WIFE #2 - Elise Caroline Thomassen & their son Elias Peter

The original of this photo is in the possession of Lester Lee Knight.   Notice that the lace collar she is wearing is the same as the one in the picture of his wife Anna Kristine.  I am supposing that the pictures were taken the same day.

Variant spellings of her name:  Eliza Thompson, Elise Thomasen

Peter Adolph married Elise as a plural wife 20 Mar 1879 (Archive Sheet info as shown on back of his TIB card for End. House Book C p. 7) Peter served from Dec 13 1888 to March 1889 in the Utah penitentiary on the charge of "unlawful cohabitation". Just a few days after the death of Anna Christina he and Elise were remarried by Bishop Henry Tingey - 1st Ward Brigham City 16 Mar 1895, he age 68, she age 48 (Box Elder Co. Marr Lic & Returns Book 1 p. 189 ID # 175522 GS film 480,311) She is listed as Eliza C. Thomsen. See also Utah Misc. Marriage Index (SL film # 820,160).

She is listed as Elise Thompson "servant" in the household of Peter Forsgren in the 1880 Census.

BIRTH: Listed in Brigham City LDS 1st Ward Mem Recs (SL film # 0025602)

BAPTISM:by Oluf Peterson; Confirmed 1 Mar 1874 by James Hansen

EXCERPTS FROM AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Of HER SON ELIAS PETER FORSGREN:
   "  I, Elias Peter Forsgren am the son of Peter Adolph Forsgren and Elise Caroline Thomassen, my mother being second wife in a plural marriage.
     Owing to persecution in those days of those who were living in Poligamy, my mother had to find protection among friends so I was born in the home of Abraham Hunsaker of Honeyville, the 12 of January 1888.
     My parents made their main income from weaving. A trade which my father had learned in Sweden. They wove carpets and cloth on a home-made loom, which my father had made. They wove several hundred yards of carpet for the Logan Temple.
     President Wilford Woodruff encouraged the saints to Promote the Silk Industry. My parents were among the first in the Industry to raise Silk worms.
One of the most memorable and outstanding memories as a small child, was when my mother was called to go to the Chicago World's Fair to represent the Uah Silk Industry. She had been contacted by members of the General Relief Society Board, but had refused to go, on grounds of her lack of Education, and me her only child, then only five years of age.
     The occasion I remember - I was out in the garden with her, when I heard her say - "Oh, if only the ground would open up and swallow me!" I said, "Ma!" (which was the customary expression) "Why do you want to be swallowed up?" Just then I looked up and saw two ladies from Salt lake City. In the course of their conversation they said, "Sister Forsgren, we have come for your final answer. President Woodruff has called you to go, and has said if you refuse it will be the same as if any missionary refuses to go on a mission. It was then she picked me up in her arms and said, "Sister Kane, there is not enough money in all the world to separate me from my boy, but if President Woodruff has called me, I WILL GO."
     She left me with one of her dear friends - Sister Sarah Wilde (Grandmother of Lois Wilde Olsen). She left and was gone for three months - Won a Medal for the State of Utah, for the Exhibition she represented. "

Elise with her granddaughter LeJune.  Photo taken about 1923.  LeJune said that this was the loom Elise used at the World's fair

This spinning wheel was donated to  the Brigham City Museum.  It is said to be the spinning wheel used by Elise at the Chicago World's Fair when she was demonstrating the silk process.  In Sept. of 2011

when I visited the spinning wheel was out of storage and nicely placed in their showroom in time for Peach Days.  It will be a revolving display so will not necessarily be there several months from now.

This is a precious gift given me by Elise's daughter LeJune Forsgren Maughan after a lengthy visit I had with her and her daughter in Rupert, Idaho.   LeJune showed me several wonderful items made by Elise and I feel it a great privilege to own a piece of her handiwork!

Silkworm cocoons on display at the Brigham City DUP Museum donated by Elise Thomassen Forsgren

A silk tablecloth made by Elise.  (In the possession of LeJune Forsgren Maughan)

Peter's chair and gold headed cane; Balls of silk thread, a scarf, tie and child's sweater and cap processed and made by Elise.

DEATH: Certificate of death (File No. 70) lists address as 503 East Forrest St. 4th Ward, Widow of Peter Adolph Forsgren. Date of birth, Jan 30, 1847. Died age 84yrs, 5mo. 6 days. Housewife, born Bornholm Denmark. Father Peter Thomassen of Denmark and mother Anne Margretha Pedersen, of Denmark. Informant Elias P Forsgren of Brigham City. Burial 7/9/1931 Brigham City. Attending physician never saw her alive. Listed cause of death as "apoplexy according to history"

