Thomas & Hansina Jensen

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Thomas and Hansina Marie
by their youngest son, Frank

"Thomas Jensen was born October 12, 1853, in Aarup Vrejlev Hjorring Denmark.
He was the son of Jens Neilsen and Eliza Kristen Therkeldsen. He was the youngest of a family of four. There were three older sisters, Marie, born in 1844, Johanne Marie (1846), Mariann Kristen (1849). Thomas was baptized 11 August 1868. His sister Mariann was baptized 18 May 1857, she being the first of our family to join the Church.
Thomas did missionary work in Denmark. He had a good understanding of theology and the scriptures, being able to quote long passages especially from the Bible.
On June 21, 1876, he married Hansina Marie Hansen. They sailed from Denmark that same day. With them were grandmother's father, Jens Hansen, and her sister and brother, Margaret and Neils C., also grandfather's father, Jens Nielsen. His mother stayed and died in Denmark. Hansina Marie Hansen was born on the 7th of June 1855, in Rom, Albaek, Hjorring, Denmark. Her father was Jens Hansen, born 7 November 1809, also in Rom. He was the son of Hans Christensen. (His birthplace is not known at present.) His mother was Maren Christensen. Grandmother's mother was Anne Marie Jensen, sometimes called Annie Marie Miller because her father was the village miller and ground the flour. Grandmother's mother was Margarethe Christensen.
Grandmother was one of four children. The oldest one (Hans) only lived 7 months. Her only sister, Margaret, was 4 1/2 years younger. Her brother, Neils Christian Jensen, was born 18 March 1871. (He took the name of Jensen because he was the son of Jens.) Neils was only 4 years old when their mother died after a long illness. She was very despondent.
Grandmother took care of the family and was a good mother to them. In later years she spoke wistfully of her home in Denmark. She said it was a nice red brick home and they were very happy there.
On May 6, 1875, Margaret was baptized and on May 11, 1875, grandmother was also baptized, and in the next year their father also joined the Church.
Thomas and Hansina Marie or Sina, as she was called, came to Richfield, Utah. Their first child, Eliza Kirsten, was born there on August 1, 1877. The people in Richfield were trying to live the United Order but friction crept in and there were many disagreements.
The family left Richfield and moved to Point Look Out, named because it was sort of a high place where the saints would keep a look out for Indians and there were a lot of them. The saints were told to feed them and as much as possible give them what they wanted. Many times bread was exchanged for beads. Not exactly a good trade for the poor pioneers. Point Look Out is near where Fielding and Garland, Utah, are. It seems it was more or less a stopover place for people. Some spent the winter there and then moved on. Christina, their second child, was born there on September 7, 1879. Thomas and Sina moved to Mink Creek, Idaho, between 1879 and 1881. The rest of the children were born in Mink Creek, Idaho, Oneida County, as follows: Hans Christian, 20 March 1883; Sarah, 19 August 1885; Daniel, 10 January 1888; Ezra, 7 February 1890 and died 8 February 1890; Harry and Hannah (twins) 26 January 1891; Frank George, 22 March 1894.
Grandfather and Grandmother Jensen were hard working people and were among the first pioneers of Mink Creek. Thomas Jensen, as the legend goes, was outstanding in efforts to bring irrigation water from Mink Creek to the farms-- in our locality this meant a ditch 11 miles long, to be built with the primitive tools in use those days such as a plow, scraper, but used mostly were the pick and shovel. It was a big undertaking and some of those to be benefited said it would be impossible and refused to help until considerable work was done and the results seemed possible.
Thomas Jensen was always a hard worker in the early establishment of schools, was always active and generally chairman of the school board.
In those days he was considered a big cattleman and owned in the neighborhood of 200 outside cattle and 40 milk cows. Buyers would come to the ranch every spring and deal with him; generally about 100 head were included in the deal at about per head for three-year-old cattle.
I remember mother telling how she herded the cows with an old faithful dog named Rover on what is now known as the dry farms located west of where we lived toward Bear River. They also harvested the dock weed and mountain grass for hay. This was cut with a scythe and raked by hand with large homemade wooden rakes.
As is understood, Dad and Mother were devoted church members, having joined the LDS Church in Denmark. Dad did missionary work there before leaving for the USA as Mormon immigrants. They were married the day they left for Zion.
When they settled in Mink Creek, they took an active part in the Church but as time went on, friction originated between them and the ward authorities. At first it was in local problems and later on doctrine. This lead to grave differences between them and the family decided to leave the Church.
