MADSEN, JENS C, retired farmer, son of Christian and Anna K., was born in Denmark, December 3, 1821. He was raised on a farm, and came to Utah in '63, crossing the plains in Capt. Saunder's company and reaching Ephraim on October 12th. When he arrived he had 5 cents in cash, with a wife and four children depending on him. Soon purchased a small farm and cultivated it until he retired on account of age. Took part in the Black Hawk war and did his share of the duties. Was married in Denmark to Anna K. Jacobsen. They have had four children: Christian, Johanna and Anna K., married and living in Utah; one child, Gertrude, deceased.
MADSEN, MADS PETER, farmer, son of Peter and Ellen, was born in Ephraim, March 25, 1856. He is the second oldest male child born in Ephraim, a resident. Owns twenty-five acres of land and follows farming. Served as Justice of the Peace one term. In October, 1884, went on a two years' mission to Denmark. Is a member of the Quorum of Seventies and has always taken an active interest in the Y. M. M. I. A., having been counselor to the president. He worked several months in the Manti and St. George temples. During the Black Hawk war was shot in the back by an arrow while playing outside the fort. Was married in Salt Lake City, June 26, 1876, to Josephine, daughter of Ole and Annie Johnson Olsen, born in Christiania, October 24, 1858. They have eight children: Peter F., Orson, Hyrum B., Ellen, Clifford L., Charles H., Katie J., Edith L. and Thelma.
MADSEN, NEILS J., of Madsen Bros. & Co., manufacturers of lumber, son of Peter and Ellen, was born in Ephraim July 19, 1859. He was brought up to farm work, but engaged in lumbering when he became a man. In '87 he and brother David built a mill in Cottonwood canyon, run by water power, where they made lumber. In '91 they put in steam power and opened the first steam planing mill in Ephraim. They admitted A. C. Anderson in '97, thus forming the present company. Neils is also interested in wool growing. His wife was Viola, daughter of John and Caroline Pratt Van Cott, born in Salt Lake City June 19, 1860. They were married in Salt Lake City July 8, 1880, and have seven children: Maggie, Ruby, Joseph, Van Le Roy, Harold, Ray and Harvey.
MADSEN, PETER, retired farmer, carpenter and wheelwright, son of Mads and Anna, was born on the island of Sjelland October 11, 1818. He learned the trade of a wheelwright, was baptized into the Mormon church December 29, 1851, and came to Utah in 1853, crossing the plains in John Fosgren's company. He located in Spring City, where he soon left on account of Indians, going to Manti, and in 1851 coming to Ephraim where he assisted in building the fort. He endured all the hardships and privations of early days and took part in the Indian troubles. For many years he had a shop near by his residence and worked at his trade and doing carpentering. Had a farm which he worked till six years ago, when he retired because of age. Was city treasurer for two years, and has always been quite active and prominent in public matters. His first wife, whom he married May 9, 1852, was Ellen Nielson. She died in Ephraim January 15, 1884, leaving four children: Mads P., Ellen C. and Joseph, living and married; Josephine, deceased. Second wife was Maria O. Thompson. She has three children: David P., Ezra S. and Daniel F., all living in Ephraim.
MORTENSEN, NEILS N. farmer and stock-raiser, son Jens and Anna. C., was born in Denmark September 10, 1837. He joined the Mormon church in 1863 and emigrated in 1864, passing through Germany to England to evade being pressed into service in the army. Himself and wife with two children reached Ephraim in September, 1864, having crossed the plains in Captain John Smith's company. Purchased a farm and now has 500 acres of land, being one of the largest farmer's in Ephraim. He went on a mission in 1886 to the Northern States. Was married in Denmark in 1861 to Christina Jensen. She died June 1, 1883, leaving ten children: Anna C, George, Matilda, Neils, Petreana C, Mortena and Josephina, living; Josephine C, Heber and George A., deceased.
