Caroline

Caroline (Karlene) Maria Pedersen is the fifth of eight children born to Neils Pedersen and Johanne Kristine Christensdatter, both of Denmark.

The Pedersen family immigrated to America sailing on the ship “B.S. Kimball.” While on the ship, many passengers, including Caroline, were stricken with cholera (a bacterial disease caused from contaminated water). After they arrived in America, they traveled to Nebraska where they joined the John R. Young Company. With other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Company left Nebraska for the Great Salt Lake Valley on June 30, 1863.

The pioneers had only been traveling a week when 11-month-old Caroline passed away. She is buried in Nebraska along the Mormon Trail.

From her parents’ history: “After landing all the children under a year old were stricken with cholera. They had not been able to get milk for the children, when they gave them milk they became sick and all the children but little Karoline Marie under one year old died. They hoped to save her, but she too passed away. They buried her at the foot of a big pine tree and on her newly made grave they piled brush and burned it so wild animals would not molest it. Although their hearts were sad they had to go on.”