Jonas Ira NIELSEN

Notes:

                       Augusta Charlotte Swensen Nielsen was born in Vestra, Tunheim, Likoping,
    Swenden, 5 Oct. 1861, a daughter of Johannes and Caroline Wilhelimena Swensen.
    When Augusta was about 9 months old, her father died, on the beautiful farm of
    Niels Ericcson.  Mr. Ericcson was a brother of John Ericcson who built the
    "Monitor", one of the first steamships in the United States.  This beautiful
    and valuable farm was known as "Nygaard".  Mr. Ericcson was a very influential
    and aristocratic man, being a Senator or Congressman from the Tunheim District
    of Sweden.  Johannes Swensen was "kusk" for Ericcson, this meaning he was the
    carriage and stable master.  Many times he drove Mr. Ericcson and family to
    Stockholm with "coach and four".
    Caroline Wilhelimena accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    in Trolhattan, Sweden and was baptized by Otto Hansen, 10 Jan. 1866.  After
    Johannes died, she moved to Trolhattan where she conducted a small store,
    selling dairy products, etc. for a livelihood.  In May, 1868 at the age of 6
    years, Augusta, with her mother and 8 year old brother John, left Sweden.  They
    sailded from Goteborg on 29 May on the steamer "Hero", in charge of Elder
    Christoffer O. Falkman, arriving in Hull, England, 31 May.  Here they were
    joined by a company of Danish Saints in charge of Elder Carl Widerborg, and
    along with them they continued their journey to Liverpool by railroad.  On the
    evening of the following day, 1 Jun, Elder C.A. Christiansen arrived in
    Liverpool with some emigrating saints from Norway.  On 3 June, they all boarded
    the sailship "John Bright" with Captain John Towart.  Elder James McGaw was
    appointed president of the company of which 17 were Scandinavians and more than
    500 were British saints.  Christoffer O. Falkman and Fred C. Andersen were
    chosen assistant presidents.  The Scandinavian saints were located on the lower
    deck under the charge of Elder C.A. Christiansen.  The John Bright sailed from
    Liverpool 4 June.  It was intended that the emigrants cross the Atlantic by
    steamer, but on account of the high price of steamship passage, the voyage had
    to be made by sailing vessel.  The company arrived safely in New York, 13 July
    and on the following day began their trip westward by way of Chicago and Omaha
    on the Union Pacific Railroad to Laramie, Wyoming.  The fare from New York to
    Omaha was $14.00 and to the terminus on the plains, $35.00 but those hwo would
    stop to labor on the Union Pacific were conveyed all the way for $14.00.
    The company arrived in Laramie, 23 July.  At that time Laramie was the western
    terminus of the Union Pacific and also the outfitting place for the journey
    across the mountains with teams.  Here the emigrants met the church teams and
    most of the saints went with Captain Horton D. Haights company which left
    Laramie 27 July and arrived in Salt Lake Valley, 24 August 1868.  Elders C.A.
    Christiansen and Christoffer O. Falkman, together with some Scandinavian
    saints crossed the plains with Captain John R. Murdock Company and arrived in
    Salt Lake Valley, 19 August 1868.  Augusta, her mother and brother came with
    this company.  The fare by church teams from Laramie to Salt Lake Valley was
    $29.00 which the emigrants were require to pay later.  These two companies
    consisted of 600 Saints and 50 wagons.  The children and weak mothers were
    allowed to ride in the wagons, while all the men and stronger women were
    required to walk the entire distance.  Being afraid of the driver of the wagon
    because of his dark complexion and odd clothering, Augusta walked by the side
    of her mother until her feet became so sore she had to ride.  After a four week
    march over dry, hot plains and hills, they finally reached Salt Lake Valley.
    Here they were allowed to stay in what was called the "Tithing Yard" with all
    the other saints who had no place to go.  Because he had a very good team of
    horses and a springboard wagon, Gustave Anderson was hired by families in Cache
    Valley, Logan and Hyrum, to travel to Salt Lake and bring back expected
    relatives and saints from the emigrant trains.  Caroline Wilhelimena was to
    have gone to Logan to work for the Thatcher family, but only got as far as
    Hyrum and after a short time married Gustave Anderson, becoming his fourth
    polygamist wife.
