Peter Oluf Holmgren (1838 - 1897) Profile

Peter Oluf Holmgren (1838 - 1897)

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Peter Oluf Holmgren

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History of the Scandinavian Mission

History of the Scandinavian Mission. 1927.

History of the Scandinavian Mission.

Scandinavian Mission manuscript history and historical reports 1855-1920

Scandinavian Mission Manuscript history and historical reports 1855-1920.

Scandinavian Mission manuscript history and historical reports 1855-1920.

"Anderson, James P., b. 1853," Andrew Jenson collection, circa 1841-1942

"Anderson, James P., b. 1853," Andrew Jenson collection, circa 1841-1942.

We continued on our journey from New York by rail and steamboat to Wyoming, Nebraska, on the Missouri River. Arriving there on June 26th, 1865.



There we fitted out to cross the plains with Ox Teams. The company consisted of about 60 wagons with 3 yoke of cattle to the wagon. About 66% of them being wild steers, which caused us much trouble and delay.



Our company consisted of about 600 emigrants, with Miner G. Atwood as Captain. We journied on, arriving at Fort Laramie, Sept. 19, 1865. Here we were called to-gether in a meeting where it was given out in three different languages by U.S. Officers from Fort Laramie, that the Indians were on the war path and advised us not to go farther. They offered us free passage to any port of the United States we would wish to go to.



We all refused the offer and took a chance to go on to Salt Lake City, Utah.



On Sept. 22, 1865, at a place called Cottonwood Hollow, as we were driving our cattle to water, we were attacked by Indians. It was here I first saw an Indian stampede cattle. From 10 to 13 of our men were wounded, including Peter Holmgren, who was shot and wounded right at my side. His wife was lying in bed in a wagon with a little baby boy nine days old, John P. Holmgren now of Bear River City.



One woman was captured and carried away by the Indians; her name being Mrs. Grundvig. We never heard from her any more. They also threw a rope one [on] a girl 18 years of age by the name of Stena Kemfy Jenson, but she managed to free herself from the ropes and in doing so she escaped from the Indians. She died in Pocatello just a few years ago.



As we traveled on quite a number of our oxen gave out and died. Provisions ran short. All the milk cows were ordered yoked up to help pull the loads except mothers[--] two cows. The captain said they should not be yoked up as the[y] had been and were still feeding the company with milk.



When we arrived at Fort Bridger, mother bought the last and only sack of flour that could be had, paying $50.00 for the sack of 50 lbs. This the Captain at once took possession of, as he was gathering all of the flour there was in camp. He gave mother 10 lbs saying that should last her and her family 24 hours, as we were hare [have to] either to live or die together. The camp was now on rations, but the condition lasted only a few days, as we met four four-muled teams, laaded [loaded] with flour sent by Brigham Young, for the emigrants.



At this time the snow was quite deep here



We arrived at Salt Lake City about Nov. <s>15th</s> &lt;8th&gt; , 1865. Where Brigham Young shook hands with the emigrants, then the company disorganized.

Transcript for "Anderson, James P., b. 1853," Andrew Jenson collection, circa 1841-1942

Deseret News

Immigration Lists

"Immigration Lists", Deseret News, September 20, 1865, Page 402-403.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">IMMIGRATION LIST</center>



