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Note: 1. From the History of Laura Nicoline Nielson Poulsen: Laura was born on January 30, 1858 in Skelskor, Soro, Denmark, the daughter of Anders and Dorothea Nielsen. After her family joined the Mormon Church in 1860, they left Denmark, arriving in New York on June 19, 1861. Laura was 3 years old at the time, and all she remembered of the trip across the plains was sitting in the back of the wagon, looking at the many wagons that were following along behind. She had a rather happy childhood growing up with her sisters and brothers in Milton. She used to go swimming with her sisters at the pond. But when she was 10 years old, her mother, Dorothea died in childbirth, and her father became rather strict. Laura, along with her sister, Matilda, did housework for various people in the neighborhood to help pay her own way. In 1875, at the age of 17, she married Andrew Frederic Poulsen, the son of Mads and Anna Poulsen. Laura was an excellent seamstress and made clothes for the family--suits for the boys,coats and dresses . She made the light blue wedding dresses for her sisters, Anna and Emma, when they were married in a double ceremony. She did sewing for other people also. A daughter, Vivian, recalls that her parents did not attend Church regularly. They went to some special events, when an excellent speaker was expected, or a good musical program. Laura went to Sunday School most of the time, and for a number of years was the teacher of the adult, or "parents" class. She was in the Relief Society, and for years was a standing Committee Chairman in the "Old Folks" entertainment. Both Andrew and Laura did much to help people in the community, but mostly "on their own" rather than through the Church. One of the Bishops once admonished them to give their help through the Church so they would get credit on the books. The reply was "Giving when needed, and appreciation from the recipients is satisfaction enough. The Good Lord needs no written records. Thus we know those in need actually receive the help." "Laura was in great demand with sick people. Just her presence seemed to make many of them feel better. Hers was a reassuring and magnetic personality. She sewed many burial clothes and 'sat up with the dead' many a night. I'd say they were good Christians, non-sectarian in outlook, and lacking the narrowness and bigotry found in so many." During World War I, Laura, along with her sister, Matilda, knit stockings and sweaters for the Red Cross. Many school teachers and principals of the Milton Elementary School lived at her place during the school year--the two names remembered were Miss Crittendon and Mr. Jones. In 1921, Andrew and Laura's daughter, Laura Hopkins, returned with her two children to live with Laura and Dolly Hammer (her older sister); all three were now widows. Laura Hopkins taught at Morgan High School from 1921 to 1923, when the three moved into Salt Lake into an apartment on 8th East between 3rd and 4th South; and Laura taught at East High School for the next seven years. She bought a house at 524 Emerson Avenue, where she lived between 1926 and 1933. Apparently, Laura died in this house in 1930 and was buried in Milton. Andrew and Laura were very much loved and respected by their children. As Vivian said, "I think they were the most!" 2. From Reminiscing About the Family of Anders Nielson by Jay Nielson: Anders' daughters were also remarkable women in their own right. Matilda and Laura must have acquired many of their mother's remarkable characteristics. I think all of the sisters obtained a love of music and singing from their mother, as well as the strict upbringing as a "lady". Matilda, almost with a sense of mission, did everything she could to keep the family together. She assumed as best she could, the role of her departed mother--and in so doing gained the deep love of her brothers and sisters. Laura followed her example of love and service to her family and the community of Milton. 3. From Reminiscing about Laura Nielson by her grandaughter, Aileen Weems: We did not live near her while I was growing up, so I didn't know her very well. However, she used to come to California for the winters in the 1920s and used to sleep in the other twin bed in my room. She kept her false teeth in a glass by her bed at night, but never took them out until the lights were out and I could hear them clink in the glass. She never let anyone see her without her teeth and they were always in her mouth before daylight. We lived on an oil lease in Reward, California about 17 miles from the town of Taft, California where my father drove me each week for a piano lesson. As the weather was cold, and with no heat in the old car, Daddy would heat up some bricks and wrap them in blankets for our feet. Grandma and I would snuggle under a blanket in the back seat for the ride into Taft and she used to sing me songs in Danish. 4. Census information: *From 1920 census Milton, Morgan, UT, ED 83, Sheet 2A: Poulson, Laura N., head, owns home free & clear, f, w, 61, widow, immigrated 1861, naturalized 1876, b. Denmark, parents b. Denmark Annie C., daughter, f, w, 43, widow, b. UT, parents b. Denmark *From 1930 census Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT, ED 17, Sheet 16A: Hopkins, Laura, head, owns home, $5,000 value, f, w, 37, widow, b.UT, parents b. Denmark Grace E., daughter, f, w, 13, single, attended school, b. ID, father b. WI, mother b. UT Dean, son, m, w, 11, single, attended school, b. ID, father b. WI, mother b. UT Paulson, Laura, mother, f, w, 72, b. Denmark, parents b. Denmark Hammer, Dollie, sister, f, w, 52, b.UT, parents b. Denmark 5. Death Certificate #1762: Laura Nielsen Poulson, aged 72y 8m 21d, died 21 Oct 1930. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark 30 Jan 1858 and was the widow of Andrew Poulson. Her father was Andrew [sic] Nielsen. Cause of death was chronic myocarditis. She was buried 25 Oct 1930 in Milton, Utah.
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