Parley Pratt Petersen

Parley Pratt Petersen is the son of Peter Petersen and Marie Thomasdatter, both of Denmark. The Petersen family immigrated from Denmark to America on the ship “Kenilworth.” The ship was plagued with cholera. Once in America, they traveled with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Nebraska to join the Abner Lowry Company. On August 13, 1866, the Company left for the Utah Territory.

Three days after starting their journey west, Parley’s father Peter died from cholera and was buried by the Mormon Trail. While grieving over her husband’s death, the next day Marie buried her 2-year-old Parley Pratt.

Recorded in a history written by Anna Matilda Jensen Smith: “August 13, 1866, we started across the plains by ox team in Capt. Abner Lowerys Company. I remember gathering wild berries and finding blue and white beads, in ant piles, along the trail. The beads being like the ones the Indians use for decorating their clothing. Colera broke out and among the many dead, who were buried along the trail, was my sister Maria's husband, Peter Peterson, and their baby son Parley.”