BURIAL:Brigham City Sexton's Recs. (GS film 194,133) plot B-18-22-4

OBIT: (Deseret News Tuesday 7 July 1931 p. 6)
"EARLY PIONEER DIES AT BRIGHAM - Mrs. E.C. Forsgren Went To World's Fair With Utah Silk.
     BRIGHAM CITY - July 7. One of Brigham's early setlers, Mrs. Elise Caroline Forsgren, 84, died at the home of her son, Elias P. Forsgren, 503 E. Forest Street Monday afternoon.
     She was the widow of Peter A. Forsgren, one of the first missionaries to Scandinavia for the Church, who died twelve years ago.
     Mrs. Forsgren was born Jan. 20, 1847 in Bornholm, Denmark, the daughter of Hans and Anne Thommasen. She came to Utah in 1877 and was married in the endowment house in 1878.
       In 1893 she went to the Chicago World's Fair with a display on Utah sericulture, wearing a handwoven silk dress that her own worms had provided. She was awarded a medal for outstanding demonstrations.
     She is survived by her son, Elias P. Forsgren. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. in the First ward chapel, with internment in the city cemetery."
[Note:  I was told by another descendant that Elise was chosen to represent the silk industry instead of Peter's wife Anna Christine because Anna was "too fat."  Those were her words.  Because I have always struggled the battle of the bulge myself I was very incensed by that news!!  I certainly can't vouch for its authenticity, but it would not surprise me if were true!  Adele]

Below is the reverse side of the Peter Adolph Forsgren stone which replaced the old pioneer stone listing information for both wives and Johan Olaf

This is the original pioneer stone that used to be in the Brigham City Cemetery.  It was removed by Frank Forsgren when the newer stone was placed, but fortunately the old stone still exists in the back yard of one of Frank's sons.

Elise's parents are listed in other places as Peter Thompson and Anna Magnatiah

Peter Adolph and Elise Caroline were the parents of one child, a son, Elias Peter Forsgren

    Elias was born 12 Jan 1888 in Honeyville, Box Elder, Utah, USA;  died 4 July 1971 in Brigham City.  He is buried in the Brigham City Cemetery.  Elias married Agnes Rosalia ("Rose") Asta Johansen on 12 Oct. 1910 in the Salt Lake Temple.  Agnes was born to Victor Emanuel Johansen and Ellen Jensigne Nielsen

23 Dec. 1890 in Eggeslevlille, Soro, Denmark.  She died 6 Oct 1972 in Salt Lake City and was buried in the Brigham City Cemetery on 10 Oct 1972 in plot B-22-34-1

BIRTH: FGS prepared by Elias Peter Forsgren; 1988 IGI; funeral program; LDS Church Censuses (SL film #0025768) Peter Adolph would have been 62 years old at the time of Elias' birth and his mother would have been just short of her 41st birthday. Because I knew that LeJune was adopted and because of the ages of Elias' parents at his birth I questioned in my mind whether Elias might also have been adopted. However, a close examination of at least one of Elias's close-up photos (taken during his mission) shows that same characteristic odd quality to the left eye that is present in photos of Peter A, Pehr John, John E and Milda! A biological trait has certainly been passed down!

MARR: Certif. in family's possession

PASSPORT APPLICATION:

U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925

Name: Elias P Forsgren ; his father is a naturalized citizen

Birth Date: 12 Jan 1888

Birth Place: Honeyville, Utah

Residence: Brigham City, Utah

Passport Issue Date: 16 Sep 1910

Passport Includes a Photo: N

Source: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925 (M1490)

Description of Applicant: age 22, 5 ' 11" tall; Eyes grayish brown, Nose: straight; mouth: straight - medium; chin: square, medium broad. Hair: Light brown; complexion: Fair. Face: Medium Long

BORDER CROSSING: [ancestry.com]

Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956

Name: Elias Peter Forsgren

Arrival Date: 17 Mar 1913

Race/Nationality: Scandinavian

Ship Name: Grampian

Port of Arrival: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Port of Departure: Liverpool, England

DEATH:Funeral program in poss of Adele Austin; Residence at time of death: 29 S. 5th E. Brigham City, Utah; Death Certificate lists occupation as miller (flour mill). Died in Cooley Memorial Hospial; Informant was wife. Died of Congestive heart failure, arteriosclerotic heart disease.

OCCUPATION: Ogden Standard Examiner, 12 Jan 1933

FLOUR MILL WILL BE RUNNING IN 30 DAYS

     Honeyville, Jan. 12 - Workmen have been repairing and making ready for operation the flour mill located a mile and a half west of this town. Recently the mill was purchased by the Jensen Brothers Milling company of Brigham City, Lloyd Reese, manager of the Jensen mill, will manage the new place of business with Elias Forsgren as Miller. Modern machinery is being installed and the owners expect to start the wheels turning in about thirty days.

BURIAL: Brigham City Cem B-22-34-2; headstone photo in poss of Fors Fam Assn

 

BAPTISM:1988 IGI lists 19 Jan. Brigham City 1st Ward Recs twice list 18 Jan 1896, bap performed by

John Augerbauer and confirmation 18 Jan 1896 by Peter A. Forsgren in the Brigham City 1st Ward.

From Elias' PERSONAL RECORD & PERSONAL RECORD CHRONOLOGY

     Born in the home of Abraham Hunsaker with the assistance of a midwife; Red hair, Hazel eyes, fair complexion. Parents Peter Adolph Forsgren and Elise Caroline Thomassen married in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City 20 Mar 1879. sealed by D.H. Wells

     Blessed 20 January 1888 by Peter Adolph Forsgren

     Ordained Deacon BC 1st Ward 5 Dec 1901, by John S. Bingham, High Priest

         "          Priest by Peter Adolph Forgren 5 Mar 1905

         "          Elder by Joseph F. Hansen 1 Apr 1908

         "          Seventy by Seymour B. Young 28 Feb 1909

         "          High Priest by Benjamin Call 10 May 1936

     Married to Agnes Rosalia Johansen (known as Rosa) 12 Oct. 1910 in Salt Lake Temple by Anthon Lund who was 1st Counselor in the First Presidency.

