Ane Nielsen

Biography

Ane's parents were weavers by trade. Ane would help with knitting. Her father died when Ane was eight years old, and she subsequently went to live with an Uncle whose family was good to her. This Uncle raised geese, and Ane's job was to herd the geese. She later went to work at a dairy, where she milked cows, made butter and cheese, did the house work, and other jobs as necessary.

Ane loved to dance. She often found herself at dances that went well into the night and early morning. Ane would then have to hurry home, change clothing, and be prepared to milk the cows at 4:00 in the morning.

While working at the dairy, Ane met Rasmus Mickelsen, whom she courted for eight years before marrying.

Ane and Rasmus heard the gospel from Erastus Snow and were baptized into the Church. Rasmus served a mission in Denmark before they left for America. Ane had four children while living in Denmark, but only one child, Niels, was still alive when they arrived in America.

Ane and Rasmus stayed in St. Louis, where they worked to store up money to purchase provisions for a trek across the plains. They crossed the plains with the Hans Peters Olsen Wagon Company, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley October 5, 1854.

Ane and Rasmus were sent to Cedar City to help settle the county. They lived there for six years before moving to Parowan to raise sheep. Ane and Rasmus made clothing from wool from their sheep.

Ane would welcome new Saints to Parowan by giving them mutton, butter, milk, and other goods as they needed.

Ane moved to live with her daughter after her husband died in 1903. She would continue to knit, card wool, or sew carpet rugs.