Utah Since Statehood
Author is Noble Warrum - 1919

Soren M. Nielsen, who is engaged in the butchering and grocery business at Mount Pleasant, was born in Visborg, Denmark, June 4, 1886, his parents being Soren C. and Johannah (Jensen) Nielsen. The father came to the United States in 1893 and the mother made her way to the new world in 1895, at once crossing the continent to Utah.  It was in 1896 that Soren C. Nielsen arrived in Utah, joining his wife in this state, and here he followed the occupation of farming. A sister of Soren M. Nielsen is Mrs. Elsie Sidwell, the wife of Gideon Sidwell and the mother of four children. His brother, Carl Nielsen, married Inger Hansen and has five children and another sister, Nina M., is the widow of Lee Box and the mother of one child.

Reared in Mount Pleasant, Soren M. Nielsen attended the public schools and when his textbooks were put aside he turned his attention to the live stock business and sheep raising. He also followed mining for a time and in 1909 he purchased an interest in the Ericksen Meat & Grocery Company and has since been a partner in the undertaking.  Theirs is a large and carefully appointed store, in which they carry an attractive line of goods, and their reliability and enterprising business methods have brought to them very gratifying success.

On the 16th of April, 1913, at Manti, Utah, Mr. Nielsen was married to Miss Florence Ericksen, a daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina Morrison Ericksen, who were representatives of a pioneer family of Mount Pleasant, Utah. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Nielsen are Maggie, Harry G., Sterling M. and Gladys. Maggie is the wife of Peter A. Peel and Harry G. is also married. Mr. and Mrs. Nielsen have two children: Florence, who was born in Mount Pleasant, April 15, 1914; and Howard S., born in Mount Pleasant, December 16, 1918.

The family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mr.  Nielsen is a member of the Hub Club of Mount Pleasant. His political support is given to the democratic party and for one year and six months he served on the state road commission as foreman of construction. His military service covers seven year's connection with the National Guard and he was also in the federal service on the Mexican border from 1916 until 1917 as captain of Troop E of the First Utah Artillery. He is a most progressive man of broad and liberal views who has already made for himself a creditable position in business circles and whose future career, owing to the qualities that he has already displayed, will be well worth the watching.

LARS NIELSON.

With the agricultural and horticultural development of Sanpete county Lars Nielson, of Fountain Green, has long been closely and helpfully associated. He was born in Jutland, Denmark, May 3, 1849, a son of Jens and Mette (Christenson) Nielson, who in 1859 came to Utah, crossing the plains with an ox team as members of the R. F.  Neslen Company and locating at Spanish Fork. In 1863 the family removed to Fountain Green, where the father passed away in 1872. At the time of the Indian outbreak he aided in the defense of the colonists and became familiar with the methods of Indian warfare, his task being, however, mostly that of home guard duty. He was a weaver by trade and engaged in weaving cloth known as homespun for the people of the district.  In the family were three children. A brother of Lars Nielson, Niels C. Jensen, remained in Denmark, where he passed away in 1914. A sister came to Utah with her parents in 1859, when but a year old, and passed away in 1862. 

Lars Nielson acquired his early education in the schools of Denmark and came to Utah when a lad of ten years, after which he continued his studies in the public schools of Spanish Fork for two terms and likewise spent three seasons as a pupil in the schools of Fountain Green. In his boyhood days he became active in farm work and later became secretary and afterward superintendent of the Cooperative Store, acting in that capacity for a period of twenty years, or from 1875 until 1895. He is still the owner of good farm property and some stock, has a comfortable home and profitable investments. He is a stockholder in the Fountain Green Bank in the Cooperative Store. As the years have passed he has acquired a substantial measure of success, and his industry has been the foundation upon which his fortunes have been built. 