Details of all that happened are hard to find, but as I understand it, the ward authorities referred the case to the Stake High Council, as Dad was a High Priest. A meeting was held between them and each member of the family was asked if it was their desire to be excommunicated from the Church. All answered in the affirmative but just how this was carried out seems to be unobtainable.
Father remained inactive and not affiliated with the Church until his death. Mother became very interested and active in the Church in her last years, and the authorities seemed to think that it was unnecessary for her to be baptized again and even authorized her to begin wearing the garments again without going to the temple. All the children became members and were baptized.
After Hans got married and the older boys were able to care for the farm, Dad and Mother leased the farm to James, Hans and Daniel, then Dad and Mother moved to Preston.
Mother and Dad moved to Preston mainly so that the younger boys could obtain better schooling.
The boys sold the cattle much to Dad's sorrow, but they said cattle did not produce wool and that was a big item in favor of the sheep in those days. But as time went on, summer range became a problem in handling the sheep and they sold the sheep and turned the place back to Dad. Dad worked out a deal for all five boys to buy the place, this proved to be final as far as Dad was concerned.
Amille Maurer had a small creamery, the Alvin Petersen farm, located on the banks of the Mink Creek where the bridge is. They had a small hand operated tester and once a month Thomas and his son, Hans, would test the cream and then figure out the checks for the patrons.
They made butter and shipped it to Montana. Later they shipped the cream to Salt Lake City to make ice cream. It seems an elderly man by the name of Stephensen was the cream or milk hauler. We don't have his first name but he was always known as Old Man Stephensen.
It is said that cloud bursts were more or less frequent in the summer time and one story is told of one cloud burst that came and so much water came that the boys could float and paddle around in a wagon box. One neighbor by the name of Mrs. Eskelsen had made pies for the 4th of July and put them in her cellar to keep cool. The water filled the cellar and the pies were found floating all around. I don't think water-soaked pies would be very good.
Grandmother walked for miles and carried her baby when she went to Relief Society teaching, which she did for many years. She was noted for the good bread and butter she made and the wonderful lunches she made for the children when they went to school. Other children would trade most anything they had for one of her sandwiches. She was always generous with the lunches and many a time some sandwiches would be left over and there were plenty of their friends waiting eagerly for what was left. Then they moved to Preston in 1904 and built a large and beautiful home. Thomas went in a partnership with J. P. Rasmussen, a son-in-law, and due to inexperience mostly, this venture proved to be a costly failure. Grandfather was justice of the peace for many years and became affectionately known as Judge Jensen. He was well respected for his kindness and good judgment.
He and Grandmother were the kindest people I have ever known. I well remember them caring for two black Jersey cows and a horse they had for a while to pull a surrey. It was a beautiful buggy with the traditional fringe on the top and the coal oil lamps for night driving. Grandfather had the horse so fat and sleek. He never touched her with the buggy whip; he would just make it crack above her. His family always respected him and obeyed him but to my best knowledge he never laid a hand on anyone of them.
From the cream from those two Jersey cows, Grandmother made fresh butter every few days and sold it to the grocery store owned by John Larsen and Sons. They said the people who once tried her butter would always come back and ask for more of that good butter made by Sister Jensen.
Grandmother used to make whole dinners and carryover to some family who had sickness or trouble in their home. She sat up many nights with someone who needed care.
I know she sat up many nights with me as I suffered a lot with earache and leg ache. She always tried very hard to see that no one suffered from hunger or anything she could give them.
Grandfather loved to play checkers with his friends and spent many hours playing. He would tap his foot and hum a tune while he played. He also liked to play a simple card game and checkers with his grandchildren. Quite often, he would let us beat him so as to keep us happy.
Grandfather contracted inflammatory rheumatism and was very ill for a long time.
He finally got better but was never very well. He had to quit going to town so much and time seemed to pass slowly.
A few years later he got dropsy and suffered so terribly for one whole summer, not being able to lie down, he had to sit on the edge of the bed and rest his arms on a table. He died October 8, 1922, and was buried in Mink Creek, October 12, 1922, on his 67th birthday.
Grandmother lived until June 15, 1932, when she died suddenly. We were happy that we had all been together for a reunion on her birthday, June 7, 1932. She seemed to enjoy it so much."

