Carl Emil Nielsen
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Carl Emil was the third child of Niels Madsen and Anna Johanne Sorensen. Carl had two older sisters and three younger brothers (they died in infancy). His parents were humble poor people who did not have the money to send Carl to school. He was determined to gain some sort of education. At the age of fourteen, he was accepted as an apprentice in a carpenter shop where he worked for his board and room.
While at work one December day, a Mormon missionary entered the shop inviting everyone to attend a cottage meeting to be held that evening in a nearby village. Grandfather had a desire to see and hear more, so asked permission of his employer to attend the meeting. He was told he could not leave his work but if he was foolish enough to tramp several miles in the deep snow after working hours, and be back to work in the morning, he could go. Not waiting for supper, Grandfather left immediately. As he entered the building he was filled with the spirit of the Lord and before the meeting was over he knew that he had heard the truth. After the meeting, he applied for baptism, but was told to wait as he was only 16 years old and perhaps he would change his mind. He returned to the shop reaching there about morning, but was so elated and happy that he never missed his night rest and went right on with his day's work. He was baptized March 9, 1876. When the pastor and his wife learned that Carl had joined the Mormon Church, they called him to their home. In a kind and loving way they told him he had made a serious mistake. After four or five days he decided to go home and talk with his mother, wondering if he had been hasty. When his mother learned of his concern, she said, "Carl, have you prayed about it?" That was his answer. He hurried to his room and discovered how quickly God comes to our rescue when we pray. His parents were unhappy about his baptism, however, a year later his sisters and parents were baptized. Carl immigrated to Utah where he married Sine Olene. They lived in Spring City, Utah and then Manti, Utah where Carl worked on the Manti Temple (specifically on the beautiful winding temple stairs). When the temple was completed, they were sealed in 1888. As a builder, Carl was doing well in the building and real estate business until the depression of 1892. Like many others, he lost all he had. Carl and Sine with their 4 children immigrated to Colonia Juarez, Mexico. They moved to Dublin where he built a gristmill. On the night of April 1st, a fire burned it completely to the ground. He found work as a plant foreman and millwright for American Lumber companies. Movied to Garcia where some of his children were living, farming, and working in the mill at Madera. When the Mexican revolution of 1912 came he was in Durango working. The family fled from Garcia by wagon and train to Arizona. Grandfather and the other men with him had to walk out from Durango and catch a boat to the states, he just about died from the exertion and lack of care. Carl loved the native people. It was said that he would often shake hands with them and leave a coin in their hand. One Christmas, he gave $20.00 to the man whom ran the store, asking that he share it with the widows and those in need sas they came to the store for supplies. It was al the money he had. Aother thime he bought 15 little stoves for the Mexican widows who had no heat. After his death, these stories were told, as he always said, "never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." Carl was very faithful in paying his tithing. One of his last years, his son Ernest said to him, "Dad, do you owe that much tithing? I don't believe you have made that much this year." Carl said, "Well I've had three good meals a day. True it's come from the garden, the chickens, the cow and the family, but I've had it and so I owe it." he always paid a big tithing. He was a very humble, kind and forgiving man. He couldn't take advantage of ignorance whether in a child or a grown person, and for that reason men and children loved and trusted him. Old Selso, a man who worked for Grandpa, came in the middle o the night one time to borrow an ax from papa so he could get a load of wood. Grandpa had a bad cold, and when he came to the door, he didn't want to go outside. he told Selso to go o home and to come back later. Then Papa got to thinking about poor old Selso out there freezing, and he prayed for forgiveness and for the Lord to please send Selso back. A little later, Selso came and asked for the ax again. This time Papa got up and got him the ax and also packed the old fellow a good lunch. For many years, Carl made all the coffins for the people who did in town and he never charged for the material or his labors. He was a wonderful speaker, but sometimes the family was embarrassed because he not only had the audience to tears, but he also shed tears and had to use his big red handkerchief on his eyes as well as his nose and his children were afraid someone might laugh at him. Carl was not a perfect man and made mistakes in his lie. He tried to repent and do right. He was very forgiving of others and the mistakes they made. He taught his children to be forgiving and to always try to help others. Carl died of pneumonia February 1, 1935. The natives came from miles around to pay their respects. One dear old lady entered the door and walked on her knees to the table where he was lying. She raised the sheet and kissed his feet. She paid the highest tribute she could to one who had taught her a better way of life. The street to the church house was lined with the native people. taken from "Remembrances of Carl Emil Nielsen"
written and compiled by AJCE: 1998 |