History of Sanpete
Published by W. H. Lever in 1898
Prominent Citizens of Moroni
JACKSON, HYRUM, farmer, son of John and Jane, was born in Wakefield, England, May 16, 1869. The family emigrated in '73 and located in Moroni, where they now reside. Father was a shoemaker, Hyrum grew up here and has always followed farming, he now owns a small farm of fifteen acres, which he cultivates. He was married in Moroni February 12, 1895, to Annie D. Cahoon nee Irons, daughter of Bishop J. W. and Deborah, born in Ocean county, New Jersey, July 8, 1857. She has two children by former marriage: Stephen E., born June 12, 1881, and Annie D., July 22, 1884. She learned telegraphy when only 13 years of age and has ever since had charge of the Deseret Telegraph office at Moroni.
JENSEN, ANDREW, known as "Little Soldier," son of Peter and Kirsten, was born in Denmark December 4, 1844. He was raised on a farm, joined the Mormon church in '61 and in '62 came to Utah, crossing the plains in Capt. Madsen's independent train. He walked all the way and helped drive 200 cows. The family located in Moroni, where he secured a ten acre farm; now has 175 acres, and is engaged in stock and fruit raising and wool growing. He ran the Co-op sawmill in early days for ten years, then managed the United Order sheep and cattle four years. In company with others he built a sawmill in Canal Creek canyon. He afterward bought a steam sawmill in Four-Mile canyon and operated that several years. In '85 he and brothers Jens and Christian built the Jensen Bros. flouring mill, which has recently been remodeled, and now is an up-to-date sixty-barrel mill. He is a stockholder in the plaster mill near Nephi, a director in the First National Bank at Nephi and interested in the Nephi Mining and Salt Manufacturing company and Fish Springs mines. He served in the Black Hawk war and was given the name of "Little Soldier" by Madison D. Hamilton. He is one of the leading citizens and a prominent financier and business man. Was married in Salt Lake City to Maria, daughter of Lauritz and Maria Lauritzen, born in Denmark May 18, 1848. They have had ten children: Maria, Mary C, Annie, Louisa, Andrew E., Serena, Hannah, Martena and Charles W., living; James P., deceased.
JENSEN, HON. ANDREW L., farmer and ex-Mayor, son of Jens and Mary, was born in Denmark August 31, 1848. The family joined the Mormon church and in '62 came to Utah, crossing the plains in Capt. Van Cott's company, and located at Moroni, where parents both died. Andrew was raised here to farming and now has a farm of 150 acres. He took an active part in the Black Hawk war. In '68 he returned to the Missouri river after emigrants under Capt. Seely, and in crossing Green river, the boat was capsized and he with others was thrown into the water, six men being drowned. In '82 he went on a two years' mission to Alabama; made several converts. He is a stockholder and vice-president in the Co-op store. Served as a member of the City Council several years and was Mayor eight years. Is an active Republican and has been a delegate to many county and State conventions, being well known and an influential man in the community. Was married in Salt Lake City May 19, 1873, to Christina, daughter of Rasmus P. and Maria Christensen, born in Denmark February 14, 1857. They have had ten children: Mary, Maria, Hetty, Andrew, James V., John E., Franklin P., Delina C. and Delmore W., living; Lula, deceased.
JENSEN, JENS W., farmer and one of the firm of Jensen Bros.' Milling company, was born in Denmark in January 1839. He learned the trade of a weaver and joined the Mormon church in '61. In '62 he started for Utah with his parents and family of nine persons, crossing the plains in Capt. Madsen's company, and located in Moroni. His parents both died here. He worked at anything he could get to do and finally secured a small farm; now owns eighty-five acres. In '84 he and brothers Andreas and Christian built the flouring mill two miles east of town, and in '97 they remodeled it, making it sixty-barrel capacity, with all the latest and improved machinery for merchant and custom work. He took an active part in the Black Hawk war, being in many excursions against the Indians. Served as City Treasurer fourteen years. In '85 he went on a two years' mission to Denmark and presided over a branch of the church. He is quite an extensive woolgrower and a director in the Co-op store. Is a member of the High Priests' quorum. Has always been a leader in local enterprises and an energetic and representative citizen. Was married first in Salt Lake City to Annie Anderson, now deceased. His second wife was Kersten M. Sorenson. She has six children: Neils P., Mary, James, Andrew, Caroline and Christian. The third wife was Sophia M. Anderson. She has four children: Annie C, Franklin P., Ella V. and Junius C. Mr. Jensen also moved to San Luis valley, Colorado, in '88, returning in '96. While there he had the misfortune to lose his little son Orson H., 3 years of age, who strayed from home. An active search was kept up all night, but when found he was frozen to death, it being a bitter night.
