Andreas (Andrew) Carl Andreasen (Andersen) was born 29 April 1959 at Orritsler, Odense, Denmark. He was born the second son of Jergen Andreasen and Marie Catherine (Caspersen) Hansen.
Grandfather Jergen was in the service while Denmark was in war with Germany. His hip had been shot in the socket, which had made him a cripple. This leg was much shorter than the other one and walking was very difficult for him. He and his wife and four sons came to America as soon as they were able to come by train to Utah, they came directly to Bear River City, where they made their home.
They were among the early settlers and shared in the many activities of the expanding community. All the people were poor, but they helped one another.
Grandpa Jergie was handy with tools and built much of the furniture and woodwork for the early homes. He was black bearded man and Grandmother was a smiling blonde; their fine, happy qualities rubbed off on their sons and their posterities.
The sons grew to be strong husky fellows and enjoyed working with cows, horses, etc. Andrew and his brothers drove a freight line from Corrine, Utah to the Anaconda mines in Montana. He drove a team of 21 horses with a jerk line. The freight consisted mostly of explosives and they was never known to have had an accident.
Andrew was considered to be a fairly well educated man for the day and age. He could read and write, played the violin and was the drummer for the Bear River City Brass Band. The band was known several different names one was the Democratic Band and the Bear River City Union Band. He was real good singer and actor and took part in the community entertainments. He was an excellent athlete, shot and sportsman.
On 02 December 1880 he married Sophia Petrenella Johnson (Jorgensen), in the Salt Lake Endowment House. For the first few years they made their home in Bear River City.
He was a butcher and ran a butcher shop while there. From there they homesteaded 160 acres land, Sec 6, 11 North 3 West which was known as "Point Look Out," and later became known as Bothwell. He and Bill Johnson were the only settlers at that time. He was the first constable and served for many years. He wasn't the first settler in the area but was the first to build a home and complete the Homestead Act requirements. Their first home is the Floyd Eggli place now and after the canal was complete in 1891 Andrew built another home 100 feet from the new canal ¼ of a mile west of the original home.
In the spring he took a shearing crew and ran a sheep shearing corral at Blind Springs then out to Blue Creek, Pocatello Valley, Malad Valley and as far as Star Valley, Wyoming.
He always kept some livestock. He bought and sold most everything from hides and pelts to any kind of stock he could make a dollar and as all poor men with families took a days work wherever he found it.
In the winter he hunted ducks, dressed and delivered them, with meat he butchered, to the surrounding towns such as Corrine and Brigham City. By so doing he was able to make a living for his family, which was rapidly growing. His wife Sophia was a good cook, sewer, housekeeper and helpmate.
They had a family of 14 children, 8 boys and 6 girls, 13 that grew to be adults. They were a happy, friendly, hospitable family. Many travelers and strangers as well as friends and relatives stopped at their home. They were always made welcome with a place to sleep and food to eat. The best they had was shared by all and no one ever left hungry.
At the early age of 49, he took an attack of appendicitis. No doctors were available and after a few days of severe suffering he passed away. It was on 19 December 1908. He was a friendly, likable man and was greatly loved and missed by every one who knew him. His remains are in the Bothwell, Valley View Cemetery.
I was only five years old when my father died, but I do distinctly remember him on a few occasions.