it arrived from Liverpool on 19 March 1853. His wife, Maren, Christine and Martine (Martha) were also listed. Our position is that he recovered sufficiently during the two weeks the ship was moored in the harbor and river that he was able to rejoin the company. This is substantiated by the "Journal History of the Church" which shows that Jeppe, his wife Maren, and Christine, Jens Peter, and Martha crossed the plains in the John E. Forsgren Company.(12)
From New Orleans they went up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri where they stayed for about a month and then on to Keokuk, Iowa which was the outfitting station that year. There they secured supplies, wagons, and oxen for the journey. Most of the oxen had not been worked and few of the men had experience in driving teams. This resulted in many upset wagons in gullies and ditches. Finally, with 34 wagons and about 130 oxen, the company rolled out from the camping grounds near Keokuk, Iowa on 21 May 1853. There were a thousand miles of plains, hills and mountains to cross, rivers and streams to ford, blistering summer heat with wind storms and summer showers, hot days and cold nights, especially as they neared the Rocky Mountains. The wagon company was always on the alert for Indians. On 30 September 1853, nine months after leaving Denmark, they reached Salt Lake City, Utah.(13)
The parents, Jeppe and Maren, settled in Lehi, where Maren died about 1856. Their daughter Martha was working in Salt Lake and when she went to Lehi to visit her parents, found her mother dead and buried.
Christine was married to Mons Andersen, 3 July 1854, and lived in Salt Lake City until April 1858, when they moved to Lehi.
Martha Kjerstine married Jonathan Pugmire on 21 March 1856. She also married William Milton Bell on 9 April 1859.
Jens Peter's marriages are to be found in his history in Chapter 1 of this volume.
Karen Kirstine, and Karen's husband Jens Nielsen (James Nelson) and their baby daughter left Copenhagen on Monday 26 December 1853 aboard the steam ship "Eideren" bound for Utah, under the leadership of Hans Peter Olsen, a missionary from the valley, who had labored about 10 months on the island of Bornholm. Like the preceding company, these emigrants traveled by way of Kiel, Gluckstadt, and Hull to Liverpool, where they arrived 9 January 1854. Here they were compelled to wait nearly two weeks, during which time the greater portion of the children were attacked with fever, resulting in the death of twenty-two of the little ones. Two adults also died. On 22 January 1854, the emigrants went aboard the ship "Benjamin Adams," together with a few German Saints.
"The 'Benjamin Adams' sailed from Liverpool, England on the 28th with 384 Saints on board, arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on 22 March 1854 after a pleasant and prosperous voyage. Eight deaths occurred during the voyage, namely two very old people and six children; two children were born on board and nine couples were married. One March 25, 1854, the company continued the journey from New Orleans by the steamboat 'L.M. Kennett' and arrived in St. Louis, Missouri on April 3, 1854. During the passage up the river, considerable sickness prevailed and fourteen of the emigrants died."(14)
" In St. Louis, where an organized branch of the Church existed, the immigrants joined the former company which had crossed the Atlantic in the 'Jessie Munn' and H.P. Olsen became the leader of all. Under him, the survivors of both companies continued the journey by steamboat to Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri, which had been selected as the outfitting place for the Saints who crossed the plains that year. The Scandinavian immigrants made their encampment near Westport."(15)
"Of all the immigrating Saints of 1854, this large company of Scandinavians suffered most from the cholera epidemic. So great was the mortality rate from the fever, which struck the children in England, the deaths on board en route, the cholera, and the deaths of the march across the plains, that of the 680 persons who left Copenhagen in December 1853, about five hundred reached their destination, Salt Lake City, 5 October 1854."(16)
Karen and Jens' infant daughter was among those stricken with cholera. She died 13 April 1854 shortly after arriving in St. Louis.
Mette Kjerstine Marcusdatter (Ericksen), who would later become the wife of Jens Peter Ipsen Benson, was also in this company, along with her 7-year-old sister, Else Marie. Else, too, became a victim of the cholera epidemic, and died near Florence (Omaha), Nebraska.
