Former friends avoided her. The attitude of the townspeople varied from pity to ridicule. The pastor called and urged her to repent. At first her parents were shocked. When she announced her plans to go to America, they were heartbroken. But Maren had made up her mind. On the day of her departure, they were there to wave a last goodbye. As the ship got underway, someone called out, "Goodbye - There goes Denmark." On May 16,1861, at Liverpool, they boarded the Monarch of the Sea for the promised land. They arrived in New York a month later. Those in charge decided to charter a train of cattle cars for the trip to Omaha. The roadbed was rough, the cars had no springs, the toilet facilities were negligible, and they were crowded. Everyone was relieved and grateful when that part of the journey was ended. But Maren's troubles had not ended. At Omaha, the family of Saints purchased equipment and livestock with which to cross the plains. There were a few milk cows - it was Maren's duty after trudging over the rough plains all day to separate these cows from the common heard and milk them. This she disliked very much. She was fearful of the cattle and she had never before learned to milk. (Came with Samuel A. Wooley Company.) The plains journey was not altogether unpleasant. In the same company was a young man also by the name of Jensen (Niels Christian). No doubt he helped her with some of her chores. It was surely not by accident that they both landed in Morgan Valley in September. They were married Morgan Pioneer History Binds Us Together a few days after arriving. Their home that first year was a covered wagon. Their first child, Mary, was born in that same wagon box the following June. For weeks it had rained almost continually. Their improvised bed was wet most of the time. Maren became desperately ill. The baby was born prematurely. But the sisters of the settlement were very kind and no doubt their devoted skillful help saved the lives of both the mother and child. By the beginning of the next year, Niels had arranged to purchase a lot and on it he had established a coopers shop. His family was living quite comfortably in a sort of cellar or dugout. As the years went by more children came and more property was acquired. But pioneer life was always strenuous and at times very difficult. They grew old before their time. Maren became crippled with arthritis, a result of the wagon box days. Sometimes she would admit that Zion had not proved itself to be all she had hoped for. But she always was true to the faith which she had accepted. Throughout all this time, Maren rarely mentioned her girlhood days back in old Denmark and so far as it is known, she never corresponded with any of the loved ones whom she had left behind. It is as though the curtain on that stage had been run down on that day so long ago when someone called out, "Goodbye - There goes Denmark." On April 13, 1917, she died and was buried up on the hill, which overlooks the village where she tried so long and so hard to realize the Zion of her girlhood dreams. ■©19- Andrew Johnson and Maria Agusta Christiansen Johnson and Daughters, Agnes and Julia Andrew Johnson was born July 25, 1825, in Christiania (Oslo), Akershus, Norway, to Rasmus Johnson and Hokene Johansen Johnson. In the early 1850's, Andrew married his sweetheart, Maria Agusta Christiansen. She was bom July 7,1821, to Lars Berger Christiansen and Karen M. Christiansen in Norway. The couple were parents to two known daughters bom to them in Christiania, Norway. Agnes was bom October 4,1847-48, and Julia was bom May 16,1851. Mormon missionaries came to their home and they accepted baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Andrew and Maria were baptized on March 15,1856, by Elder Gusta Anderson and confirmed by Elder Fjild the next day. The history of Mormon converts in Norway have recorded that many family ties were severed in Norway during this period when young people turned away from their traditional religion and joined the so-called "Mormons." Many parents rejected and had no further communication with their sons and daughters. Thus feeling the desperation of persecution, many abandoned their beautiful country and family ties in Norway, leaving behind almost everything they had. So when the opportunity came to leave their beloved homeland of Norway for America, Andrew and Maria, along with seven-year-old Agnes and four- year-old Julia, stuffed a few treasures and belongings into a steamer truck and left to join the Saints in Utah. Kb