Item Detail
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Mickelsen, Laura Ingemann
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1844-1934
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MSS SC 843
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Biography
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Laura Ingemann Mickelsen was born August 27, 1844 to John and Bergette Ingemann in Trondheim, Norway. Her mother died when she was nine, and her father died when she was 16. Shortly before her father's death, at age 16, Laura joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized and confirmed by Elder John Dahls. In 1861 Laura hired herself out as a domestic servant to a wealthy couple traveling to Utah. They were somewhat domineering, and Laura had a hard time on the journey. She left Norway in April and arrived in Salt Lake City in September. She married Niels Mickelsen on August 9, 1862 in the Endowment House. She was his second wife, and he was more than 20 years her senior. They became the parents of five sons and four daughters. Laura was known for her service to others: 'She never waited to be asked to go, but when she heard of anyone in distress she would go night or day and do all she could.' She worked in the Relief Society for 44 years, during the years from 1870 to 1914. This service included time as a Relief Society president. Laura died on January 9, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah and was buried in Logan, Utah.
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Laura's biography is a three-page typewritten document included in a collection entitled 'Early Recollections of Logan.' The author, Joel Ricks, interviewed early settlers of Logan and compiled their stories together with his commentary on Logan's history. Laura's biography is short and includes only general outlines of her life. The biography is divided into sections such as girlhood, conversion, journey to Utah, marriage, pioneer life, church work, her faith, courage, and special gifts. Most of the sections have two or three sentences describing her character and emphasizing her ability to serve. The last page of the document consists of loose notes that have been typed up. They are taken out of context and are difficult to understand. However, some of the notes are about Laura's passage to America: there was a storm on the sea, and she took a boat from St. Louis to Winter Quarters. Other notes were about her husband, who is referred to as Mickelson or M. He came from Denmark with Erastus Snow in 1853 with the first company of Saints and spent some time preaching the gospel in Denmark before emigrating to the United States.