Sometime later Jeppe married Christina Marie Aagensen who died in 1860. On 16 August 1862 he married Hanna Mathea Hansen (Hoffman) a convert from Norway(17), she had a daughter Henrietta. A son and a daughter were born to them in Lehi; Yeppa Jr. and Wilhelmina (Minnie). Next came a move to Weston, Idaho where Jeppe's first wife's relatives had settled, the Kofoeds. In the winter of 1871 Jeppe froze his feet, and died 1 January 1872 as a result, leaving his wife with two small children. The Benson family placed a marker at his grave in the Weston Cemetery a number of years ago.
Yeppa Jr. married Catherine Swivel, lived and reared their family in Weston where he served as Bishop for a number of years. Later they moved out to Weiser, Idaho. The daughter Wilhelmina, (Minnie) married Christian Lund, lived in Weston, died young and left a family of five small children. Henrietta married David Lapray, they too lived in Weston, she also died young leaving a family of small children.
FOOTNOTES
1. FAMILY NAMES
The names we have used for the family in this background history are those they used in Denmark. When they came to America they may have adopted new names.
For example, Jeppe's children gave up the patronymic surname and followed the American standard of retaining the father's surname. They all chose Bentsen then Benson as the family name.
Subsequent histories will use the "Americanized" forms.
Spelling of names is always a problem in family history work. We have adopted what we feel to be the most prevalent form of the various names
2. FHL film 0041940, item 1, p.13.
3. FHL film 0041940
4. Under the Midnight Sun, Albert L. Zobell, Jr., p. 25.
5. FHL film 0041939, item 4, p.2.
6. FHL film 0183404
7. FHL film 0041939, item 4, p. 3.
8. Ships, Saints, and Mariners, Conway B. Stone, Univ of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1987
9. Under the Midnight Sun, Albert L. Zobell, Jr., Chap. 11.
10. FHL film 0200173
11. Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports (FHL book 973 W2ger, vol. 4, p. 324, 325)
12. Journal History of the Church (FHL film 1259740)
13. FHL film 1259740
14. Detailed Emigration Account 1854, Seventieth Company, The Contributor, vol. 13, p. 508-509. (Logan, Utah Library)
15. Millennial Star, vol XVI, pp. 94, 256, 272, 297; also, Morgenstjernen, vol II, p. 53
16. Under the Midnight Sun, Albert L. Zobell, Jr., p. 58.
17. FHL film 0183404
Last Modified: 30 Aug 2003
- On 16 August 1862, a reunion of sorts was held in the endowment house. Kirsten's father and mother, Marcus and Kirsten, were there to be endowed and sealed. Jeppe and his new wife, Hannah Mathea Hansen, to be endowed and sealed, as well as Jeppe being sealed to Peter's mother, Maren. Christina Maria Aagensen, Kirsten and Peter were there to be sealed a second time(6) following Kirsten being endowed(7) that day. Peter's sisters, Karen and Martha were there with their husbands Jens Nielsen and William Bell.
LDSEP: Hj rring LDSEP: Salling
Kirstin Ericksen (1852-1857)
[Submitted by: Jens Peter Benson Family Organization, Carol Milligan (president), P.O. Box 56, Newton, UT 84327]
Kirstin Ericksen Benson
By Maude B. Jorgensen, Granddaughter, Transcribed by Annette Hancey Lunceford. (Edited 1998)
- In the little village of Pedersker, Aaker Parish, in the southeast part of Bornholm, Yeppa Benson (Jeppe Bendtsen) was born 20 October In the little village of Pedersker, Aaker Parish, in the southeast part of Bornholm, Yeppa Benson (Jeppe Bendtsen) was born 20 October 1796. He was the son of Bendt Jensen and Kirsten Pedersen, the seventh child in their family of eight. There were six sons and two daughters. We know nothing of the early life of these sturdy, hard working people.
On 5 June 1819, Yeppa Benson married Maren Kirsten Hansen Kofoed. To them were born eleven children. Five grew to maturity: Hans, Karen, Christina, Jens Peter and Martha. They owned a home and a small acreage of land. He was a cottager in Aaker. In May 1844, he moved his family to Vestermarie.
Educational opportunities were limited, so their daughter, Christina, went to Copenhagen to learn dress making and tailoring. While there, the first Latter-Day-Saint missionaries arrived in Denmark in June 1850. She was fortunate enough to hear and accept their message.