In Salt Lake City on the 27th of November, 1871, Mr. Nielson was married to Miss Mariah, a daughter of Soren and Caroline (Loft) Christianson. Mrs. Nielson was born in Denmark. September 29, 1856, and was brought to Utah in 1860 by her parents. Her father is the president of the High Priests Quorum of Fountain Green. He is a veteran of the Indian wars, having served in the Black Hawk war, and he has now reached the ripe old age of eight-nine years. The mother of Mrs. Nielson, however, has passed away. She has but one brother, C. J. Christianson, who is now county commissioner and who for twenty-five years filled the office of bishop, resigning in 1915. He married Ellen Jane Oldroyd and they have ten living children. Mr. and Mrs. Nielson have become the parents of fourteen children: James Louis, who married Clara Collard and has three children; Zina M., the wife of Joseph F. Cook, by whom she has four children; Laura, who is the wife of Benjamin F. Lewellyn and has six children; Soren C, who married Rena Jensen and has six children; Caroline, the wife of Edwin Theodore Johnson; Anna Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas H. Cook and the mother of six children; Niels C, who married Cleopatra Smith, by whom he has three children; Lars Edward, who married Elinore Draper and has three children; Ethel, who married Benjamin Lamb of Wales and has one child, a daughter; Paul E., who in July, 1919. was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Lund. The last named was a member of the American army, serving with the Three Hundred and Sixty-fourth Infantry in France for a period of eight months. Ralph Alma died in 1908 at the age of sixteen years; Virginia died in 1907 at the age of nine and one-half years; Joseph died at birth; and Theodora died at the age of three years.

Mr. Nielson belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for seventeen years was a member of the high council of North Sanpete stake. He was also ward clerk for fifteen years and filled a mission to Denmark of two years, going to that country in 1880, during which time he presided over the Veile branch of the Aarhus conference. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and in that connection he has been called upon for official service. He was fruit tree inspector for the county for eight years, was president of the town board for four years, was clerk and city councilman after the incorporation of Fountain Green, is at present precinct justice of the peace and for the past twenty-three years has had a commission as notary public. His long residence in Utah has familiarized him with all of the experiences of frontier life. For two years, from 1865 until 1867, he participated in the Indian wars and helped build the fort at Fountain Green in 1866. On several occasions he was on guard with others when President Young's party made the trip from Nephi through the Salt Creek canyon, for at that time the president made a trip to his people in the south once or twice a year. For an extended period Mr. Nielson has been regarded as one of Fountain Green's leading and honored citizens. He is an alert, wide-awake man, his years resting lightly upon him. His reminiscences of the early days are most interesting and he tells many a thrilling tale of pioneer times. He is familiar with every experience and condition of frontier life and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.

SWEN O. NIELSON.

Swen O. Nielson is a most alert, and progressive business man living at Fairview, from which point he superintends important interests. He has figured prominently in commercial, financial and agricultural affairs and" in all of these lines is still active. He was born at Christian Stat, Skone, Sweden, on the 1st of January, 1854, a son of Ole and Pernella (Bourn) Nielson. The mother came to Utah in 1863 with three children. The father removed from Sweden to Denmark in 1856 and it was in 1865 that he followed the family across the Atlantic. He then made his way direct to Mount Pleasant, Utah, where his wife and children had settled, and in the spring of 1867 took up his abode in Fairview, where he followed farming and also engaged in raising some stock for his own table. He passed away in 1876. His son, Peter Nielson, was drowned while on a trip after emigrants. He had met his party and was returning to Utah when he was drowned in the Green river in 1868, being one of six who thus lost their lives. Another son, Lars Peter, died in Canada in 1916. The only living brother of Swen O. Nielson was born five days after the mother's arrival in Salt Lake City, in 1863, when she was alone there with her other small children, as her husband did not come for two years later. A daughter died while they were crossing the plains at the Platte river, she being then but four years of age. 

Swen O. Nielson acquired the greater part of his education in the schools of Denmark.  He became practically the head of the family when but fourteen years of age, for his father had long been in ill health and in 1876 he passed away. The mother survived for two decades, her death occurring in 1900. In early life Swen O. Nielson engaged in farming and in sawmill work, carrying on business along those lines for a number of years. In 1886 he established a store in connection with his brother and afterward purchased his brother's interest in the business. He carried a large and well selected line of general merchandise and his trade developed rapidly until he was soon at the head of the leading general store in Fairview. His annual sales reached a large figure and brought to him. a very substantial profit. He also owns a shoe house at Provo, Utah, which is conducted under the name of the Buster Brown Shoe Store and which was opened on the 1st of October, 1919. He has also purchased a fine residence in Provo. His investments make him a stockholder in the Fairview State Bank and in the Mount Pleasant Commercial Savings Bank, of which he is likewise a director. He is the owner of one of the best farms in the state, on which he has large numbers of cattle and sheep. He pays the highest prices and raises a splendid grade of Rambouillet or French Merino sheep.

Mr. Nielson has been married twice. On the 4th of March, 1878, he wedded Rachel Atkin, a daughter of William Atkin, who came to Utah with a handcart company under Bishop Pomeroy-a trip on which many of the emigrants died. Mr. Atkin became a pioneer of St. George. He was a mason by trade and worked on the St. George Temple from the day the ground was first broken until the edifice was completed, never missing a day. Then without compensation he worked in the temple, officiating for many years until his advanced age made him unable to attend to his duties. He died in 1900.

