Lars (Laurs) Swensen (Svendsen)

Lars Swensen
Passed down in family
Date written, unk., before 1980

Lars Swensen was born 16 October 1826, at Balle, Viborg, Denmark; the son of Svend Larson and Karen Jensen. He was the second child and first son of a family of five children (1 brother, 3 sisters). His father died 21 April 1864 in Denmark and was buried there, His mother died 5 Mar 1877 at Moroni, Sanpete, Utah and is buried in the Moroni City Cemetery.

Lars Swensen (Laurs Svendsen) spent his early life in Denmark and little is known of his childhood. He was a weaver by trade and made rugs for homes.

On 11 November 1851 he married Mariana Christensen. She was the daughter of Christian Rasmussen and Maren Jensen. To this union three children were born: Christina Caroline (6 July 1855 - 1 Feb 1853), Christian Karl (7 July 1853 - 25 June 1854), Sven (12 Aug 1854 - 3 Aug 1857).

Lars and his wife accepted the Gospel and were baptized 7 March 1856. His wife died 6 March 1857 and was buried in Denmark.

Then on 19 July 1858 he married Kjersten Sorensen. They had no children, but his wife felt he was entitled to a family, especially since he had lost and buried the only ones he had, so it was at her request that he married again in polygamy. He married Ane Elizabeth Christensen (born 5 July 1846), daughter of Rasmus Peter Christensen and Bodil Kjersten Poulsen. It was at this time that he had both his wives' sealed to him and they received their endowments. To Lars and Ane were born eight children: Lewis, James, Mary Ann, Peter, Charles, Anthony Thor, Joseph and John Oscar.

Lars was active in the church both in Denmark and after moving to Moroni, Utah. In 1869-9 he served as a Bishop. In 1875 his wife Ane was a counselor in the Y.L.M.I.A..

Lars went on two Missions to his native country for the church. While there he tried to get the records of his ancestors in order to do their temple work, but was unable to get them.

During the Blackhawk War he served as a Captain.

His doors were always open to anyone of any race or religion. His policy was to have no one leave his home hungry. After the Manifesto became law, prohibiting polygamy, he served a four month sentence for not giving up one of his wives'. While there he wrote a letter [9 Dec 1888]to his daughter Mary Ann and the original copy is in the families' possession.