The first baptisms were performed 12 August 1850 and Christina was baptized on 24 August 1850 by George P. Dykes. Karen was also in Copenhagen, at that time, and was baptized 26 October 1850. Thus, they were among the very first converts to Mormonism. Albert Zobell, Jr. "Under the Midnight Sun", p. 25, states "--were active in the Copenhagen Branch. The sisters sincerely bore their testimonies and their lives were consistent with what they spoke--." Christina gave the Elders financial aid. She took great pleasure in helping to teach the Danish language to Erastus Snow.
Anxious to share their happiness and new found religion with their family, they accompanied the Elders to Bornholm, their native land, to do missionary work. Yeppa and his wife welcomed the Elders into their home and assisted them in their work. Five persons were soon seventh child in their family of eight. There were six sons and two daughters. We know nothing of the early life of these sturdy, hard working people.
On 5 June 1819, Yeppa Benson married Maren Kirsten Hansen Kofoed. To them were born eleven children. Five grew to maturity: Hans, Karen, Christina, Jens Peter and Martha. They owned a home and a small acreage of land. He was a cottager in Aaker. In May 1844, he moved his family to Vestermarie.
Educational opportunities were limited, so their daughter, Christina, went to Copenhagen to learn dress making and tailoring. While there, the first Latter-Day-Saint missionaries arrived in Denmark in June 1850. She was fortunate enough to hear and accept their message.
The first baptisms were performed 12 August 1850 and Christina was baptized on 24 August 1850 by George P. Dykes. Karen was also in Copenhagen, at that time, and was baptized 26 October 1850. Thus, they were among the very first converts to Mormonism. Albert Zobell, Jr. "Under the Midnight Sun", p. 25, states "--were active in the Copenhagen Branch. The sisters sincerely bore their testimonies and their lives were consistent with what they spoke--." Christina gave the Elders financial aid. She took great pleasure in helping to teach the Danish language to Erastus Snow.
Anxious to share their happiness and new found religion with their family, they accompanied the Elders to Bornholm, their native land, to do missionary work. Yeppa and his wife welcomed the Elders into their home and assisted them in their work. Five persons were soon baptized by Elder Agren as the first converts on the island of Bornholm. All of their family joined the church except their brother Hans.
From "History of the Scandinavian Mission", p. 26-27 Andreas Agren and L.J. Ipson arrived on the island of Bornholm as misionaries June 6, 1851. After holding afew meetings on the island, they both returned to Copenhagen, giving an unfavorable report of the prospects for preaching there. Their failure, however, was partly due to the unwise conduct of Brother Ipson, who was island, they both returned to Copenhagen, giving an unfavorable report of the prospects for preaching there. Their failure, however, was partly due to the unwise conduct of Brother Ipson, who was excommunicated from the Church, June 20, 1851. Brother Agren returned to Bornholm soon afterwards, and two SISTERS BENDTSEN, natives of Bornholm, who had been baptized in Copenhagen, also went over to bear testimony to their friends and relatives. The gospel seed soon fell into congenial soil and on July 10, 1851, five persons (the first fruits of preaching the gospel on the island of Bornholm) were baptized by Brother Agren. The next day he baptized two more.
Jens Nielsen (James Nelson), who later became Karen's Husband, was the first person to be baptized in Bornholm. A history written for the Yeppa Benson reunion held in June 1973 states, "persecutions were severe, and stories from older family members, though not verified in writing, tell us he was waylaid and beaten on his way home. He was said to be an accomplished violinist, but because of the injuries to his arm, was never able to play again." His home became a welcome haven in those days of persecution. He lived in the fishing village of Arnager.
"The village of Arnager became a cradle of Mormonism on Bornholm, and Jens Nielsen, who died as a faithful member of the Church at Newton, Utah ---was the first man baptized on the island. "Many of his neighbors listened with interest to the message of the restored gospel, but out in the surrounding countryside, the farmers were very unfriendly to the Mormons. President Erastus Snow wrote from Copenhagen in1851, "to travel and preach the gospel a man carries his life in his hands." More and more faithful Danes became natives of Bornholm, who had been baptized in Copenhagen, also went over to bear testimony to their friends and relatives. The gospel seed soon fell into congenial soil and on July 10, 1851, five persons (the first fruits of preaching the gospel on the island of Bornholm) were baptized by Brother Agren. The next day he baptized two more.