Having lost his first wife, Mr. Nielson was married June 4, 1902, to Mrs. Jennie Poulson, whose mother came to Utah and spent her last days in Fairview, where she passed away. Mr. Nielson has eight children born of his first marriage. Swen W., born January 21, 1880, married Annie Johnson, who died leaving six children. Annie Nellie became the wife of John A. Johanson, a resident of Canada, and they have eight children.  Maud Estella married Robert Oldroyd, also a resident of Canada, and they have one child. Sarah Luella lives in Canada. Sina is the wife of Eli P. Taylor, of Salem, Utah, and they have one child. Ole Alma died in infancy, Peter Franklin died when fourteen years of age and Venice died at the age of nine months.  

Mr. Nielson belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and recognition of his capability on the part of his fellowmen has led to his frequent selection for public office. He has been a member of the city council, has been county commissioner, justice of the peace, constable, city marshal and member of the state equalization board. While serving as county commissioner the work of renovating the county building was undertaken and two bars of lead bullion were discovered, marked Great Salt Lake City, State of Deseret.  It is reported that the bullion was made from lead ore secured from Las Vegas. Nevada, to which place ox teams were sent in the '50s in order to secure the bullion to make bullets for use in holding back Johnston's army in 1857. Later the bullion was sent to Manti for the same purpose in fighting the Indians in 1865, 1866 and 1867. About 1891 one bar was sent to the Utah Museum, earlier known as the Deseret Museum, for Deseret was the name adopted for statehood and Salt Lake City was at one timeknown as Great Salt Lake City. Fifty-six years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since Mr. Nielson became a resident of Utah and through the intervening period he has witnessed great changes as the work of progress and development has been carried steadily forward. He has made for himself a most creditable position in business circles and in connection with the public interests and duties of the state, and his official record isindeed most commendable.

ANDREW P. OLSEN.

Andrew P. Olsen is one of the venerable citizens of Sanpete county who has now attained the age of eighty-seven years and enjoys the respect and goodwill of all. He was born in Denmark and grew to manhood in that land. In 1850 he was converted and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While still a resident of Denmark he married Anna Mortenson. a native of that country, and several children were born to them ere they crossed the Atlantic but two of the number died on the trip to Utah, which was made in 1867. His second wife, Helena Maria Larson, died leaving one child, Anna Olsen Peacock, wife of Earl Peacock, who resides at Nampa, Idaho.

Andrew P. Olsen was a prosperous farmer in his native country and after landing in America he started for the west, making the overland trip from Florence, Nebraska, to Utah. He bought his own teams and also twenty-two oxen for the use of other emigrants.

On arriving at Utah he set himself to the task of making a home in this state and as the years passed became one of the prosperous farmers and successful breeders and pure bred stock, conducting important business interests along that line for many years, or until he retired from active life in 1913. He procured a good ranch three miles north of Ephraim and thereon he erected substantial buildings and developed an excellent property. In the early days he and his family participated in all of the hardships and privations incident to the pioneer settlement of Utah, but as time passed conditions changed as the result of the enterprising and progressive efforts of such men as Mr. Olsen and he has lived to see Utah a great and, prosperous commonwealth, enjoying every advantage known to the older east. He became a recognized authority on questions relative to stock raising and his affairs were most wisely, carefully and profitably managed.

Mr. Olsen was the husband of three wives. His third marriage was to Martha K. Johnson, who was born in Ephraim on the 19th of May, 1858, and became his wife on the 10th of October, 1884. To them were born seven sons: Andrew F., Rasmus A., John K., James G., Daniel K., Nels I. and Grant. The last named, however, died in infancy. The other six developed into stalwart men of affairs, well educated in the best schools of Utah, and in business they have followed in their father's footsteps, all becoming prominent stockmen and ranchers of Utah. The eldest, Andrew F., married Susannah E. Perry, of Cedar City, and they have two sons. Rasmus A. wedded Minnie Wickman, of Ephraim, who died in 1919, and they had two children, one of whom is living, while the other died in infancy. James G. married Belle May Bessey, of Manti, and they have three children living, while another was accidentally killed. Daniel K. married Dora M. Perry, of Cedar City. Nels I. married Stella Lily Kidgell. of Logan, Utah, and they reside on one of the ranches owned by the Olsen Live Stock Company in Wyoming.  Further mention of John K. Olsen is given on another page of this work. With the exception of Nels I. the other members of the family reside in Utah.  In 1913 Andrew F., John K., Daniel K. and Nels I. Olsen organized the Olsen Live Stock Company, one of the big and prosperous live stock companies of Utah. It was at that time that the father retired from business and they took over the management of the interests, which had been developed by father and sons. They have a large acreage for stock in Summit and Sanpete counties of Utah and in Uinta county of Wyoming.

