David Candland ~ Pioneer of the Month ~ March 2017

Birth:	Oct. 15, 1819 Highgate Greater London, England
Death:	Mar. 4, 1902 Mount Pleasant Sanpete County Utah, USA
Son of Samuel Candland and Sarah Betts Married Mary Ann Barton, 28 Mar 1844, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois Married Mary Jane Webb, 29 Oct 1852 Married Lucile Jones, 9 Apr 1853, later divorced Married Bertha Mary King, 25 Dec 1854, later divorced Married Ann Woodhouse, 1 Nov 1855, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Married Hannah Ann Wright, 5 Mar 1857, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Married Catherine Ann Jost, 25 Apr 1858, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, later divorced

Children: Elizabeth Ann Candland McLean (1850 - 1926)* Abigail Jemima Candland Edmonds (1853 - 1942)* Delphina Grace Candland (1854 - 1855)* Eliza Jane Candland (1856 - 1857)* Samuel Charles Candland (1856 - 1858)* David Harry Candland (1858 - 1933)* William David Candland (1858 - 1940)* Minnie Alena Candland Warner (1859 - 1935)* James Edward Candland (1861 - 1932)* George Anthony Candland (1864 - 1912)* David Alexander Candland (1865 - 1938)* Walter S. Candland (1866 - 1956)* Victor Eugene Candland (1867 - 1909)* Luna Adele Candland Stone (1867 - 1920)* Amelia M Candland Jensen (1869 - 1955)* Arthur Charles Candland (1869 - 1938)* Clara Jessamine Candland Christensen (1870 - 1952)* Grace M. Candland Jacobsen (1871 - 1953)* Fannie Vilate Candland Miles (1874 - 1954)* Lawrence H Candland (1875 - 1954)* Theodore Clement Candland (1877 - 1960)* Leland Long Candland (1879 - 1933)* *Calculated relationship

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=143299

The following is research done by Mary Louise Madsen Seamons

taken from Utah State Historical Society.

(not online, incomplete and an unknown author)

Circa 1858-59

The following  are references to David Candland in the Mt. Pleasant History by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf ...

1861
Early in the spring, David Candland, who had recently' ar­rived from Salt Lake City to make his home in Mount Pleasant, located on some land south of the city and east of the cemetery. There was a spring on this land and on account of the scarcity of water, the people objected to his taking it. Later, a compromise was made, and twenty acres of land in the field was purchased and given him in exchange. In June, Bishop Seeley applied to President Young for the privilege of expending a portion of the tithing funds in building a road north through Thistle Valley. p 69

At a public meeting, held July 14th, W. S. Seeley, David Candland and Perry McArthur were appointed as delegates to a county convention to be held at Ephraim, July 22nd. p. 73

Independence Day this year was duly celebrated as the follow­ing account published in the Deseret News will tell:

"At Mount Pleasant the day was ushered in by the firing musketry as the military of that thriving town have not as yet provided themselves with artillery. The stars and stripes were run up, the military were out in force, and some mounted, others on foot. A procession was formed in which a company of young ladies dressed in white, and school children with flags and banners, occupied conspicuous positions. The local authorities, distinguished visitors and others had places assigned in the procession, the citizens being by far the most numerous division. J. K. McCleanahan, Esq., was the orator of the day and David Candland, Esq., reader. An address was delivered by Col. R. N. Allred, which with songs, toasts and various kinds of music, constituted the principal ceremonies. The dance in the evening was not for­gotten." p 81




Social Hall


A building 30 feet x 45 feet, erected in the south side of the church square, was completed on the 7th day of December. A program consisting of singing and of short and interesting talks by Bishop Seeley and Elders Duncan McArthur, David Candland and J. K. McClenahan was held. David Candland delivered the dedicating prayer, naming the building the Social Hall. p 82

This year, school was commenced in the first, third and fourth wards with David Candland, H. P. Miller and Oscar Winters as teachers with an average of forty pupils in each school. p 83

December 7, 1864, David Candland was duly appoint­ed post master, the first to be officially appointed. The post office was established in his home, the southeast corner on the inter­section of First East and Second South. His wife, Annie Woodhouse Candland acted as post-mistress. At a meeting held Decem­ber 24th, William Morrison, the former Ward Clerk, who had succeeded David Candland, was released, having been called south to Sevier Valley, and Anthon H. Lund was appointed his successor. During this year, H. C. Davidsen and family located in Mount Pleasant, later erecting an Astrometer on his lot on west side of State, southwest corner of intersection of First North. He, some years later, gave talks on astrology to the students of Eli Day's school. At a meeting held in the Social Hall, December 25th, it was decided to build a new meeting house.  p 93

