Mads Jorgen Hansen

Mads Jorgen Hansen is the son of Nicolai Hansen and Birthe Madsdatter, both of Denmark. Nicolai passed away in 1865 before the family immigrated to America. Birthe and her children sailed to America on the ship “Cavour.” Disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. Cholera (a bacterial disease caused from contaminated water) infected many on the ship. Mads was among those suffering from the disease. Upon arriving in America, the Hansen family traveled to Nebraska and joined the Abner Lowry Company. Along with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the company was scheduled to depart on August 13, 1866.

On August 12, as the wagons were preparing for the journey, 5-year-old Mads passed away from the effects of cholera. He is buried in Wyoming, Nebraska near the company’s staging area.