Andrew and Louise Beckstrom
- Conversion and immigration of Andrew Beckstrom and his cousin Hakan Anderson from the history of Haken Anderson written by his daughter, Hanna Anderson Hanson.
Hakan Anderson had a cousin by the name of Andrew Beckstrom, who was about his own age. Two brothers had married two sisters, so Hakan and Andrew were double cousins and were always good pals. Andrew had learned the trade of blacksmith and was a jolly fellow and they had some good times together.
One day his cousin Andrew came to see him and said that he had some news. He said as he was walking down the lane, he met two gentlemen dressed very nice. They passed the time of day and told him they were going to hold a meeting that night at Peter Jenson’s house. “Would you please tell your neighbors and friends about it?” they asked.
“So here I am to tell you Hakan. Let’s go and hear what they have to say. I happen to think they might be Mormons, but let’s go see for ourselves just what kind of people they are.”
Hakan said that he would go if the boss would let him off. They went to the meeting that night. To their surprise, the preachers read the same verses out of the Bible that they had already heard their minister read.
“It must be the same Bible,” Andrew said. “The only thing, they make it sound clearer.” And it seemed to them that this must be the true Gospel. Everything that was said was good, so how could the people say evil against them. If only they would go and hear for themselves. These are the thoughts the boys had.
As the cousins were walking home, Hakan said, “I want to go again, don’t you Andrew?”
“Sure,” Andrew said, “Only you know what father and mother will say when they find out.”
Hakan said, “The last time I was home, father gave me a lecture about the Mormon missionaries and warned me to beware of them, that they were evil and were murderers. ‘Don’t go near them, son, I am warning you,’ he said, so now I don’t know how to break the news to them. As you know, my father is a very determined man.”
But nevertheless, Hakan did tell his father that they had gone to the Mormon meeting. His father said the Mormons should be horse whipped out of town. “To think they would come to Sweden to convert people,” he said, “We have the true gospel and do not want to hear anything new.”
Hakan and Andrew kept going to the Mormon meetings. The more they heard, the more they wanted to hear, so on September 17, 1857, they applied for baptism and were baptized.
After they had joined the Church, father was so happy that he went home to tell his parents the good news, but his father was very angry, and said, “It is too bad they didn’t tie a rock around your neck so you could have stayed under. To think those awful Mormons have come and converted a son of mine. It is enough to break my heart. Now Hakan you belong to them, go – you have disgraced our whole family. You don’t belong to us anymore. Don’t ever darken our door again.”
Hakan said, “I won’t bother you again, father. Goodbye mother and all of you.” Hakan left and never saw his family again. He was thinking now of going to Utah with a Mormon Band of converts and there live the religion he knew to be true.
Per memory of Beverly Smith Berntsen (granddaughter) , Louisa walked the plains at the age of 14.
The following are quotations from the Mt. Pleasant History Book where "Beckstrom" is noted:
When the building of the Deseret Telegraph Line was in progress, President Brigham Young called a number of young men to learn telegraphy. Anthon H. Lund was among those called; on his return to Mount Pleasant, he built a Telegraph office, and when the Deseret Telegraph Line was extended through the southern settlements, he took position as operator and also conducted a daguerreotype photograph gallery. This place became a popular gathering place for the young people of the community. The telegraph office and photograph gallery was built on the west side of State Street about one-fourth block south between Main and First South. This site was purchased from Andrew Beckstrom by Anthon H. Lund, who paid a large clock in part payment for same. About this time, John Knudsen Sr. also purchased his city lot, giving their choice feather bed in payment
President Brigham Young's Visit
September 12th, President Brigham Young and a number of the apostles and elders visited Mount Pleasant. A suitable wagon, drawn by four fine horses, was fitted up and driven by Rasmus Frandsen and Andrew Madsen, taking the Mount Pleasant Brass Band to Fountain Green, where they met the party. Coming back by way of Moroni, they led the procession and furnished the music. James Hansen leading the band, among others who were members were John Waldermar, Daniel Beckstrom, Andrew Beckstrom, Andrew Anderson, Bent Hansen and Mortin Rasmussen.
Brass Band Organized
The following was recorded by Mrs. Louise Hastler: "In the autumn of 1869 the governor sent out a notice to the citizens of Sanpete County that a military drill would be held the first week
in November, did requested all soldiers and men that could bear arms to be ready and on hand for a three-day drill. The gathering place would be between Ephraim and Manti. All captains and officers of the Indian War organizations should be represented and also the Military bands . . . . When this notice was served the brethren wanted to make a good showing and made necessary preparations. John Hastler had arrived in Mt. Pleasant in October and brought with him a full set of musical instruments from Switzerland. Bishop Seeley and the leading brethren engaged him to organize a Brass Band at once. This was affected about the 15th of October, 1869, with John Hastler, James Hansen, Bent Hansen, John Waldermar,
Andrew Beckstrom, Daniel Beckstrom. James C. Meiling, August Wall, Aaron Oman, Peter Syndergaard. Andrew Syndergaard, Soren Hansen, Lars Nielsen (Fiddler), Mortin Rasmussen, Jacob Hafen, Ulrich Winkler, Oscar Barton, Charlie Hampshire, and Paul Coates. John Hastler and Olaf Rosenlof were chosen as their leaders. John Hastler distributed the instruments at once. In three weeks, at the appointed time, they were able and ready to play six or more of our national and popular tunes, which made a good showing for Sanpete County. Their efforts were much praised and appreciated by the visiting staff."
At these drills all the Indian War officers and soldiers wore blue coats trimmed with brass buttons. These coats were homemade, but, in the different communities there were a number of tailors as well as women who came to the various homes and made men's clothing. It is remembered that Mrs. Jepsen Stohl, as well as others, were thus employed.
An act to pension the survivors of certain Indian Wars from
January 1, 1859, to 1891 was approved March 4, 1917. Coming at this late date the majority of those who had served in the early days had passed away. The following named are those who at that time proved up in Mt. Pleasant: Martin Aldrich, Claus Anderson, C. W. Anderson, Rasmus Anderson, Oscar Barton, Rudolph Bennett,
Andrew Beckstrom, Martin Bohne, Martin Brotherson, Joseph Burton, John Carlson, James Christensen, Robert Eiertson, Rasmus Frandsen, James Hendricksen, Neils Johansen, Andrew Jensen, Sophus Johnson, John Knudsen, Brigham Lee, Peter Monsen, Bennett Monk, James Olson, Ole Arlson, Olof Rosenlof, Conderset Rowe, Hyrum Seely, John H. Seely, William Seely, Olof Sorensen, John Waldermar, August Wall, Thomas Wrest, Hazzard Wilcox, Alma White, Joseph Wise, Oscar Anderson, Wesley Bills, Joseph Coates, Henry Ericksen, Peter N. Jensen, Peter Rasmussen, Joseph N. Seely, Andrew Rolph, S. A. Barton, Edmond C. Johnson, William Olson. The last four named are living in Mt. Pleasant, in 1939, as are the widows of Martin Aldrich, Joseph Burton, Sophus Johnson, Oscar Barton, Hazzard Wilcox, John Carlson, Peter M. Jensen, Oscar Anderson and A. G. Omen.
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