Under date of July 5, 1865, the following letter written by David Candland was published in the Deseret News. "We have erected a bowery 100 x 80 feet. Our crops look rather scant, short in straw and thin on the ground. We have now a mail in our town and you can form no idea of how pleased we are, how much we go on Mr. George W. Bean, the contractor. How much we feel to say Amen to every enterprise that aims to give joy and peace and disseminate intelligence among mankind. We are anxious
now for the wire and the rail and for the speed and proper development of our own dear Utah." Copied from Andrew Madsen's Journal: "At this time, David Candland was a very active man in the community." pp 97, 98

1866

Quoting R. N. Bennett: "David Candland was sent with the epistle for the people of Fairview to move to Mount Pleasant, the people of Fountain Green to Moroni, and the people of Spring City to move to Ephraim. John L. Ivie and myself were sent as Candland's body guards. After these families had moved, the minute men of Mount Pleasant and other settlements had to go as guards for the men while they did their work." p110

Under date of March 12, 1868, the following letter written by David Candland, was published in the Deseret News:

"The progressive is a feature of this new fledged city in the agricultural, mechanical, and spiritual. An important area of land is about to be taken up west and south of the city, which will give to our marriageable young men land so as to lay the foundation of a home for them and the help-mates they may choose. The yellow fever of the Sweetwater or of Marysvale is not strikingly manifest here, because the land movement has fore­stalled it. Bona fide homes are better than the miner's camp.

"Mechanically, we are progressing. Your enterprising agent has now a splendid shingle and saw mill. Lath and picket are to be added, and soon, our town will have a decent array of fenc­ing, nor is he satisfied, but has resolved on a woolen mill, to which we say hurrah, for our town! Other solid improvements are going on, and we must not omit to mention a famous brass band of fifteen instruments which is a feature of this young town.

"Spiritually, we are alive. As an evidence, we have raised $4000 for the emigration, and we are not yet broke, although we have been heavily taxed in various ways in common with the rest of Sanpete. Last Sunday, our Bishop sent out some of our young Elders, two and two, to preach in the several wards of this city, and success has marked the project; they are brought to a proper bearing; the people are benefited; and thus spiritual good is accomplished.


"A great scope of country will be put under cultivation for ourselves and the poor for whom we have subscribed, and for as many more, if they will only come. As we believe, more folks, more trades, more independence, and more grain preserved, in our town.

"An eight foot vein of coal of excellent quality has been developed at Fairview, four miles from town, regular Sanpete coal.

This will open the Spanish Fork Canyon road to a certainty. The discoverers are practical colliers, and intend to sell cheap. Utah County can rejoice, for the abundance is great, and the price will be small. Ah, sir! If we only had a railroad down the canyon to Goshen depot, then we would hustle the coal to your city at such figures for the blacksmith and others as would make them all rejoice. As a city, we are interested in our near neighbors' welfare, as we are bound to prosper in their prosperity.

"A Sunday School grows in importance, and so do our five day schools. The demand for a high school is beginning to loom up and also for the appliances needed, maps, charts, globes and thorough teacher. Nor must I forget to mention that the 'News' has taken a new start since you took the chair; (I don't call it the 'easy chair'), and when the opening spring opens the granary doors, and the tons of millions of promised grass-hoppers shall have been undeveloped, and the sun shines that will thaw out the frozen feeling of dread or famine, they, the liberal-hearted will respond to your call for help; broad acres will be sown, and strong belief in the promise of the rainbow will be evidenced. God will give us seed-time and harvest, for we have helped marvelously as a people, to gather the poor, and we sow not for ourselves alone, but for Him and His people and His insect tribes. To Him we look for the promised blessing of the former and latter rains.

"In these days of XXX's, I must not omit to mention the superiority of the Mount Pleasant flouring mill, now thoroughly renovated, with improved machinery, and the finest bolting cloth. The enterprising owners mean your tyros shall test the quality. Nor can we pass our fine blacksmith shops, among whom George Farnsworth as a shoer stands 'A number one.''' pp 120-122

Excerpts from the city record: "Spoke of the necessity of repairing streets, bridges, etc., but it was impossible for the people ~o pay a great deal of money on tax; motion prevailed that a tax of one-half of one per cent be levied for the year 1871." . . . "July 22, motion carried that Joseph Day be city assessor and collector and that he be allowed ten per cent of the city assessments for services in the same." . . . "Motion carried that an appropriation be made for the mayor to purchase the city ordinance of the city of San Francisco of David Candland" . . . "October 15th, Magnus Rosenberg was granted a three months license to sell spiritous and vinous liquors. License granted at $15 a quarter or $40 a year."

pp 135,136

The council took into consideration the plausibility of building a city hall and jail. Moved and seconded to build same, at least as far as to finish the basement, or lower rooms this year. . . . . Salt Lake City ordinances were adopted. . . . . David Candland appointed city attorney. . . .p 147

December 30, 1877, three weeks later.