KEMP, CHARLES, retired millwright, son of John and Ann, was born in Lancashire, England, in '31. He learned the trade of a machinist, serving an apprenticeship of seven years. In December 1848, he joined the Mormon church and in '53 came to Utah, crossing the plains in Capt. Wheelock's company, and located at Nephi. He superintended and helped make the machinery for a cut-nail factory and molasses mills and erected the building. In '59 he came to Moroni and tried farming for a time, but returned to his trade and assisted in constructing flouring mills in Moroni and other towns, putting fifty mills together in Utah and Idaho. Assisted in putting in the electric light plant at Mt. Pleasant and in troduced a new kind of water-wheel for power. He put in the first full line roller flour mill in Utah at Fairview. Served as County Selectman one term. Is a member of the High Priests' quorum and an old, respected resident. Was married first in England to Adelaide S. Prestwich, who died in Nephi with her daughter Alice Ann. Second wife was Sarah Blackham, born in England. The children are: Jesse, Seth, Mary, Sarah J., Olive, Elizabeth, Anna and Maud, living; Charles and Martha A., deceased.
LAURITZEN, CHRISTIAN, barber, son of Lauritz and Matilda, was born in Moroni February 17, 1875. His father came to Utah in '60, crossing the plains in an ox-train, and was one of the first settlers in Moroni. He resided here until his death, which occurred August 11, 1896. Mother died August 11, 1897. They left three children: Ida, Christian and Lewis. Christian grew up here and followed farming and stock raising till '97, when he opened a barber shop, having learned the business of Walter Lund. He is doing well and gives general satisfaction to his many patrons.
LIVINGSTON, CHARLES C, postmaster, son of James C. and Agnes, was born in Salt Lake City February 6, 1868. He was educated in the district schools and attended the Deseret University one year. In '79 he came to Moroni, where he engaged as salesman in the different mercantile institutions till January 5, 1898, when he was appointed postmaster. He is a partner in the Christensen general merchandise business that carries a stock of $2,500 or more and does an annual business of $7,500. Is an active man in Sunday-school and church matters, being one of the department teachers. He is an enthusiastic Republican and a very energetic and successful business man, well liked in the community. Was married in Salt Lake City December 25, 1889, to Julia, daughter of James and Christina Sellers, born in Salt Lake City September 6, 1868. They have six children: May, Flora, Laura, Ethel, Ernest and Leonard.
LOWRY, GEORGE W., farmer, Constable and deputy Sheriff, son of Abner and Louisa, was born in Manti May 19, 1857. He came to Moroni August 19, 1889. Acted as special police for two years and was then elected City Marshal in '92. Is at present precinct Constable and deputy Sheriff. Served three years in the Utah National Guard, being a Second Lieutenant, and promoted to Captain. Is an Elder in the Mormon church and a respected citizen. Was married in Moroni December 23, 1879, to Nina, daughter of Henry and Martha Draper. They have two children: Martha L. and George E.
LOWRY, JAMES W., farmer, son of Abner and Louisa, was born in Moroni February 25, 1863. He grew up there and followed freighting for several years, then was a contractor in grading part of the Sanpete Valley and Rio Grande Western railways. In '91 he engaged in farming and has followed that work. He now owns a twenty-acre farm, which is under good cultivation. He is first counsellor to Bishop Taylor and superintendent of the Sunday-school and a well respected citizen. Was married in Sterling October 8, 1885, to Florence M., daughter of Martin V. and Cornelia Taylor, born in April 1870. They have two children: Nina and Elmer D.