Jens Nielsen (James Nelson), who later became Karen's Husband, was the first person to be baptized in Bornholm. A history written for the Yeppa Benson reunion held in June 1973 states, "persecutions were severe, and stories from older family members, though not verified in writing, tell us he was waylaid and beaten on his way home. He was said to be an accomplished violinist, but because of the injuries to his arm, was never able to play again." His home became a welcome haven in those days of persecution. He lived in the fishing village of Arnager.
"The village of Arnager became a cradle of Mormonism on Bornholm, and Jens Nielsen, who died as a faithful member of the Church at Newton, Utah ---was the first man baptized on the island."
Many of his neighbors listened with interest to the message of the restored gospel, but out in the surrounding countryside, the farmers were very unfriendly to the Mormons. President Erastus Snow wrote from Copenhagen in 1851, "to travel and preach the gospel a man carries his life in his hands." More and more faithful Danes became willing to take the risk despite the opposition. "It seemed indeed as though the powers of earth and hell were combined to cursh the work of the Lord in that land, but through prayer and fasting we received strength and the clouds began to disperse," said President Snow.
Soon after the family joined the church, their home burned to the ground. This was a great loss to them, but no doubt hastened the of the Lord in that land, but through prayer and fasting we received strength and the clouds began to disperse," said President Snow.
Soon after the family joined the church, their home burned to the ground. This was a great loss to them, but no doubt hastened the plan already discussed to emigrate to America. They joined the first large company of Saints to Denmark on 20 Dec 1852. About 200 Saints under the supervision of John E. Forsgren sailed on the steamship large company of Saints to Denmark on 20 Dec 1852. About 200 Saints under the supervision of John E. Forsgren sailed on the steamship "Obotroit" for Kiel, Germany (Under the Midnight Sun, Albert L. Zobell, Jr.).
There were storms encountered on the way to Kiel. After a railroad trip to Hamburg, Germany the saints boarded the steamship "Lion" and sailed down the Elbe River toward the North Sea, bound for Hull, England.
Source: Manuscript History of Church Emigration, 1849-1857
Form: CHURCH - Week Ending December 23, 1967
"This week in Church History: Converts Note Christmas Aboard Ship"
Dec 20, 1852 - Nearly 300 converts from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway sailed from Copenhagen, enroute to Zion.
If there was any homesickness aboard the steamship "Lion" on Christmas eve, the malady was quickly cured with the enthusiastic singing of Christmas carols in the ship's crowded saloon. An impromptu program of readings, vocal solos, duets, instrumental numbers and games added to the gaiety. Out on the deck, some of the passengers braved the chilly night air to watch the countryside, lighted by a bright moon, silently slide past the ship. Small gifts were exchanged and children hopefully set out wooden shoes near their bunks in hopes that Jule Nissen, the Christmas Elf, would fill them with goodies.
Also helping to dispel any twinges of homesickness, was the assurance that the converts were going to Zion, where they could practice their religion free from the harassment and ridicule they had suffered in their homelands.
Already, they were several days' journey from their port of embarkation, Copenhagen. The "Lion" was gliding down Germany's Elbe River toward the North Sea.
The emigrants would not soon forget their departure from Copenhagen.
Along with the many well wishers, who had come to bid fond and tearful farewells, there had been some scoffers, who predicted nothing but bad luck for the followers of the "Swedish Mormon Priest". They were referring to Swedish-born John E. Forsgren, a missionary, who had been appointed to lead the company to America.
From Copenhagen, Denmark, the group had sailed to Kiel, Germany taken the train to Hamburg, Germany where they had embarked on the "Lion" bound for England. Thus far, everything had gone well, in accordance with the carefully laid plans of the Scandinavian Mission leaders.
Not in the plans was a wild storm--the sailors swore it was the worst they had seen--that threatened to tear the ship apart in the North Sea. Bulldozing waves ripped off the bridge and pushed the deck cargo over the side taking a section of the gunwale with it.
The port authorities at Hull, England were surprised to see the wounded "Lion" escape after such a pounding. They estimated that 150 vessels had gone down in the storm.
