The Musical Family of Peter Fernelius 1921 PETER GUSTAVUS FERNELIUS BESSIE McGIVEN FERNELIUS With his clear tenor voice Peter Fernelius never failed to impress members of the little Mountain Green Ward with a feeling they were in a concert hall. Bessie was an accomplished pianist and the two together made a memorable impres¬sion. Truly, they did share their talents. Peter Gustavus Fernelius was born 14 November 1888, in South Weber, a son of Peter Gustavus and Johanna Lindturg Fernelius. His father died three months after he was born, leaving Christina with a large family to support. In his youth he attended the old Weber Academy where President David O. McKay was a teacher. Five young people had rented an apartment so they could att¬end school. But Peter had to drop out when he ran out of money. Bessie McGiven Fernelius was born 14 March 1887, in Jamestown, Ohio, to Albert L. and Victoria McGiven. She became a school teacher and was not of the LDS faith. When her brother, Ernest Lester McGiven, an itinerant mechanic, moved to Utah and joined the Church, Bessie was sent post haste to rescue him from the clutches of the 'terrible Mormons.' Bessie began teaching school in South Weber and boarded with the Widow Fer¬nelius . Peter and Bessie met, fell in love and planned to marry when Peter's mission to Sweden was completed. Bessie was baptized and Peter left for Sweden in June of 1912. Mother McGiven rushed to the rescue of her son and daughter and died at Lester's home. Her body was shipped to Ohio accompanied by Bessie. In June of 1915 the young couple was married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple 307