"A special meeting of the city council was held October 24, 1877, to consider the propriety of building a Lockup, with height enough to admit a general office above, giving room for all city purposes, and thereby save renting and contingent expenses. After some discussion as to finances, etc., Mr. A. H. Bennett presented a bid in three divisions, one for finished Lockup, $275.00, one for Lockup with additional rooms above, $375.00, and one for Lockup with temporary roof for less than $275.00. Council decided that time and necessity for the building and the known honor of the contracting party, no further bids would be asked and the contract was given Mr. -Bennett, agreeable to the con­tingency that may arise as to finances in the matter of completion.

"The signed contract, with two signers was duly signed and placed on file in recorder Candland's office, . . . . . the building was completed and received by the city. Corporation notes for $250.00 were given to Mr. Bennett who delivered two keys to the mayor who delivered them to the marshal who was instructed to get bedding, etc. Councilor Peter Monsen was authorized to purchase a suitable stove." p 154

THE NIELSON STORY ~ Pioneers of the Month ~ May 2010 by Fern McIntosh Jacobs

The Nielson Story
Compiled from many sources by Fern McIntosh Jacobs 1969
Retyped by Belva Jones McIntosh June 2000

Some parenthetical comments and highlighting done by Beverly McIntosh Brown



This is written as an epitaph to the lives of great, strong, wonderful people who worked very hard that we might enjoy the fruits of their labors. Many people came to America from their homes in the “Old Country” for the sake of religion. May the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren honor the names of these, their progenitors and keep their stories ever alive and vital in their lives that we may appreciate their sacrifices and appreciate what we have. Let us pattern our lives with the ideals and standards of honesty and labor that the world will be a better place for us having lived.

The beginning of the story of Nils and Karna Hanssen Nilsson takes place in the little village of Vallby Kyrkheddinge, Malmohous, Sweden, which is near the large city of Malmo.

The summers in this far off land are very beautiful, with many fertile green fields as well as numerous wooded sections of equal beauty. There are no mountains as here in Utah, but more level country with green rolling hills. The fruits and crops of Sweden are much the same as here.

Valby Kyrkheddinge was the birthplace of both Nils and Karna. Nils was born the 14 day of May 1826. His father was Nils Nilsson, born October 12,1786 in Skivarr, Sweden and his mother was Elsbeth Nilsdatter, born in 1801 in Evelov, Sweden.

Nils and Elsbeth’s family consisted of Peter, who died at the age of seven, Nils, and two older daughters, Ann and Marna (or Karna). They passed away in their twenties within two weeks of their mothers passing, leaving the father, Nils and Nils Junior alone. We do not know the cause of these three sudden deaths, but it seems very tragic.

Nils and Karna were married the 15th of February 1856 in Valby Kyrkheddinge. Karna was born the 28th day of December 1833 and was the daughter of Hans and Kjerstine Larsson Akesson. Hans was said to be the strongest man in that part of Sweden. In this family were two brothers and one sister, Andrew, Ingra, (lovingly called “muster”, which in Swedish means Aunt) and Hans. They were all born in Vallby. Three of them were given the name of Hansson while the youngest, Hans, born soon after his fathers death, was given his fathers name of Hans Akesson. The children all came to America, but the mother stayed in Sweden and remarried and had another family, some of these coming to America later.


While in Sweden, Karna learned the art of weaving fine fabrics. She wove all types of material – linen, wool, linsey, flannel, and heavy wool for suits and coats. Karna was a very nice looking girl in her younger years, being strong, healthy with a wealth of beautiful hair. Her hair was very long, thick and medium brown that she braided into two large thick braids.

At this time there were Latter Day Saint Missionaries coming into Sweden. They found the door of the Nilsson family and they embraced the gospel while in their fatherland.

Nils II and Karna had two children, Hans and Anne, born to them before Grandpa Nils, at the age of 71 years, passed away. He had been called “Rich Nils” and had much land and livestock in Sweden. Nils II was given all the holdings of the family as he was the only surviving member and also, in Sweden it is the custom for the oldest male member to inherit all the inheritance.