    After completing elementary classes taught in the district school in Hyrum,
    Augusta spent a term in the higher school in Logan, preparatory to teaching.
    She also lived at the home of Ingwell and Gureen Thorgeson and studied
    telegraphy.
    She studied the Gospel in religion classes and at age 18 became secretary in
    the Relief Society to Pres. Christena Liljenquist.  She held this position for
    a number of years, also acting as a Relief Society block teacher.  On 4 August
    1918 she was set apart by Brother Albert J. Allen to act as Second Counselor to
    Pres. Maria Wilson in the 1st Ward Relief Society.  She served in this capacity
    until 30 October 1921 when she was released and set apart by Brother O.M.
    Wilson to act as 1st Counselor to Pres. Alice Sorensen.  She held this position
    until 20 Sep. 1925 when she was again released and sustained as 1st Counselor
    to Pres. Maria Wilson, being set apart 24 Nov 1925 by Charles Unsworth. After
    serving for nine consecutive years, she was released 25 Sep 1927. Relief
    Society work was always a great joy for her and later in her life, she
    accomplished much temple work.  She never missed "Temple Excursion Day" even
    when seh was not feeling well, and she always stayed for thre sessions.  She
    continued doing temple work until she was 75 years of age.  Many times she
    walked to the Utah-Idaho Central Railroad Depot in Hyrum, taking the train to
    Logan, then walking up to the temple.  After spending the day there, she
    returned home the same way.  She always donated $1 to the temple fund.
    On 18 December 1884 she married Jonas Ira Nielsen in the Logan Temple with
    Pres. Marriner W. Merrill reading the ceremony.  To this union eleven children
    were born, two dying in infancy.  She was a quiet, unassuming woman, who spent
    her lifetime working for her family, friends and church.  She was a good mother,
    immaculate housekeeper and a friend to all in her community.  Where there was
    sickness, trouble or death, she was among the first to give aid and cheer.  Her
    family and friends ofter wondered how this frail little woman could endure the
    tasks that were placed upon her.
    She taught her boys and girls the value of hard work and always disciplined
    with love and kindness, never harsh words.  She always kept a large garden and
    berry patch and would bottle and preserve and work hard to put away food for
    the long winter months.  She mended stacks of clothing and was good at making
    over hand-me-downs, doing everything possible to make the meager money reach.
    The garden and yard was taken care of by her and the daughters.  The boys had
    farm work and chores to do and as they grew older, they found other jobs in
    addition.  The the oldest son. J. Vern received his mission call, it was Floyd
    and Marriner, the next two boys who supported him on his mission to Norway.
    During the time J. Vern was on his mission, he had an opportunity to visit the
    farm "Nygaard" in Sweden.  He was allowed to take pictures and he met two men
    who remembered the Swensen family.  They were very much surprised to learn that
    one of Augusta's sons was back, preaching the doctrine the Swensen mother and
    children had left Sweden and gone to America for.
    Augusta and her husband lived their entire married life in the home he built
    for her as a bride.  They celebrated their golden anniversary there with family
    and friends gathered for dinner.  The event took place 19 December 1934.  Her
    husband Jonas passed wasy in 1940.
    At age 75 she developed a nervous condition in her left leg and hip.  Later,
    other parts of her body were affected by this "shaking palsy".  It was
    impossible for her to walk any distance, climb steps or do any more hard work.
    After this, her health failed rapidly.  She lieved a short time with each of
    her daughters and eventually they both came to her home and stayed with her for
    9 months until she passed away, 14 July 1944.
    She taught the Gospel in her home to her family and always encouraged activity
    with her children in church assignments. Seven of her 9 leving children were
    married in the temple.  She made room in her small home for her mother in her
    mother's last years.  She always praised the missionary system for giving her
    the opportunity to accept the Gospel and to come to Zion.
    Impressive funeral services were held in the Hyrum 1st Ward Chapel, 18 July1
    1944 with burial following in the Hyrum City cemetary.  She was survived by 8
    children (a daughter, Ruby Caroline Nielsen Petersen having preceded her in
    death), 41 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren.
    August Swensen baptized 1 Jul 1870 by Rasmus Je