Annie Hansen Hammon Family History Mother had a beautiful voice and at Jed's farewell party when he went in the Navy she sang Keep the Home Fire Burning, she loved reading the church works and was well versed in the Book of Mormon.
The above was found in my mothers handwriting, (Lelah Talbot) written about her mother Annie Hammon singing at Annie's brother Jed's farewell. B of M refers to the Book of Mormon of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. -- Claudine H. Miller
Family history of Rasmus Hansen copied from information written by and collect by Mary Emeline H. Dye, descendant.
The following is the introduction of information written and should be kept with this article.
The story of this family is made up of facts and dates gathered from numerous sources and pieced together and held with imagination from the mental picture painted by the description of places and events as they were told to me b some of the members who supplied much of the information. Of these I wish to give honorable mention to Ole Hansen, the grandfather of our children; Aunt Annie Hammon of Roy, Utah, and Aunt Hannah Smith of Cleveland, Idaho. Each one very shortly before their death, so graciously told me of their home in Denmark and their emigration to Utah. This information will be told in the history to follow. Ole and Hannah are brother and sister of my grandmother Annie Hammon and Rasmus Hansen was their father. I dedicate this record to the memory of these noble father and mothers in generations past and trust that the spirit of Elijah will rest upon us as descendants of a noble family to the organization and salvation of all its members. Mary Emeline H. Dye, descendant
Let’s take an imaginary trip back to Denmark and visit the land of our forefathers and mothers. Between the mainland’s of Denmark lies the island of Fynn, a large island with it’s rolling hills and valleys of green pastures and fields of grain, dotted with homes and gardens. Near the city of Odense in the village of Orristler lived Ramus Hansen, a man of the soil with his family. He was thrifty, and talented in the art of being a good husband and father. He was a carpenter, farmer and handyman with a pride in his home to make it a desirable place for his family and a friendly place for friends and stranger to meet. His wife, Annie Casperson Hanson, was his equal as a partner and helpmate in the home. She was known for her ability to make rugs, clothing and the general routine of a homemaker. She shared with her husband in their friendly and generous feeling toward their friends and neighbors. They were prosperous to the extent that they were considered above the average in their community. They were God-fearing people and adhered to the principles of good citizenship and Christianity. They were ever ready to listen and accept truth and good will.
Let me give you a description of the mental picture I drew from the stories told to me by Ole Hansen of Cleveland, Idaho; Aunt Annie Hammon of Roy, Utah and Aunt Hannah Smith of Cleveland, Idaho; of the old home in Denmark where they were born.
The building were built in a "u" shape with their living quarters on the northeast tip of the "u". All buildings were attached making a continuous building. Next to the home came the wagon sheds, machine sheds, horse and cow barns with the hay lofts above, sheep and hog pens at the south end of the "u" with the chicken coups and runs and grainary completing the u. Inside the "u" was a court or flower garden. All the entrances were made on the outside except a few doors for convenience.
In this home were born 2 sons and 7 daughters who were taught and trained in the ways of the family’s standards of good citizens and Christians.
One day two Mormon Elders called at their home and were received in the friendly manner of the home. After listening to them explain the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith it aroused in them a curiosity to hear more about this new and strange religion. After a period of investigation and instruction by these elders they were convinced of the divine message they taught and applied for baptism. On led May 25, 1878, Ramus Hansen his family by being baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and his wife and family followed his example.
After their confirmation as members of this new faith they had accepted, the spirit of gathering Zion began filling their minds with hopes and plans to immigrate to America and on to the Rocky Mountains where some of their friends had gone before and to be with the saints.
Finally they decided to sell their possessions and go to America. After a period of preparation all was in readiness to leave their homeland and friends. Where new hope of salvation for themselves and their people caused them to rejoice for they knew they could enjoy the blessings of the righteous and faithful.
They crossed the channel in a small ship to Copenhagen where the steamship Nevada waited to bring them to America.
We do not have the exact date when they left Copenhagen but here is Aunt Annie Hammon’s description of the scene.
“when the passengers were all on board waving their farewells to the host of relatives and friends on the dock, some weeping, some cheering, and as the ship began moving away from the dock the elders and saints began singing a hymn which is as follows:
Think not when you gather to zion, your troubles and trials are through, that nothing but comfort and pleasure are waiting in Zion for you. No, no; tis designed as a furnace. All substance, all textures to try, to burn all the wood, hay, and stubble, the gold from the dross Purify.