Twin girls were born to them in 1860, and were named Benta and Chasta or Kjerstie. They decided to come to America and Utah to join the Saints. There were many converts who wanted to come here too, but many lacked the finances with which to make the journey. Nils wanted to bring his money to America, but this being impossible, he converted all his lands and livestock into cash and loaned it to the converts so that they could come here too. When in America they were to repay the loans. In this he hoped to get his money here with him. The idea was good but it didn’t work. People had no idea how hard it would be to make money here, no matter how hard they worked. So, as a result, Nils did not get the return of his finances to help him get started in the New World, and he and his family had to work very hard to make a living. Karna used to tell the grandchildren that she married Grandpa Nils for his money, as he was rich in Sweden. She had been engaged to be married to another boy in Sweden, but Nils had won her hand. It was her little joke, as has been said, he lost all by coming to Utah. Even in Mt. Pleasant where they settled, he was called “Rich Nils”. He always had an extra team of oxen more than the “regular run” of pioneers of the early days. Karna loved her husband and family and was perfectly happy here in America because all her children were here and soon prospering, even though they all had to work very hard.

The Nilsson family said goodbye to all their friends and loves ones and started on their long trek to Utah. It is not known which boat brought them to America or in which company they crossed the plains. (Let’s find out more and add to this humble beginning of this story). As they progressed on their way, and after their long ocean voyage, they purchased a wagon, a yoke of oxen, a cow and a stove. They had the cow for many years that gave much rich milk for their journey and later too. They made these purchases in Omaha, Nebraska. They brought many copper kettles and pans from the old country.

The Nilsson family arrived in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah in 1863. They all lived in the old fort there for one year before building a house outside the walls. A few people were still living in the old fort when they arrived. It was remembered that the Madsen family were there at that time. They took the lot on Main Street and Second West on the Northwest corner of the intersection. They had property west of the tracks, one ten-acre field and one 20-acre farm near the H. P. Jensen (called the Pete Sherrif) place. At that time the Asa Coates family lived on “Uncle Hans” corner (across the street south). The family of Bent Hansen lived west of the Nilsson home.

Nils brought many tools with him from Sweden, so he made most of the furniture for their home. He had been a cabinetmaker. They first built a log home, but later it was torn down and an adobe house was built in its place. The one big room and a kitchen were built first and later three more rooms and a hall were added. There were heating stoves in the big room and in “Gustie's Room” as it was called.

They planted many lovely apple and plum trees on the lot in town. The delicious Sweet Bow and Red June trees were in the front yard while Pear, Red Astrican and Early Harvest trees were in the west part of the lot. Wheat, oats, barley, corn and peas were raised on the farms. Sheep were raised and Karna sheered them, washed the wool, carded it, spun and dyed it and wove it into fabric. She could weave it into plaids or stripes as well as plain colors.

They had not been in their new homeland long when Annette Elizabeth and Andrew, twins, were born to them on the 14th of October 1864. This made two sets of twins for them and their son Hans, which made up the family now, as little Annie had died a week before the last set of twins were born. Uncle Hans was so deeply moved when this happened that he prevailed upon the parents to name the little twins after her. Thus, Annette, which is supposed to mean “Anne-Too”, and the boy was christened Andrew, in remembrance of little Annie.

As Karna worked on her loom, she would have the twins play with the empty spools under the loom so she could tend them and do her important work at the same time. She would have certain definite hours to work on the loom and then hurry to do her other tasks and then come back to the weaving regularly so as to accomplish as much as possible in every day.

At one time Grandpa Nils Nielson (as the name was spelled in America) wanted to take a second wife in Polygamy, but Grandma Nielson said to go ahead, but if he did she wouldn’t be there when he brought her home, so he reconsidered.

In the very early days, when the Indians would be a threat to the small community, Grandpa Nielson owned a gun and would take his turn being the guard to watch over the town at night. Grandma would try to talk him into staying near their home instead of making his rounds, but he did his duty to the town.

The new kitchen was built onto the house about the time that Augusta was born on the 27th of August 1868. Niels was born May 11 1871.

The children and mother worked very hard and Nils, the father too, until he became ill and was never well after that. Karna sat at her weaving day after day and worked very hard at it. The children would help pick peas, rake hay with a hand rake, weed, pick potatoes and glean after the threshers.

Karna’s loom was set up in the kitchen in the southeast corner by the door into the big room and by the kitchen window so as to have light to work by. The homemade cupboard was in the southwest corner of the kitchen and in the northeast corner was the washstand with the wash dish. The big stove stood on the north side.

