Christian Willardsen

BIOGRAPHY OF CHRISTIAN WILLARDSEN

By Marie Willardsen

Christian Willardsen, one of the pioneer settlers of Ephraim, Sanpete County, Utah, was born near the city of Skiva, Viborg amt, Denmark, April 6, 1811. Being left an orphan when very small and compelled to rely on his own resources, he started life without money, but soon obtained a farm and made himself quite comfortable. Becoming a convert to “Mormonism,” he was baptized in 1852 by Elder Christian Christiansen and left Denmark in December 1852, immigrating to America, together with his wife Karen Sorensen whom he had married in Denmark April 2, 1851. They crossed the Atlantic in the ship “Forest Monarch” and the plains in John E. Forsgren’s company, which arrived in Salt Lake City September 30, 1853. Together with others of the same emigrant company, Brother Willardsen and wife first located in the so-called Allred Settlement (now Spring City), but were driven away by the Indians and spent the winter of 1853-54 in Manti. In the spring of 1854 he settled permanently at Ephraim, being one of the first settlers of that place, where he helped to build the first forts erected as a protection against the Indians. He was a member of that community the remainder of his life, becoming one of the most prosperous citizens of the town. He had an interest in the first burr mill at Ephraim, and finally organized a company, which built the Climax Roller Mill, of which he was president and the principal stockholder till the time of his death. Later he bought a burr mill in Mayfield and changed it to the present roller process; that mill is now owed by the family. Brother Willardsen also engaged in merchandizing at Ephraim at an early day, his store being later incorporated as the Ephraim Co-op. He constructed a tannery, carried on farming and freighted produce to market. He took an active part in the Black Hawk War and passed through all the trials of grasshopper and Indian incidents in early days. In 1871 he filled a short mission to Scandinavia. Returning home he assisted quite a number of poor Saints to immigrate to Utah, he being a man of means. On many other occasions he contributed very liberally to the Church and for public purposes. Being the founder of home industries, he gave employment to many people. When he passed to his final rest at Ephraim, June 29, 1897, he left three wives and fourteen children. His first wife (Karen) bore him five children, namely Willard, Christian, Erastus C., Joseph and Marie. His second wife (Mary Larsen) bore him four children - Christian, Caroline, Andrew and James; she had two children, Mary A. Allred and Mena Oviatt by a former marriage. His third wife (Anna Katrine Sorensen) bore her husband four children, namely Annie, Lorinda, Peter and John.
Mary Larsen Willardsen, wife of Christian Willardsen, was born August 2, 1836, at Greis, Vejle amt, Denmark, the daughter of Lars Johansen and Anna M. Sorensen. She was baptized in December 1851, by Knud H. Bruun and immigrated to Utah in 1854-55. In crossing the North Sea from Frederolsjavn to England she was exposed to one of the worst storm that ever made the life of the emigrant company upon waters miserable. During the fury of the storm the ship was compelled to seek shelter at Nandal, Norway and Frederikshavn, Denmark, but the emigrants finally arrived in England and sailed from Liverpool on board the ship "James Nesmith," January 7, 1855, and arrived at New Orleans February 23, 1855; thence the journey was continued to Salt Lake City, where the emigrants arrived in September. After residing temporarily in Weber Valley and Odgen, Sister Mary located at Ephraim, Sanpete County, where she was married in 1868 to Christian Willardsen.
Anne Katrine Sorensen, wife of Christian Willardsen, was born in Gudemlund, Aalborg Denmark, November 10, 1849.
Ephraim, Settled in 1854, Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol. 4, p. 17-18, Daughters of Utah Pioneers
A number of families, who had spent two winters in Manti because of Indian troubles, located a new settlement on Pine Creek in 1854. They immediately proceeded to survey, build a fort and organize a military capacity under the command of Capt. Reddick N. Allred. This fort, which gave occasion to name the new settlement Fort Ephraim, contained 1 ½ acres of land in what is now the center of Ephraim. They also built a number of small adobe and rock houses inside the wall as well as a meetinghouse in the center of the fort. This fort was subsequently known as the Little Fort to distinguish it from the larger fort built later. The brethren who were settling on Pine Creek commenced to move their families into the fort in March 1854.
Augusta Dorius Stevens said, "All the cows, horses and oxen were corralled within the fort wall at night and carefully herded in the day. Log and mud houses were built within the fort wall to provide for the settlers, many of whom also lived in wagons and tents. The arrangement of the houses and cattle yard on the inside of the wall, as well as the meeting and schoolhouses, was that the cattle were corralled in the center and the houses, camps and wagons closer to the walls."
Among the first settlers of Fort Ephraim were James Allred,.. Reuben W. Allred, Wiley P. Allred, James T. Allred, Isaac Behunin, who had returned from Manti with the others, Alexander Justeson, Eleazer King, Fred C. Sorenson, James Farmer, Charles Whitlock, Peter Madsen, Thomas Thorpe, Andrew Thomsen, Sen., Niels Petersen, Christian Willardsen, Peter Lund, Rasmus Johnson, Henry Beal,.
The first presiding Elder at Fort Ephraim was Reuben Warren Allred, who had formerly acted as Bishop of the Allred Settlement on Canal Creek, now Spring City.

