Eline Knudsen

Eline Knudsen is the youngest of five children born to Hans Knudsen and Bergite Larsdatter, both of Norway. The family immigrated to America on the ship “Monarch of the Sea.” After arriving in America, the Knudsen family traveled to Nebraska and joined the John Smith Company. With other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they left Nebraska on July 25, 1864 to journey to the Salt Lake Valley.

Exhaustive travel conditions, disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and extreme weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. While on the ship, many of passengers were infected with measles. Among those affected included Eline. As they journeyed west, Eline’s health continued to weaken. She died on August 26, 1864 and is buried in Echo Canyon, Summit County, Utah.

In the company journal, John Johnson, Eline's uncle, recorded: “Poor little Eline, Mother's younger sister, never regained her health after the measles and at Echo Canyon, she died. Though grief stricken at her loss, they were all greatful [sic] that she lived to be buried in mother earth. She was buried in a plain board casket. The best her father could make from the goods boxes. He placed a board at the head of her grave”