     Patriarchal Blessing by William L. Watkins 16 Oct 1910 in Bro. Watkins home

     Mission to Sweden 19 Oct 1910-24-25 March 1913

     Special appts: Veil worker in the Logan Temple, Set apart by George Nilson, Counselor in the Temple Presidency)

     Other church positions listed. Finished Elementary and High Schools, learned milling trade which he worked in for over 50 years. Hobbies: Flowers and genealogical work; in his boyhood days helped his parents raise silk worms.  

From Elias' handwritten FAMILY HISTORY

     I, Elias Peter Forsgren am the son of Peter Adolph Forsgren and Elise Caroline Thomassen, my mother being second wife in a plural marriage.

     Owing to persecution in those days of those who were living in Poligamy, my mother had to find protection among friends so I was born in the home of Abraham Hunsaker of Honeyville, the 12 of January 1888.

     My father was the first Scandinavian convert baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints. He was baptized by his brother John Eric Forssgren, the first missionary to to Sweden.

     I recall in my early childhood when there was only one telephone in Brigham, less than ten or twelve Electric lights and when the culinary water was only in a few homes on Main Street and first and second east and west. It was against the City ordinance for any one else to use water from these hydrants so the rest of us had to use water from the Creek.

     In those days we didn't have the now famous "Elberta Peach." The peaches in those days were called seedling peaches, not much over an inch in diameter. The trees were large and the method we used in harvesting them was to take a long pole and knock them off the trees which was my lot. Then pick them up and haul them to a shady place where we would cut them and dry them in the sun.

     My parents had long scaffolds on the south side of the house filled with trays of peaches. It was a common sight to go thru the streets and see all kinds of sheds, chicken coops, coal and wood shseds, even on slopes of houses covered with peaches drying.

     We would dry several hundred pounds which we would use for winter consumption. We did not bottle fresh fruit. Instead of having candy bars we would have dried fruit to eat. The surplus dried fruit was taken to the store and exchanged for cloth to make dresses and shirts and for other houehold necessities.

     So again it was my responsibility to help in both of these industries - weaving and feeding the silk worms.

     We youngsters did not have too much time for recreation, such as playing football, basketball, etc. Our main amusement consisted mostly of playing base ball, spinning tops and playing marbles.

     To me the silk industry and the raising of silk worms was interesting. When the worms were first hatched, it was a small brown worm scarcely large enough to see, but in the cycle of life, it grew to about the size of a tomato worm, pure white and about three inches long.

     They fed on tree leaves, The mulberry leaf being the best. This where I came into the picture. They had to be fed twice a day, so it was my job to get my Express wagon, climb the Mulberry trees, of which there were hundreds in Brigham in those days, and pick several burlap sacks full of leaves to feed the worms.

     When the silk worm season was about to begin, we would clear out one of our three rooms, of all furniture to make room for the worms, which were placed on trays, reachng from floor to ceiling.  

     One of the most memorable and outstanding memories as a small child, was when my mother was called to go to the Chicago World's Fair to represent the Utah Silk Industry. She had been contacted by members of the General Relief Society Board, but had refused to go, on grounds of her lack of Education, and me her only child, then only five years of age.

     The occasion I remember - I was out in the garden with her, when I heard her say - "Oh, if only the ground would open up and swallow me!" I said, "Ma!" (which was the customary expression) "Why do you want to be swallowed up?" Just then I looked up and saw two ladies from Salt lake City. In the course of their conversation they said, "Sister Forsgren, we have come for your final answer. President Woodruff has called you to go, and has said if you refuse it will be the same as if any missionary refuses to go on a mission. It was then she picked me up in her arms and said, "Sister Kane, there is not enough money in all the world to separate me from my boy, but if President Woodruff has called me, I WILL GO."

     She left me with one of her dear friends - Sister Sarah Wilde (Grandmother of Lois Wilde Olsen). She left and was gone for three months - Won a Medal for the State of Utah, for the Exhibition she represented.    

     I took up the Milling profession while yet in High School. (The first year of the beginning of the Box Elder High).

     My first job was with the Brigham City Roller Mills - Later was the first Miller in the Big "J" Milling Co.

     I was called to go on a mission to Sweden. I left one week after I was married to the girl I had been courting for two years - whom I had learned to love and still do.

     While I was gone, she worked in Horsley's Store as a clerk and helped support me on my mission.

     After returning I followed my profession as Miller - working as Head Miller in the Big "J" Mill - Corinne Mill and Bear River Milling Co.

     I am now partially retired from the Big "J" Milling Co.

     I have never had any Political ambition but have worked in the Church in several capacities - such as - In the First ward: Pres. of the Deacons Quorum, Teacher in Sunday School in the First and Fourth Wards and in Honeyville. Also Assistant Sunday School Superintendant both in the First and Fourth wards. President of the Y.M.M.I.A in Honeyville. Served as Ward Clerk in Honeyville for eleven years. At present Group Leader of the First Ward Hight Priests. Member of the Genealogical Committee in the First Ward. Have Served as a ward teacher in all the Wards I have lived in.

