Penrose Reflections: John Christenson

John (Johannes) Christenson

Published in the Gunnison Gazette

John Christenson Laid to Rest

After a well-spent life of seventy-four years, and with another well-nigh completed, John Christenson, a pioneer of Gunnison passed peacefully away at his home in this city at 4:45pm, Monday, June 8, 1903. His illness lasted but a few day. Pneumonia being the immediate cause of his demise as was brought on by exposure while attending his duties on the farm. Brother John Christenson was the son of christian Gudmundson and Johanna Martensen. He was born August 16, 1828 in Kroksered, Halland, Sweden, was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1857, and was soon after assigned duty as a missionary, continuing that labor until 1861 when he sailed from his native land for Utah. He drove an ox team across the plains, and on his journey met Christena Holm. Shortly after reaching Salt Lake City, the two were united in marriage which occured November 2, 1861. He moved with his wife to American Fork in 1862 where he met and married in 1864 Johanna Harling. With his two wives, Brother Christenson came to Gunnison in 1865 and continued to reside here until the close of his life came.

Deceased with the father of one son and three daughters by his first wife, while three sons and three daughters were the fruit of his union with the second wife. Both widows, besides eight of their children and a number of their grandchildren, survive. One child from each family has gone before.

John Christenson has led a life of integrity. He was energetic and industrious during his whole career. It may truly be said of him that he practised his religion to the letter, living up to it's teachings and being constant in all the duties required of him. At the time of his death, he was the local presiding officer over the High Priests, who manifested their love and esteem for their departed brother by attending the obsequies in a body and alternating in bearing the remains from the family home to the place of holding funeral service.

At the funeral, which took place from the R.S. Hall yesterday at 10:00am, there was a very large attendance of relatives and friends, quite a number being in from Centerfield who were associated with deceased from early days and shared with him in the hardships incident to the establishing of this place during the Indian troubles.

Eulogies were offered by Bishop C.A. Madsen, Elders Austin Kearnes, James Hansen, Joseph Christenson, Brigham Jensen, and Frank L. Copening. The casket was a beauitful one and the floral emblems tendered for evidence of the high regard. The mortal remains of Brother Christenson were followed by thirty-seven carriages bearing friends to the cemetery where the dedicatory rite was preformed, consigning his body to rest in the earth, eventually to be reunited with the Spirit which animated it, to then abide continually. Elder Thomas E. Taylor of Salt Lake City offered the dedicatory prayer.

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Posting in Deseret News

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Birth: Aug. 16, 1828
Death: Jun. 8, 1903

Married to Christena Nilsson Okesson Christenson (1836 - 1929)
Johanna Herling Christenson (1840 - 1925)

Inscription:

John Christenson Born Aug. 18, 1828 Died June 8, 1903 Amiable and beloved Father farewell: (?) on this perishing stone but in the Book of Life and in the hearts of thy afflicted friends is thy worth recorded.