Ernest Andrew Larsen (1882-1960) 52 Ancestors #11

My paternal great grandfather, Ernest Andrew Larsen is the subject this week in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge from Amy Johnson Crow.

Ernest Andrew Larsen (1882-1960)

Born: July 8, 1882 in Hyrum, Utah
Died: August 23, 1960 in Hyrum, Utah

Parents

Andrew Larson (1852 - 1893)
Caroline Christena Jensen Larson (1859 - 1942)

Spouse & Children

Anna Hansina Petrea Albretsen (1885 – 1960)

• Garnel Ernest Larsen (1904 – 1992)
• Iver Lavon Larsen (1905 – 1987)
• Oda Juanita Larsen (1906 – 1993)
• Mabel Lucille Larsen (1908 – 1963)
• Melvina Elizabeth Larsen (1910 – 1994)
• Lloyd Odell Larsen (1912 – 1988)
• Effie Cecilia Larsen (1915 – 2000)
• Marie Kathrine Larsen (1917 – 2001)
• Donna Bell Larsen (1920-1995)
• Ila Mae Larsen (1923-2008)

Ernest was the eldest son of a Swede (Andrew Larson) and a Dane (Caroline Christena Jensen - born in Utah to Danish parents). He had an older sister (Agnes) and a younger sister (Effie) and two younger brothers (Archie and Amos). His childhood nickname "Ernst" stuck with him throughout the rest of his life.

Ernest's father died in a farming accident on March 6th, 1893, when Ernest was only 11 years old. As the eldest son, was forced to become the man of the house and took care of the family farm after his father passed away. Because of his responsibilities at home, he only completed the 4th grade in school.

Ernest married Anna Hansina Petrea Albretsen December 1st, 1902 in Hyrum, Utah. They were blessed with 10 children, all of whom lived to adulthood.

After a long and prosperous life, Ernest passed away on August 23rd, 1960, leaving his wife, 10 children, 49 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren behind. His wife, Anna died a few months later and both are buried in the Hyrum Cemetery. I wish I could have met my great grandpa Ernest Larsen. He died six years before I was born.

More Information

FamilySearch Person Page

Find a Grave Memorial

History written by his daughter, Donna

Ernest Andrew Larsen Wiki page

Ernest and Anna Larsen Blog

Albert Silas Allen (1878-1952) 52 Ancestors #10

For this post in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge from Amy Johnson Crow, I'm writing about my paternal great grandfather, Albert Silas Allen.

Albert Silas Allen (1878-1952)

Born: September 13, 1878 in Hyrum, Utah
Died: November 1, 1952 in Hyrum, Utah

Parents

Albert J Allen (1855-1932)
Finetta Ann Williams (1860-1943)

Spouse & Children

Margaret Maria Nielsen (1875-1957)

• Albert Merlin Allen (1902-1988)
• Wendell Gayle Allen (1905-1985)
• Andrew Thayle Allen (1909-1911)
• Alton Clain Allen (1911-1921)

Albert was the eldest of nine children of Albert J. Allen and Finetta Ann Williams, born in Hyrum, Utah on September 13, 1878. His son (Wendell Gayle Allen) and great grandson (me) were both born the day after his birthday on September 14th. Albert received a common school education in Hyrum.

Albert married Margaret Maria Nielsen in the Logan LDS Temple on February 5, 1902. Later that year, Albert's eldest son (Albert Merlin Allen) was born on December 30, 1902. Three years later, my grandfather (Wendell Gayle Allen) was born on September 14, 1905. A third son (Andrew Thayle Allen) was born July 14, 1907, but he got pneumonia as an infant and passed away on December 8, 1911. A fourth son (Alton Clain Allen) was born August 11, 1914, but he also contracted pneumonia and passed away as a child on March 24, 1921.

Albert Silas Allen Family

Albert was called to leave his family and serve a mission to Great Britain 1915-1918 and labored in the Scottish and and Manchester conferences.

Albert's eldest son, Merlin never married, but served in the army and operated a service station in Hyrum. He had diabetes and had to have his leg amputated later in life.

Albert's 2nd son, Wendell Allen (my grandfather) married Oda Juanita Larsen on November 29, 1933 and they had 5 children (one of them my father).

Albert Silas Allen was the third bishop of the Hyrum 1st Ward and was a carpenter by trade. He also worked as a custodian at South Cache High School.

Albert Silas Allen passed away suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 74 on November 1, 1952. He had been invited to speak at a funeral and got up to speak and said, "Brothers and Sisters, I'm happy to be here today." Those were apparently his last words, as he had a heart attack and died.