They are also interested in the Ephraim Sanitary Canning Company, are stockholders in the Ephraim Bank and in the Peoples Sugar Company of Moroni. All of the brothers have good homes and they are numbered among the substantial young business men and progressive citizens of the state. Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew P. Olsen. are spending the evening of their lives on the old ranch three miles north of Ephraim in comfort and retirement, surrounded by everything that they could wish for. with their sons always at hand to assist them and make them happy. No couple ever lived in Sanpete county that has gained and retained the love and respect of the community to a greater degree than have Mr. and Mrs. Olsen. Although now in his eighty-seventh year, he is still hale and hearty, his mental faculties unimpaired, and they have the credit and satisfaction of having reared a family of sons of whom any parents could be proud. To their sons they have given excellent educational advantages, their public school training being supplemented by study in the Snow Academy and the Utah Agricultural College.  Andrew and Daniel occupy beautiful bungalow homes in Ephraim but the four brothers maintain their business interests together, each working for the interests of all. From early pioneer times the family has been represented in this section of the state and no history of Sanpete county would be complete without extended reference to Andrew P. Olsen.

DAVID OLSEN.

David Olsen is a well known stock raiser of Manti who is engaged in the breeding and raising of Hereford cattle and Rambouillet sheep. He has always lived in Sanpete county, his birth having occurred at Ephraim, September 14, 1866. His parents were James and Anna Catherine (Christensen) Olsen. The father was one of the pioneer settlers of Sanpete county, taking up his abode at Ephraim. He was afterwards called upon to settle Circle valley and was there driven out by the Indians in 1866, when he located at Manti. He was one of the veterans of the Black Hawk war and in days of peace his efforts were concentrated upon the occupations of farming and stock raising, in which he successfully continued. At one time he filled a mission to Denmark for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he was also among those who made the trip eastward after emigrants. In the family of James and Anna Catherine Olsen were five children: David, James P., Hans C, Annie Catherine and Diantha I.  

David Olsen had little opportunity to attend school and is in fact a self-educated as well as a self-made man. In early manhood he took up the occupation of farming in connection with his father and later began the work independently. As time has passed he has concentrated his efforts and attention more and more largely upon the raising of cattle and sheep and has developed pure bred Hereford cattle and Rambouillet sheep, having large herds and flocks. His ranch has splendid equipment for the conduct of the business and his farm is a valuable one, while in Manti stands his comfortable home.  

At Manti, one the 22d of June, 1892, Mr. Olsen was married to Miss Cora Dorothea Madsen, who was there born October 20, 1871, a daughter of Peter H. and Karen Marie (Hansen) Madsen, who are natives of Denmark and in 1854 came to Utah. They established their home at Manti and Mr. Madsen concentrated his efforts and attention upon farming. He went to Denmark on a mission in 1898 and he was also a member of the Quorum of Seventy and did Sunday school work. He, too, was numbered among those who defended the interests of the colonists in the Black Hawk war. Both he and his wife are still living and their memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past of pioneer times and the progressive present. Mr. and Mrs. Madsen became the parents of eight children. A complete sketch of the family appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Olsen eight children have also been born, but Ivan and Allen are deceased. Those living are: Cleo, who was born July 13, 1893; David, born December 9, 1895; James Perry, January 18, 1898; Thyra, August 23, 1900; Delia, January 9, 1906; and Dorothea, September 24. 1910.

Mr. Olsen and his family belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He has made generous contribution to the missionary cause and his son David has just returned from a mission to the Hawaiian islands covering four years and nine months, reaching his home on the 11th of August, 1919. In his political views Mr. Olsen is a republican but has never been ambitious to hold office. He is truly a self-made man and his advancement and success are the direct outcome of earnest and indefatigable labor.

HANS C. OLSEN.