Glad to be on land, the immigrants took a train to Liverpool, England where, on New Year's Day, 1853, they boarded the packet ship, "Forest Monarch", for the longest part of their sea journey.
Storms delayed the sailing for 16 days and even while the ship lay at anchor in the harbor it had two close calls because of the storms.
One night, it became entangled with a nother vessel and the two bumped each other enough to cause some damage, before they could be pulled apart. In another gale, the "Forest Monarch" nearly drifted aground before tugs came to the rescue.
Source: Manuscript History of Church Emigration, 1849 - 1857
Yeppa Benson was bitten by a dog while in Hamburg, Germany and was counseled to return to shore and wait for the next company. There has been some question as to whether he was able to continue on to America with his wife and children, but immigration records, found in 1956 in the Church Historian's Office, show that Yeppa Benson, Maren Kirsten Benson, Peter Benson, and Christina Benson crossed the plains in Captain John E. Forsgren's company and arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah 30 September 1853. Storms and contrary winds kept their vessel anchored in the river Mersey, in England, for two weeks. Perhaps during that delay in the ship sailing, his leg healed enough to sail nothing but bad luck for the followers of the "Swedish Mormon Priest". They were referring to Swedish-born John E. Forsgren, a missionary, who had been appointed to lead the company to America.
From Copenhagen, Denmark, the group had sailed to Kiel, Germany taken the train to Hamburg, Germany where they had embarked on the "Lion" bound for England. Thus far, everything had gone well, in accordance with the carefully laid plans of the Scandinavian Mission leaders.
Not in the plans was a wild storm--the sailors swore it was the worst they had seen--that threatened to tear the ship apart in the North Sea. Bulldozing waves ripped off the bridge and pushed the deck cargo over the side taking a section of the gunwale with it.
The port authorities at Hull, England were surprised to see the wounded "Lion" escape after such a pounding. They estimated that 150 vessels had gone down in the storm.
Glad to be on land, the immigrants took a train to Liverpool, England where, on New Year's Day, 1853, they boarded the packet ship, "Forest Monarch", for the longest part of their sea journey.
Storms delayed the sailing for 16 days and even while the ship lay at anchor in the harbor it had two close calls because of the storms.
One night, it became entangled with another vessel and the two bumped each other enough to cause some damage, before they could be pulled apart. In another gale, the "Forest Monarch" nearly drifted aground before tugs came to the rescue.
Source: Manuscript History of Church Emigration, 1849-1857
Yeppa Benson was bitten by a dog while in Hamburg, Germany and was counseled to return to shore and wait for the next company. There has been some question as to whether he was able to continue on to America with his wife and children, but immigration records, found in 1956 in the Church Historian's Office, show that Yeppa Benson, Maren Kirsten Benson, Peter Benson, and Christina Benson crossed the plains in Captain John E. Forsgren's company and arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah 30 September 1853. Storms and contrary winds kept their vessel anchored in the river Mersey, in England, for two weeks. Perhaps during that delay in the ship sailing, his leg healed enough to sail with the family, or if he did stay behind and sail with a later company, he got to Keokuk, Iowa in time to join his wife and family in the trip across the plains.
When the sails were actually hoited on 16 January 1853, the company, under President Forsgren's direction, numbered 297 saints. Crossing the ocean was a long, tedious journey filled with trying events.
Provisions were poor, fresh water was exhausted before reaching the port of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Four deaths were recorded and company, he got to Keokuk, Iowa in time to join his wife and family in the trip across the plains.
When the sails were actually hoited on 16 January 1853, the company, under President Forsgren's direction, numbered 297 saints. Crossing the ocean was a long, tedious journey filled with trying events.
Provisions were poor, fresh water was exhausted before reaching the port of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Four deaths were recorded and three children were born during the crossing. After a 59-day passage, the ship arrived at New Orleans, Louisiana, on 16 March passage, the ship arrived at New Orleans, Louisiana, on 16 March 1853.
The crossing to New Orleans, Louisiana, USA required almost two months. The company took a riverboat to Saint Louis, Missouri, where months. The company took a riverboat to Saint Louis, Missouri, where they bought tents and other equipment before continuing on to Keokuk, Iowa.