     Released from Ward Clerk 10 May 1953. Sept apart as Veil Worker in the Logan Temple 19 Apr 1956.

     Suffered a "Stroke" 29 Nov 1962. So was released from High Priest Group Leader 20 Jan 1963. "

OBITUARY: Sons of Utah Pioneers, The Pioneer, 1971 p. 10 "Chapter Eternal"

ELIAS P. FORSGREN

     Elias Peter Forsgren, 83, long-time member and devoted worker in the Brigham City Chapter, Sons of the Utah Pioneers, died July 4 in a Brigham City hospital, of natural causes.

     Mr. Forsgren was a retired employee of the Big J Mill, Brigham City, where he worked for 47 years. He served an LDS mission to Sweden from 1910 to 1913. He was a member of the Sunday School superintendencies of the First and 4th Wards and was ward clerk of the Honeyville Ward for 11 years.

     Always interested in boys programs, Mr. Forsgren devoted many years to scouting. He was high priest group leader in the First Ward for nine years.

     He was born Jan. 12, 1888 to Peter Adolph and Elise Thomassen Forsgren. He married Agnes Rosalie Johansen, Oct. 12, 1910 in the Salt Lake Temple.

     Survivors are: widow, daughter Mrs. Ralph (LeJune) Maughan, Rupert, Ida.; seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren.

     Funeral services were held July 8 in the Brigham City First Ward Chapel and burial was in the Brigham City Cemetery.

    

Obituary from an unidentified newspaper: (with photo)

Dies - Elias Peter Forsgren died Sunday after a long illness. 4 July 1971 [added in handwriting]

ELIAS P. FORSGREN

     Elias Peter Forsgren, 83, of 29 South Fifth East, Brigham City, died Sunday at Cooley Memorial hospital after a long illness.

     He was born Jan. 12, 1888, in Honeyville, a son of Peter Adolph andElise Caroline Thomassen Forsgren.

     He married Agnes Rosalia Johansen Oct. 12, 1910 in the Salt Lake LDS temple.

     He was employed at the Big J mill in Honeyville and Brigham City as head miller for 47 years.

     He was a member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers and served an LDS mission to Sweden from 1910 to 1913 and had served as Sunday school superintenent in ghe Brigham City First and Fouth wards, ward clerk, YMMIA president and scout leader in the Honeyville Ward.

     He was past president of the Box Elder Stake Seventies quorum, was a high priest group leader in the First ward and had been active in genealogy and temple work.

     Surviing are his widow of Brigham city, one daughter, Mrs. Ralph (LeJune) Maughan, Rupert, Idaho; seven grandchildren, three greatgrandchildren.

     Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 1 p.m. in the Brigham City First Ward chapel.

     Friends may call at Petersen Funeral chapel prior to services.

     Burial will be in Brigham City cemetery.

    

BURIAL: Brigham City Cemetery B 22-34-2

COMMENT: Elias Peter Forsgren is owed a HUGE debt of gratitude. It was he who did the most work in tracking down the descendants of Johan Olaf Forsgren, gathering and creating Family Group Sheets and giving the Forsgren Family Association its base core of records.

 

Elias's obituary photo



Both of these photos are of Elias when he went to Sweden on his mission, 1910-1913.  While there he was able to visit the Johan Olaf Forsgren family home in Gavle (which still stands today) as well as meet his 1/2 brother, Pehr Johan Forsgren - the son of Peter Adolph and Britta Cathrina Wallstrom who were unmarried when Pehr was born.  (See the separate blog post for photos and more about this brother).  Pehr Johan did not receive Elias well.  There was still a lot of resentment that Peter Adolph had left him and his mother in Sweden...although that had been the decision of Britta who was angry that he joined the Mormon Church.

In the photo below note the slight difference in Elias' eyes - almost as if the left eye is looking a different direction from the right eye.  This same characteristic is visible in the photos of Peter Adolph Forsgren, of Pehr Johan Forsgren and of Milda Forsgren (Pehr's daughter)...and possibly in the eyes in John Heber's photos.  It makes me feel that probably it was a genetic factor which would also have been visible in the father, Johan Olaf Forsgren about whom we have almost no information and no existing photos that I know of.  Just a phenomenon that has interested me over the years.

This photo was taken at the Forsgren Family home in Gavle, Sweden abt. 1911 or 1912.

It is a blow up from the photo which follows.

Sorry the quality is so poor here.  It was given to me by a relative who did not know that one of the Elders (Elias, with hand on ladder) was actually a relative.

The same three Elders (Elias on right) standing by the tree planted by Peter Adolph Forsgren when he lived there.  Elias Peter managed to bring a limb of the tree home to Utah from which he made several small chests.  Elias' daughter, LeJune showed me one of them.  I have a photo of it which I will upload as soon as I get it scanned.