CAPTAIN MINOR G. ATTWOOD'S COMPANY left Wyoming, July 28th, 1865:—



Minor G. Attwood, Captain; Charles B. Taylor, Assistant Captain; Andrew W. Winberg, Chaplain; John Swenson, Commissary; Miles P. Romney, returning Missionary; Albert Davis, John Alford, Joseph Bircumshaw, Mrs. Whitmall and family, Henry V. Evans, F. Benson, Joseph Heaps, Mrs. Frankom and family, Margarett Gregg, Isaac Quinn, S[arah]. A[nn]. Hughes, M[ary]. A[nn]. Jemmett and daughter, John Everett and family, Thos. Wise and family, H[ans]. C. Hogstead and family, Jens Jacobsen and family, A. P. Nielsen and family, Ann Petersen and family, Lars Petersen and family, Peter Neilsen and family, Bengt Olsen, Maria Hakansen and family, John Hoffman and family, Anders Ericksen and family, Morten Olsen and family, A[nders]. J. Agaard and family, Jens Larsen and family, Carl Andersen, Anders Andersen and family, Peter O. Holmgren and family, Eleanor Eklund and family, C. J. Hansen, F. C. Petersen and family, Jens C. Christiansen and family, Peter Christiansen and family, Christopher Jensen and family, H. C. Jensen and family, M. P Sorenson, Johannes Larsen, A. and J. J. Lejon, Anders Andersen and family, Torkee C. Petersen and family, Morten Iversen and family, Jens C. Petersen and family, Bengta Hansen and family, Gusta Pego [Pegan] and family, Gertrude Christiansen and family, H[ans]. W. Hansen, Caroline Brom, John Gentrup, Marie Jensen, Mechaline Jensen, Jens Andersen, C. F. B. Lebbert [Lybbert] and family, Maren Jacobsen, Lars Pedersen, Anne Larsen, Soren O. Waddel and family, Anne Jensen, Lina Mickelsen [Michaelsen], Ole Andersen and wife, Gustave Johansen and family, Johannah Andersen and family, E. F. Olsen, Johannah C. Thompsen, Christian Pearsen, M. C. Jensen, Marlina D. Simmondsen [Simonsen] and family, Niels O. Andersen, Anna M. Anderson and daughter, Line Mortensen, Line [Tine] Sorensen, Christian Nicholsen, Maren Petersen and family, Christian Nielsen and family, Knude Thorgesen and family, Metter Johansen, Anne Johansen, Hans Petersen, Marie Stoge [Skog] and family, J. F. Ablard, Marie Lotbom [Lothem] and family, Bette Johnson, Anne Andersen, Sophia Andersen, Soren Christiansen and family, Anders Monsen, Soren Jensen and family, Lars Hansen, Lars Hansen, Ingomer Iversen, Elce Eriksen, Stene L. Ottersen [Ottesen], Ann Kiza Lanberg and family, Charlotte Bensen, Christine Eliasen, Katrina M. Nielsen, Maria Lowdall, Johannah Norgrave, Gine [Gina] Pedersen, Meter [Mette] Christiansen, Anders Johansen, Annette Gundersen, Amelia Wallgreen, Karen C. Hansen and family, Marlina Halset, Christy Holsen, Ann Karrina Christiansen, Christian Andersen, Ingomer Hensen, Johannah C. Christiansen, Mette M. Morgansen, Hans Sorensen, Nelsena Fredrickson, Kerstina Holm, Ole Nielsen, Lovisa Nielsen, Elce M. Christiansen, Nicholina Thomsen, Andrea Thomson, Sophia G. Olsen, Magdalena C. Garstrom [Gahnstrom], Amelia Matteson, Martha Johansen, Niels Hansen, Peter Erecksen, Peter Christiansen and family, T. C. Grundtvig, Jens C. Jensen, Jorgen Christensen, Johannes Andersen and family, Erick Ericksen and family, M[ichael]. W. Christiansen, Johannes Olsen, Fredrick Frightnight [Freichnecht], Sara Andersen, Kersten Jensen, Sarah Memgersen [Magnusen], Anne Knudesen, Eleanor Carlsen, Maren Larsen and family, Johan Johnsen, Anders Holm, Marianna Petersen and family, Anna Hansen, Guldbrand Olsen, Johanne Poulsen, Johanne Ernstensen, Christian M. Christiansen, Christian Christiansen and family. Axeline Petersen, M. F. Holm, Marian Petersen, Corneilus Hunt and wife, Benj. Roberts, Arthur Mitchell.



CAPTAIN HENSON WALKER'S COMPANY started from Wyoming, August 12th, 1865:—



Henson Walker, Captain; Robert Pixton, Chaplain; Joseph Hammer and family, John Hammer, John Eastham and family, Enoch Cowdel, Thomas Biddle and family, Ann Lucas and family, William Hefferan and family, Wilson Symons [Simons] and family, George Simpson and family, Hannah Simpson and family, Ann Allston and family, Adolphus H. Noon and family, A[nnie]. Noon and family, Henry Smith and family, Sister [Catherine] Slaughter and family, George Glenfield, William Bostick, John South, George Eardley, Jacob Muller, Joseph Baguley [Bagley] and family, Edward Trimble and family, sister McMahon and child, Joseph Meeks, Joseph Braithwaite and family, William Tissley and family, Joseph Bagnal and wife, S. S. Shilletoe, Thomas and Wm. Williams, George Morrin, William Freeman and wife, Clara Lamburn, E. Savage.



This train is accompanied by ten merchant wagons.

Transcript for "Immigration Lists," Deseret News, 20 September 1865, 402-403

Deseret News.

Holmgren, Per Olof, Diary

Holmgren, Per Olof, Diary, November 1864.

