Niels Peter William Hansen

Niels Peter William Hansen is the son of Christen Hansen and Dorthe Sorensen Hansdatter, both of Denmark. The Hansdatter family immigrated to America on the ship “Cavour.” Disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. While on the ship, many on the ship suffered from cholera (a bacterial disease caused by contaminated water) including Niels and his father, Christen.

After arriving in America, the family took the train to Nebraska with a desire to join other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Christen’s health continued to decline and the conductor asked Christen to leave the train so as not to infect the other passengers. Records indicate he was taken to Cook County Hospital where he died about five hours later. Dorthe and the children were going to get off the train with Christen, but he encouraged the family to continue on, which they did.

When the family arrived in Nebraska, Niels’ health worsened. On August 13, 1866, as the company prepared to leave for the Great Salt Lake Valley, 3-year-old Niels passed away from cholera. He is buried in Nebraska near the company’s staging area.