Marthas Kristina Clemmensen Isaacson

Martha had a difficult time growing up in Denmark.  Her father died while she was young.  Her family was very poor and always in need.  She had to leave and go to another island to work, earning eight dollars a year.

Her little sister, Mette, came to live with her.  During harvest time Mette was killed by one of the harvesting men.  Martha never completely recovered from the trauma of this event.

Martha's mother was the first to accept the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Martha, her brother, Niels, and her sister, Dorothea, came to America in 1854.

When they reached Salt Lake, Martha worked for Lorenzo Snow.  she was thankful for her job and did her best for his family.  Many of the Danish people were coming to Sanpete County.  Martha's family was going, so she decided to go with them.

She met Peter Isaacson and they were married.  They built a four-room adobe home, a good rock barn, and a granary in which they stored several thousand bushels of wheat.  They were part owners of one of the first reapers and binders that came to town.

They were called on a mission to Arizona.  They lived the United Order while they were there.  She took her turn with the tasks of the fort.  In her spare time she was carding, spinning, and knitting wool.  She loved to work with quilts.

Martha was an intelligent and wise woman.  She didn't learn to read or write in English, but she kept accurate accounts of her earnings from the eggs, dairy products and fruit she sold.  She encouraged and insisted that her children learn to read and write.

Children:

Peter, 2 January 1858

Isaac, 9 December 1859

Anna Maria (Whiting), 26 June 1863

Martin, 24 January 1866

(Source: Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, Volume II F to L, International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, p.1485)