When their teams and wagons were brought into camp, they scorned the clumsy wooden yokes, devised by the Americans for harnessing the oxen to the wagons. Instead, they made leather harnesses, Scandinavian style.
But when they hitched up the oxen, the nervous animals, unused to such trappings, ran pell mell across fields and gullies, wreckingsome of the wagons.
Iowa.
When their teams and wagons were brought into camp, they scorned the clumsy wooden yokes, devised by the Americans for harnessing the oxen
to the wagons. Instead, they made leather harnesses, Scandinavian style.
But when they hitched up the oxen, the nervous animals, unused to such trappings, ran pell mell across fields and gullies, wrecking some of the wagons.
Source: Manuscript History of Church Immigration, 1849 - 1857
With 34 wagons and 130 oxen, the company rolled out from the camping ground near Keokuk, Iowa on 21 May 1853, arriving three weeks later in Council Bluffs, Iowa (near Omaha, Nebraska). After a brief one and 1/2 week rest, they continued their journey, departing on 27 June 1853. The immigrants suffered much hardship crossing the plains. A number of saints died, and a number of children were born. After traveling a distance of 1300 miles, they arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley on 20 September 1853. This was the first large company of saints to immigrate to Utah from the Scandinavian countries.
Jeppe and Maren's other daughters, Martha and Karen, with Karen's husband Jens Nielsen (James Nelson) and their baby daughter, emigrated in 1854. Many of the Saints became ill with cholera in their company, and Karen's daughter succumbed to the disease on 13 April 1854, shortly after arriving in St. Louis. Martha, Karen, and husband Jens arrived in Salt Lake City on 5 October 1854.
The Benson family soon settled in Lehi, Utah County, Utah. Yeppa was a farmer in Denmark, so it is assumed he followed the same profession in Utah, although there is little information available. Maren's life in Utah was short.
She died in 1856 in Lehi. Her daughter, Martha was working in Salt Lake City. She came to Lehi to visit and found her mother had passed away and had been buried.
As regards to the four children of Yeppa and Maren Kirsten Benson: CHRISTINA, married Mons Anderson, 3 July 1854. They were the parents of six children and made their home in Lehi, Utah. She died 28 December 1909, and is buried in Lehi, Utah.
KAREN and her husband, Jens Nielsen, lived in Newton, Utah. He died in 1875, leaving a wife and three children. Some of her family helped to settle the Snake River Valley area in Idaho. Karen is buried in Rexburg, Idaho.
MARTHA, married William Bell in 1859. She died in 1879, in Newton, Utah, leaving a husband and eight children. Her family helped pioneer the country around Rexburg, Idaho. Both Martha and William are buried in Newton, Utah.
JENS PETER, married Mary Jane Simpson in 1854. They divorced within six months. He married Mette Christina Ericksen in 1855. He was a member of the 39th Quorum of Seventy in Salt Lake. They moved to Lehi, Utah, where he followed his trade as a carpenter. In 1858, he married Kirsten Ericksen (aka CHRISTINA MARTENA), a sister to Mette.
He moved his family to Clarkston, Utah and later to Newton, Utah.
His wife Mette, died in 1876. He married Christina Nielsen in 1879.
He was Second Counselor in the Newton Bishopric, a diligent temple worker, and filled several home missions. He was one of eleven men Jeppe and Maren's other daughters, Martha and Karen, with Karen's husband Jens Nielsen (James Nelson) and their baby daughter, emigrated in 1854. Many of the Saints became ill with cholera in their company, and Karen's daughter succumbed to the disease on 13 April 1854, shortly after arriving in St. Louis. Martha, Karen, and husband Jens arrived in Salt Lake City on 5 October 1854.
The Benson family soon settled in Lehi, Utah County, Utah. Yeppa was a farmer in Denmark, so it is assumed he followed the same profession in Utah, although there is little information available. Maren's life in Utah was short. She died in 1856 in Lehi. Her daughter, Martha was working in Salt Lake City. She came to Lehi to visit and found her mother had passed away and had been buried.
As regards to the four children of Yeppa and Maren Kirsten Benson: CHRISTINA, married Mons Anderson, 3 July 1854. They were the parents of six children and made their home in Lehi, Utah. She died 28 December 1909, and is buried in Lehi, Utah.