Thomas and Hansina
by a granddaughter, Lillie Kofoed

“Thomas and Hansina Marie Hansen Jensen were both born in Denmark. Thomas at Aarup, Hjorring (County), October 12, 1853. Hansina Marie was born at Rom, Albaek, Hjorring (County), June 7, 1855. Thomas served a mission in Denmark. He married Hansina Marie Hansen on June 21, 1876. They sailed from Denmark the same day.
They settled in Richfield, Utah, where they were sealed in the endowment house. Their first child was born August 1, 1872, a daughter named Eliza Kirstin. The saints tried to live the United Order and friction crept in so they left Richfield and moved to what was then Point Look Out, so called because it was high on a hill and they could watch for Indians who were many, and the people were told to feed them after exchanging bread or flour for beads. The place is now called Mantua, where their second daughter, Christina, was born September 7, 1879.
They moved from there in 1880 to Mink Creek, Idaho, where they homesteaded and built a home. It was there in 1881 that their first son James Thomas was born. Grandpa and Grandma Jensen worked hard and acquired quite a few cattle and sheep.
But water being unavailable for the farm land on the east side, the men knew they had to build a ditch and of course that was all done with men with picks and shovels, horses, and primitive equipment. It was a long hard job and a lot of the men said it could not be done and quit. This caused friction as it seemed that the ones who wouldn't work were the leaders of the Church in the ward so some of the men took offense with the leaders and trouble crept in first just among the men and then in the Church. Grandfather and several others left the Church but most of them came back in. Grandfather never did come back into the Church. According to the law of that time, Mormons couldn't vote, so the men left the Church so they could vote and then came back in and Grandfather didn't want to come back in so later he was excommunicated.
Grandpa and Grandma had seven more children all born in Mink Creek. S. Hans Christian born 20 Mar. 1883; D. Sarah born 19 August 1885; S. Daniel born 10 January 1888; S. Ezra born February 7, 1890 and he died the next day; twins, Harry and Hannah born 26 January 1891 with Hannah dying the same day; S. Frank George Jensen born 22 March 1894.
The children were left to join the Church if they wanted to so they all did as they became old enough. Grandmother was always staunch in the Church. She used to walk for miles and carry a baby in her arms to do her Relief Society teaching. As all pioneer mothers, she worked very hard, washing for that big family on the board and scrubbing bare slivery floors on her hands and knees as well as doing all the other work for her family.
In 1904 Grandpa sold the ranch and all the cattle and sheep to his sons and he and Grandma built a big beautiful home in Preston. Here the boys would come and stay in the winter and go to school.
Harry went on a mission to Denver, Colorado, and was a counselor to the Branch President, Harold B. Lee. After his return home he was a member of the Mink Creek Ward Bishopric. Hans was ward clerk for many years. When he was released, Frank was ward clerk for II years. The children were all married and raised good families in the Church.
Grandpa enjoyed the last years of his life in Preston visiting and playing checkers with his old friends. He was justice of the peace for several years and was affectionately known by his friends as Judge Jensen. Then dropsy set in and he suffered for many months not being able to lie down. He died October 8, 1922, at his home. Grandmother stayed in the home until she died June 15, 1932.”

Additional Historical Information on Thomas and Hansina Jensen
by Evelyn Albrecht

To be added to the history of Thomas and Hansine Marie Jensen from the book, History of the Scandinavian Mission found at the Cache Genealogical Library in Logan, I found the record of the company of saints who left Denmark on June 22, 1876, the day after Thomas and Hansine Marie Jensen were married. Grandmother said they were married on the 21st of June and went on board ship the same day. On page 224 & 225 of this record, I found this account: The first company of this season's Latter-day Saint emigrants from Scandinavia consisting of 405 souls left Copenhagen by the steam ship "Otto", June 22. 1876, having on board the following returning missionaries, Nils C. Flygare, leader of the company, Knud Petersen (of Logan), John C. Andersen, Carl J. Gustavson, Andrew R. Anderson, Soren Christofferson and Rasmus N. Jeppeson, also Joan A. Bruin who had labored as translator in the mission office in Copenhagen. After a voyage of about 63 hours, the "Otto" arrived at Hull, England on the morning of June 25 the following day (June 26) the company went by train across England to Liverpool, where together with some German and Swiss and English saints they went on board the steamer "Idaho". Jensen Hill Farm

2. Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, June 15, 1932
Preston Women Dies Suddenly Mrs. Sina Marie J. Jensen died suddenly at her home in Preston early Wednesday morning from a stroke.
Mrs. Jensen was born in Denmark, June 7, 1855. She married Thomas Jensen in Denmark when she was eighteen years old and they left for Utah on their wedding day. They were among the first settlers of Mink Creek and have resided in Preston for over 25 years. She has been especially active in Relief Society during her life.
Mr. and Mrs. Jensen had nine children, the following of whom survive: Mrs. William Rasmussen, Hans C. Jensen, Daniel, Harry and Frank all of Mink Creek. Mr. Jensen has been dead ten years.
The Jensen family and grandchildren held a social gathering in honor of their mother Saturday. Tuesday evening she complained of her heart and death came suddenly early Wednesday morning.
Funeral services will be Friday at 2 p.m. in the third ward chapel. (Editors note: Efforts to locate an obituary for Thomas Jensen have been unsuccessful.)

3. From Margie Jensen Worley:
When I was in my teens Bishop Crane, for whom I had a lot of respect, organized a Junior Choir. We sang in several wards; but the most memorable experience was at a meeting in the Salt Lake Temple. After the meeting the church historian, Andrew Jensen, asked if any Thomas Jensen’s grandchildren were there. Several of us were there including Rodney and I. He spoke to us about our grandfather. He and Grandfather Jensen had been missionary companions in Denmark. He said your grandfather was a good man with an emphasis on the word good. He said, “What happened to your grandfather should not have happened.” I was proud to hear that. Several of the older people in Mink Creek also felt the same way including my mother’s father Lars C. Nelson. I am also convinced that he was a good man and look forward to seeing him some day.
Editor’s note (Stewart Wyatt): Andrew Jensen, who was actually an assistant church historian, recorded in his autobiography, that he filled his first mission to Scandinavia during the years 1875 through 1877. He was in Denmark the year previous to the year when Thomas and Hansina emigrated. It was common in those days for male converts to complete a mission lasting several years in the old country before emigrating the United States. It appears that this was the case with Thomas, who served a mission in Denmark before emigrating. This is when he would have been a companion of Andrew Jensen. My mother, Carolyn Jensen Wyatt, believed that Thomas converted and baptized Hansina’s family during his mission. For a history of the Scandinavian mission see William Mulder, Homeward to Zion The Mormon Migration from Scandinavia, University of Minnesota Press, 2000, pages 31 to 64.
4. Thomas Jensen’s service as a judge is noted in a reprint of The Trail Blazer History of the Development of Southeastern Idaho, Published by the Daughters of the Pioneers, June 15, 1930, page 90.
Preston was incorporated into a city in April 1913 with J. N. Larson as mayor, Nephi Larson, Joshua Rallison, J. S. Marrom and J. C. Greaves Jr., as councilmen; Willford Chatterton as Clerk; Thomas Jensen as police judge, and George Carver as city engineer.
The same information is reported in The History of a Valley, Editor Joel E. Ricks, Cache Valley Centennial Commission, Logan, Utah 1956, page 126.

5. The following letter may be of interest: The Genealogical Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
50 North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
9 April 1976
Carolyn J. Wyatt
591 South Main
Providence, Utah 84332
Dear Sister Wyatt:
Enclosed is a copy of the archive record for Thomas Jensen, his wife, Hansina Marie and their daughter, Christina, who were excommunicated on 26 June 1897, and were reinstated by baptism on 16 April 1974.
On 16 April 1974, the endowment each of these individuals received in life, together with all sealing blessings which were received in life except those which may have been otherwise specifically cancelled, were restored.
Inasmuch as Eliza Kay Jensen was endowed subsequent to her death, restoration of blessings was not necessary for her. However, she was reinstated by baptism on 29 August 1974 and all previous Church blessings confirmed and ratified. Please accept our best wishes.
Sincerely your brother
, Egill H. Simonsen, Supervisor
Manual Processing Department

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