Elias Peter Forsgren married Rose (Agnes Rosalia) Johansen:

The Elias Peter Forsgren home a 503 E. Forrest - Elise Thomassen Forsgren died in this home

The Elias Peter home in Honeyville

BIRTH: LDS Church Census, 1935 (SL film #0025768)  her parents were Victor Emanuel Johansen and Ellen Jensigne Nielsen

LIFE SKETCH: Handwritten (in Rosa's handwriting) autobiographical sketch by Rosa in possess of Fors Fam Assn.
     "I, Agnes Rosalia Asta Johansen Forsgren (also known as Rosa, daughter of Victor Johansen and Ellen Jensigne Nielsen, was born 23 Dec. 1890 in Eggeslevlille , Denmark, which is a small town about fourteen miles from Copenhagen.  
     I am the seventh of nine children, five boys and four girls.
     When I was eighteen months my parents moved to Copenhagen with their five children - a sister named Valborg Velhelmine age eighteen months and a brother named Aksel Alfre, age eight days having passed away. Two more children were born to them in Copenhagen - Harold Emmanuel and a sister Valborg Margrethe Gudron.
     Two of my sisters, Valborg Victoria and Valborg Margrethe Gudron passed away while living in Copenhagen. - Valborg Victoria at the age of seven years and Valborg Margrethe Gudron at the age of eighteen months.
     My childhood was very much like that of other children. I started school at the age of seven, which was the required age to start school.
     The summer vacations we spent in the country - visiting Uncles, Aunts and cousins.
     In the year of 1900 my father's cousin Peter Petersen came to Denmark as a Latter-Day Saint missionary. He visited our home and brought the Gospel to my parents. They became interested and were converted to Mormonism and were baptized on the 16 Sept. 1900. My three older brothers, Waldemar, Hjalmar and Alfred were baptized 2 of Dec. 1900. My younger brother Harold and I were baptized 10 Apr. 1901.
     One of my childhood playmates was Sara Berg. We were very dear friends, spending many happy hours together. After some years, she moved from the neighborhood, but each Sunday we would alternate going to each other's home. When her parents learned that our family had joined the LDS Church, they forbade her to associate with me. I lost a very dear friend. I still think of her as one of my dearest childhood friends.
     At school the children would call us "Mormons" to tease us, but my parents would always tell us to treat them nice.
     My parents were of a religious nature and they would always see to it that we attended Sunday School of some denomintion even before we joined the Latter Day Saint Church.
     Copenhagen is a very beautiful city. Even as a child, I remember some of the places my parents used to take us to. Such as the "Round Tower," in which there were no steps, but a continuous ramp going round and round, until the top was reached, where we could view the city for many miles around. The Zoological Gardens which is always interesting to children. Also the Museums of which there were a number.
     The forests were very beautiful with flowers growing everywhere. My parents would often take us there.
     As a young man, my father learned the Blacksmithing trade. In Copenhagen he was employed in a large Shipbuilding factory, a trade at which he worked all his life. In later years he had a small shop in which he made his own tools and did some work for the neighbors. he also had a few acres of ground - growing berries primarily.
     When my parents joined the church they like most of the Saints had the desire of gathering with the Saints in Zion.
      My three oldest brothers, Waldemar, Hjalman, and Alfred left first.
      On the 14th of July 1902, my parents, my brother Harold and I left Copenhagen for Utah. We traveled by train for some distance across Denmark and reached a seaport on the North Sea where we boarded a ship for England.
     The trip across the North Sea was very rough. In England we boarded the Ship "New England" to cross the Atlantic. The ship was equipped with modern conveniences. The young folk would gather around the Piano to sing and dance.
     Mother and I were quite sick, especially mother. I was quite concerned about her, and stayed in the cabin with her most of the time.
     Harold was on deck each day, playing with a German boy about his age, even tho they could not understand each other, they seemed to have a good time.
     It took us seven days to cross the Atlantic and the only outstanding things I remember was seeing a whale and another Steamer going in the opposite direction. We were thrilled when we sighted land at 5 o'clock in the morning.
     We landed in Boston. After going thru the Custom House we boarded a train for Utah, arriving in Brigham City 29 July 1902 at 3 a.m. Waldemar was at the station to meet us.
     My first impression of Brigham was quite a contrast from Copenhagen. It was dark, no street lights and no pavement.
     I started school in Sept. of that year which helped me greatly in learning the language.
     In the summer months I would get a job packing strawberries, raspberries, cherries and peaches to earn a little money. Later I was a Telephone Operator.
      In 1910, I married Elias P. Forsgren who shortly after our marriage went on a mission to Sweden. During that time I was employed as Clerk in Horsley's Store. He was gone approx. [cut off but probably says three years].
     A baby girl came to bless our home. She is now married and has seven children of her own. We have had a very happy home and family life.
     My Husband and I have had the privilege of visiting and doing work in the following Temples: Salt Lake, Logan, St. George, Manti, Arizona and Los Angeles.
     I have held various Church positions: Sunday School, Relgion Class, Primary, Mutual and Relief Society. At present my husband and I are very busy in Genealogical work.

DEATH: Died Salt Lake City LDS Hospital - 6:25 p.m. Widowed. Usual address 29 S. 5th E.; informant Mrs. Ralph Maughan, Rupert, Idaho.