Think not when you gather to Zion that all will be holy and pure, that fraud and deception Are banished, and confidence wholly secure. No, no; for the lord our redeemer has said that the tares with the wheat must grow till the great day of burning; shall render the harvest complete
Think not when you gather to Zion the saints here have nothing to do, but to look to your Personal welfare and always be comforting you. Not those who are faithful are doing, to gather the scattered of Israel, they labor by day and by night
Think not when you gather to Zion the prize and the victory won, think not that the warfare Is ended, the work of salvation is done. No, no; for the great prince of darkness, a tenfold Exertion will make, when he sees you go to the fountain, where freely the truth you may take.
The strains of the singing fading in the distance as the ship bore them away from homes and friends they would never see again. It was a solemn occasion but their hearts were filled with joy and thanksgiving to know that at last they were on the way to Zion””. The information concerning the voyage was given to me by Aunt Hannah Smith
Taken from the church chronology by Andrew Jenson. “there were 569 saints and one Elder Jos. E. Hyde, who was returning home. The company was in charge of Brother John Cook. The ship Nevada docked at Liverpool to exchange passengers, ect. Then on Saturday 15, June 1878, sailed towards New York. Elder Jos. W. Hyde became ill and died Friday 5, July, and was buried at sea.”
Ole Hansen said he was not so seasick as most of them so he told of the storms and heavy seas and how unpleasant it was with so many sick persons without proper facilities.
After 25 long days from Liverpool they steamed into New York Harbor on July 10, 1878. After the routine of checking passports and other legal procedures the company began to scatter out for numerous destinations, and friends, but the Hansen family took trains and came direct to salt lake city, Utah, which had been chosen for their destination among some of their former friends from Denmark who had settled there.
Upon their arrival they immediately turned to the task of building a home on land, which they homesteaded and a log house was erected to become their first home in Utah.
The expense of the trip from Denmark took the most of their finances but they set out with a determination to succeed.
It’s a sorry thing to say but some dishonest persons took advantage of their situation of not being able to speak or understand English when the Hansen's placed their trust in their honesty and they swindled them out of about every thing they possessed.
These dishonest acts caused them to look elsewhere for a home and livelihood so later they went into Idaho which is now known as Cleveland, Idaho, where they began again to make a home. Brother Hansen being a carpenter built their furniture as well. So it took time for Rasmus to equip their new home. They lived in bear river city about Two years.
Rasmus Hansen and family moved to Idaho sometime after 1880. After arriving in Cleveland Bannock co., Idaho a sight was selected on the land they procured, and Rasmus began hauling logs from the canyons to build a log house for the family. It was situated about 1-½ miles north of the present location of Cleveland, Idaho. It was a two large room home with a dirt roof. One large room, which served as kitchen, dining and family room, the other room serves as a bedroom for the family. Later on a lean too room was add for additional bedroom. The house faced the east looking toward the valley. Near by a cellar was dug and constructed for a place to store their vegetables, and other foods prepared for wintertime. It also was a cool place to keep their milk and eggs. There was also a wooden barrel in which grandma Hansen kept her pickles, and I am told by some of her grandchildren that it was from this barrel they delight to take a pickle to eat, or something to nibble on. In real warm weather they would lower milk and butter in a bucket tied to a rope and lowered down the well to keep it cool
As time passed they were active in church and community activities. But Rasmus because seriously ill and died on the 11 Nov. 1881. He was buried upon a hill on the Jim Larsen's farm, which was the beginning of the Cleveland cemetery. After his passing his wife Annie carried on with the help of her family, consisted of 7 daughters and two sons. Emma the last one having been born at Bear River City Utah. In later years when a post office was established for the community and was named Cleveland, Idaho, it was operated from this home with Rasmus’s daughter Mary named as postmaster. She continued in that position for a number of years, as she did not marry until middle age. Annie was a sort of happy person who seldom complained to others about her troubles. She was loved deeply by her children and grandchildren as well as friends and neighbors. She was a scrupulous housekeeper and a very good cook. She was talented in the arts of sewing, and spinning wool for making cloth. She was so involved with her family and home she had little time for recreation with other. This was the life of Annie Casperson Hansen until her death on 10 march 1905 at the age of 70 years. She was laid to rest beside her husband in the Cleveland cemetery just up on the hill above the old home.
