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Utah County Biographies of Lehi
The History of Lehi
Written by Hamilton Gardner 1913
 JENS N. HOLM AND FAMILY. In Arnager. a small Fishermen's village five miles from the city of Ronne on the Island of Bornholm, Denmark, were born Jens Neilson Holm and his wife, Margaret Christina Ipson Holm.
They were married April 30, 1842. To this union was given one daughter, Margaret Christina, born September 5, 1843.
They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints February 4, 1854, emigrating to Utah in 1857. Nine weeks and three days were spent on the ocean voyage and fourteen weeks in crossing the plains from Omaha to Salt Lake City, arriving in Utah September 13, 1857. The hand cart company of which they were members paralleled, in their travels, the advance wagons of Johnston's Army.
Father Holm and family spent the first winter in Brigham City. In the spring of 1858 he was called south. Upon reaching Payson he was ordered back, locating in Lehi July 4, 1858. Here the members of this family made their home continuously up to the time of their death.
Jens Neilson Holm was born March 23. 1818, and died in Lehi April 22. 1908. at the age of 90 years and one month.
Margaret Christina Ipson Holm was born August 14, 1817. and died in Lehi January 28. 1896, at the age of 78 years, 5 months, and 14 days. Their daughter Margaret Christina was married to Bishop David Evans.
 MERRELL WHITTIER INGALLS was born in the state of Maine, and removed to the state of Illinois when a small boy and to California in 1864. He was employed by his father, who had a contract for the erection of a plant for the California Beet Sugar Company at Alvarado, California, in the year 1869. This plant was the first beet sugar factory in America, but was a few years later moved to Soquel, near Santa Cruz, California, where the writer with his brother was sub-contractor on part of the
work. He then followed surveying and was also on the engineering corps, surveying proposed routes for pipe lines to supply San Francisco with water.
In 1879 he removed machinery from the factory in Sacramento, California, to Alvarado, for the Standard Sugar Company. He was employed by this company for six or eight years, first as mechanic and then as master mechanic and Chief Engineer.
On account of ill health, he went to Arizona and installed an electric light plant in the penitentiary at Yuma, then operated a lumber mill and electric light plant at Portland. Oregon.
Coming to Utah in 1891 as master mechanic for the company which was building a factory for the Utah Sugar Company, he made a one year's contract with them. Then he made a three year's contract with the Utah Sugar Company, and has been with the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, their successors, up to the present time, from 1902 to 1907 as Chief Engineer of all plants connected with Utah-Idaho sugar Company, and from that time until the present as Consulting Engineer with the Technical Board. In the year 1901 the farmers that were raising beets in Salt Lake County would not raise them to the extent desired by the sugar company, on account of shortage of water, so in company with James H. Gardner, he contracted for and installed a pumping plant at the mouth of the Jordan River for the different canal companies.
 MARY JOYNSON JACKSON. a daughter of Thomas and Mary Clay Joynson, was born August 30, 1819, in Barra, Cheshire, England. Her parents were farmers, so she grew up surrounded by the scenes of country life. Her opportunities being limited, her education was very meagre, although she was able to read.
In 1836 she married John Jackson, a young man of almost her own age. He was born March 17, 1819. in her native village. His father, John Jackson, was a street paver, while John. Jr., became a carpenter.
In 1841 this young couple joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, being among the first to accept the gospel in England. For twenty-seven years Mr. Jackson and wife kept open house for the Mormon elders and many there were who came and went as the years rolled by.
One June 4, 1868, John and Mary and seven children emigrated to America, leaving their two older sons, who were married, in England. They crossed the ocean on the sailing vessel "John Bright" landing in New York July 13, 1868: crossed the plains in Captain John R. Murdochs company and arrived in Salt Lake City. Utah, August 30. 1868. Bishop Evans of Lehi. who was present when the company arrived, made enquiry concerning tradesmen and on learning that Mr. Jackson was a carpenter, asked permission of Presiding Bishop Hunter, who had charge of the immigration business, if he might take him to Lehi. Bishop Hunter replied in his characteristic way, "Yes, yes, take him along, lock, stock, and barrel," and that is how it happened that the family came to Lehi.
