I read a little from an Iversen-Jensen family history book that I found recently and wanted to use up one post to tell of Lars and Ane. Ane was a sister to Peter Iversen, Grandpa's father.
Both Lars and Ane were born in Denmark and married there before coming to the United States sometime between 1886 and 1889 with their three children. They lived in Kennard, Washington County, Nebraska. Lars died at age 42 after being struck by a train. He worked for the railroad and he and a co-worker were in the process of moving a hand car off the tracks when he was hit, killing him instantly. He and Ane had eight children, ages 8 months to 18 years old when he died.
Ane received this letter from her in-laws in Denmark. The Jens Peter the writer refers to is one of Lars and Ane's sons.
"Dear Sister-in-Law,
It was a very sad message that you, dear sister-in-law had to bring us at this time. We hadn't expected that our brother should pass away that quickly. But so much is happpening here on earth that the dear Lord shows himself in so many ways. It is so hard to understand why, but when soemthing like this happens, we have to put everything in God's hands. He alone knows what's best for us and then we have to ask to learn to say, "Thy will be done." You write that Jens Peter has been in California. Why doesn't he stay at home so that he can be a help for you and the older children? Then maybe you can have a chance to raise your small ones. But it sure is hard to sit alone with so many fatherless children.
We don't really know the circumstances over there, but would you please let us know if you get any money for compensaiton and how you are?
We are looking forward to hearing a little bit more about it as soon as you settle down. Isn't it a comfort to you that you have some of your relatives around you? Don't you have two brothers, one sister, and your old father nearby? We really don't know exactly where they live or if they live nearby. Can they sometimes come to visit you in those tough times?
There were some Danish Americans that had written to Klippinge to some people, the man's name is Thomas. They had written about the burial of a Danish man who was killed by the train and it must have been Lars.
We are healthy, so to speak, but unfortunately Per is a little weird in his head and doesn't comprehend everything. He is like a big child, cries and is kind of sad. If you write, you must not mention anything about it. As long as I'm healthy and can care for him, everything will be all right. And now, very much love. Cheer up.
Yours sincerely, Dorthe and Per Frederiksen"
I hope the Per she was writing about is a son named after his father, not Dorthe's husband. It is strange that Lars died in late December and Dorthe wrote in early February. So it would seem that Jens Peter took off for California right after his father's death? Or else he did that prior to Lars dying and Dorthe is speaking generally that he should be at home more.
A year and a half after Lars' death, Ane married another Dane, Anton Kristian Nielsen. They had one child together. Sadly, Ane died in 1904 of tuberculosis, almost three years to the day after Lars died. She was 44 years old. Her occupation, as listed on her death certificate, was carpet weaver. Ane's brother, Jens Iversen, became guardian of four of the children. Three of the other children were over 14 years old and petitioned the court to have Jens be their guardian as well. The five year old and three year old children were adopted by other families. The youngest, Anton's child, went to live with his father.
A rather sad story all the way around and one I had not heard mention of before. Most of the children lived fairly long lives. Jens Peter, mentioned in the letter, however, died at age 24. Many of the members of this family are buried in the Kennard Cemetery. Perhaps we should make a visit one day.
