Geneology Spotlight

This is my mother's mother's father's father's parents. I am related through Hiram (the tall one in the middle). And this is their story....

Jens Swensen was born in Hogsted, Hjorring County Jutland Denmark. His first wife was Malene Christensen. They had one daughter, Kirsten. When he joined the church in Denmark and wanted to come to America. Malene would not come with him so they were divorced. He later married Maren Jorgensen. They with two sons came to America. One son became ill and died on the voyage across the ocean and was buried at sea. Their other son was named Peter.

Jens received his naturalization papers, April 13, 1857 at the age of 51. He was allotted land to work and live on in Big Cottonwood near Salt Lake City. This was his first home in America.

Mette Jensen was born in Bergterp County Jutland Denmark, September 26, 1832. She was converted to the L.D.S. faith in Denmark. She worked as a servant girl in Copenhagen to make enough money to come to America. She came from New York City to Council Bluffs, Iowa on the train and from there crossed the plains with a Mormon emigrant train. The wagons were drawn by oxen but she with many other young me and women walked the entire distance pushing or pulling a hand cart.

In April 1865, on the 29^th she married Jens Swensen in the old Endowment House in Salt Lake City. They settled on a farm near Big Cottonwood, later moving to Huntsville, near Ogden, Utah in 1871. In the fall of 1878 they moved to Gem Valley, later named Lago. They had five children: James, Joseph, Cristen, Hirum and Mary. They had two wagons, one yoke of oxen and a team of horses, quite a number of cattle and sheep besides their household goods. They settled on the farm now owned by Percy Norcutt. The second year they were in Idaho proved severe and they lost most of their cows, but they held on, and through their faith persevered and built a fine farm.

Mrs. Swensen was appointed to serve as one of the first block teachers for the Trout Creek Ward with Mrs. A. A. Ruun. Mrs. Maria Hansen, (grandmother to Emil Hansen), and Mrs. John Turner.

Jens Swensen passed away at his home in 1887 at the age of 81. He was buried in the Mound Valley Cemetery. Because or Mette’s perserverence, thrift and faith she was able to raise her family and live to see them all grown and two sons married before her death October 20, 1901 at the age of 79. She was buried in Lago cemetery.