July 30 & 31—Packed the wagons with our goods, etc.
Aug. 1—We started on our way with three pair of oxen and 3000 pounds of baggage, of which 1000 were T. W. Taylor's which we were to transport to G.S.L.City in exchange for the use of his 2-pair of oxen. We paid $225 for the wagon and $144 for a pair of bullocks and yoke; at first they were wild and unmanageable, but later they became good and strong., The roads were level and all went well; we had our own little tent wherein we slept at night. We passed Fort Kearney and other stations. In the vicinity of Fort Laramie a drunken soldier had nearly shot our Captain Atwood. We passed the gate and at night a group of soldiers drove away our animals so that we had to hunt for several days; we lost some.
Sept. 13—My wife had a son at 7 A.M. She was very sick all night but soon became well.
Sept. 22—We were attacked by about 15 Indians as we were driving our animals through a forest to water. I was shot through the thigh by a revolver ball; fainted from great loss of blood. Was carried by two brethren to the corral, was bandaged and laid in the wagon, in which I lay for 14 days, during with time the sore was treated with cold packs.

Transcript for Holmgren, Per Olof, Diary, 1864 Nov.-1865 Sept., 9

Holmgren, Per Olof, Diary.

Nielson, Peter Anton, Autobiographical sketch, [1-2], in Utah Pioneer Biographies, compiled by Yalecrest Camp, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

Nielson, Peter Anton, Autobiographical sketch, [1-2], in Utah Pioneer Biographies, compiled by Yalecrest Camp, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

June 14th arrived in New York, June 15th got into Castlegarten [Castle Garden].



	June 19th arrived at Quincy, Ill, crossed the Mississippi River to Missouri side, stayed two days without tents or shelter and in heavy rain storm.



	Arrived at St. Joseph on 23rd, left by steam boat up Missouri River, arrived at Wyoming, Nebraska on 26th. Brought with us 3 corpses that died on the steamer, four others died between New York and St. Joseph. We stayed at Wyoming 5 weeks, got cleaned up and ready to start for our journey crossing the Plains.



	Prices for wagons were $200.00 in greenbacks and about $100.00 in gold. Each pair of oxen cost $150.00 and 80% had never had a yoke on them, which was the cause of our slow travel.



	Here, on June 29th we buried Lars Peterson. He was 30 years old, he had sold his property in Denmark for $1800, about $1000 in our money.



	On July 31st we started to cross the plains with 45 wagons and teams in charge of Captain Minor G. Atwood and C[harles] B[arber] Taylor, his assistant. John Stevenson [Swenson] in charge of commissary, John Gindrup, Secretary.



	On September 19th the company arrived at Ft. Laramie. Here we called a meeting, where it was given out in three languages from the U.S. Officers of the Fort that the Indians were on the Warpath, and not for us to go farther, and offered us free passage to any part of the U.S. we wished to go. After we were all made familiar with the offer it was called to a vote by A[nders] W[ilhelm] Winberg. We all voted to refuse the offer and took a chance to go to Zion.



	September 22nd about three days going from Laramie at a place named Cotton Wood Hollow, we had camped for noon driving the loose stock and our teams up a ravine to a watering place about ¾ mile or more from camp. The Indians came up on us from their hiding places. Seven of our company was badly wounded. John Stevenson [Swenson] came to camp with two arrows in his left arm. Peter Doctor with an arrow in his cheek and one clear through his neck. A Swedish Brother had one arrow in the small of his back. He never was able to walk on the rest of the journey. All we could do to relieve the wounded was let them sit down on the wagon hub, with their backs resting against the spokes.



	Our instruments of relief consisting of common blacksmith pinchers or nippers, with these we extracted all the arrows except the one from Peter Doctor’s neck. We hunted the camp over and found a pair with extra long handles. We laid the Doctor on the ground with his head resting on an ox yoke, two men sat on him while Albert Davis gave a strong pull and managed to get the arrow from his neck.



	Brother Peter [Oluf] Holmgreen [Holmgren] (later of Bear River City) was shot by a bullet, he fell, then arose, staggered three or four steps and fell again. We took him for dead but he recovered. Anderson was shot in the face. It took a little of his cheek and nose. Holmgreen was still lying as if dead until we had cared for the other wounded. At this time Mrs. [Johanna Janssen] Holmgreen was lying in their wagon with her new born son, John [Peter], in her arms. Brother Frederick [Frantz] Grunottwick [Grundtvig] came to camp with an arrow fastened in his hip. His wife was taken by the Indians and we never heard of her again.



	At Sweet Water a relief train consisting of 44 mule teams met us with provisions, and relieved us of our sick and invalids, so we went on shoveling snow so we could put up our tents.



