Arnold Looser

Arnold Looser was born to Isaak Looser and Verena Baumgartner, both of Switzerland. In 1862, after emigrating from Switzerland to America, the family joined the Sixtus E. Johnson Company with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to go to the Great Salt Lake Valley (Utah). The company departed from Iowa on July 15. Not a month later, 18-month-old Arnold passed away on August 10. He was buried on a hill somewhere between Rattlesnake Creek and Wolfe Creek, Nebraska.

The company’s journal read: “Saturday 10th. This morning Sister Batey was buried on the west bank of Rattlesnake creek about ¼ of a mile from the crossing near the banks of the creek on a small sandhill about 8 a.m. followed by nearly all the camp[,] Jabes Woodward [Woodard] Chaplain. A coffin was prepared out of 2 boxes and she was buried as well as could have possible been under the circumstances. Died this morning Arnold Looser 18 months old[.] He had been ailing for some time past. We did not leave this morning until 10 o’clock when we traveled 9 miles and camped on a small creek. The child was buried on a hill. Some rain fell in the evening so much rain has rendered the roads very heavy for travelling."