KAREN and her husband, Jens Nielsen, lived in Newton, Utah. He died in 1875, leaving a wife and three children. Some of her family helped to settle the Snake River Valley area in Idaho. Karen is buried in Rexburg, Idaho.
MARTHA, married William Bell in 1859. She died in 1879, in Newton, Utah, leaving a husband and eight children. Her family helped pioneer the country around Rexburg, Idaho. Both Martha and William are buried in Newton, Utah.
JENS PETER, married Mary Jane Simpson in 1854. They divorced within six months. He married Mette Christina Ericksen in 1855. He was a member of the 39th Quorum of Seventy in Salt Lake. They moved to Lehi, Utah, where he followed his trade as a carpenter. In 1858, he married Kirsten Ericksen (aka CHRISTINA MARTENA), a sister to Mette.
He moved his family to Clarkston, Utah and later to Newton, Utah.
His wife Mette, died in 1876. He married Christina Nielsen in 1879.
He was Second Counselor in the Newton Bishopric, a diligent temple worker, and filled several home missions. He was one of eleven men in Newton who lived the United Order. He was the father of 25 children (including a stillborn daughter).
Jens Peter died 21 June 1898, in Newton, Utah and is buried in the Newton Cemetery.
In 1862, Yeppa married Hannah Hansen. Hannah was born 17 March 1825 in Ringerrike, Buskerud, Norway. She married Henry Hoffman while in Norway, but apparently left him when she emigrated to Utah. She had two children by that marriage: one died in infancy and the other, children (including a stillborn daughter).
Jens Peter died 21 June 1898, in Newton, Utah and is buried in the Newton Cemetery.
In 1862, Yeppa married Hannah Hansen. Hannah was born 17 March 1825 in Ringerrike, Buskerud, Norway. She married Henry Hoffman while in Norway, but apparently left him when she emigrated to Utah.
She had two children by that marriage: one died in infancy and the other, Henrietta, age 8, came to Utah with her mother. Hannah and her daughter sailed 16 May 1961 on the ship "Monarch of the Sea" bound daughter sailed 16 May 1961 on the ship "Monarch of the Sea" bound for New York. Immigration records of those crossing the plains indicate that Hannah and her daughter arrived in Salt Lake City on 22 September 1861. The following year, Hannah married Yeppa Benson of Lehi, on 16 August 1862. At this time, he was 66 years old and she was 37. There were two children born to this marriage: WILHELMINA (Minnie), born 20 October 1864, and Yeppa, born 1 April 1866.
Yeppa Benson was sealed 16 August 1862 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City to three wives:
Maren Kirstine Hansen Kofoed, Christine Marie Aagesen, and Hannah Mathea Hansen. Temple records also indicate Yeppa Benson was sealed to Ingra Christina Anderson in March 1864.
Early in April 1865, a little band of pioneers left their homes to settle some land near Cache Valley. This settlement is now called Weston, Idaho. The early settlers in Weston had a very hard time.
They lived in dugouts with an open fireplace and chimney for heating and cooking. They had trouble with the Indians and the first few years their crops were destroyed by crickets and grasshoppers. Early in the 1870's, the people began taking land under the Homestead Act and the settlers built log houses to replace the dugouts.
Yeppa moved his family to Weston in 1870, where they homesteaded some land. We know little about the early life of the Benson family in Weston. We know they worked very hard and, like most pioneers, didn't have much. His son Yeppa became a successful farmer and stock raiser in Weston. They were faithful Latter-Day-Saints and tried to teach their children the principles of the gospel. The winters were very cold in Weston and there was a lot of snow. Yeppa froze his feet and also had problems with his leg that had been bitten by the dog in Hamburg, Germany.
Yeppa passed away on New Year's Day, 1 January 1872, in Weston, Idaho at the age of 75 years.
As regards to the children of Yeppa Benson and Hannah Hansen:
WILHELMINA (Minnie) married Hans Christian Lund, 10 October 1881, in the Endowment House. They made their home in Weston, Idaho and were the parents of seven children.
Two children died in infancy. She died on 11 March 1893 leaving a husband and 5 children.