A valuable farm property is being tilled and developed by Hans C. Olsen, who is also making stock raising an important feature of his business. His place is situated at Axtell and he has been a lifelong resident of Sanpete county, his birth having occurred at Ephraim, September 11, 1880. His parents were James and Annie C. (Christensen) Olsen, who were natives of Denmark. The Olsen family emigrated to Utah in 1854, when James Olsen was a lad of but fourteen years, and his future wife came about the same time. In later years they met and in 1859 were married, establishing their home at Ephraim. There James Olsen followed farming and in the early days experienced many of the hardships, trials and privations of frontier life. He was a veteran of the Black Hawk war and in the early times experienced much trouble with the Indians. He had gone to Circle valley and was driven out there by the red men, after which he returned to Ephraim. Later he purchased a farm at Manti, where he resided until his death in 1883. He was an ardent worker in behalf of the church and in 1864 went to the Missouri river for emigrants. The mother of Hans C. Olsen is still living and makes her home at Ogden at the age of seventy-seven years.  

Hans C. Olsen was educated in the public schools of Manti and when nineteen years of age leased a farm and started out to develop and improve the property. Two years later he purchased land at Sterling but after three years disposed of that place and bought a more extensive farm with better land at Axtell. Though the intervening period he has continued the further cultivation and development of his land and in addition to raising the crops best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here he has become extensively connected with the sheep industry. He is regarded as one of the most progressive young farmers and sheep men in the valley and has been very successful in all that he has undertaken. He is also a stockholder in the Gunnison Valley Sugar Company and a member of the Gunnison Irrigation board.

At Manti, on the 22d of November, 1899, Mr. Olsen was married to Miss Zina Anderson, who was born March 1, 1878. Her parents, who were natives of Denmark, emigrated to Utah and settled at Ephraim in 1856 Her father was a veteran of the Black Hawk war and was in the engagement at Salina canyon and at Circle valley.  He also went to the Missouri river for emigrants in 1863 and he served on a two years' mission to Denmark. He was a most prominent, active and influential citizen of Ephraim, where he passed away in 1919. To Mr. and Mrs. Olsen were born four children: Margarette, who was born July 18, 1901; Davida C, born September 13, 1904;  Newell H. October 10. 1906; and Lloyd E., January 22, 1911. Mr. Olsen is a member of the Seventies Quorum in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with which he has been identified from early life. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and while he has never sought nor held office, he is keenly interested in all that has to do with the progress and welfare of the city in which he resides. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way and is truly a self-made man, for his prosperity has resulted directly from individual labor and merit.

JOHN K. OLSEN.

Ephraim has a large percentage of citizens of Scandinavian birth and from this people who have gained world wide recognition for their industry and reliability, John K. Olsen is descended.  He was born at Ephraim, April 16, 1889, and since 1912 has been a member of the Olsen Live Stock Company. He is the son of Andrew P. and Martha K. (Johnson) Olsen. The father was a very successful farmer and breeder of pure bred stock and for many years conducted important business interests along that line. He won a number of sweepstake prizes at the State Fair upon his stock and is now the possessor of some beautiful cups thus gained. He retired from active business in 1913, when his sons organized the Olsen Live Stock Company. He has always been a liberal contributor to the church and has guided his life according to its teachings. He has now reached the venerable age of eighty-seven years.

In the acquirement of his education John K. Olsen completed a public school course in Ephraim in 1904 and afterward attended Snow College, from which he was graduated in 1907. He next entered the Utah Agricultural College at Logan and there received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1911. Throughout his business career he has been connected with farming and stock raising and since 1900 has been engaged in importing pure bred stock. His early training well qualified him for this business and his powers have been developed through his industry and experience. In 1913, with his brothers, Andrew P., Daniel K. and Nels I., he organized the Olsen Live Stock Company, having large acreage for stock in Summit and Sanpete counties, Utah, and in Uinta county, Wyoming. Their holdings are now extensive and important, their position being an enviable one among the prominent live stock raisers of this section of the state. This by no means, however, constitutes the scope of his activity, for he is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Ephraim Sanitary Canning Company, a stockholder in the Bank of Ephraim, in the Peoples Sugar Company at Moroni and in the Guardian Life Insurance Company of Salt Lake City. He is the vice president of the Ephraim Farm Bureau, which indicates his keen interest in things agricultural and his influence on the side of progress.

On the 26th of June, 1912, Mr. Olsen was married in Manti to Miss Jennie C. Young, who was born June 13, 1892, a daughter of Parley R. and Bertha M. (Hanson) Young. Her father was a native of Virginia and on coming to Utah settled at Fairview in 1867.  There he was a very successful agriculturist and also a most zealous and earnest church worker. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have become the parents of two children: Veda Clarice, who was born at Ephraim, May 14, 1914; and Jay Y., whose birth occurred at Ephraim on the 27th of January, 1917. The family has membership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fraternally Mr. Olsen is connected with Delta Theta Sigma. He is a prominent figure in business circles and his life indicates what can be accomplished by determined purpose intelligently directed.

