HISTORY OF JOHN EILERTSEN & GERTRUDE CHRISTENA LUND
by Ephraim Ellertsen
John Eilertsen was born on 13 September 1823 in Carlsgave, Frederiksborg, Denmark, the son of Eilert & Barbara (Schadt) Henriksen. John’s father was a cottager and tailor in Carlsgave.
Eilert & Barbara’s family consisted of 10 children, 2 of them dying in infancy. When John was seven years old his father died leaving his family of eight, with the youngest only four years old. Because of this death, the family became scattered very young. John left home between the ages of ten and thirteen years and went to Copenhagen where he learned the trades of blacksmithing and milling. After several years he seldom heard from his family.
His mother lived to be 92 years old.
On April 13, 1844 John Eilertsen married Gertrude Christena Lund, daughter of Hans Peter & Gertrude Margareth (Larsen) Lund. To them were born seven children, the first four being born in Denmark while the other three were born in America.
In June 1850, Erastus and Willard Snow arrived in Copenhagen as missionaries. They became very dear friends to the Lunds and Eilertsens. Two of the Eilertsen children bear their names as also do some in the next generation.
Gertrude Christena Eilertsen joined the Church with the first converts. Later that year (1850) John Eilertsen, his mother-in-law Gertrude Margareth Larsen Lund, and her children Hans Peter Lund and Barbara Christena Lund, and her step-children Lars Peter Lund and Angelica Christena Lund.
John Eilertsen did some missionary work in Copenhagen and then, Friday morning November 7, 1854, John, his wife Gertrude Christena, three children, mother-in-law, and Lars Peter Lund set sail for America. Barbara Christenea Lund planned to come to America but at the last minute changed her mind and never did emigrate. Hans Peter Lund remained to do missionary work. He came to America in 1857 and returned on the second mission in 1860. The others believed in the Gospel taught by the elders but did not feel that it would be the right thing to give up all they had and emigrate.
The Ellertsens spent their last night with Sophia Louise who after became the fifth wife of Apostle Orson Hyde.
They sailed on the steamer “Cimbra”, under the direction of Peter O. Hansen. They safely arrived at Fredrickhaven on the east coast of Jutland where more emigrants joined them. Upon leaving there, a fierce wind began to blow. After several days of practically drifting around, the captain, though an experienced sailor, deemed it necessary to seek the nearest harbor in Norway. This brought them into a beautiful harbor called Mendel, surrounded by very high cliffs. In a few days, they again put out to sea. The captain soon learned that the change was only for a short spell. He then decided to go back to Mendal, but could not. They were forced to go back to Fredrickhaven, their first stopping point. They arrived there on December 9th, 1854. On the 20th they set sail again. The weather was worse than ever before. For two days the ship fought her way against the raging winds and was forced to start back. The wind suddenly changed, and immediately they steered for Hull landing there on the 24th of December. The following day they continued their journey by rail to Liverpool, England.
They were checked to sail on the ship Helios, but because of the delay, they sailed on the James Nesmith. Captain Mills was secured for their company. They set sail from Liverpool on January 7, 1855. They landed in New Orleans on February 8, 1855.
They sailed up the Mississippi, arriving at St. Louis, Missouri. In March they continued their journey to Mormon Grove, Weston, Missouri, where Norman Willard was born on the 16th of April 1855. They remained there for six weeks. From there they crossed the plains in Noah T. Guyman’s Company. They arrived in Salt Lake City on September 9, 1855. They lived in Salt Lake City on 3rd East Street between 7th and 8th South, in part of the home of Lars Peter Lund’s three daughters. Their mother had died while crossing the plains. Later John Eilertsen bought two lots between 9th and 10th East and 8th and 9th South Streets. They then moved o Spanish Fork in 1856 where they bought a home.
It was there that John Louis and Ephraim were born. John Eilertsen’s mother-in-law died in Spanish Fork at the age of eighty in 1861.
John Eilertsen was the first councilor to the Bishop, and his wife was the Relief Society President. He also married a second wife, Mary Hansen, and one son was born to them, John Paul Eilertsen.
In January or April 1863 they moved to Spring City, Sanpete County, Utah, where they again bought a home and some farming land. From there they moved to Mona, Juab County, Utah in June of 1873. They owned a home on the main street and kept campers and travelers and also worked in the mercantile business. Gertrude Christena died there on March 26, 1900. He then married Christena Burrison but lived only one and one-half years after his marriage.
Addendum:
1. From another letter, probably by Ephraim Ellertsen, states:
a. The father of John Ellertson died at age 50.
b. the children of John Ellertson were Henry Peter, Julian Barbara,
Hannah Rosetta, Erastus, Norman Willard, John Louis, and Ephraim.
c. Erastus died shortly before they came to America at one year of age.
d. Those remaining said the Lord had blessed them wonderfully and felt
they should stay and take care of it
2. The fifth wife of Apostle Orson Hyde was Sophia Margaret Lyon.
3. This history as relayed through the Ellertsen Family organization indicated
that the Eilertsen home in Mona is still standing and that it was purchased by Ray Newton in the winter of 1929 and has been remodeled. John Louis and his wife Eveline Dinitia lived in this home, after the death of their daughter Floosie Rosetta lived in the home. Mrs. Ray Newton was living in the home, in 1977.
4. The spelling of the Eilertsen name was changed to Ellertson. The descendant of John, Paul Ellertsen took the name of Ellison.
Transcribed by Elaine Speakman
Neola Gertrude Ellertson Olson One very special spiritual experience for Neola, occurred when she was twelve years old. Because her mother was the Relief Society president, she often attended the meetings to help with the music by playing the organ. She had been taught by her mother and was quite gifted. In one of the meetings, a woman stood and spoke in tongues. She said that Neola would one day cross the waters to preach the Gospel. Another woman then stood and gave the interpretation of this prophecy. This would indeed come to pass because she later served a mission for the Church in the Hawaiian Islands. A cousin who was in attendance at this meeting would later stand and relate the events at another church function. (Neola, my grandmother, told me this story.)
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| George and Neola Ellertson Olsen |
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| Henry P. Ellertson A veteran of the Indian War listed ninth from the bottom more information and pictures (including names) can be found at: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/17849010?p=40159700&returnLabel=Neola%20Gertrude%20Ellertson%20(KWCP-GDB)&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.familysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2Fmemories%2FKWCP-GDB |