Edward Hunter

PVT EDWARD HUNTER GRAVESITE

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=17987923

Birth: Mar. 29, 1821 in Newtown Square, Delaware Co., Pennsylvania, USA

Death: Apr. 11, 1892 in Grantsville, Tooele Co., Utah, USA

Son of William Hunter and Sarah Ann Davis

Married Mary Ann Whitesides, 5 Nov 1843, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois

Married Martha Ann Hyde, 30 Mar 1856, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Edward Hunter, son of William Hunter and Sarah Davis, was born March 29, 1821 at Newton Square, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June, 1840 by Elder L. D. Barnes, four months before his uncle, Edward Hunter.  He married Mary Ann Whitesides in the Nauvoo Temple in November of 1843.

The call came from the federal government for a battalion of infantry to serve in the war with Mexico, and at the call of President Brigham Young, they responded to a man. Among the first to come forward and volunteer was Edward Hunter, leaving his wife and young daughter, Sarah Ann, without home or income.  He was mustered in at Council Bluffs, Iowa July 16, 1846, a member of Company “B.”

After his discharge from duties, he made his way to the Salt Lake Valley, arriving October 16, 1847, and there found his wife and child whom he had left the year before at Council Bluffs.  They had crossed the plains in the second company of pioneers in the care of the family of Bishop Hunter, an uncle of Edward Hunter.

Edward Hunter was the only member of his father’s family to join the Latter-day Saint Church.  Edward received an inheritance from one of his sisters and decided to settle in Grantsville, Utah having heard glowing accounts of the advantages of stock raising in that vicinity.  He built the first brick home in Grantsville.  He served as mayor of Grantsville and also Bishop of the Grantsville Ward.

Bishop Edward Hunter died April 11, 1892 and is buried in the Grantsville Cemetery.  His wife, Mary Ann, died November 20, 1914.

Plot: 0N.03.02.1W

Christian Willardson and Karen Sorensen

"Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia" 