	We reached Green River at noon and decided to cross that day, it took until after dark. One wagon with a man, wife and children was left on a sand bank in the middle of the river all night. The king bolt of the wagon had broken. Captain asked me to go and bring them in at daylight. They were all well only had a restless night. We had to swim our teams and many a teamster had to hold on to oxen or wagons to keep from being drowned.



	On Nov. 8 we landed in S.L.C. Utah on 8th ward square where the City and County Building now stands. Brigham Young, W. W. Riter met us and shook hands. Beside the company of emigrants of 45 wagons we were joined by 10 more wagons of emigrants, which gave more protection, as the Indians were on the warpath. These wagons were loaded with freight in charge of Albert Davis with Lewis Romney [Miles Park Romney] his assistant. These two captains coming from Utah at age of 25 years in my opinion was more than half the fighting force against the Indians for protection of emigrants

Transcript for Nielson, Peter Anton, Autobiographical sketch, [1-2], in Utah Pioneer Biographies, compiled by Yalecrest Camp, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

Peter A. Nielsen reminiscence, undated

Peter A. Nielsen reminiscence, undated, Page 1-23.

Experience crossing the Plains



The skandinavian emigration company in the year 1865, containing 484 souls, left Copenhagen may fourt[h] by the Steamer Aurora, commanded by Captain Baltersen, for Kul and from thair vent by Rail Road to Flamburg. Was organized &lt;on the 7t[h]&gt; by President D.H. Wells and Elder Carl Widersborg on the Sailing vessel S.S. Kimball for the Journey over the Ocian, and was given in charge of Elder A. W. Win[n]berg.



The follo[w]ing brathren and sisters was married in the eavning: Svend Nilson and Fredrika Goranson, Peter Nilson and Sophia Netterstrom, Anders Anderson and Johanna Olson.



The company arrieved in New York June 14th[.] The voyage was vary pleasant, having had no storms nor any bad weather, but the hand of death had called many, mostly children having deid from the measles.



On the 17th the company started from New York by Rail. On being counted on the train their number was 411. A fue [few] having staid in New York and came afterwards in care of Elder J. Svenson.



From St Joseph, Missoury, they came by the Steamer Denver to Florence whare the compa[n]y arrived manday the 23 of June and waited for their outfits.



The hand of death continued and up to July 20t[h] 56 persons had been taken by the destroyer sinse the[y] left Copenhagen—and he was not yet satisfied. seventeen more persons where &lt;taken&gt; by the hand of death before the company reached their journy's end, Salt Lake City.



Lars Pedersen from Sjaland &lt;was&gt; drounded in the Missoury River on July 24t[h] . They waited in Florence to July 31st for oxen and provision, and traveled that day about two miles, then stopped and orgenised. for crossing the plains. Miner Attwood was mead[made] captain. A W Winberg assistant Captain, Captin and interperter. John Svenson stuard, Charles Taylor captain of the guard, H Hogsted, H.W. Hansen, C J Kempe, C Lybbert and Georg Ashton wagon Captains.



This company had all the usual exsperience of crossing the plains by ox-teams, such as yoking of wiled cattle and teaching them who! and hoa! breaching wagon axels and tongues, making and putting &lt;in&gt; others. setting tires, shoeing oxen—et.z. also having a fue stampedes, the oxen running with the wagons, at one time four teams ware running with the wagons as fast as oxen could run[,] a sister, Lowise Nilsen from Aalborg, was run over and killed!



Ther was however som incedences on this journey that have not been the exspearience of many of the Latter Day Saints in crossing the plains.



It will be remembered that the church had previous years sent from 400 to 500 teams to the frontier to bring emigrants to Utah but this year no teams were sent. many of the emigrants, not having the means themselves, were desireous of going to Zion, appealed to Elder Tomas Tayler, afterwards Bishop in the 14 ward, who was this year emigrations agent, for help. Brother Tayler was a merchant when in Salt Lake City, and was bringing merchandice to the Valley. Being of a sympathetic nature, wished to do all he could for the saints, he loaded only 1000 pounds of freight on each wagon, drawn by 6 oxen. the balance of the load was made op of provisions, that he furnished, and the emigrants bedding and clothing etz. He took 134 people, of those that could not very well make a leving if they had to stay in the States.



The Indians ware vary troublesome and had killed several travelers, (not mormons) this Sommer; the people ware therefore counseled not to go to[o] fare in front of the train nor stay to far behined, so not to indanger thair lives. (The wagons being havy loaded, the people who were not sick had to walk.) But you always fine some disobedient and here was also some that would not obey council, therefore guard's was appointed to go ahead of the train to keep back those that would run ahead, and others was called to go behined and pick up stragglers.



After a while these guards came and told the brethren that som of the poeple woud not herry up, when told to and som were at times vary abusive and the guards asked to be released from that duty, and they were released.