RASMUS A. OLSEN.

Rasmus A. Olsen, one of the progressive representatives of farming and stock raising interests in Sanpete county, his place being near Ephraim, was born February 19, 1887, in that city, a son of Andrew P. and Martha K. (Johnson) Olsen. The father is a native of Denmark, born in 1832, and in 1867, having become a convert to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Utah, settling at Ephraim. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Mortenson, died in 1878, after a married life of twenty-seven years, their marriage having been celebrated in 1851. Andrew P. Olsen was again married in 1880, his second union being with Helena Larson, who passed away in 1881. In 1884 he wedded Martha Johnson and he was the father of eighteen children, seven of whom are now deceased. He bought teams at the frontier upon his removal to the west, traded his cattle for a farm and started out in his life in Utah as a man of some means. He followed farming, freighting and stock raising and as the years passed developed his interests along most progressive lines. He converted his stock into pure bred herds and he has several large sweepstake silver cups and a large number of blue ribbons that he has won at exhibitions. In the conduct of his business affairs he has been very successful and has ever been a generous contributor to the church and an earnest supporter of all of its activities. In the early days he made one or more trips for emigrants, fitting out the trains, and in every possible way he has furthered the interests and up building of the state along material and moral lines. He is still hale and hearty at the age of eighty-seven years and the mother of Rasmus A. Olsen is also living. They reared a family of six sons.

Rasmus A. Olsen supplemented his common school education by a course in the Snow Academy at Ephraim. He then took up the occupation of farming and the raising of live stock of a high grade. As the years have passed he has won a fair measure of prosperity and is now the owner of three hundred acres of good farm and pasture land.  In all that he undertakes he has been very progressive and has now a splendidly improved farm property and fine stock. A glance at his place indicates the spirit that has guided him in all that he has undertaken, for his farm is one of the attractive features of the landscape. He is a stockholder in the Ephraim Sanitary Canning Company, also an active member of the Farm Bureau and one of the most earnest and zealous promoters of the dairy business at Ephraim. His activities have ever been of a character that have contributed to public progress and improvement as well as to individual success and he is justly accounted one of the leading and representative men of his district.  

At Manti, on the 20th of December, 1905, Mr. Olsen was married to Miss Minnie H. Wickmann, who was born January 1, 1883, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Hansen) Wickmann, who emigrated to Utah from Denmark in 1873, settling at Ephraim. The father was a weaver by trade and followed the same line of work in this state and also took up the occupation of farming. He died November 26, 1907, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen became the parents of two children: Nellie M., who was born August 6, 1906, and passed away April 2, 1907; and Eva K., whose birth occurred February 23, 1912. Mrs. Olsen died September 22, 1919.  The religious faith of the family is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mr. Olsen was a counselor in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, was a teacher in the Sunday school for a number of years and also ward teacher. He votes with the democratic party but has never sought or desired office in recognition of party fealty. He prefers to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and the sound judgment he has displayed in the control of his interests has made for success as the year have gone by.

HEBER S. OLSON.

Heber S. Olson, principal of the Junior high school at Fairview and an able educator whose developing powers have covered twenty years' experience in this field, was born September 9, 1872, in the city where he still resides, his parents being Christian and Christiana (Olson) Olson, who came to Utah in 1864 and 1865 respectively and settled at Fairview, where they were married in 1867. Active in the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the father filled a mission, leaving his home for that purpose in 1879, and was traveling elder. For a considerable period he was connected with mercantile pursuits while residing at Fairview and was also manager of a sawmill. By trade he was a stonemason but in the early days his mechanical skill and ingenuity enabled him to do almost any kind of work that was needed. He was prominent in Fairview in his activity for the interests of all the settlers in an early day and his position in the district was one of prominence and influence. Here he reared his family, numbering six children: Heber S.; Mary Catherine, who became the wife of Lewis Larson and had two children, Mary and one deceased; John, who died at the age of eight years; Erick, who died at the age of eighteen years; Christian P., who married Maud Anderson and has eight children; and George F., who wedded Neola Ellertson. The son Christian is now president of the Commercial Club of Fairview. George has filled a mission to the northern states and for four years was president of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. He has been a teacher in the Junior high school at Fairview and also taught in the high school at Mount Pleasant.