by Andrew Jenson, 1920

Vol. 2, p. 545-548

"WILLARDSEN, Christian, one of the pioneer settlers of Ephraim, Sanpete county, Utah was born near the city of Skive, Viborg amt, Denmark April 6, 1811.  Being left an orphan when very small and compelled to rely on his own resources, he started life without money, but soon obtained a farm and made himself quite comfortable.  Becoming a convert to "Mormonism," he was baptized in 1852 by Elders Christian Christiansen and left Denmark in December 1952, emigrating to America together with his wife, Karen Sorensen, whom he had married in Denmark April 2, 1851.  They crossed the Atlantic in the ship "Forest Monarch" and the plains in John E Forsgren's company, which arrived in Salt Lake City, Sept. 30, 1853. Together with others of the same emigrant company, Bro. Willardsen and wife first located in so-called Allred Settlement (now Spring City), but were driven away by the Indians and spent the winter of 1853-54 in Manti.  In the spring of 1854 he settled permanently at Ephraim, being one of the first settlers of that place, where he helped to build the first forts erected as a protection against the Indians.  He was a member of that community the remainder of his life, becoming one of the most prosperous citizens of the town.  He had an interest in the first burr mill at Ephraim, and finally organized a company, which built the Climax Roller Mill, of which he was president and the principal stock holder till the time of his death.  Later he bought a burr mill in Mayfield and changed it to the present roller process; that mill is now owned by the family.  Brother Willardsen also engaged in merchandizing at Ephraim at an early day, his store being later incorporated as the Ephraim Co-op.  He constructed a tannery, carried on farming and freighted produce to market.  He took an active part in the Black Hawk War and passed through all the trials of grasshopper and Indians incidents in the early days.  In 1871 he filled a short mission to Scandinavia.  Returning home he assisted quite a number of poor Saints to emigrate to Utah, he being a man of means.  On many other occasions he contributed very liberally to the Church for public purposes.  Being the founder of home industries, he gave employment to many people.  When he passed to his final rest at Ephraim, June 29, 1897, he left three wives and fourteen children.  His first wife (Karen) bore him five children, namely, Willard, Christian, Erastus C., Joseph and Maria.  His second wife (Mary Larsen) bore him four children (Christian, Caroline Andrew and James); she has two children, Mary A. Allred and Mena Oviatt, by a former marriage.  His third wife (Anna Katrine Sorensen) bore her husband four children, namely, Annie, Lorinda, Peter and John."

"WILLARDSEN, Karen Sorensen, wife of Christian Willardsen was born April 4, 1830, in Viborg amt, Denmark, the daughter of Soren and Dorthea Petersen.  She became the wife of Christian Wilalrdsen April 5, 1851, joined the Church together with her husband in 1852 and emigrated to Utah in 1852-53, crossing the Atlantic in the ship "Forest Monarch" and the plains in John E. Forsgren's company.  Soon after her arrival in Utah she became identified with Church affairs and became an active worker in the Relief Society during the remainder of her life.  She was one of the head teachers of the Ephraim Relief Society for about thirty years.  While residing temporarily in Spring City (officially the Allred Settlement) she suffered great anxiety and hardship on account of Indians troubles.  Sister Willardsen became the mother of ten children, and her sons and daughter have, like herself, been faithful and diligent workers in the Church.  Her daughters have labored long and faithful as Temple workers, in which they have been greatly aided through the sacrificing and liberal disposition of the mother at home.  Sister Willardsen died in January 1902, at Ephraim, Sanpete County, Utah."

William Matthews

from the book "Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah"

by Frank Esshom

p. 435, 1027

MATTHEWS, WILLIAM (son of William Matthews and Elizabeth Rowney of North Hill, Bedfordshire, Eng.). Born Feb. 21, 1817, North Hill, Bedfordshire.  Came to Utah Oct 16, 1855, John Wardle Company.

Married Elizabeth Flinders 1842 (daughter of Samuel Flinders and Sara Garner, who were married at Bedfordshire, Eng.) She was born at North Hill, Bedfordshire.  Died at sea Oct. 1850.  Their children: Samuel b. May 4, 1843, m. Elizabeth Keetch Oct. 12, 1864; George b. Dec. 1845, m. Elizabeth Hunter; Timothy b. April 1848. M. Mary Poulton.  Family home Grantsville, Utah.

Married Sara at St. Louis, Mo., who died 1852.  Only child, a son, died 1851.

Married Charlotte Swift at St. Louis, Mo., 1853 (daughter of William Swift, who came to Utah with John Wardle company, and Harrah Reynolds).  She was born Aug. 12, 1821, at Pollokshill, Bedfordshire, Eng.  Their children: Walter William b. Feb. 22, 1854, m. Martha E. McMurray; Joseph b. July 17, 1856; Hyrum b. July 17, 1856; Elizabeth Hannah b. April 23, 1858; Harrison R. b. March 24, 1860, m. Sara Ann Williams; William Swift b. Feb. 8, 1862, m. Clara Hale; Charlotte Ann b. March 26, 1867, m. James Barrus.

