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."
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