The names of the children who came at this time were: Enos, Hyrum, Joseph, Mary Rebecca (Mrs. Moroni Holt), Daniel, Harriett (Mrs. James Brooks), Sarah (Mrs. Henry McComic). Ephraim, and Moses. John and Henry came to Utah some years later.
For a number of years Mr. Jackson followed the carpenter trade, but the change in climate seemed to break his health. Like all pioneers, he had to turn his hand to various occupations among which was cutting and hauling cedar posts to Salt Lake City. On the 5th of January, 1870, while returning from Salt Lake City, where he had been with a load of posts, he was accidentally thrown from the wagon by the dropping of the wheel in a hole in the road and in falling, his head was caught in the wheel and his neck broken. About two years later, the widow married John Shaw, with whom she lived until the time of his death, which occurred in 1881.
Mother Jackson, as she was familiarly known, lived to a ripe old age. loved and respected by all who knew her for her happy, cheerful disposition. She died December 21, 1906.
JOHN JOHNSON. was one of the very early pioneers and prominent citizens "over the creek." A native of Warceland, Sweden, he was born December 15, 1821, and with his wife and four children emigrated to Utah in 1862.
He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Norway, where he lived for a number of years, being baptized by Karl Dorius, and took an active part in missionary work in the neighborhood where he lived. On reaching Utah, he came direct to Lehi, where he has since made his home. In 1865 his wife Gorinna Torgersen died, leaving him with the care of five children, the youngest having been born in Lehi. Their names are: Anna (Mrs. George Beck), Willard, Parley, Charles, and Melvin.
In 1867 he married Anna Anderson, a native of Morra, Sweden, born 1828, who soon adapted herself to the pioneer conditions of the Johnson family and became a kind and affectionate mother to the children and a devoted wife and helpmate to Mr. Johnson. Besides being a good housekeeper, she was an expert worker in hair, making very beautiful necklaces, watch chains, and the like, of this material.
During his residence in Lehi, Mr. Johnson has followed the occupation of farming and during the latter years of his life was able to live in comparative comfort and enjoy the fruits of his toil and industry. He died May 5, 1913, survived by his wife Anna and four sons.
 ELLEN WILLIAMS JONES was born December 1. 1839. in Slansantfraid, Denbigh County, Wales. She was the daughter of Emma Fowlks and William Williams. She was married to Thomas R. Jones December 28, 1854. She arrived in Lehi in 1861 and lived in a cellar one winter, then built an adobe house outside of the fort wall. After living a number of years there, they moved to the North Branch.
Mrs. Jones was present at the first organization of the Relief Society in Lehi and was called to act as president of the Lehi North Branch Relief Society in 1877, serving for thirty-five years. In addition she was chosen first counselor of the Primary Association, and served about twenty-five years. She was, called to work among the sick and in laying away the dead, for which many scores are here to bless her for her assistance in time of death and sickness.
THOMAS KARREN, .was born on the Isle of Man, May 1, 1810. moved to Liverpool, England, in 1830, and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1842. He was ordained an elder at Liverpool, emigrated to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1844. and was ordained a seventy in the Seventh quorum at Nauvoo. He joined the Mormon Battalion in 1846 and was honorably discharged in 1847. landing in Great Salt Lake Valley July 23 of the same year.
He went back to Council Bluffs and returned to Utah with his family in 1850. In 1852 he was called to the Sandwich Islands upon a mission, where he was associated with George Q. Cannon and others. He returned to Lehi in 1855.
Later he was ordained first counselor to Bishop Evans, which position he retained to the day of his death. For two years before his death he suffered extremely. He was a faithful Latter-day Saint, highly esteemed by all who knew him. Throughout all his affliction he did not complain but resigned himself to the will of God. He left three wives and thirteen children living to mourn his loss.