At first there was a pole fence around the lot with the big barrel in the southeast corner next to the street. This barrel was a very important part of life at that time as it contained the culinary water supply for the family. A big creek ran down Main Street in front of the house and stones were placed down into the creek bed to form steps to get down to dip the water out. This barrel was filled with water from the ditch every night and let settle and then the top was used in the house for all their needs. Of course a barrel was always placed under the rain pipe too, in order to catch all the run off rainwater from the roof, as it was softer water than from the ditch and was used for washing the hair etc.

Grandma Karna would always do the milking. She would go out with an apron over her long dress and a big hanky tied around her hair and soon would come back with the bucket full of milk. Later Uncle Andrew took over this task.

In their cellar hung sides of beef and pork on rails from the ceiling, as well as smoked hams and sausages. Bins of all sizes held apples, each kind in its department. There was plenty of food for all with milk, cheese and butter topped off with delicious home made bread. There were not quite so many vegetables but no one starved. Grandma made delicious “starch cake” made mainly of potato starch and eggs. There were no salads, but Thin Pancakes and Ebelskevers with jars of cream and homemade malt beer. Much of this was drunk in the early days because of the impure water.

Karna had an even temper and loved her children and grandchildren very much. Nils was not well the later years of his life and finally passed away April 3 1885.

Swedish was spoken in the home, but the children learned to speak English too. So the grandchildren could understand Swedish but not speak it.

When any of the grandchildren came to sleep with Grandma Karna, she would fry thick juicy slices of ham, boil potatoes and make milk gravy for breakfast. Then she would have the child take a basketful of eggs to Longsdorfs store and get groceries for them. In her later years Grandma Nielson enjoyed sitting by her little kitchen window in the dark and watching the people go up and down Main Street. She passed away the 23 of August in 1920 in Mt. Pleasant and was buried beside her husband in the town cemetery.

Their children all lived in Mt. Pleasant all their lives. Hans, whose birthday was the 14th of March 1857, married Amelia Simpson on the 13th of March 1890. He was 33 years old and she was 25 at the time. She was a lovely woman and a very good cook. They had three children – Frances, Pricilla Caroline, and Goldie Benta. The girls were beautiful but didn’t live long. Pricilla passed away at the age of 16 and Goldie died when she was 27 years of age. Frances married Miriam Thurman. They adopted one child, Stephen.

Benta married Niels S. Nielson and didn’t change her maiden name. He came to America with very little money but accumulated until they were considered some of the more well to do in the community. He and his brothers began the Sanpete Co-op Store and later the Commercial and Savings Bank. They had three daughters, Addie Victoria, who passed away at the age of two and one half of membranous croup, Irene, who lived to be 33 years old and Beatrice who lived to be 73 years of age. She married Ira Wickliffe and they lived in Long Beach all their lives. Their three children were Irene, who died at 16 years of age, Eunice and N.S. Eunice married Mr. German, but he passed away. N.S. married and has several sweet children.

Chastie married Oscar Anderson on 12 October 1878 and had six children but tragedy came to the family and three of them passed away within five weeks with diphtheria and the fourth boy, Gerald L., died at the age of 20. The first ones were Francis O., Archie J., and Lettie C., then Gerald came next, followed by Anna and Addie who lived to raise nice families and at this date (1969) Addie is living in Pasadena, California. Anna married Owen Niling and had two girls, Virginia and Irene. Addie married Howard Strang and they had Marilyn, Richard. Annette Elizabeth married Joseph Monsen on November 4, 1886 in Mt. Pleasant. They were blessed with three children, Florence Karna, Raymond Joseph and Venetta Dorothy. They all lived into mature age and all had families. Florence married Vance McIntosh and their children were Florence Fern, Edwin Joseph, Jean Annette, and Donald V., with one child dying of immaturity, Robert Vance. Ray’s children were Shirley Rae, Richard, and Joseph. Venetta had four nice children, Dorothy Edna, Phillip, Jack and Robert. She married Harold Jensen. Ray’s wife was Lucille Tilson.

Andrew and Niels never married. They lived in Mt. Pleasant all their lives with the exception of the later years when Niels resided in Long Beach. Andrew had a very exceptional characteristic of kindness to all. He was nicknamed Judge as he acted in this capacity in the community for many years. Niels was very frugal and they both accumulated quite a bit of money before they passed away.

Augusta married Albert Edwin Peterson on December 20 1896. They were the parents of three children, Albert (Bert), Helen and Stanley. Bert married twice. One wife was Viola Phillips. From this union was born a little girl, Bonnie. Later he married Josephine and they had a daughter also and named her DeeAnn. Bert died of a heart attack and Helen of complications of arthritis and diabetes. Helen’s husband was Bernard O’Neil and they resided in San Pedro, California. Stanley took Iris Rasmussen for his mate and they had two children, Andy and Sally.