Helen Matthews Pedigree Chart

Click on the chart to open a larger version:

Glen Willardson Pedigree Chart

Click on the chart to open a lager version:

Joseph Willardson

Here is the information I transcribed on Joseph Willardson from familysearch.org.

Click on the "Image Available" Link to see the image of the Census/Death Certificate etc.  You must be signed in to FamilySearch to see the image (same sign in as lds.org)

** Can anybody read what it says on the death certificate as the cause of death?  I've got some of the words, but can't figure out a few.

Reminder: Joseph Willardson is Anthony Robert's father

        Glen Willardson -- Anthony Robert Willardson -- Joseph Willardson

1870 U.S. Census: (Image Available)
Name: Joseph Willardsen
Estimated birth year: 1861
Gender: Male
Age: 9
Race: White
Birthplace: Utah
Home in 1870: Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah (4^th Ward)
Household: Caroline (F, 40), Willard (M, 17), Christina (F, 15), Erastus (M, 12), Joseph (M, 9), Reista (F, 1), Mary (F, 34), Mary A (F, 11), Evamena (F, 10), Margaret (F, 44), Mary Christianson (F, 26), James Nielsen (M, 22)


1880 U.S. Census:

Name: Joseph Willardson

Residence: Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah

Birthdate: 1862

Birthplace: Utah

Relationship: Son

Father's name: Christian Willardson

Father's birthplace: Denmark

Mother's name: Caroline Willardson

Mother's birthplace: Denmark

Race: White

Ethnicity: American

Gender: Male

Marital Status: Single

Age: 18

Occupation: Works on Farm

Parents: Christian (69), Caroline (50)

Household: Stine (F, 25), Erastus (M, 21), Marie (F, 11), Mary (F, 43), Christian (M, 9), Caroline (F, 6), Hyrum (M, 4), Andrew (M, 1), Trine (F, 30), Annie (F, 5), Sorinda (F, 1)

1910 U.S. Census: (Image Available)
Name: Joseph Willardson
Birthplace: Utah (48y)
Relationship: Head
Residence: Mayfield, Sanpete, Utah
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Father’s birthplace: England
Mother’s birthplace: Denmark
Occupation: Horse dealer
Spouse: Anna (F, 46)
Children: Eva (F, 21), Albertus (M, 19), Antone (M, 15), Siba (F, 13), Elden (M, 11), Thelma (F, 5)

1920 U.S. Census: (Image Available)
Name: Joseph Willardson
Residence: , Sanpete, Utah
Estimated birth year: 1863
Age: 57
Birthplace: Utah
Relationship: Head
Gender: Male
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Occupation: Farmer, General farm
Spouse: Annie (F, 55)
Children: Ivan (M, 36), Anthony (M, 25), Sylvia (F, 22), Eldon (M, 20), Thelma (F, 15)

1930 U.S. Census:
Name: Joseph Willardson
Place: Gunnison, Sanpete, Utah
Gender: Male
Age: 68
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Birthplace: Utah
Estimated birth year: 1862
Relationship: Head
Father’s birthplace: Denmark
Mother’s birthplace: Denmark
Spouse: Annie F (F, 66)
Household: Keith Talstrup (M, 4)

Utah Death Certificates, 1904-1956: (Image Available)
Name: Joseph Willardson
Death date: 26 Feb 1935
Death place: Gunnison, Sanpete, Utah
Length of residence in city where death occurred: 15y, 10m, 16d
Date of birth: Dec 13, 1862 in Ephraim, Utah
Death age: 72y, 2m, 13d
Cause of death: Chronic myocarditis and myocardial degeneration
Other causes of importance: I was called to home and found patient dying.  He was ? ? ? as usual shortly before this ? case shows chronic myocardial disease
Gender: Male
Occupation: Horse Dealer
Total time spent in this occupation: 40y
Marital status: Married
Spouse’s name: Annie Forrester Willardson
Father’s name: Christian Willardson
Mother’s name: Karen Sorenson Willardson