1874-1950
Assembled by Eileen Jensen, Daughter
James Peter Jensen was born October 12, 1874, in Newton, Cache County, Utah. His parents, who were born in Denmark, were Jens Peder and Marie Nielsen Jensen. He was the fifth child born to this union. The oldest boy, Anders, was born in Denmark in 1866 and died as he crossed the plains with his parents in 1867 at 1 ½ years of age. He was buried on the banks of the Platte River, Nebraska. A second boy, Nels, was born and died December 31, 1867, in Brigham City, Box Elder County, Utah. The family then moved to Newton, Cache County, Utah and two girls were born, Mary Christine known as Minnie, on July 31, 1870, and Eliza Althea, known as Lile, on August 6, 1872. Next came a son to be named after his father, James Peter, who became the oldest living son. He was followed by a brother, Joseph William, on February 9, 1877; two sisters, kSarah Maretta, on December 16, 1879, and Bertha Lonora, on February 7, 1882; and the last child, a son, Hyrum Edward, on May 11, 1884. His father became a naturalized American citizen in 1875.
James Peter received his education in local schools. After graduating from high school he attended Brigham Young College at Logan, Utah from 1894-1898 and received a degree in Education. His undergraduate subjects were: Reading, Arithmetic, Grammar, and U.S. History. He also took one year of German. His main graduate subjects were: Math, English, General History, and Political Economy.
He had been raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) faith. Being a worthy member he was ordained to the office of an Elder in 1893.
From May 1898 to August 1899 he served in the U.S. Army in the Spanish-American War in the Philippine Islands. He served as a Gunner Corporal of Battery “A” Utah Light Artillery. His starting pay was $10.00 per month and his final pay was $15.00. He told his children that he was very seasick going by boat to the Philippines and he decided he would stay there until honest and faithful. Said Peter Jensen was 5 feet 7 ½ inches high, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair and by occupation a student.” James Peter Jensen was always proud of serving his country and throughout his life was a very patriotic man. He enjoyed attending the reunions of the Spanish-American War veterans each August held in Utah. Attached are copies of letters he wrote while serving in the Philippines. He was always very proud of his son, Ralph, and grandson, Glen Smith, who both served their country in the Marine Corps, during World War II.
After being mustered out in August 1899 at the Presidio, San Francisco, California, he took a job teaching in the public school at Cherry Creek, Oneida County, Idaho. He had 35 pupils, from 6 to 21 years of age, for which he was paid the magnificent salary of $50.00 per month. During the winter of 1900-1901 he lived at the home of his parents in Newton, Utah, and helped take care of his ill father. On April 6, 190l his father passed away and was buried in the Newton cemetery, of which he had been sexton.
While James Peter had been attending college in Logan he became acquainted with an attractive, sweet girl from Mendon Utah. Her name was Laura Baker and she was at Logan taking a class in pattern making. While he served in the Spanish-American War she continued her schooling in Logan. Following his return they continued their courtship. On June 5, 1901 he took his sweetheart to the Logan Temple where they were married by Elder Marriner W. Merrill, Apostle and President of the temple. Laura was the sixth child of Albert Mowry and Edna Jane Coon Baker. They made their first home in Brigham City, Utah. He was employed in the N. C. Mortensen & Sons Hardware store. His responsibility was to uncrate and put together mowers, rakes, wagons, buggies, and then sell them. He had to sell blacksmith supplies, wheel wright supplies, paints, oil, glass, pipe and pipe fittings, lawn mowers, hoses, and garden tools. His yearly starting salary was $900 and his salary when leaving this position was $1200 per year. He left this employment in September of 1904 when Joseph Mortensen, a member of the firm, ( and brother-in-law) returned from Europe where he had served a mission. He was a timekeeper and purchaser of supplies. His duties were to go over the works twice each day, mark the time, make up the payrolls, pay off the men, purchase hay and grains for work stock, supplies for cooks, shoes and clothing for the men. He also directed the work when the foreman was absent. He began at a salary of $1500 and ended with a salary of $1800.