Heber S. Olson after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of his native city continued his education in the Mount Pleasant Seminary and later pursued a normal course in the Brigham University at Provo. He was afterward a student in the University of Utah through several summer terms, for he was very ambitious to gain a liberal education and utilized every opportunity that would forward his ends. He now holds a state certificate for high school work and for a long period has occupied an enviable position in educational circles. He took up the profession of teaching twenty years ago, and making steady progress in that professional field, became principal of the Junior high school, in which position he still continues. He has proved a most able educator, attacking every problem with a contagious enthusiasm that has had its effect upon teachers and pupils. His exposition of any subject is clear and comprehensive and his work is characterized by a thoroughness that brings excellent results. He is also interested in the Peoples Trading Store at Fairview, of which he ia fourth owner.

At Manti, Utah, on the 17th of April, 1902, Mr. Olson was married to Miss Pauline Dreyer, a daughter of Paul and Sophia Dreyer. She was born in Denmark in 1882 and came to Utah in 1888 with her mother and brothers and sisters, namely: Wilmet, Charles, Dora, Sophia, Joseph, Lottie and Pauline, but Lottie is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have become the parents of six children: Mary Alta, who was born January 31, 1903; Alice Pauline, born January 17, 1905; Paul Christian, August 18, 1908; Heber Loyal, December 22, 1910; Rex Owen. April 13, 1916; and Don Berkley, April 13, 1919.  The religious faith of the family is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mr. Olson has been active in church work. He filled a mission to the southern states, being sent to Virginia, and after five months was made president of the Virginia conference, so continuing for seventeen months, from 1899 until 1901. He is now the first counselor to the bishop of Fairview and was stake president of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association for four years. He is also clerk of the ward and teaches a special Bible class in the Junior high school. Mr. Olson is identified with the Commercial Club and manifests a keen interest in everything that has to do with the welfare of the city, the extension of its trade relations and the upholding of its civic standards. He votes with the democratic party but his is that type of patriotism which places the public good before partisanship. In 1917 he was elected mayor of Fairview and is the present incumbent in that position, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration which takes recognition of present needs and looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and possibilities of the future.

NEPHI OTTOSEN.

From pioneer times the Ottosen family has been represented in Utah and Nephi Ottosen is numbered among the native sons of Gunnison, where his birth occurred April 17, 1870. He is now identified with the business interests of Manti, where since 1905 he has conducted a market and grocery store. He is a son of Jens and Johannah Ottosen.  The father came to Utah in 1855, driving an ox team across the plains, and the mother made the long trip in 1857 with a handcart company. Mr. Ottosen settled first at Goshen, where he was married, and later removed to Salina, where tha people were driven out by the Indians in 1866. He then came to Manti. After the Indian troubles he established his home at Gunnison but in 1872 returned to Manti, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1884. The mother is still living. In the work of the church Mr. Ottosen manifested a zealous interest and was counselor to the bishop at Gunnison and a member of the High Priest Quorum. To him and his wife were born four children, namely: Martena, Otto, Churstie and Nephi.

Nephi Ottosen acquired a common school education at Manti and for one session was a pupil in the Utah Agricultural College at Logan. He first worked in a sawmill for ten years and in 1905, in connection with his brother, opened a market at Manti, of which he is still the manager. He carries a large line of both staple and fancy groceries, fruits and meats and has been quite successful in the conduct of his business. He makes it his aim to please his patrons, to give them value received and by reason of his straightforward dealings and the class of goods which he carries he has won a very liberal patronage. He is also a stockholder in the People's Sugar Company of Moroni and in the Gunnison Valley Sugar Company. He is also interested in the Manti Drug Company and the Manti Telephone Company and is a director of the Mammoth Hatchery. 

At Manti, on the 6th of June, 1900, Mr. Ottosen was married to Miss Elizabeth Ahlstrom, a daughter of Peter and Mary Ahlstrom, who were among the early residents of Sanpete county. The father served in the Black Hawk war and for a considerable period did work in the Temple. Both he and the mother are now deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ottosen are as follows: Clifton Nephi, born February 17, 1902; Bldon A., whose birth occurred November 12, 1903; Zelma, whose natal day was March 28, 1906; Mary, born in November, 1908; Gerald, born January 6, 1910; Helen, born June 17, 1912; and Jesse, whose birth occurred April 4, 1917. All were born at Manti.  In his political views Mr. Ottosen is a republican and has served as a member of the city council. His military record covers service in the Spanish-American war, at which time he went to the Philippines as a member of Battery B of the Utah troops under R. W. Young, returning with that battery when their services were no longer needed on the islands. He has always been a most loyal and progressive citizen, interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of community, commonwealth or country.  Fraternally he is a Modern Woodman and both within and outside of the organization he is held in high regard. He is a man of positive nature, guided by upright principles, and he is always courteous and obliging to customers and social acquaintances alike.