LOWRY, ABNER, one of the '49 settlers, is a son of John and Mary Mecox, born in Lewis county, Missouri, October 12, 1831. The family passed through the church persecutions, and in '46 removed to Winter Quarters, coming through with the pioneers in '47, crossing the plains in John Taylor's company. In '48 Abner took one of his father's teams and went with a relief party to bring in a company from the plains, Brigham Young being one of them. The family came to Sanpete with the pioneers in '49 and located in Manti. Abner took part in the Provo war, then in the Walker war, where he was a Lieutenant, and again in the Black Hawk war, holding the rank of Major of the Fifth battalion of cavalry. Was in the Salina Canyon engagement and other skirmishes. He followed farming and stock raising and in '61 came to Moroni. Served as Mayor of the city four years and County Selectman fourteen years. In '60 he returned to the Missouri river for emigrants and brought out 250 persons; fifty-two died on the road of cholera. Was married in Nephi November 22, 1852, to Betsey L., eldest daughter of Bishop Bradley, a native of New York. She died in Sterling December 6, 1881, leaving ten children: Mary E., Abner, George W., Susan L., James W., John H., Melinda, Ernest, Marion A. and Claire.
MALLINSON, JOHN, farmer, son of Edward and Ophelia, was born in Ashton under Lymes Lanes, England, September 11, 1814. He joined the Mormon church in '62 and came to Utah in '64, locating at Moroni. Took an active part in the Black Hawk Avar as a home guard and engaged in farming. He now owns thirty acres of land. Is a member of the quorum of Seventies and an honorable citizen. Was married in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, March 7, 1871, to Esther, daughter of John and Alice Cunliffe, born September 22, 1853. Wife died December 27, 1893, leaving six children: Mary A., Anettee, John E., Esther, Robert and William. He was married again February 14, 1874, to Martha, daughter of John and Susannah Blackham. She has one son: Samuel.
MARX, PHILLIP, farmer, son of George and Barbara, was born in Germany March 1, 1834. He learned the trade of a shoemaker. In '52 he and brother John came to the United States, where he worked at his trade till '55, when he enlisted in United States army. Company A, Seventh regiment of infantry. They were sent to Texas until '58, and while there had many encounters against Indians. His regiment then marched to the Mississippi river and went up the river by boats to Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis. They soon started for Utah and walked all the way to Cedar Valley, where they built a post. He was honorably discharged April 23, 1860, very much broken down in health. He now gets a pension of $6 a month from the Government. In May, 1860, he located in Moroni and worked at his trade of a shoemaker for fifteen years. When the Black Hawk war broke out he was made a Captain and drilled the local company taking an active part throughout the war. In '73 he took up 160 acres of land, where he now resides, two miles south of Moroni, and has a nice farm of ninety-seven acres. Was married April 23, 1860, to Mary Jacobsen, by whom he has three children: Phillip, Josephine and Jacob. Second wife was Maria Neilsen, by whom he has six children: Andrew, George, Tilda, John, Joseph and Alvin. He married a third wife January 2, 1895, Nelsine Rasmussen, born in Denmark September 26, 1831.
MONSON, HON. MONS, Treasurer of Sanpete county, native of Lund, Sweden, where he was born March 18, 1850. His father, Bengt Monson, was a farmer by occupation and came with his family to the United States in '54. They resided in Keokuk, Iowa, two and one-half years, when they came across the plains to Utah, locating in Spanish Fork. In the fall of '60 they moved to Moroni, Sanpete county, and took up a small farm of twenty-five acres. His father died May 9, 1889. Our subject learned the trade of cabinetmaker, at which he worked winters and farmed summers. He has a fine farm of about 100 acres three miles south of town, twenty acres inside the city limits, and a nice residence in the city. Mr. Monson has always taken an active part in politics and was chairman of the Democratic party in Moroni three years. He held the offices of Constable, Justice of the Peace and was Mayor of the city from '92 to '95. He has also been a worker in the church; in '76 he helped establish a colony in Arizona, working as a carpenter. He spent the two years '84-'85 on a mission, laboring in Sweden and Lapland. In November 1896, he was elected to the office of County Treasurer, which he fills to the satisfaction of the people and with great credit to himself. Mr. Monson is a highly respected citizen and stands high in the estimation of the people of Sanpete county. He was married in Salt Lake City November 6, 1872, to Janet, daughter of John and Barbara Syme, by whom he has eight children: Bengt, John, Barbara, Annie, Gilbert, Ernest, Ophelia and Hazel O.