Their first child, a girl, was born on March 4, 1902, at Mendon and was given the name of Mabel. Following a typhoid epidemic in 1903 a son was prematurely born at Brigham City and died ten days later. He was named Peter Raymond and was buried in the Brigham City cemetery. The following year on August 5, 1904, a daughter was born and was given the name of Laura LaRue-after her mother.
In the early part of 1905 they moved to Malad City, Idaho, where he took employment in the lumber store. Soon after he formed a partnership with C. W. Merrell for a hardware and lumber store, which handled lumber, hardware, and furniture. He was manager of the hardware department and bookkeeper. His duties were ordering and maintaining stock of heating stoves and ranges, cream separators, blacksmith supplies, checking invoices, and paying bills. He would figure the lumber purchases and bills for the farmers and ranchers as they came to make their purchases. They purchased a two-room house in Malad, and added additional rooms later.
On October 1, 1905, a baby boy was born at Malad and given the name of Royal Baker Jensen. On January 26, 1908, a daughter was born. She was named Edna, after her Grandmother Baker.
James Peter Jensen continued his activity in the L.D. S. Church and was ordained a Seventy by Henry John on July 26, 1907. On September 27, 1908, William H. Richards Sr. was released as bishop of the Malad Ward and James Peter Jensen was called and ordained as bishop. He was ordained and set apart by Apostle Rudger Clawson. Richard N. Hill served as First Counselor with Thomas W. Richards as Second Counselor in the bishopric. The President of the church at this time was Joseph F. Smith. From 1912 to 1915 John G. Evans and Verulam Dives served as counselors to him. He served willingly and faithfully as bishop until he was released May 9, 1915 when John G. Evans was called as bishop. During this time they often provided meals for the visiting authorities in their home. Also,when stake conferences were held, the Washakie Indians would come and stay overnight in an extra room in the church. Bishop Jensen would get bread and bologna meat for them. He later served as counselor to two other bishops.
During these years two more sons came to bless this home. Albert Rex was born September 6, 1910, being given the name of Albert after Grandfather Baker. On September 26, 1912, Ralph Baker Jensen was born. This made a family of three boys and three girls. J. Peter’s health was not very good and he was advised by the doctor to get out in the open air more. So in 1914 he left the lumber and hardware business and purchased a dry farm and cattle ranch seven miles north of Malad. The family moved there, but kept the home in Malad. He operated this farm for many years.
In Malad they had been very active in the affairs of the L.D.S. Church and also the community. Laura was talented in music, singing and playing the piano, which she did willingly at church and community functions. They had a very happy, busy life on the farm. Laura and James Peter were instrumental in starting a branch of the L. D. S. Church. Meetings were held in the Reynolds schoolhouse, and were attended by many of the surrounding farm families. For the winter of 1914-1915 they moved back down to their house in Malad, then returned to the farm in the spring of 1915. They spent the winter of 1915-1916 on the farm and had a Christmas tree with popcorn and candles on it. The neighbors were invited in and Mabel and LaRue helped them to make and fill green mosquito netting stockings for the children. They had a piano and everyone enjoyed the music which Laura played.
In the late fall of 1916 sadness came to this family. Laura, expecting another child, was not well. She was suffering from uremic poisoning. On December 6th or 7th a stillborn baby was delivered and ten days later, December 16, 1916, at the age of 35, she passed away at the home on the farm leaving a young family. Mabel, the oldest, was 14 and little Ralph just 4. Following the funeral Aunt Sadie Baker took Edna home with her to Mendon, Utah, until school was over for the summer. LaRue stopped attending school and remained at home to take care of Ralph. Bessie Jones, wife of James B. Jones, (friends of the family for many years) helped with the sewing of the burial clothes for Laura. Sister Ella Palmer was the Relief Society President at the time. When Bessie and James B. had been married a few years earlier, James Peter was the bishop and had issued their temple recommends. After losing their mother, Mabel and LaRue had a big responsibility in the home, that of caring for and looking after the younger brothers and sister.
J. Peter Jensen was elected in the fall of 1918 as Oneida County Clerk, Auditor and Recorder, and served until January 1927. The family moved down to Malad in January of 1919 when he began working in this position. As Clerk he was responsible for preparing the Court Docket, administering oaths to jurors and witnesses, making proper entries in court records, as well as keeping records of naturalization. He audited the quarterly reports of County Treasurer, Sheriff, Probate Judge, and drew all warrants for bills paid. Royal worked the farm in the early spring and late fall with the family moving up to the farm during the summer.
