Anna Nilson

Anna's Story

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The Story

Anna's Story

researched by Penny Magnusson Hannum

Birth:  January 14th, 1861   |   female   |   in Hyby, Skåne, Sweden

Death:  September 20th, 1868   |   7 years old   |   in Echo Canyon, Summit, Utah

Memorial:   Stone 15   |   left column

Anna Nilson is the daughter of Jens Anders Nielsen and Sissela Ann Martensdotter, both from Sweden. The Nilson family immigrated to America on board the ship “Emerald Isle.” Sissela was tireless in her efforts to keep her family healthy on the ship. She would wake early to boil water for the family to drink.

After arriving, they journeyed to Nebraska and joined the John Holman Company with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to cross the plains to the Great Salt Lake Valley. The Company left Nebraska on September 1, 1868.

Illness plagued members of the Company and while traveling in Wyoming, 7-year-old Anna became ill and passed away. She is buried in Echo Canyon (the first camp area).

submitted by The Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Days of ‘47