Gjertrud Lund and John Eilertsen - Danish emigrants.
In the town of Nexo on the island of Bornholm, Denmark, resided a family by the name of Lund. It was composed of Hans Peter Lund, born March 21, 1778. He was the mayor of that city and a captain of the Milita. He married twice, the first wife was Angelica Barbara Larsen, the second wife was Gertrude Margareth Larsen. They were cousins, all of whom were descended from a long line of noble ancestors. Hans Peter Lund was the father of eight children, Lars Peter Lund, John Peter and Angelica Christena, by the first wife. Children by the second wife were John Peter, Barbara Christena, Gertrude Christena, Hans Peter, and Jorgen Peter Lund. They were all members of the established church of Denmark, Lutheran.
As Captain Lund lay dying at the age of fifty two, he called all his family together and told them he knew the true gospel of Christ had been re stored to the earth somewhere, and that in due time would be brought to Denmark, and for them to listen when they heard of a religion that taught the principals Christ taught. He died December 29, 1830.
The next twenty years the children married and reared their families. They were always united in their family circle and stayed together. In 1837 they all moved to Copenhagen and became very prosperious and wealthy. Most of them were shoe Manufacturers. Gertrude Christena Lund married John Eilertsen April 13, 1814. He was born in Carlsgrave, Frederickborg, Denmark. His father was a cottager and taylor in Carlsgrave. He died at the age of fifty, leaving a family of eight, the youngest only four years old, and John seven. He came from a family of ten, two died in infancy. His mother lived to be ninty two years old. He left home between the ages of ten and thirteen. After several years he very seldom heard from his family. They became scattered very young. After coming to Copenhagen he learned two trades, that of a blacksmith and miller.
To them were born seven children. Henry Peter, Julian Barbara, Hannah Rosetta, Erastus, Norman Willard, John Louis, and Ephraim. Erastus died a short time before they left to come to America at the age of one year. In June 1850 Erastus Snow arrived in Copenhagen as a missionary also his brother, Willard came there as a missionary and they became very dear friends to the Lunds and Eilertsens. Two of the Eilertsen children bear their names and some in the next generation.
In 1850 John Eilertsen, his wife and mother-in-law, Gertrude Margareth Larsen were baptised members of the L. D. S. Church. Also Lars Peter, Angelica Christena, Hans Peter and Barbara Christen Lund were baptized. Barbara Christena planned to come to America but just at the last changed her mind and never did emigrate with the rest that had joined the church. The others believed in the Gospel taught by the Elders, but did not feel it would be the right thing to give up all they had and emigrate. They said the Lord had blessed them wonderfully and felt they should take care of it. John Eilertsen did some missionary work there before emigrating.
Friday morning, November 7, 1854, John Eilertsen, his wife, three children and mother-in-law, also Lars Peter and his wife set sail for America. Hans Peter Lund remained there doing missionary work, coming to America in 1857 and returning on a second mission in 1860. The Eilertsens spent their last night with Sophia Lions, Who afterwards became the fifth wife of Apostel Orson Hyde.
Cimbria was built in 1852 in Scotland as a paddle steamer and was on 64 ”commercelæster”,
therefore it was Denmark’s - at the time - the second largest steamship.
The ship could carry in addition to the crew and 60 overnight passengers also around 80 pieces of cattle,
distributed evenly in the cargoroom and on the shipsdeck.
In addition to the size Cimbria did stand out by being richly decorated with wood carvings
and stained glass windows, both in cabins and saloons,
but also on the hull was made something special out of it.
They sailed on the steamer “Cimbra” under the direction of Peter O. Hanson. They safely arrived at Frederickhaven on the east coast Jutland, where more emigrants joined them. When leaving there a fierce wind began to blow, after several days of practically drifting around, the captain though an experienced sailor deemed it necessary to seek the nearest harbor in Norway. This brought them into a beautiful harbor called Mandal, which was surrounded by very high cliffs.
In a few days they again put to sea. The captain soon learned the change was only for a short time. He then decided to go back to Mandal, but in a few days they again put to sea but this time were forced to go back to Fredrickhaven their first stopping point, and arrived there December 8, 1854. On the 20th they set sail again, but the weather was worse than ever before and for 2 days the ship fought her way against the raging winds and was forced to start back once again. Suddenly the wind changed and immediately they steered once again for Hull, landing there on December 24 and the following day they continued their journey by rail to Liverpool, England.
They were checked to sail on the ship "Heliea" but because of the delay they sailed on the "James Nesmith" with Captain Mills in charge of their company.
James Nesmith, Ship: 991 tons: 171' x 36' x 18', Built: 1850 at Thomaston, Maine.
On 7 January 1855 a company of 440 Scandinavian Saints-about 300 of which had survived a particularly stormy voyage from Copenhagen to England aboard the steamer Cimbria-sailed from Liverpool in the ship James Nesmith.
Elder Peter O. Hansen presided over the emigrants.
Captain Harvey Mills skippered the vessel.
This master had previously commanded the 200-ton brig Thomas & Edward in 1846 for the Dispatch Line and the 199-ton brig Ellis in 1847 for the New Line.
The passenger manifest listed thirteen deaths during the crossing.
On 23 February the square-rigger arrived at New Orleans after a forty-seven-day passage.
Eight of the thirteen owners of this ship were from Thomaston-"The Town of a Hundred Captains."
These owners included two members of the noted seafaring Watts family, Captain Mills from St. George, Maine, and James Nesmith of New York, for whom the vessel was named.
This three-master had two decks, no galleries, a square stem, a billethead, and hailed out of New York.
In 1864 she was sold to foreigners.
They left Liverpool January 7, 1855 and landed in New Orleans February 8, 1855. They sailed up the Mississippi to St. Louis, Missouri and in March continued their journey to Mormon Grove, Weston Missouri, where Norman Willard was born April 16, 1855. They remained there six weeks and then crossed the plains in Noah T. Guyman's company, arriving in Salt Lake City September 9th, 1855. Until 1856 they lived on third East between seventh and eighth south, in part of the home of Lars Peter Lund’s three daughters. Their mother had died while crossing the plains. John Eilertsen bought a home in Spanish Fork, Utah. It was there John Louis and Ephriam was born, and there also his mother-in-law died at the age of 80 in 1861. John Eilertson was first counselor to the bishop and his wife was president of the Relief Society. He married a second wife, Mary Hansen and one son John Paul Eilertson, was born to them, December 8, 1863.
In 1863 they moved to Spring City, Sanpete County, Utah. Where they again bought a home and farming land. In june 1873 they moved once again, this time to Mona Utah, Juab County. Where they owned a home on main street and kept campers. and also worked at the mercantile business. His wife Gertrude Christena died there November 26th 1900. He then married Christena Burrison, but only lived one and one half years after his marriage. Died May 2, 1903.
January 30, 1977 this Eilertsen home is still standing, the home was purchased by Ray Newton winter of 1929 and has been remodeled. John Louis and his wife Eveline Dinitia lived in this home, after her death their daughter Flossie Rosetta lived in the home. She was married to Ruben B. Young, they had two children Norma Grace Young, and Kenneth Young.
Mrs. Ray Newton is still living in the home. Year 1977
The Spelling of the Eilertsen name has been changed in latter years to (ELLERTSON) The descendant’s of John Paul Eilertson’ took the name of Ellison.
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