Andrea Dorthea Larsen Amesen Scheel

Andrea lived in Norway with her parents, who owned an inn when she was young. She had her only child Elise Rosalina Sternhiem Scheel Haarby with Frederik Wilhelm Scheel, but was later married to Niels Schaug Haarby. In the town of Frederikshald, Andrea was the first to welcome missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to their town. Her daughter was later baptized, despite objections from her husband Niels. Later, Elise married one of the missionaries: a young Danish artist named Carl Christian Anthon Christensen. Following the example of their daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Niels Haarby left Norway and moved to Utah in 1868. Andrea lived in Mt. Pleasant until the death of her husband, and then in Ephraim with her daughter until her own death in 1907.

(Source: Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, Volume II F to L, International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, p. 1179)

"In Frederikshald, Andrea Arnesen Scheel Haarbye lived near the water front. She made herself busy by opening a bakery. She baked bread, cookies, crackers and cakes rasied from yeast. The tourists vacationing in the fjord would buy her wares. She baked a bread they called Verta Ra Ra. Molasses, cardamon and other ingredients went in." From a handwritten story included in a family file, kept by great-great- granddaughter Lela Stott.

Here again, I would like to tell of an experience which has impressed me very much. My great grandmother, Andrea Scheel Haarby, came to our home during my illness, and after. She did a lot to help out such as washing dishes, preparing meals, etc. Most of all she was very helpful to my mother in giving her advice and moral support. We all became very fond of her, as she became of us--- especially the three youngest children Norman, Octavia, and Rachel. Many times she would say to mother, "When I die, if it is possible, I am coming back for one of these three so don't worry." Mother didn't pay any attention to this as she didn't think that this would happen. My great grandmother died March 2, 1907. Whatever the case may be, from the time Octavia began to ail, until her death, April 15, 1907, nothing we did helped her and she gradually got worse.  believe that my great grandmother did come for her, because my grandmother was awakened one night and she saw my great grandmother come through a doorway into her bedroom. My grandmother raise up on her elbow, and asked, "What are you here for? Did you come for Octavia?" She only smiled and made her way out again the same way she had entered. Early the next morning grandmother sent Hans Haarby (her cousin), who was living with her, Up to see how Octavia was. Octavia was sinking fast, and at 12:00 noon she was, I am sure, with my great grandmother."

Children:

Elise Rosalia, 13 November 1834

Hans Carl, 12 April 1840

John Haarby, 16 October 1849

(Source: Family Search)