BURIAL: Brigham City Cem B-22-34-1




Elias Peter and Rose Forsgren had one child, a daughter, LeJune Rose Forsgren Maughan.  She is still living as of 8/2011,  age 90, living with her daughter in Arizona.  LeJune and Ralph Woodrow Maughan had 7 children (Gerald, Dwight, Rosalie, Craig, LeAnna, Dennis, & Sharlene). 
     In 1997, I had the great pleasure to visit with LeJune personally in Rupert, Idaho.  How she loved and admired her parents and her grandfather, Peter Adolph Forsgren!  She showed me the gold-headed cane given to Peter Adolph as well as beautiful, handmade silk pieces and a chair made by Peter Adolph.    LeJune was guest of honor at one of our Forsgren Family Reunions.

This is LeJune holding the box her father, Elias Peter Forsgren, had made from a limb cut from the original tree planted by Peter Adolph Forsgren at the family home in Gavle, Sweden. The box is now (2011) in the possession of her son Gerald.  The toys are in the home of her daughter LeAnna.  The tree is no longer standing at the family home.

........I will upload more about LeJune at a later date.  (Sept. 2011)





WIFE #1 - Anna Christine Knudson

This photo hangs in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum

BIOGRAPHY: Biography of ANNA CHRISTENA KNUDSEN FORSGREN "PIONEER" written by Olivia Forsgren Andersen, grand-daughter, July 11, 1916. Submitted [to DUP] by Jneil Andersen Madsen, Provo, Utah.

Anna Christena Knudsen was born 6th October 1830 at Mohn, Denmark. She was the daughter of Jens Knusen and Julia Jensen Knudsen. They were honest, upright people and devoted believers in the Lutheran Faith. They kept a small store in the town where they lived.

In the year 1851or 1852 the glad message of truth as taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith and his followers was brought to their home by H.P. Jensen, the mother's brother. They heard the message of the great Latter-day Saint Gospel with joyous hearts, and became converted to the truth about Chritmas 1852.

This worthy couple and two children, William and Anna Christina left their native land together with the Saints of God. They sailed in Brother John Forsgren's company. They had a hard sea voyage. A severe storm came up and it seemed for a time their ship would be engulfed, but He who calmed the turbulent waters of the sea of Galilee had a watchful care over that little company of Saints. They united together in faith and prayer and once again through the power of their mighty faith was the fierce sea made calm. The remainder of the sea journey was more peaceful. They arrived safely in America and gathered with the Saints while at Keokuk, Iowa.

Anna was married to Peter Adolph Forsgrn, May 8th, 1853. [ By John Erik Forsgren, his brother, in Keokuk, Iowa.  John was the leader of the company of Saints that immigrated from Scandinavia].  She was a fair and beautiful bride. Because of her beauty some Indians desired to buy her for a pony and a sack of sugar. Soon after their marriage, they came to Utah by ox team. The journey was full of trials and hardships. Had not the Father chosen men and women of heroic wealth we would not be enjoying our beautiful homes. They arrived in Utah and came to Brigham City, October 3rd, 1853.

They lived for a time in the old fort. Although the saints were now free from oppression of their enemies, yet they had many hardships to endure. It was very difficult to get food enough to eat. At one time a man from Salt Lake City drove some cows to Brigham City to try to get food for them. One old cow was so starved that she kept nibbling at the bull rushes that covered Brother Forsgren's dug out. He asked permission of Bishop Nichols to shoot it. Brother Nichols said that he might get into trouble if he did, but if he saw that it could not possibly live, then he might shoot it. This he did when the cow dropped from utter exhaustion and starvation. That together with a little bran furnished them food for some time.

Brother Forsgren built a log house on 1st East street between where Forest and 1st South now are. They had neither doors nor windows in the house. It was necessary to use an umbrella over the bed to keep the rain off. Their first daughter, Sarah, was born July 23, 1854.

At one time Sister Forsgren made two loaves of bread from the little flour and bran. They ate one loaf for supper and she told her husband that she was glad they had something for breakfast. She had no sooner spoken the words than an Indian Squaw and her papoose came to their door and said they were hungry. She made some tea from some leaves she had dried and gave them their last loaf of bread to eat with it. This act of unselfishness of character was one which actuated our pioneers. God was with them. They wre sacrificing to do His will and were elected to high thoughts and nobel deeds. If future generations would reach the same lofty heights then they must willingly sacrifice to do God's will. On that principle alone can great things be obtained.

One day Brother Forsgren came home with some good news. he said that down in the fields they had found many large segos which were very good to eat. These the people used for food for some time, but after sufficient grain and other things were raised to supply food for the people the segos never grew so large or so plentiful. Surely God provides for those in need. When their second daughter, Olivia, was born February 10, 1856, they had 10 pounds of flour in thehouse, and this was ll they had until after harvest.

Their first son, Adolph, was born March 25, 1858. News that Johnston's Army was coming reached Brigham the day before he was born, and the Saints were ordered to move South. Brother Forsgren was weaving some cloth. This he cut from the loom and when their boy was only three days old Sister Forsgren had her dress cut and sewed. When he was but ten days old she took her three little ones and walked part of the way to Salt Lake, driving a cow and calf. Brother Forsgren had to stay in Brigham for a time to help guard the property.