IRA OVERFELT.

Ira Overfelt. agent for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at Gunnison since 1909, or for a period of ten years, was born in Missouri, April 8, 1883, his parents being Stephen and Sarah (Thomas) Overfelt. The father, who devoted his life to farming in Missouri, died while on a visit to his son Ira in 1911. The mother is still living. In their family were six children, the brother of Ira Overfelt being William Overfelt, who is now with the United States marines. His sisters are Hattie, Bertie, Jessie and Ruth. 

In the public schools of his native state Ira Overfelt pursued his education and in his boyhood days assisted his father in farm work, being thus employed until nineteen years of age. He then turned his attention to railroading and secured a position with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, at which time he took up the study of telegraphy.  By the end of two years he had become an efficient operator and obtained a position at Bonita, Texas. Later he was with the Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad in Louisiana and subsequently returned to Missouri to enter the employ of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In 1907 he came to Utah as a representative of the Denver & Rio Grande and occupied positions at Salina, Marysvale and other stations until 1909, when he was appointed agent at Gunnison, where he has since remained. He is thoroughly imbued with the progressive spirit of the west and has identified his interests with those of Sanpete county. He is now the owner of a good farm, which he leases and which brings to him a substantial income. He is also agent for the Utah Fuel Company, supplying most of the coal used in Gunnison, and he is a stockholder in the Gunnison Valley Sugar Company and the Gunnison Valley Alfalfa Meal & Feed Company. 

At Hawk Point, Missouri, on the 1st of January, 1908, Mr. Overfelt was united in marriage to Miss Willie Howell, a daughter of William and Kate (Nichols) Howell, who are still residents of Hawk Point, where the father successfully follows farming.  Mr. and Mrs. Overfelt have two children: Lois, born in Gunnison, April 27, 1909; and Helen, on the 31st of May, 1911.

In his political views Mr. Overfelt is a democrat, giving stalwart allegiance to the party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Ha is also well known in fraternal and club circles, having membership in Hyrum Lodge, A. F. & A. M" at Richfield, Utah, and in the Entre Nous Club of Gunnison. His social qualities are such as make for personal popularity and he is a most highly esteemed and valued resident of Gunnison, where he has now made his home for a decade. As a railroad official he is most accommodating and obliging, well suited for the line of work which he has taken up, and while he puts forth every effort to aid the public he is at the same time most loyal to the corporation interests which he represents.

JAMES C. PEDERSEN.

James C. Pedersen, who is engaged in sheep raising in Sanpete county, his home being at Spring City, was born in Denmark, September 24, 1865. His parents were Christian and Catherine Marie (Christensen) Pedersen. The father died in Denmark and in 1889 the mother emigrated to Utah and is now living with her son in a good home amid pleasant surroundings at the age of eighty years. 

James C. Pedersen acquired a common school education in Denmark and in 1887, when a young man of twenty-two years, came to Utah. After crossing the Atlantic he took up his abode at Spring City, this state, and started upon his business career here by herding sheep. As time passed and he put his wages into sheep until the fall of 1898, when he had succeeded in getting together a good flock of his own. He has since continued in the business quite successfully, covering a period of more than twenty one years, and is now a leading representative of the sheep industry in this part of the state. He is also a stockholder in the North Sanpete Bank of Mount Pleasant. 

On the 15th of January, 1913, at Manti, Utah, Mr. Pedersen was married to Miss Martha Gabrielsen, who was born February 19, 1S89, and came to Utah in October, 1910.  She is a daughter of Andrew M. and Inger Gabrielsen, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Pedersen have become parents of four children : Mabel C, who was born October 7, 1913; Clarence C, whose birth occurred May 7, 1915; Edwin A., born August 8, 1916; and Delbert K., whose natal day was December 2, 1918. All were born at Spring City.  The religious faith of the family is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the political belief of Mr. Pedersen is that of the republican party. His life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and worthy motives. He came to America a young man empty-handed and with limited financial resources but has made steady progress. He brought his mother and a crippled sister to Utah, giving them a good home, and the sister has now passed away. Notwithstanding the fact that he arrived in Utah empty-handed, he is today, as the result of his economy and careful investments, practically financially independent. There is much in his life record that is worthy of emulation and he well deserves classification with the highly respected and leading residents of Sanpete county.