Autobiography of Caroline Domgaard Nelson or Nielsen

Stubbs Nelson Hart Pickett Home Tervort Wride Davis Bradshaw

In the year 1852, on December 31, the Danish Company of Immigrants went aboard the ship "Forest Monarch". They had traveled from Copenhagen, Denmark to Kiel in the ship "Oberilt" because of severe storms they could not leave Liverpool, England, until Jan 16, 1853.  Among this company was a family by the name of Niels Peter Domgaard.  Niels Peter had joined the church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints and had been baptized Jan.1, 1851, his wife Else Kirstine Nielsen was baptized some time later.  They had two children, a daughter, Caroline, seven years old and a son, Lauritz Elias, eighteen months.  On Wednesday Jan. 12, about 4 o'clock, while waiting on the ship for the storm to subside, Lauritz died.  That same day, about ten minutes later a young girl 26 years of age died.  Their bodies were prepared for burial, taken off the ship and were buried in Liverpool, England.  To lose their son was very hard on Niels Peter and wife, but they were grateful that he didn't have to be buried in the ocean.  Caroline missed her baby brother greatly because she had tended him and played with him.  It was a tearful parting when they left Liverpool; after the burial and again on the ship a meeting was held in the evening at which time, Elder Forsoren, who was President of the Company, spoke words of sympathy and inspiration.  Else Kirstine was the mother of four more daughters after reaching Manti, Niels Peter was very happy to be the father of six sons and two more daughters with his second wife, Sophia Hansen. 

Peter Munk, a boy of nine years, traveled with his parents in this same company. He remembered the terrible storm on the North Sea on the 26th of December. It raced for 24 hours and the sailors almost gave up hope of serving, Peter wrote, " The passengers went down in the hold of the ship and the hatches were closed.  Here in one room with little comfort and no conveniences were 300 immigrants, all Scandinavians, also some Irish and English passengers.  Waves rolled high, beds were soaked, much emotional reaction inside. People were screaming, crying, swearing, and praying. Peter remembered one scene, a fight between two red- headed Irish women.  When the storm had ceased, they found boxes and barrels broken. Apples were scattered upon the deck. To the delight of all the children they were permitted to eat all the apples they wanted. Caroline was one of these children and perhaps they all ate more than they should have done. Peter Munk, also said, "The drinking water, stored in barrels was almost rotten." On the 7th of March, on a Monday, Land was sighted of America.  The company traveled up the Mississippi River, Wed. the 30th of March, when they reached St. Louis, they left the ship and made arrangements to across the plains, Niels Peter and family encountered the usual hardships, reaching Salt Lake City, Utah. Friday the 20th of September 1853.  It had been eight and one half months since leaving England. Caroline had walked most of the way across the plains. During this trip, from Liverpool, there had been 11 marriages, 9 births, and 26 deaths.  Niels Peter's family, with other Danish families was sent to Sanpete County.  These Danish people were hardy and were good workers.  They settled in Spring City, first, but due to Indian raids they were told by Brigham Young to go to Manti, arriving there November 16, 1853, Caroline's life, as a child, and young girl, was the same as most all pioneers, She helped her Father in his blacksmith shop and in the field, and her Mother in the house.  She learned to weave and when each new sister arrived she helped tend her.  She gathered salaratis and learned how to make candies. At the age of 16, Caroline married Fritz Emmanuel Nelson in the Endowment House at Salt Lake. She had a chance to marry in polygamy, but her father persuaded her not to do it even though he had four wives.        

Caroline and Fritz were very happy; Fritz was a fine man, good looking, carried himself in a military way.  He was a good worker. Fritz's parents were Christian Nelson and Annie M. Madsen.  They were the parents of ten children, Fritz Emmanuel, Caroline Elizabeth, Mary Christina, Annie Margaret, Alice Victora, Charles Christian, Ethel Elfreda, Ida Maria, Edwin Alvin and Lawrence Niels.        

Caroline's features were plain but they radiated a deep strength of character.  She was stern to a certain extent, just like her father.  She needed this sternness with love in order to rear ten children, after the death of her husband. Caroline was expecting her tenth child at his death.  He died on February 23, 1886, of lung fever. Ellen Walker was his nurse. The baby who was given the name of Lawrence Niels, was born Sept.11^th of the same year. At one time, when Fritz was standing guard in Salina, during the Indian trouble, he was shot in the left leg. He favored the leg the rest of his life.       

Caroline was born 29th of August 1846 in Hals, Denmark. Her first baptism and conformation was on Sept. 1854 by Gad Yale.  Her education was of meager affair attending school a few months each year while she was very young.  After the death of her husband, Caroline, Knowing full well she had to now be both father and mother, with determination she made a business of her own.  She went from house to house buying eggs.  She had a cart pulled by a horse, as means of travel. She candied the eggs for freshness in her basement, then put them in crates and shipped them to Salt Lake City She was of an independent nature and a good business manager.  All with whom she dealt respected her.  She was honest, she had a fine orchard, and she dried prunes and sold them. Her sister, Elizabeth sold some in Mayfield for her.  She was a hard worker, but never accumulated much. It took every cent she made to rear her ten children.  Her ambition was to have every one of her children get some education.       

Caroline would have been proud of her children and grandchildren had she lived to see their accomplishments.  Her daughter, Ethel was an excellent schoolteacher for many years. Her daughter Caroline married Albert Smith. Their son, David, became a very special Doctor.  He had two sons, who are doctors and as far as we know are practicing in Salt Lake (1970).      

All her children were hard workers along with their trials in life they continued to be pleasant and happy.      

Her niece, Orpha Munk Carlson told me that beautiful flowers surrounded Caroline’s home and she remembers distinctly that the path leading up to the house had colorful flowers on each side.      

Her Granddaughter, Ruth Stubbs, said, "When I helped my grandmother, Catherine Crowther Larsen, she often said to me. "When you grow up and be as good as your grandmother Nelson, you'll be a very fine woman."      

Orpha reminded me that the name of the horse that pulled the cart was Prince. By the temple records, we learn she did endowments and sealing in the Manti Temple.      

She died in Manti February 10, 1908, at the age of 62.  She died of a liver ailment.  Her Doctor was G.L. Sears.