 JOHN KARREN. was born July 4, 1834, at Liverpool, England. His father, Thomas Karren, was a native of the Isle of Man and his mother's name was Ann Ratley. The family were converted to the faith advocated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and emigrated to America and cast their lot with the Mormon people.
The father joined the famous Mormon Battalion and left the family to shift for themselves under very trying circumstances. After his return, the family crossed the plains to Utah in 1850 and located at Sulphur Springs on Dry Creek, being among the first families to settle on the site of Lehi.
John grew up amid the rugged scenes of pioneer life and conditions and took part in many of the hazardous undertakings of the early days. He was in the battle with the Indians during the Tintic War in 1856 when Catlin, Cousin, and Winn were killed. He made a trip back to the Missouri River after the Church immigration in 1865 and was a veteran of the Black Hawk Indian war. He died March 19, 1904.
 MARIA LAWRENCE KARREN, wife of John Karren, was a daughter of John and Rhoda Lawrence, and was born May 24, 1836, in Toronto, Canada. Her father died at Winter Quarters in 1846. and a sister died at about the same time. The entire family except Maria were sick and she was the only one able to render any aid to the others. The family moved to Utah and she was married to John Karren in 1854.
She was the mother of twelve children, six of them growing to maturity. They were: John Daniel. Edward, Rosabell (Mrs. John D. Woodhouse), Flora (Mrs. Heber McNiel, deceased), William, Josephus, and Katie Maria (Mrs. James H. Dunkley). Mrs. Karren died August 21, 1914.
 GEORGE WILLIAM KIRKHAM. Was born March 18, 1822, in London, Surrey, England, and died at Lehi, Utah, April 24, 1896. Mary Astington Kirkham was born July 6, 1824. in Richmond, Yorkshire, England. She died at Lehi, Utah, October 27, 1881.
They left their native land April 11, 1859, and with their four sons, James, George, Hyrum, and Joseph, crossed the ocean in the sailing vessel, "William Tabseot." They crossed the plains in R. F. Neslen's company, arriving in Salt Lake City, Thursday, September 15. 1859.
They lived in Sugar House Ward, Salt Lake City, during the winter of 1859 and came to Lehi in the spring of 1860. where they spent their lives in helping to build up our city, making roads, building fences, assisting in rearing our public buildings, and otherwise passing through the trials of pioneer life and the hardships of the early days of Utah.
Mary Astington Kirkham
 THORSTEN KNUDSEN., was born February 20, 1835, in Sorknes, Grue, Soler, Norway being a son of Knud Knudsen and Tore Gulbrandscn. His father, who had been a well-to-do land owner, lost all of his property in speculations and when Mr. Knudsen was four years old his father died and he was sent to live with an aunt.
When he was 16, his mother died also. There were ten children in the family, and Thorsten was the youngest. He lived with his aunt till he was about 12 years old. when he went home to live with his mother. After her death, he lived with various ones to whom he hired out to work, as the custom was to hire out for a year.
At the age of 20 he went to Christiania, the capital of Norway, and four years later he married Ogene Hergesen, the orphaned daughter of Hans and Ingaborg Hergesen.
In 1860 he joined the Mormon Church, having come in contact with the elders through the persuasions of his affianced. In 1866 he became very ill and as the doctor advised a change of climate he decided to emigrate to America. He shipped from Hamburg in the sailing vessel "Humbolt," taking nine weeks to cross the ocean. He crossed the plains in Captain Scott's company, arriving in Salt Lake City during the October conference.
Mr. Knudsen went to Provo, where he lived till the 22nd of December, 1866, when he came to Lehi and has lived here ever since. When Knudsen left his wife in Norway he also left his son Parley, who was 5 years old. Two years later through the death of a child whose fare had been paid. Parley was brought to Utah by C. C. A. Christensen, a returning missionary. In 1870 Mrs. Knudsen emigrated to Utah and joined her husband and son in Lehi.
Three children have been born to this family since their arrival in Lehi, but only one, Hyrum, is living. His home is in Logan. The wife and mother died November 13, 1910.
