Family History of Rasmus Hansen
Introduction
The story of this family is made up of facts and dates gathered from numerous sources and pieced together and held with imagination form the mental picture painted by the description of places and events as they were told to me by some of the members who supplied much of the information. Of these I wish to give honorable mention to Ole Hansen, the grandfather of our children; Aunt Annie Hammon of Roy Utah, and Aunt Hannah Smith of Cleveland, Idaho. Each one very shortly before their death, so graciously told me of their home in Denmark and their emigration to Utah. This information will be told in the history to follow. We dedicate this record to the memory of those noble father and mothers in generations past and trust that the Spirit of Elijah will rest upon us as descendants of a noble family to the organization and salvation of all its’ members.
Let’s take an imaginary trip back to Denmark and visit the land of our forefathers and mothers.
Between the mainlands of Denmark lies the island of Fynn, a large island with its rolling hills and valleys of green pastures and fields of grain, dotted with homes and gardens.
Near the city of Odense in the village of Orristler lived Rasmus Hansen, a man of the soil with his family. He was thrifty, and talented in the art of being a good husband and father. He was a carpenter, farmer, and handy man with a pride in his home to make it a desirable place for his family, and a friendly place for friends and strangers to meet.
His wife, Anne Caspersen Hansen, was his equal as a partner and helpmate in the home. She was known for her ability to make rugs, clothing and the general routine of a homemaker. She shared with her husband in the friendly and generous feeling toward their friends and neighbors.
They were prosperous to the extent that they were considered above the average in their community. They were God-fearing people and adhered to the principles of good citizenship and Christianity.
They were ever ready to listen and accept truth and good will.
Let me give you a description of the mental picture I drew from the stories told to me by Ole Hansen of Cleveland, Idaho; Aunt Annie Hammon of Roy, Utah; and Aunt Hannah Smith of Cleveland, Idaho, of their old home in Denmark where they were born.
The buildings were built in a U shape with their living quarters on the northeast tip of the U. All buildings were attached making a continuous building. Next to the home came the wagon sheds, machine shods, horse and cow barns with the hay lofts above, sheep and hog pens at the south end of the U with the chicken coups and runs and grainery completing the U. Inside the U was a court or flower garden.
All the entrances were made on the outer side except a few doors for convenience.
In this home were born 2 sons and 7 daughters who were taught and trained in the ways of the family’s standards of good citizens and Christians.
One day two Mormon Elders called at their home and were received in the friendly manner of the home. After listening to them explain the restoration of the Gospel through Joseph Smith it aroused in them a curiosity to hear more about this new and strange religion. After a period of investigation and instruction by these Elders they were convinced of the divine message they taught and applied for baptism. On May 25, 1878, Rasmus Hansen led his family by being baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and his wife and family followed his example.
After their confirmation as members of this new faith they had accepted, the Spirit of Gathering of Zion began filling their minds with hopes and plans to immigrate to America and on to the Rocky Mountains where some of their friends had gone before and to be with the Saints.
Finally they decided to sell their possessions and go to America. After a period of preparation all was in readiness to leave their homeland and friends. Their new hope of salvation for themselves and their people caused them to rejoice for they knew they could enjoy the blessings of the righteous and faithful.
They crossed the channel in a small ship to Copenhagen where the steamship NEVADA waited to bring them to America.
We do not have the exact date when they left Copenhagen but here is Aunt Annie Hammon’s description of the scene.
“When the passengers were all on board waving their farewells to the host of relatives and friends on the dock, some weeping, some cheering, and as the ship began moving away from the dock the Elders and saints began singing a hymn which is as follows:
Think not when you gather to Zion
Your troubles and trials are through,
That nothing but comfort and pleasure
Are waiting in Zion for you.
No, No; Tis designed as a furnace,
All substance, all textures to try,
To burn all the wood, hay and stubble,
The gold from the dross purify.
Think not when you gather to Zion
That all will be holy and pure,
That fraud and deception are banished,
And confidence wholly secure.
No, No; For the Lord our Redeemer
Has said that the tares with the wheat
Must grow till the great day of burning;
Shall render the harvest complete.
Think not when you gather to Zion
The Saints here have nothing to do,
But to look to your personal welfare
And always be comforting you.
No; Those who are faithful are doing,
What they find to do with their might,
To gather the scattered of Isreal,
They labor by day and by night.
Think not when you gather to Zion
The prize and the victory won,
Think not that the warfare is ended,
The work of Salvation is done.
No, No; For the Great Prince of Darkness,
A tenfold exertion will make,
When he sees you go to the fountain,
Where freely the truth you may take.
The strains of the singing fading in the distance as the ship bore them away from homes and friends they would never see again. It was a solemn occasion but their hearts were filled with joy and thanksgiving to know that a last they were on the way to Zion.”
The information concerning the voyage was given to me by Aunt Hannah Smith, taken from the Church Chronology by Andrew Jenson.
There were 569 Saints and one Elder, Jos. E. Hyde, who was returning home. The company was in charge of Brother John Cook. The ship NEVADA docked at Liverpool to exchange passengers, ect., then on Saturday 15, June, 1878, sailed toward New York.
Elder Jos. E. Hyde became ill and died Friday 5, July 1878, and was buried at sea.
Ole Hansen said he was not so seasick as most of them so he told of the storms and heavy seas and how unpleasant it was with so many sick persons without proper facilities.
After 25 long days from Liverpool they steamed into New York Harbor on July 10, 1878.
After the routine of checking passports and other legal procedures the company began to scatter out for numerous destinations, and friends, but the Hansen family took trains and came direct to Salt Lake City, Utah, which had been chosen for their destination among some of their former friends from Denmark who had settled there.
Upon their arrival they immediately turned to the task of building a home on land which they homesteaded and a house was erected to become their first home in Utah.[1]
The expense of the trip from Denmark took the most of their finances but they set out with a determination to succeed.
It’s a sorry thing to say but some dishonest persons took advantage of their situation of not being able to speak or understand English when the Hansens placed their trust in their honesty and they swindled them out of about everything they possessed.
Those dishonest acts caused them to look elsewhere for a home and livelihood to later they went into Idaho, which is now known as Cleaveland, Idaho, where they began again to make a home. Brother Hansen being a carpenter built their furniture as well.[2]
[1]This was in Bear River City
[2]After 5 years in Bear River City they moved to Cleaveland Idaho, however it was in Bear River City their youngest daughter E---- was born and the 2 oldest daughters Bodill and Dorthea were married. Bodill is 3rd wife to presiding Elders Nels Nielson, and Dorthea to Christ Jensen. These daughters remained her for a few years where their oldest children------
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