He afterwards joined his family. They lived in a dugout at Payson for some time. Here they had many trials with the Indians. One day an Indian came and was determined that Brother Forsgren should trade his new gun for an old one. This he of course refused to do. The Indian was trying to compel him to make the trade when Sister Forsgren felt inspired to go out and call the name of some man, although she new no man was near. This she did and the Indian, thinking some other man was near, left the house. The family afterward moved back to Brigham. They found all their grain and foodstuff had been taken by the Indians.

Five other children besides the three already mentioned came to bless their union. They are Oscar, Eli, Mary, William, Lenora. The two girls, Mary and Lenora died in their youth.

When the first Relief Society was organized Sister Forsgren and Sister Susannah Boothe were chosen as teachers. When the city was divided into wards, Sister Boothe was chosen President and Sister Forsgren as first counselor. She had a splendid ability in advising ways to get funds for Relief Society work, and was a wise counselor. She was a very industrious woman and the first to take hold of the silk industry in Brigham. She, together with Brother Forsgren and his plural wife, wove 150 yards of silk. They also wove many yards of cloth and carpet.

One day when Sister Forsgren had been out gleaning wheat she came home and told her husband that if he ever married another wife she had seen the girl she would like him to marry. This was Elise Thomassen who afterward became his plural wife. They lived happily together weaving and working to each other's interest. Anna Forsgren died March 11th, 1895, sure of a well-earned place in the Father's Kingdom. (Written July 11th, 1916).
 

This pioneer stone no longer stands in the Brigham City Cemetery

This information is found on the back of the [modern] stone for Peter Adolph Forsgren

This stone is the marker for Anna Christine's actual plot  (Brigham City Cemetery B-18-20-4)

This is a photo of the Peter Adolph Forsgren/ Adolph Peter Forsgren family plot as it would have been after 1907.  The small stones visible are infant children of Adolph Peter Forsgren, Peter A's third child.  Those stones were excavated and reset in 2009 by the Bott Monument Company and now stand in their former locations.

PETER ADOLPH FAMILY HOME IN BRIGHAM CITY

This photo was taken in 1996.

This photo was taken just before the Forsgren Reunion in 2008 after some renovation was begun by David Ericson of Salt Lake City

THE PETER ADOLPH FORSGREN HOME

59 South 100 East, Brigham City, Utah

The following information is extracted from a document labeled “Utah State Historic Preservation Office Structure/Site Information Form. It was prepared by Researcher Larry Douglass of the Museum,  March 1987.

Name of Property: Marilyn P. Pierce home

Street Address: 59 S. 100 E. Brigham City, Box Elder County, [Utah]

Current Ownership: Private
Site No: [blank]
T. 9N R. 2W S. 24
Map Name/Date: Brigham City Quad/1969
Tax #: 03-121-0033

Legal Description with acreage: Beginning at the SW corner of Lot 4, Block 14, Plat A, Brigham City Townsite Survey, thence N. 6 rods, E 10 rods, W 10 Rods to the beginning. .375 acre.

Property Category: building
Evaluation: eligible/potentially eligible
Condition: fair
Alterations: minor
Photo Data: prints, Mar 1987

Research sources: Abstract of Title, plat records/map, tax card & photo, Sanborn maps, obituary index, census records, biographical encyclopedias, newspapers, city/county histories; LDS Genealogical Library

Bibliographical References:
Improvement Era v.II, p. 483; Also June 1950 p. 474-5
Deseret News: Mar 2, 1908
Box Elder Journal: Dec. 27, 1962
Box Elder News: Mar. 5, 1908
Brigham City Bugler: March 16, 1895
DUP Histories: Peter A. Forsgren; Christena Knudson Forsgren

                                       ******************************************
The Peter A. Forsgren home is described in great detail in a Univ. of Utah College of Architecture & Planning Publication (#10) of 2005.  "Polygamy in Lorenzo Snow's Brigham City: An Architectural Tour" wirtten by Lowell C. Bennion, Alan L. Morrell, and Thomas Carter.  The book also includes brief biographical sketches of Peter A. and Christina Erika Forsgren.  The publication is on sale at the Brigham City Museum and other locations in town.   The following elevation sketches are from that publication:

The home is described in the publication as probably dating from the late 1860s.  It is described as being very fashionable for its time and "one of Utah's finest Gothic Revival cottages."  It was made of unfired brick, or adobe, which was light grey in color & durable.  It was probably unplastered until at least the 1920's.

In Oscar Forsgren's short history of his father he makes this statement about the home:

     "When they could afford it, they built an adobe house.  It was a room about 14 X 16 feet square.  Later a lean-to was built for the loom, Father being a weaver.  Next they built a kitchen, then added a granary.  North of the first room, separated by a hall, was the bedroom.  There was an upstairs used as a bedroom and as a place where they kept silk worms."   

     In January of 2007 the Peter Adolph Forsgren home was in danger of being demolished.  While away on our Senior mission in Chile I was contacted  by Larry Douglass, Museum Director and Historic Preservation Coordinator for Brigham City Corporation, informing me of the death of Marilyn Pearce who owned the home and was its sole occupant for many years.  She had left the home to her son and daughter who were willing to let Mr. Douglass see if he could find a buyer to preserve the home.   He was inquiring if there was any possibility that the Forsgren Family Association might be able to purchase the home to save it since it has such historical significance.   After a minor survey I was able to ascertain that we would not be able to come up with sufficient money.  