In 1871 the Knudsen family moved to their present home over the creek, being among the first to locate in this neighborhood. Mr. Knudsen has lived a quiet, peaceful life, tilling his little farm with care and keeping within his means; a good neighbor, a kind father and a consistent citizen.
JAMES J. LAMB,. was born at Huron, Wayne County, New York, April 29. 1835. He emigrated to Lehi in 1852 and there married Sarah E. Ross March 21, 1863. He was the father of ten children.
 On March 21, 1866, he enlisted in the Black Hawk War and was mustered out of service July 18, 1866. He also fought all through the Walker War.
He drove one of the first teams back to Florence, Nebraska, in Joseph W. Young's company after Mormon immigrants who were too poor to furnish ways for themselves to come to Utah. While at Florence, he was chosen to drive to Utah with George Q. Cannon, who was just then returning home from a mission to England. He also went with a company of volunteers to join an expedition to go to Salmon River, Idaho, and assist in bringing the settlers from Fort Limhi, who were surrounded by hostile Indians who had killed some of the white men. This was one of the hardest trips he was called to make.
Mr. Lamb was a man of good character, a trusted citizen, a good husband and father and had many friends wherever he was known. He was thrown from a load of lumber and instantly killed, October 21. 1896, at the age of 61 years, leaving a wife, five boys, and four girls.
 LARS VICTOR LARSON,. son of Lars Larson and Stena Katerine Anderson, was born in Orcbro, Sweden, July 24, 1857. Until 14 years of age he lived on a farm with his parents, when he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, remaining with him for three years.
In August, 1877, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1880, he was ordained an elder and spent two years in missionary work on the island of Gotland.
In 1882. he emigrated to Utah, locating in Salt Lake City, where he was married to Hilda Cristin Soderlund, by whom he had nine children, five boys and four girls. He lived in Salt Lake City but a short time, when he moved to Lehi, where he has lived for twenty-five years, engaged in shoemaking with occasional trips in the mountains prospecting for the precious metals. He was one of the first to build a home on what was known for many years as the "Big Pasture" south-east of Lehi, making a .garden spot of what was formerly considered land too salty for anything but grazing purposes. Since the people divided on national party lines he has been active in politics, speaking his views on economic questions at all times freely and fearlessly. He is an industrious and energetic citizen.
HENRY LEWIS, son of Phillip Lewis and Cathrine Evans Lewis, was born April 28, 1854, in Llanelthy, Wales. He was baptized August 27, 1862, by Phillip Lewis; confirmed by James F. Watters August 27. 1862, and labored as a deacon for many years. He emigrated to Utah in June, 1871. Here he was ordained an elder July 22. 1871. He was married to Jane Sarah Goody June 30, 1873, who was the daughter of Henry Goody and Mary Wilshire. And was born at London, England, February 15, 1856. They have had a family of eleven children seven sons and four daughters.
Mr. Lewis was appointed acting deacon in the eleventh district of Lehi March 1, 1879; was appointed acting priest in the third district of Lehi March 6, 1880; was set apart as Sunday school teacher by Elder William Yates March 28, 1880; was set apart as second counselor to Lott Russon of the elders' quorum March 16, 1884; was appointed missionary for the Y. M .M. I. A. October 28, 1889; and was ordained a seventy March 10, 1889, by Elder T. R. Cutler.
He went to Great Britain on a mission on February 24, 1893, and was there until April 8, 1895, Upon his return he labored with the missionary fund committee from 1896 to 1909, and collected thousands of dollars to send to missionaries.
On December 20, 1903, he was chosen bishop of the Third Ward of Lehi, and was set apart by Elder John Henry Smith. He was one of the Building Committee of the Lehi Tabernacle and was appointed treasurer, and received in cash and merchandise $30,913.39. and paid out $30,938.61, from 1900 to 1904. a balance to his credit of $25.22.
He also held many other positions of trust. He was a member of the City Council, a School Trustee, and helped promote many home industries of our county. He has been a director in the People's Co-operative Institution for twelve years, and at present is president of the North Bench Irrigation Company.
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