On March 26, 1921, Mabel married Samuel Smith Jr. of Malad and they continued to make their home in Malad, and farmed some 6 or 7 miles north of Malad. To this union were born 7 children.
James Peter served as Superintendent of the Sunday School Stake Board for several years and it was during this time that he became well acquainted with a lady also serving on the Sunday School Board. Her name was Mary Ann Dudley and she was the daughter of Joseph W. and Sarah Jane Jenkins Dudley, both of whom were born in Wales. She was in her late 30’s , tall and slender, with dark auburn hair. She had clerked in Evans Co-op Department Store and was now working in the First National Bank. On June 27, 1923, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder George F. Richards. She was known as Aunt Mary to the sons and daughters and grandchildren as she assisted J. Peter in rearing his family. A year later, on June 5, 1924, a daughter was born to them and was named Mary Eileen.
J. Peter continued to farm with the help of the boys and raised registered Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs. They also grew wheat, barley and alfalfa. In August of 1925 LaRue left to serve for two years in the Colorado Mission and Edna entered nurses training at the Dee Hospital in Ogden. After LaRue returned from her mission she spent the winter at home in Malad and in 1928 went to Salt Lake City to study at the L.D. S. Business College. She then accepted employment in Salt Lake City. On October 6, 1944 she was married to Melvin R. Savage in the Salt Lake Temple.
Edna married Charles A. Foley on May 30, 1928, and received her nursing degree later that summer. Two children were born to the Foley’s
Royal married Maude Yearsley on June 24, 1931, in the Logan Temple and 7 children were born to them.
On December 22, 1932, Rex married Julia Thora Blaisdell in the Logan Temple and they were blessed with 5 children.
James Peter Jensen was called on a short-term mission to California and left October 26, 1934. His wife, Mary, and 10 year old daughter, Mary Eileeen, accompanied him. He was assigned to labor in Pomona, California. At holiday time Ralph, who was attending the University of Idaho at Moscow, and LaRue, who was working in Salt Lake, joined the family in Pomona. While Elder Jenssen was serving as a missionary he became ill and was hospitalized with a ruptured appendix. He was released from his mission of April 16, 1935, and reported his mission at Stake Conference on June 30, 1935,.
J. Peter represented Oneida County as Senator in the Nineteenth (1927), and Twenty-fourth (1937) Sessions of the Idaho Legislature. He was Chairman of the Public Lands Committee and a member of the Education and livestock Committees. He also served as County Chairman of the Democratic party for many years. Attached is a copy of an excerpt from the Senate Journal of the Thirty-fourth Session of the Idaho Legislature for Thursday, February 14, 1957.
Ralph graduated from the University of Idaho, and on August 19, 1940, he married Hallie Hall Tangren in the Salt Lake Temple. Three sons were born to them.
In March of 1945, Mary Eileen departed on a mission to California, returning in September of 1946. On October 13, 1947, she married Roy A. Jensen in the Salt Lake Temple. Four children were born to this union.
In March of 1950 Mary’s health began to fail. After some time spent in the Dee Hospital and at the home of Edna and Charles in Ogden, where Edna took care of her, she returned to her home for a few months before passing away on October 14, 1950, at Ogden, Utah. Thus, with the passing of his second wife, Aunt Mary, he was left alone for the next five years. He spent much of his time reading and studying, as he had done throughout his life, visiting his family when he could, and enjoying visits from them. In late summer of 1954 his health worsened and that fall he was hospitalized at the Veterans Hospital in Salt Lake City,. He then went to the home of his daughter, Edna, in Ogen, where she nursed and cared for him the remaining months of his life. Shortly before his 81st birthday, he passed away on August 2, 1955. He was buried in the family plot at Brigham City, Utah cemetery.
James Peter Jensen was proud of his children and grandchildren. He was well educated, and did a lot of reading. He believed in education and encouraged his family to this end. He enjoyed music and encouraged his family to study and develop their talents. He was a civic leader in his community and served faithfully in his church, setting an example of honesty, hard work, kindness, and patience for his family to follow,