Axel Hyrum Husted

Axel Hyrum Husted is the third child and only son of Jakob Jensen and Erika Amanda Tornquist, both of Sweden. The family immigrated to America by sailing on the ship “Kenilworth.” While on the ship, many became sick from infected water and food. After arriving in America, the family traveled to Nebraska where they joined the Joseph S. Rawlings Company. With other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they began their trek to the Great Salt Lake Valley on August 2, 1866.

Disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. While the company was in Nebraska near the Platte River, 1-year-old Jakob climbed down from the wagon to pick some wildflowers. When he returned to the wagon, the oxen were startled. The sudden jolt of the wagon threw Jakob under the wagon wheel. He died of his injuries.

That same day after Jakob was buried, his mother, Erika, went to get Axel and found that he had also passed away (of unspecified causes). His father was buried next to Axel near the Platte River in Nebraska.