YEPPA married Catherine Swivel, 27 September 1889, in the Logan Temple. They made their home in Weston and were the parents of 9 children. He took an active part in church affairs. He filled a mission to the Northern States and was a ward chorister and ward Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He worked in the Mutual Improvement Association (MIA) and acted as President of the 142nd Quorum of Seventy. He was set apart as Bishop of the Weston Ward in 1911. He died 27 Nov 1929.
Hannah Mathea Hansen Benson, wife of Yeppa Benson, died 8 March 1902 in Weston, Idaho at the age of 77 years.
This history is a compilation of information from several sources:
Histories written by:
Amy Benson Richardson, great-grand-daughter of Yeppa Benson Norma Christenson, great-grand-daughter of Yeppa Benson
History of the Scandinavian Mission, Andrew Jensen
"Under the Midnight Sun", Albert Zobell, Jr.
"Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah", p 380, 751
"Manuscript History of Church Emigration"
"History of Cache Valley"
Personal Family Records Compiled by Anette Hancey Lunceford
459 East Stadium Avenue, Provo, Utah 84604
Phone: 801-375-9145
indicate that Hannah and her daughter arrived in Salt Lake City on 22 September 1861. The following year, Hannah married Yeppa Benson of Lehi, on 16 August 1862. At this time, he was 66 years old and she was 37. There were two children born to this marriage: WILHELMINA (Minnie), born 20 October 1864, and Yeppa, born 1 April 1866.
Yeppa Benson was sealed 16 August 1862 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City to three wives:
Maren Kirstine Hansen Kofoed, Christine Marie Aagesen, and Hannah Mathea Hansen. Temple records also indicate Yeppa Benson was sealed to Ingra
Christina Anderson in March 1864.
Early in April 1865, a little band of pioneers left their homes to settle some land near Cache Valley. This settlement is now called Weston, Idaho. The early settlers in Weston had a very hard time.
They lived in dugouts with an open fireplace and chimney for heating and cooking. They had trouble with the Indians and the first few years their crops were destroyed by crickets and grasshoppers. Early in the 1870's, the people began taking land under the Homestead Act and the settlers built log houses to replace the dugouts.
Yeppa moved his family to Weston in 1870, where they homesteaded some
land. We know little about the early life of the Benson family in Weston. We know they worked very hard and, like most pioneers, didn't have much. His son Yeppa became a successful farmer and stock raiser in Weston. They were faithful Latter-Day-Saints and tried to teach their children the principles of the gospel. The winters were very cold in Weston and there was a lot of snow. Yeppa froze his feet and also had problems with his leg that had been bitten by the dog in Hamburg, Germany.
Yeppa passed away on New Year's Day, 1 January 1872, in Weston, Idaho at the age of 75 years.
As regards to the children of Yeppa Benson and Hannah Hansen:
WILHELMINA (Minnie) married Hans Christian Lund, 10 October 1881, in the Endowment House. They made their home in Weston, Idaho and were the parents of seven children. Two children died in infancy. She died on 11 March 1893 leaving a husband and 5 children.
YEPPA married Catherine Swivel, 27 September 1889, in the Logan Temple. They made their home in Weston and were the parents of 9 children. He took an active part in church af fairs. He filled a mission to the Northern States and was a ward chorister and ward Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He worked in the Mutual Improvement Association (MIA) and acted as President of the 142nd Quorum of Seventy. He was set apart as Bishop of the Weston Ward in 1911. He died 27 Nov 1929.
Hannah Mathea Hansen Benson, wife of Yeppa Benson, died 8 March 1902 in Weston, Idaho at the age of 77 years.
This history is a compilation of information from several sources:
Histories written by:
Amy Benson Richardson, great-grand-daughter of Yeppa Benson
Norma Christenson, great-grand-daughter of Yeppa Benson
History of the Scandinavian Mission, Andrew Jensen
"Under the Midnight Sun", Albert Zobell, Jr.
"Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah", p 380, 751
"Manuscript History of Church Emigration"
"History of Cache Valley"
Personal Family Records
Compiled by Anette Hancey Lunceford
459 East Stadium Avenue, Provo, Utah 84604
Phone: 801-375-9145
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1795 - 1872 (76 år)
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