At prayer in the evening the people ware told that their would not be any more guards and were also told the reason why. They ware again counciled to keep close to the train, and if any thing happened to any one after this they would themselves be to blame and thair blod would be on thair own haeds.



The train was now close to Fort Laremi [Laramie]. The Indians, or vagabons staying around the Fort, tried to stampede the cattle couple times. They succeeded one night and in the morning all the annimals whare gone. The company laid over two days hunting for the missing annemals, and found them all except two mules and two cows.



Natan Davis, afterwards Bishop in Center Ward, Salt Lake City, was Captain of a mule train, belonging to W. Godby[,] Salt Lake City, bringing merchandise, traveled with the company for greater safty, and had don so for som time.



It was on Thursday August 22d, the train stopped for noon on Willow Spring Creek west of Fort Laremi, the mules were all unhitched also some of the cattle and were &lt;drove&gt; op the creek amoung a lot of small trees and brush for a pool of water, when suddenly twelve men on horsback, dressed like Indians, were seen coming down the bluffs from the other side of the creek. The[y] surounded the mules and oxen and tride to drive them off and commenced to shoot at the brathern that followed the animals to drive them to the water. The brathern anserred the fire and shott at the vagebonds a real short battle was fought and a clatter from guns and pistols was heard. The intruders was driven off without an animale. They took the road from whence the train had come, where manney stragglers ware coming towards the camp. Two of the Indians met brother and sister Gruntvig <s>and his wife</s> on the road, the[y] shot Gruntvig, and he run for the camp. One of the men jumped of[f] his hors, lifted sister Gruntvig up to the other man and both road into the trees, taking her with them. Sister Gruntvig hase never been heard of since. It is not known whether anny of the would be robbers were shot, but thire was reason to believe, that three or four of them were wounded.



Seven of the brathern ware wounded, John Svenson three arrows in his right arm. The arrows were aimed after his heart, but he cought them all on his arm. P O Holmgren, a bullet in his loin, Svend Nilson from Sansbrana, had an arrow in his back twelve inches or more, nearly trugh him. Christian Pedersen an arrow in his arm. P Erikson had his face scratched by a bullet[.] F. Gruntvig had a bullet in his hip. Peder Christensen from Hebroe came into camp whit one arrow through &lt;nack&gt; and one arrowhead fast in his chin. Brother Christensen had driven his team &lt;to camp&gt; and unhitched his oxen, se[e]ing the danger he hunted for his son and could not fined him, thene went back on the road to hunt for him and coming back to camp he met the Indians. All the woonded survived. There was no more Indeans seen <s>after</s> after this collision



The company bacame short of provisions; on September 10 there was only anough on hand for 10 days at 7 pounds of flower pr. day to each adult, this amount was given each week and the[y] had to do the best the could, one pound of floure per day and noting else, it was &lt;natural&gt; that the[y] had to go hungry.



At the first military station that was reached a telegram was sent to the firs[t] Presedency of the Church, informing them of the Indian raid and also in regard to the shortnes of provision.



On the 17 of October we met Br. T. Tayler, he came from Salt Lake City, Br. J C Cuttler, now Guvornor of Utah, <s>came</s> came with him as his clark. Tayler came to settle with the emigrants. All that came with his teams gave him thare notes; he charged $50. for each adult for there transportation and provisions. Five muleteames loaded with floure came to camp today, the company received 1200 pounds.



On the 8 of November the company drove into Salt Lake City, and camped on what was called the 8 Ward square where now the City, and County building are located.



All were happy and thankfull to God.

Transcript for Peter A. Nielsen reminiscence, undated, 1-23

Peter A. Nielsen reminiscence, undated.

The Semi-weekly telegraph

The Indian Attack Near Laramie

"The Indian Attack Near Laramie", The Semi-weekly telegraph, Vol 1, no. 104, October 5, 1865.

THE INDIAN ATTACK NEAR LARAMIE.—We are under obligations to President Young for a copy of the following telegram:



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">DEER CREEK, Sep. 29.</center>



 



The names of the wounded, reported in a former telegram, are John Swenson, P[eter]. O. Helmgren [Holmgren], Sven Neilson [Nilsson], Peter Christenson [Christiansen], J[ens]. C[hristian]. Peterson [Pedersen], Anders Erickson, Frants Grundtwig [Grundtvig]. Name of women captured, Jensine Grudtwig [Grundtvig]. None dangerous.

Transcript for "The Indian Attack Near Laramie," Semi-Weekly Telegraph, 5 October 1865, 2

The Semi-weekly telegraph.

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