MURRAY, M. F., born in Philadelphia, Penn., December 12, 1862. Family moved to Osage, Iowa, in 1870, and from there moved to Le Roy, Minn., in 1875. He received his education in public schools of Le Roy. Learned the printing business in the office of the Le Roy Independent. In 1889 moved to South Sioux City, Nebraska, and was for two years foreman and city editor of South Sioux City Times. Came to Utah in search of better health in 1891, in which year he established the Ephraim Enterprise, which he has conducted ever since. Is a Democrat and has taken an active part in county and State politics. Is at present chairman of the Democratic County Committee. Was elected County Clerk in 1890.
NEILSEN, CHRISTIAN, deceased, son of Soren and Mary, was born in Denmark, February 12, 1810. He joined the Mormon church and came to Utah, crossing the plains in Capt. Olsen's company, reaching Ephraim in November, 1854. In '65 he went to assist in settling Circle Valley, but had to return in one year on account of Indians, losing about all he had. Engaged in farming and followed it till his death, September 16, 1889. Was married in Denmark, his wife dying while en route to Utah, leaving two children. Mary and Annie K. Married again in Ephraim, January 9, 1855, to Karen, daughter of Peter and Johanna Hansen, born in Denmark, December 12, 1835. She had seven children: Caroline, wife of N. P. Neilsen; Margaret, wife of Bishop C. E. Dorius; Christian P., Thomas F. and Hannah E., wife of Ephraim Peterson, living; Hans C. and Mary J., deceased.
NEILSEN NEILS P., farmer and quarryman, son of Peter and Kersten Anderson, was born on the island of Falster, Denmark, February 13, 1817. His mother joined the Mormon church in 1858, and he and father in 1862, when the family came to Utah, crossing the plains in an ox train in Capt. Horn's company. Father died while en route, on the Sweetwater. The family reached Ephraim in November, 1862. Neils P. assisted in quarrying stone for the fort and stood guard during the Black Hawk war. He was married in Salt Lake City, December 15, 1868, to Caroline, daughter of Christen and Anna M. Christensen, born in Hjoring Amt. Jyland, September 5, 1848. They have had thirteen children: Heber P., teacher in the Ephraim public schools and proprietor of the Arcade Book-store; Hans F., proprietor Centre Street Meat Market; David W., Abel C., Aurelia C, Aaron G., Moses M., Anna A., Matilda C, Ernest H. and Joseph E., living; Neils P. and an infant, deceased. When the land was divided he received five acres, and now has a nice farm of fifty acres. Is a small wool grower and was a stockholder in the Co-op store. He has always been an active worker in church and Sunday-school, and never missed attending Sunday-school in twenty-five years. Served as assistant superintendent and was counselor of the president of the Elder's quorum. Is at present a member of the Forty-seventh Quorum of Seventies. In the spring of 1893 he went on a mission to his native land and had charge of the Island Branch of the Copenhagen conference for two years. He returned to the Missouri river in 1868 with Bishop Seely's company for emigrants, and was with the company when six men were drowned at Robinson's Ferry on Green River. His second wife was Caroline Nielson, by whom he has two children: Jane and Irene. He is a prominent and representative man, living the esteem of the entire city
NEILSON, A. C, mason and plasterer, son of Andrew C. and Mary C, was born in Ephraim, December 23, 1870. The family came from Denmark in '64 and located in Ephraim. In '80 they removed to a farm three miles southwest of town. A. C. was raised here and learned the trade of a mason and plasterer, and has followed it seven years. Is a member of the Mormon church and an active worker in the Sunday-school. Was married in Manti temple, February 28, 1894, to Julia, daughter of C. C. A. and Mary Christensen, born in Ephraim, December 5, 1871. They have two children: Eva J., born January 5, 1896, and Andrew C, born March 4, 1898.