     We were so grateful to hear, a few months later, that David Ericson of Salt Lake City had purchased the home and was interested in renovating it to be used eventually as an office of some sort.  He has renovated multiple  homes.  Together with his son (who currently lives in the home) they worked hard - first gutting & demolishing weakened floors and timbers and walls, then shoring up and fortifying important support beams.  David allowed attendees of the 2008 Forsgren Reunion to walk through the home, observe its multiple layers of paint and wallpaper, its tiny doorways and steep stairs to the 2nd floor.  It was quite an experience to get to go through the home and photograph it before they began the renovation in earnest - staying with it even through an economic downturn that could have brought the work to a  halt.   They complied with requirements of homes listed on the Historic Register to retain as much of the original structure as possible, so that now, even after passing modern kitchen equipment, you will step onto a threshold that has been hollowed out with years of use and will still open doors that were hung during the era of Forsgren family inhabitants. 

This  SW corner photo shows the carriage house-turned garage.

The back of the home taken from the SE. Corner.

Back view from the East showing the renovation started on the carriage house/garage.  Note the new horizontal roof support beam in place

Close up of the front upstairs balcony and door and railing which has been replaced by Mr. Ericson.  Later on part of this railing had to be removed in order to place furniture in the upstairs rooms that would have been impossible to bring up by way of the very steep stairs.

Exterior side view from the South.  Notice where roof lines have been changed to add to the original structure that would have been built by Peter A.



The original front door opens off a very warn threshold and stoop

Front door closed, taken from inside the entryway looking out.

Standing at the front door looking into the entry way back towards what was the kitchen.  The indoor kitchen would have been added on in later years from the original structure.  That is a coat closet just to the right.  Large rooms open off just to the left (would have been the parlor) and to the right - later used as a bedroom.

The coat closet in the entryway.  You can see it is beneath the stairs leading to the second story.  Note the original adobe bricks and the wooden pegs in the upper right of the photo which would have been shaped and placed by Peter A.

Close-up of the original hand carved pegs and the wood of the staircase

North room and window taken from the entryway.  The house looks particularly rundown because the work of removing old wallpaper and stucco has already begun.  For some reason I could easily imagine an upright piano in this room.  I don't know why that came to my mind when I entered since I have no idea if the Forsgren's owned a piano or not.

In the North room looking back towards the front entry

Standing inside the kitchen looking back at the doorway leading into the entry way of the house.  Notice the worn threshold and the now-exposed original bricks.  A variety of wallpapers and paint graced this room over the years as noted above the lintel of the door.

Wallpapers detail in kitchen

Three doors side by side.  The left door leads to a bathroom, the door in the middle leads to the upstairs.  You can barely note the opening of the door from the entryway at the right.

A view in the kitchen.  Doorway from entry hall on the left;  doorway on the right leads out into a utility/work room and stairs to a cellar.  Beyond that room is the garage/carriage  house.

Kitchen foundation and floor, original to the house, had to be taken up and re-laid for safety.  Anyone but me remember this type of linoleum???

Another view of the kitchen looking at what must have been a pantry before it was torn down.  Also note the two windows and the exposed floor beams.   The bathroom & stairway doors are in the extreme right of the photo.

A door from the bathroom leads into the front South West facing room.  Most of the window glass is original to the cabin

Another view of the South room.  Note hole for stovepipe denoting that this room might have also served as a sitting room.

It was a fairly daunting task to go upstairs to see the three bedrooms up there.  No handrail (nor evidence that their ever had been)  Steps are quite high and ascent is very steep.

Whew!  I made it!  Upstairs looking back down.  I am standing in a small entry by the door that leads out onto the balcony above the front door.

I hope none of the Forsgrens were tall!  My husband, Victor is 6' 1". 

And here I am standing at the same doorway.  I am 5'6".

Upstairs South facing bedroom

We need to be glad the house never burned down!  Some of the electrical wiring was a little scary!

Looking back to the front upstairs door and the stairway down - from the East bedroom.  All the upper rooms were essentially the same with the slanted roof/walls.  I felt right at home since my room in our family home in Boise was the same.  I thought I was the only one in my group of friends who could lie on her bed and put her feet on the ceiling!   There is a coziness to an attic bedroom.   These rooms are now occupied by the Ericson children.  Hopefully mom and dad don't have to go up and down the stairs too many times during the day.

Back downstairs to the utility room/storage room/porch that is on the back North side of the house.  Dave Ericson believes that these hooks in the beams of the ceiling were probably used for the weaving looms that Peter and Ana Christina used.  They wove silk, but also wove some of the rugs that were used in the Logan Temple.

So there you have it!  A little flavor of 59 South 100 East, the new home (built after they left their log cabin located on First East between Forest & First South which they had moved to after leaving the fort) of Patriarch Peter Adolph & Anna Christina Knudson Forsgren and their 8 children.  Only 6 of the children lived to adulthood.  Rebecca died just after her 7th birthday.  Mary Magdalene died two months after her 16th birthday. 

The home in August 2012 as they continue to update & improve it!  Lovely