Elise Rosalia Sternjhiem Scheel Christensen

Elsie fell in love with a missionary called C.C.A (Christensen).  They, along with four other couples were married on the ship in the Liverpool harbor, and had a great celebration that lasted several days.  The four couples remained together through the long journey and even to crossing the Plains together.

Lisa had to leave many of her treasures, there was no room for them in the cart.  She walked the entire way across the Plains with her beautiful pink and gold tea pot tied about her waist under all her petticoats.  It went under her pillow at night and came safely into Utah.

They entered the Salt Lake Valley at the same time as Johnston's Army.  They located CCA's brother at Cedar Fort and there they settled in "Little Denmark".

Their first years were difficult, CCA, a trained artist, painter, and toy maker, could not find work.  He worked at anything he could find, such as, a hod carrier, charcoal maker, and carpenter.

CCA was sent on one mission after another, his artistic talent was recognized and became another sort of mission.  Her sons assumed responsibility early, Charlie, to standing guard at the fort at night during an Indian uprising, and once setting his own leg, broken while gathering wood.  Another son was killed in a sawmill accident while her husband was in Norway.

Elise's life was full of work and spirit, she endured to the end, leaving a great legacy to her children.

Children:

Eliza Virginia, 16 February 1859

Charles John,  21 March 1861

Fredrick William, 14 August 1863

Andrea Dorothea, 14 November 1865

Niels Erastus, 28 November 1869

Canute Ephraim, 27 April 1872

Teckla Pauline, 7 September 1874

(Source: Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, Vol 1 A to E, International Society Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, p.565)