Andrew L. Anderson

Andrew's family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and came to Utah, crossing the plains in Canute Peterson's company, and located in Ephraim in October, 1856.  They lived in the fort for several years; his father took part in the Black Hawk war, and died here on January 26, 1882.  His mother died here also.  

Andrew was raised here.  His father gave him ten acres of land.  He also freighted produce to the mining camps and added to his land, until he had forty-five acres.  He went on a mission to Denmark in 1881, and for eighteen months had charge of Rander's Branch.  He was married in Salt Lake City, October 31, 1870 to Johanna C, daughter of Thomas C. and Caroline Jensen.  

Notes from the memory of JoAnn A. Poulson, granddaughter, given to Christine P. Clark, great granddaughter:

Andrew was only four years old when his father, Lars, was called to return to Denmark to serve a mission there.

When Andrew was a boy, living in Ephraim, Utah, he was responsible for the care of the sheep and cattle as they grazed on the mountain. Each day he brought his lunch with him, usually his favorite meat sandwich spread with homemade butter. When the sun rose overhead Andrew knew it was time to eat his lunch.

One day an Indian (Native American) spied Andrew’s lunch and took it and ate it. The next day the Indian returned for another yummy sandwich. This episode was repeated but it didn’t take long for Andrew to come up with a plan. One morning, instead of putting meat on his sandwich, he spread it with bacon grease. Again the Indian came and stole the sandwich. He took one bite and spit it out in disgust and never returned!

J. Richard Andersen shared the following: “The story is told about how my grandfather’s [Andrew L Andersen’s] sisters met the missionaries and invited them to their home in Northern Denmark--Fly, I think. Well, my grandfather’s father [Lars Anders] was outraged! So he and grandfather (I think about eight or nine years old) stayed in the shop which was off the living room, separated by a door. My great grandfather had told the girls they were not to see the missionaries but my great grandmother [Maren Pedersen] said that even if they weren’t, we were well mannered people. The girls had invited the missionaries, and they were going to be civil to them. Great Grandfather said he wasn’t going to be there. So he and Grandfather retired to the shop.

The missionaries came and started to talk. Great Grandfather said that Grandfather should watch through a crack in the door to see that nothing bad happened. Grandfather watched and listened and soon widened the crack. Pretty soon he told Great Grandfather to come and listen--that they were saying wonderful things. Pretty soon (according to my father’s story) they were in the living room listening. Soon the whole family was baptized. Later they came to Utah—and I have no further stories—oh, yes I do. Dad told me about them having Indian trouble as Grandfather watched sheep on the hills outside of Ephraim. He told of him running into town carrying his wooden shoes (they were too big and clumsy to run from the Indian in).”

Children:

Andrew, 16 January 1871 (died as an infant)

Johanne Caroline, 28 June 1872

Albert Louis, 15 February 1875

Thomas Andrew, 8 August 1877

James Christian, 20 June 1884

Sheila Lydia, 21 August 1886

Archie Francis, 20 October 1888

Omra Rubert, 22 August 1891