| Description |
Hand-written diary of James Miller Christensen (name changed from Jens Moller Christensen). Document contains memoirs from 1846 to 1904 and diary entries from 1904 to 1914. Christensen provides information about his childhood in Denmark, conversion to Mormonism, mission service, emigration to the United States, and overland migration to Utah with the Leonard G. Rice Company in 1867. Later memoirs contain information about his experience with plural marriage and advice he received from Brigham Young regarding the practice of the United Order in Moroni, Utah, and handling business affairs. Throughout the account, he provides information detailing his farming and ranching enterprises. In 1904, Christensen records his travel east to preside over the Scandinavian Mission, and, while en-route, he describes his stops at the Louisiana Fair Exposition and Nauvoo, Illiniois. Thereafter, the bulk of the diary contains information pertaining to the day-to-day affairs of presiding over the Scandinavian Mission. |
| Biographical/Historical Note |
James Miller Christensen was born in Denmark, converted to Mormonism, and migrated to Utah with the Leonard G. Rice Company in 1867. He settled in Moroni, Utah, where he farmed, ranched, practiced polygamy, and participated in a failed attempt at the United Order. By 1893, Christensen and both of his wives had moved to Salt Lake City. He served three missions to Scandinavia and, during the final, presided over the Scandinavian Mission. |
| OCR Text |
Show 15, 1874, desolve law, Branch of Order, Established, Desolved had fine prospects, but some of those who had their farms broke up from sagebrush, others their land summer fallowed, with the natural selfishness, desired to pull out. Jealousy also arising outside of the Company because of our sucsess. The Bishop requested our our desolution, which was eflicted, each man getting his full share back with one adition of 28 % int. In 1876, (in the Spring) again a Company was organized, this time with Bishop G.W. Bradley at the Head. Company was incorporated. & while the charter was broad, we didn’t enter only in the Stock & Sheep Buisness. I was elected Director & Sectary, and served as such during its life of 3 years. Company being desolved in the fall & Winter of 1878 & 9 by advice of Apostel Erastus Snow, cause! Dissatisfoction, fault finding, & yet the Board did honestly do all in their power for the good of the Company, spent many evenings til late at night, without pay & even advanced means to carry on the work. We Kept meat shop where it was sold for less than ever before, Stock was returned at less price than taken in as Stock, & each man got 100c for his Dol. & over 20 % Int. 16, 1878-9, Worker in Coop., Freighting, call on Mission and all the debts. paid up in full. when books were closed, they were turned over to the Court in Manti, & declared the best Kept of any that came in. In the Winter of 1877 the Coop Store was in bad shape financialy, and I was asked by the Board of Dirictors. (Bishop being President) to take hold of same as salesman, I done it and in one year brought it in good condition. was engaged for another Year, contract agreed on & time set for signing by both parties, when a frind? who was well of. but very ambitious learned of the terms, went to the Bord & offered his service for 1/2 % less the board broke their contract. & gave it to him & Brother of C & J. Jensen. I then turned my attention to buying frighting produce, and in the Years 1878-9 & 80, tended my farm, Built a new House & put in 365 days on The road freighting, quite sucsesfuly, but indurring much hardship in Winter, but having a premonition that I would be called on a mission, I saved no Effort to leave my Family as comfortably as possible. the call came alright in 1880 and when leaving in 81 I had all paid but $35.00 leaving Farm, Team & a good home. |
