Item Detail
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Petersen, Mary Mortensen
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1854-1936
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MSS SC 773
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Biography
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Anne Marie Mortensen (Mary) was born September 27, 1854 to Niels Mortensen and Mette Hansen Mortensen in Denmark. Just before her birth, the Mormon Elders had taught her family the gospel and her father was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her father sold his properties in Denmark and moved the family to Copenhagen hoping to travel to America to join the Saints. They were delayed for nearly ten years in Copenhagen raising the necessary funds to cross the ocean and plains to reach the Salt Lake Valley. Just before setting sail for America, Mary was baptized on April 21, 1866 at eleven years of age. Her oldest brother and mother were also baptized at that time. After arriving in America, the family crossed the plains in a wagon train and endured the hardships that accompanied the journey. Mary's two youngest sisters were permitted to ride in the wagon, but still passed away just two days apart during the trek. Mary walked the entire journey to the Salt Lake Valley where they arrived on September 29, 1866. Upon arriving in Salt Lake, she changed her name from Anne to Mary and was known as Mary for the rest of her life. After arriving in Utah, Mary spent most of her adolescence working in several homes. While working in the Knudsen home, she met Niels Petersen whom she would later marry. Mary introduced him to the gospel, and following his baptism, they were married in Salt Lake City, Utah and sealed in the Endowment House on October 9, 1873. After their marriage, they lived in Stockton, Utah for one year, and then in Leamington, Utah for about two years where her husband farmed. They then followed the Mortensen family who had been called by church leaders to settle in Arizona. During their trek across difficult roads in a wagon, they stopped briefly in Circleville where Mary gave birth to a daughter. From there, the Mortensen family, the Petersen family, and the Mons Larson family continued their travel together to Arizona. In Arizona, the Mortensens and Petersens settled in what is now known as the Mortensen Wash and lived on a ranch. They endured many hardships and trials from Indians and outlaws in the area, and worked hard to establish a life and home. Mary was a devoted mother and Saint, and taught her children to have faith and pray daily. After her children were raised and her husband was gone, she moved with two of her sons to St. Joseph, Arizona in 1919. She then desired to work in the Mesa Temple which she did during the winter months for six years. Mary completed endowment work for over 1600 people. She was deeply religious and worked hard throughout her life. She was the mother to nine living children, and twins who passed away at birth. In 1918, after the unexpected passing of her daughter she also took in two of her young grandsons until they were old enough to live with their father. Mary passed away in the winter of 1936.
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The history of Mary and Niels Petersen was written by their son Joseph Lorenzo Petersen. The biography is 19 typed pages. After her marriage and settlement in Arizona, the family raised cows and chickens and planted crops. The ranch grew, and they eventually acquired many horses in addition to their cattle. At times, the Apache Indians became violent and the women and children moved to Snowflake, Arizona for safety until there was peace again. When the railroad was built across the state of Arizona, the family rejoiced as they didn't have to travel all the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico to get supplies. However, the railroad also brought stray cattle from Texas and outlaws that followed. Horses were often stolen and Mary's husband was harassed for not joining with their illegal designs. When her husband was away, Mary would gather her children around and pray for their safety from these unlawful men. She would pray that the blood of these men wouldn't come upon any of the Saints. Her prayers were answered as her husband was counseled by President Jesse N. Smith of the stake to leave a certain persecutor alone and promised he would not be bothered again and that the man would soon be gone. This counsel stopped Niels from pursuing action against his perpetrator and the prophecy was fulfilled as the man was killed soon after the counsel was given. Mary's husband experienced a great change when he chose to follow the counsel from church leaders and keep the Word of Wisdom. His life was filled with the Spirit, and he became active and devoted to the church. The family changed along with their father and enjoyed a happy and gospel-filled home. Niels was called to be the Bishop of the newly organized Pinedale Ward in 1887, and served in that position until his death in 1902. The blessings of the Lord were poured out upon the family as their faithfulness increased. After her husband's death, Mary was left a widow with six children at home and unable to take care of the ranch. She gave the ranch to her oldest sons who worked the ranch and provided for Mary. Mary didn't have the opportunity to pursue much schooling, but she wanted her children to have that opportunity. She financed her children's education at the new High School in Snowflake, Arizona. After all her children had gone, she remodeled a few rooms in her home and kept a little store until she moved to St. Joseph in 1919. Mary's home was a welcome place for visitors and a happy home for her children. Of his mother, her son wrote, 'She set us a worthy example in the everyday living of her life. I never knew her to waver or slack in her attempt to live a good life. We would all do well to follow the example in living that she showed us.' Mary was described as 'no tenderfoot or weakling' and one who 'looked on the bright side with faith undaunted.' Frontier Life, Pioneers
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1888-1920