History of Sanpete
Published by W. H. Lever in 1898
Prominent Citizens of Moroni

NEILSEN, C. P., blacksmith and farmer, was born in Denmark, April 21, 1826. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, joined the Mormon church in March 1851, and in '54 started for Utah. He resided in the Eastern States until '60, when he came to Utah, crossing the plains in Capt. Taylor's independent company. Spent some time in Draper and Spanish Fork, and in January 1863, came to Moroni, where he has since followed his trade and conducted a small farm. He took part in the Black Hawk war, and has always been recognized as a steady and industrious citizen. Was first married on the sea while en route to this country, to Elsie C. Larsen, who died in Moroni. His second wife was Dorothy Jacobsen.  They have seven children: Mary C, Sene, Mene, Rebecca, Lauritz S., Esther and Annie.

NEILSEN, NIELS C, farmer, son of Andrew and Magdalena, was born in Denmark, August 31, 1845. He came to Utah, in '62, crossing the plains in an ox train under Bishop Madsen, and located in Moroni.  Served for two years in the Black Hawk war, as one of the minutemen. In '66 he went back to the Missouri river after emigrants. Was road supervisor for Moroni from '84 to '89, and held the position of City Marshal two years. Has been City Poundkeeper for several years and still holds that position. He was head water master in '81 and deputy water master for twenty years. Served as ward teacher three years and counsellor to the president of the Y. M. M. I. A. one year. Is a stockholder in the two irrigation companies, and a much-respected resident.  Was married in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, January 9, 1871, to Annie M., daughter of Michael and Helena Sorensen, born in Denmark, November 3, 1854, They have had thirteen children: Niels A., Angeline, Michael, Helena, Maria B., Joseph, Elinora, Sarah J., Lydia M., Andrew H. and Feary L., living; Mary E, and Lillian, deceased.

NELSON, ANDREW, carpenter and builder, son of Jens C. and Anna M., was born in Moroni, January 22, 1860. When a boy be learned the cooper trade of his father and later learned the trade of a millwright, and followed that four years. He learned the business of contractor and builder and has erected most of the fine residences of Moroni. He is a first-class mechanic and an energetic man. For two years be was interested in the Jensen and Nelson sawmill and ran it. Served as postmaster from October 1, 1893, to January 15, 1898. Was City Collector one term. He is an active thinker and a pronounced Socialist. Was married in Salt Lake City, January 15, 1880, to Minnie, daughter of William and Sophia Daniels, born in Denmark, February 4, 1860. They have nine children: Minnie, Andrew W., Elizabeth C, Caroline, Christian, Mertie, Ezra F., Pine D. and Darwin D.

NELSON, DANIEL C, harnessmaker, son of Jens C, and Mary A., was born in Big Cottonwood, Utah, March 28, 1858. The family came to Moroni in the spring of '59, where be was brought up a farmer. He attended the B. Y. Academy at Provo, two years, and taught school several years. Served as a member of the City Council four years and as school trustee four years. Is active in Sunday school work and was secretary several years. He owns a twenty-three acre farm and the Palace Pavilion, in which be has a small store and dancing ball in the rear.  Is a harnessmaker and has a good shop next door to Pavilion, with a fine, large residence in town. He is a representative citizen and very enterprising business man. Was married in Salt Lake City, February 15, 1880, to Mary Sorenson, born in Ephraim, May 15, 1859. She died June 22, 1894, leaving five children: Gertrude, Bolirda, Alice, Stella and Daniel E. Second wife was Cecelia Nelson, married December 11, 1895, born in Denmark, January 9, 1874. She has one child: Dallon.

NELSEN, HON. JENS C, farmer and ex-Mayor, was born in Fauborg, Denmark, August 10, 1830. He learned the trade of a cork cutter, which he followed seven years. In '52 he joined the Mormon church, spent two years as a traveling elder, in Hamburg Germany, and in '55 emigrated to the United States, spending one year in Missouri, and in '56 came to Utah, in Canute Peterson's company. He resided for a time at Big Cottonwood, then in Ephraim and in '59 came to Moroni as one of the first settlers, and worked at the cooper trade. When the city was organized he was one of the first Council and Mayor three terms. Took part in the Black Hawk war as a First Lieutenant, and was in the Salina canyon and Grass valley engagements. He and others captured Chief San Pitch's men when they escaped from jail at Manti.  In '76 he went on a three years' mission to Denmark, and in '85 he filled another mission, both times having charge of the Aarhus conference and baptizing many converts.  He then engaged in farming, and has been ward clerk for the past ten years. Owns forty acres and has a nice home in town. Served as president of the Co-op store when it was started and is still a stockholder and much respected citizen. Was first married in Salt Lake county to Anna M. Anderson, who died in Moroni, leaving six children: Daniel, Andrew, Mary, Ephraim, Joseph and Annie.  Second wife, married in Moroni, September 29, 1873, was Karen Neilsen, born in Denmark, October 16, 1843. She has had four children: Sophia, Dorthea and James C.  living; Caroline, deceased.