NIELSON, MONS, farmer and wool grower, son of Niels and Ellen, was born in Sweden, December 19, 1834. He spent seven years as fireman on railroad; joined the Mormon church in '60, came to Utah in '62, crossing the plains in Capt. Van Cott's ox train, and located in Ephraim. In '64 he removed to Circle Valley, to assist the settlers, but had to return in '66 on account of Indians. Was active in the Black Hawk war, being in several skirmishes with Indians. In '79 he went on a two years' mission to Sweden. Is now a counselor to the bishop. Has a nice farm of seventy acres and 2,600 sheep. Was married in '62, to Maria Pehrson of Sweden. She had no children. Married again November 10, 1866, in Ephraim, to Johanna, daughter of Jens and Hannah Jensen, born in Sweden, March 28, 1849. Her children are: Hilda, Hannah, Joseph, Franklin, Amelia, Martin, Almah and Hazel, living; Batilda, Neils D., Alvin H. and Betsey E., deceased. Third wife was Betsey Neilson, who had two children: Benjamin, living, and John, deceased. Fourth wife was Annetta Tulberg. She has no children.
NIELSON, SOREN, deceased, was born in Christiania, Norway, about 1840. He spent many years in quarrying stone and the livery business. In 1853 he emigrated to Utah, coming Ephraim in '56 and locating. Was engaged many years in farming and freighting produce to the mining camps of Utah and Nevada, then went into the mercantile business. Took an active part in the Black Hawk war, standing guard and other duties, and lost many head of cattle by Indian depredations. He was a very successful business man and accumulated considerable money, which he loaned during the last few years. He died in Ephraim October 19, 1893. Was married first in Norway to Maria C. Brunn, who had one child: Mary C. Second wife was Maria Dennison, who had one child: Sorina. She was married previously to Niels Ericksen, having two living children : Caroline and Mads N.
OLSEN, SOREN A., farmer, son of Andrew P. and Elizabeth, was born in Denmark August 30, 1852. In 1862 he came to Utah with his grandfather, crossing the plains in an ox-train with Captain Soren Christofferson, and located in Ephraim. Parents came later. During the Black Hawk war he stood guard and herded stock. Was raised to farm work and freighted produce to the mining camps of Utah and Nevada. He secured a farm, now owns 150 acres and is a very successful farmer and stock-raiser, having 200 head of cattle. Was married in Salt Lake City to Trena Olsen. She had seven children: Christian, Martin, Osman, Marinda, Irvin and Katie, living; and Erastus, deceased. Wife died and he married again in Logan October 12, 1887, to Emma, daughter of Hans and Ina Neilsen, born in Denmark February 2, 1861. She has had seven children: Della, Elvena, Orson, Elvina., Emroy and Dosena, living; Lena, deceased.
OLSON, OLE, traveling salesman for Consolidated Implement Company, was born in Denmark June 6, 1862. His parents came from Denmark, crossing the plains by ox-train in 1866 or 7. Father is living; mother dead. He was raised on a farm and engaged in farming and stock-raising, now owning about 100 acres of land and a residence in the city. In 1889 he began selling agricultural implements for D. M. Osborne and the Studebaker Company; was with them six years, and engaged in his present work, being very successful and having charge of Sanpete county. He also owns a one fourth interest in the Junction Co-op store, which carries about $15,000 stock of general merchandise. Served as Justice of the Peace for several years. His wife was Emma, daughter of Niels and Catherine Christiansen, born in Salt Lake City June 17, 1859. They were married in Salt Lake City April 24, 1884, and have four children: Ole W., Emma K., Joseph E. and Anna, D.
OTTERSTROM, JOHN H., farmer and dealer in grain and stock, son of Jonas and Mary K. Johansen, was born in Christiania, Norway, March 24, 1850. The family came to Utah in 1856, crossing the plains in Canute Peterson's train, and located in Ephraim. They lived in the fort several years, father being a blacksmith and an active worker in the church, took part in the Black Hawk war and died in April, 1884. Mother died September 2, 1897. John was raised here and learned the blacksmith trade of his father. He worked in the canyon at farming and freighting and then went to buying and shipping grain. Owns a farm and has a good residence in the city. Served as a member of the City Council. Was married in Salt Lake City March 9, 1874, to Nicolina, daughter of Soren and Elsie M. Olsen, born in Denmark August 11, 1854. They have had seven children: John H., Joseph F., Alice, Oscar and Neomi, living; Charles W. and Mahonroy, deceased.