Margaret passed away five years later at the age of 82 on September 27, 1957 and is buried in the Hyrum City Cemetery next to her husband. Their four sons are also buried close by in the Hyrum City cemetery.

Evelyn Hope Ashton (1920-1993) 52 Ancestors #9

This week, in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge from Amy Johnson Crow, I'm writing about my maternal grandmother, Evelyn Hope Ashton.

Evelyn Hope Ashton

Born: February 17, 1920 in Roosevelt, Utah
Died: September 20, 1993 in St. George, Utah

Parents

Clarence Llewellyn Ashton (1891-1971)
Hazel Bryce (1897-1985)

Spouse & Children

Bennie Schmiett (1915-2004)

• Female (living)
• Female (living)
• Wendy Rae Schmiett (1952-1998)
• James Clare Schmiett (1957-2002)

Evelyn & Bennie Schmiett at their home in Salt Lake City, 1970s

Biography

My maternal grandmother, Evelyn Hope Ashton, was the only living child of Clarence Llewellyn Ashton and Hazel Bryce Ashton (one other sibling, Helen only lived 1 day.). Evelyn was born February 17, 1920 in Roosevelt Utah. Her father, Clarence owned a hardware store in Roosevelt, and he was mayor of Roosevelt for two terms. She married Bennie Schmiett in Roosevelt August 6, 1939 and together they had four children.

Evelyn and Bennie lived in Roosevelt, Orem, Salt Lake City, and finally St. George, UT, where Evelyn passed away on September 20, 1993.

Links

Find a Grave Memorial
Wikispaces Site for Evelyn Hope Ashton

Margaret Maria Nielsen (1875-1957) 52 Ancestors #8

This week, in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge from Amy Johnson Crow, I've chosen to write about my paternal great grandmother, Margaret Maria (Nielsen) Allen.

Margaret Maria Nielsen (1875-1957)

Margaret Maria Nielsen was the fourth of six children born to Andrew B. Nielsen and Elizabeth Ericksen. She was born June 7, 1875 in Hyrum, Cache, Utah. Both of her parents were of Scandinavian heritage, her father being born in Denmark, and her mother was born in Illinois to Norwegian immigrants.

As far as I can tell, Margaret lived her whole life in Hyrum. She had a younger sister pass away when she was 10 years old (Emily Christine Nielsen on July 18, 1885). Two of her older sisters were married (Mary Elizabeth Nielsen and Anna Melinda Nielsen) when Margaret was age 14 and 15. Then her mother, Elizabeth (Ericksen) Nielsen passed away when Margaret was 16 years old on October 4, 1891. After her mother passed away, Margaret was the only girl left in the home, with her father, her elder brother (Andrew Henry Nielsen - age 22) and younger brother (Joseph Ilard Nielsen - age 9). Margaret likely took over her mother's role in the home until her father remarried (Helen Maria McBride) on April 9th, 1896, when Margaret was 20. Three more children were born to this marriage (Aleda Neilsen in 1897, Rulon Harlum Nielsen in 1899, and Harold Marriner Nielsen in 1902).

Margaret married Albert Silas Allen in the Logan LDS Temple at the age of 26 on February 5, 1902. A month later, her younger brother (Joseph Ilard Nielsen) passed away on March 29, 1902. Later that year, Margaret's eldest son (Albert Merlin Allen) was born on December 30, 1902. Three years later, my grandfather (Wendell Gayle Allen) was born on September 14, 1905. A third son (Andrew Thayle Allen) was born July 14, 1907, but he got pneumonia as an infant and passed away on December 8, 1911. A fourth son (Alton Clain Allen) was born August 11, 1914, but he also contracted pneumonia and passed away as a child on March 24, 1921.

Margaret Nielsen Allen Family

Margaret's eldest son, Merlin never married, but served in the army and operated a service station in Hyrum. He had diabetes and had to have his leg amputated later in life.

Margaret's 2nd son, Wendell Allen (my grandfather) married Oda Juanita Larsen on November 29, 1933 and they had 5 children (one of them my father). I know very little about Margaret, but I asked my dad what he remembers of her and he said that she would make really good raisin-filled cookies. My grandmother mentions that she and Margaret would go to the temple together.

Margaret's husband, Albert Silas Allen (who was three years her junior) passed away on November 1, 1952. Margaret passed away five years later at the age of 82 on September 27, 1957 and is buried in the Hyrum City Cemetery next to her husband. Her four sons are also buried close by in the Hyrum City cemetery.