NELSON, SOREN R., farmer, son of Rasmus and Mete K., was born in Aarhus, Denmark, April 21, 1845.  He learned the trade of a carpenter and worked on a farm. Spent seven years working in a woolen mill.  January 14, 1872, he joined the Mormon church, and in '78 came to Utah, locating at Moroni. He worked at his trade and finally secured a farm; now owns 100 acres and is engaged in farming. Served as ward teacher many years.  Was married in Denmark in May, 1861, to Karna Jhonds Jhonsdotter, a native of Sweden. She died in Moroni, in November, 1883, leaving six children : Annie, wife of Crisp Taylor of Moab; Eliza, wife of Edward Kump of Moroni; Josephine, wife of Andrew Meyers of Eureka; Serrebene, Soren and Caroline. He again married, August, 1871, to Caroline, daughter of Jens C. and Kjersten Neilsen, born in Denmark. They have six living children: Kjersten M., James P., Mary, Carrie and Elvine. Mrs. Nelson had three children before her marriage to Soren R. They were: Walter, Hannah and Maria.

OLSEN, PETER, deceased, a native of Denmark, was born August 17, 1821. He joined the Mormon church in '51 and though a wealthy man, sold all he had and emigrated poor people to Zion, arriving himself in '57 without any funds. He married Anna Anderson and they came together, crossing the plains in the handcart company under Capt. Christiansen, pulling their cart from Florence, Neb., to Ephraim. In '59 they came to Moroni with the first settlers. He labored one and one-half years in Denmark as a missionary. Was a prominent public-spirited citizen, taking part in many of the local enterprises and helped organize the Co-op store, of which he was the treasurer several years. He took an active part in the Black Hawk war. He died July 12, 1888; his wife is still living, 75 years of age. Their only son, Peter, was born here and raised a farmer. He is a prominent farmer and stock raiser and served as a member of the City Council two years. In '85 he went on a two years' mission. Is a stockholder in the Co-op store, president of Y. M. M. I. A., one of the presidents of the Thirty-seventh quorum of Elders and served as secretary of the quorum and Sunday-school ten years. He is a well-known, respected citizen. Was married, November 8, 1883, to Helena, daughter of Neils and Anna M. Sorenson, born in Fountain Green, October 2, 1862. They have had eight children: John L., Elsie M., Leander, Eva M.  and Helena, living; Peter C, Peter and Annie M., deceased.

OLSEN, SWEN, farmer and stock raiser, son of Ole and Sophia M., was born in Sweden, March 14, 1840.  He learned the trade of a wheelwright, joined the Mormon church in '66 and the same spring started for Utah. Was married on the ocean June 17, 1866, to Mary W. Christensen, daughter of Christen E. and Ane K., born in Denmark, May 4, 1843. They crossed the plains in Capt. Nebeker's ox-train and settled in Mt. Pleasant, where he farmed and worked at his trade of wheelwright.  He also had a shop and manufactured furniture, employing from four to five men. In '81 he removed to his present place, three miles east of Moroni, and has now a fine, well improved farm of 200 acres. Is quite an extensive stock raiser and one of the representative citizens of his vicinity. He took part in the Black Hawk war, doing his share of the guard and other duties. The family consists of seven children: Swen M., Mary A., wife of H. A.  Willis; Isaac; Lillian, wife of Christian Daniels; John S., Lettie and Winnifred.

OLSON, NEILS, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Sweden, January 8, 1838. He was raised on a farm, joined the Mormon church in '56 and in '57 the family came to Utah, crossing the plains in Capt. Cowley's train. Father died in Salt Lake City in '57 and the family resided in Little Cottonwood and Spanish Fork, coming to Moroni in '60. The family then consisted of mother and two brothers and one sister, all having since died in this county. Neils took up a small farm, now has fifty acres and is engaged in stock raising and wool growing.  He is a stockholder in the Co-op store and a much respected citizen. During the Black Hawk war he took his share of the duties in guarding the homes and stock from the Indians. He was married in Salt Lake City, February 22, 1862, to Caroline, daughter of James and Annie Larsen, born in Sweden. She died February 22, 1897, leaving five children : Olof, Mary, Frank, Edwin and Edella. The four deceased were Nephi, Oscar, Charles and an infant.

Mrs. Neils Olson

OLSON, JOHN H., farmer, son of John and Myra E., was born in Moroni, July 31, 1873. His father came here among the early settlers and took part in the Black Hawk war, being in the Salina canyon engagement.  In '82 he went on a two years' mission to Sweden, and was instrumental in bringing many emigrants to this country. He was a prominent churchman, an Elder and a good citizen. Served as a member of the City Council and was in many of the local enterprises. He died May 3, 1896. Mother was born and raised in Manti. She is a stockholder in the Moroni Co-op store and Moroni Irrigation company. Is engaged in wool growing and owns a fifty-acre farm, which John H. cultivates. He is a deacon and teacher in the Mormon church and a member of the Y. M. M. I. A. There are eight living children in the family: Myra L., wife of Aury Draper; John H., subject of this sketch; Daniel L., Euphemia, Edna, Effie, Jefferson and Ellis.

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