MONSON, MONS, (second), farmer, son of Rasmus and Bodie M., was born in Denmark February 28, 1844. He was brought up a farmer and joined the Mormon church in '77. In '78 he came with his family to Utah and located at Moroni. He now has a fine farm of forty-three acres, with a nice brick residence and modern outbuildings situated three miles east of the city. He was married in Denmark September 17, 1870, to Mary C, daughter of Jens and Inger Jensen, born in Denmark July 31, 1848. They have six children: Annie, wife of Andrew Johansen, farmer; Rasmus, sheepherder; Orson, Bohney L., Berry G. and Elvira C.
MORLEY, THOMAS J., blacksmith and wheel-wright, son of Isaac and Cyntha A., was born in Manti February 12, 1854, The family came to Moroni in '59 and Thomas was raised here, learning the trade of a mason from his father. At the age of 19 he went to Sandy and learned the trade of a blacksmith and wheelwright. In '76 he built the shop where he is now located. He erected a large stone building in '86 and now makes a specialty of horseshoeing. In company with Mons Monson he built the Moroni opera-house, investing $3,000 in this handsome and commodious structure. Served five years as Justice of the Peace and four years as school trustee. Though only a boy during the Black Hawk war, he did his share of the work and carried express messages. He had a narrow escape one day in Canal canyon, when 300 Indians surrounded him and a brother and Isaac Bruno. When the Indians learned he was a Morley they decided to let him go, as the family had always been kind to them, so they were given their liberty. The Indians passed on and in a few minutes killed Dan Miller in Oak Creek canyon. Mr. Morley is an industrious and enterprising man, well liked in the community and having a, nice family. He was married in Spring City June 2, 1877, to Ellen C, daughter of Bengt and Annie Monson, born in Spanish Fork March 12, 1858. They have had seven children: Thomas J., Lillian, Melvin, Leroy and Mabel, living; Ellen A. and Jennett, deceased.
MORLEY, ISAAC, son of "Father Morley," who led the first settlers to Sanpete by direction of Brigham Young, was born in Kirtland, Ohio, May 2, 1829. His father was a native of Massachusetts, where he resided until he attained manhood, when he went to Kirtland, Ohio, and joined the Mormon church in the early '30s, becoming one of the prominent members and a, patriarch. He was through all the Mormon persecutions and at one time was cast into prison. In '48 he came to Utah with Brigham Young, bringing several of his wives. He was appointed by President Young in '49 to lead the settlers into Sanpete and was afterward made president of the stake. He spent most of his life in church work in Utah, going about blessing the Saints. He died in Fairview June 1865. The subject of this sketch drove one of his father's three teams across the plains in '48, and settled in Manti. He came to Moroni in June 1850, and has always followed the trade of a mason, building many of the houses in this city. He served as a member of the first City Council in Manti and is at present a member of the High Priests' quorum. Was married in Manti in November 1851, to Cynthia A., daughter of Thomas J. and Betsey Bradley, born in Erie county, New York, September 14, 1833. Their children are: George F., Thomas J., Betsey A., Lucy, Theresa, Margareta, Arietta, Isaac, Amorillas, Daniel H., Evelyn, William A., Heber C, Anna M. and Jerome B.
MORLEY, DANIEL H., mason, son of Isaac and Abiah, was born in Moroni October 3, 1868. He grew up here as a farmer, and about '83 began the work of a mason, having since followed that occupation. He has been instrumental in building many of the ornamental residences in Moroni. Served as City Councilor during '96 and '97. He owns the millinery shop on Main street, and is a respected workman of this city. Was married October 30, 1890, to Sarah J., daughter of Charles and Sarah Kemp, born in Moroni October 9, 1869. They have four children: Olive E., Daniel A., Sarah A. and Madeline.
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