A.C took to Mormonism like a duck to water. He said,
"Before I was baptized I was full of fear, never dared to let anyone know
that I was studying Mormonism, hence the surprise to my fellow, that no
sooner was I baptized that I came boldly forward and declared loudly to
everybody that I had embraced Mormonism. My reason expended to such an
extent and what I had learned of scripture in youth became clear to my
mind and I could easily defend myself against any attack brought against
me from scripture and the mockery and persecution of my former friends I
took pleasure, felling thankful that I was worthy of such. Let it her
be noted that I never heard an Elder preach before I wanted to be
baptized. The above was how I was converted – and truly I was converted
and baptized to every principle of the gospel and a burning desire
within myself to proclaim it to my fellowmen."
AC would spend the next few years proclaiming the gospel to anyone who would listen. He had numerous adventures. However- that all changed in 1862.
AC remembered- "
In the early part of ’62 war broke out between Denmark and Germany. It
had not been thought of me emigrating, but continue in the mission
field. I was then in my 24th year. At 22 years of age every able
bodied man is duty bound to serve in the army but I, by permission, got
my time prolonged three years because of my missionary labor, but now
that war existed, there was only one alternative – either I emigrate or
go to war. But I had no money and saw no way to get any. I saw the
other young men one way or other was provided for and I asked my
president what I should do. He told me to be easy the money would come
all right and sure enough it did. When the saints in the District found
out my condition they sent in money from a very quarter up to $5.00 or
$10.00 a piece. Some outsiders gave several dollars until I had enough
to buy a suit of clothes and a ticket to Wyoming in U.S. America."
On the way, he baptized a young woman named Maren Kristine Anderson. Maren (Mary), A.C and numerous others took the 35 day boat trip from Europe to America. The ship and conditions were not the greatest. A.C wrote, "
Measles broke out among the children and we buried 50 in the sea and one
ole Sctochman. Otherwise everything went well, though I must mention
we had the most cruel and wicked set of sailors that I ever seen in my
life and they caused us some trouble, but soon after that ship went to
the bottom of the Atlantic and I suppose they deserved it."
They arrived in New York on Castle Garden, was inspected and then sailed
up to Albany and took the train for Buffalo, crossed the port of Canada
and ferried across the St. Clair to Detroit. From Detroit A.C remembered that the,
"journey
was tedious." From there, they went to St. Paul and then on the trail to Salt Lake arriving on the 26th of September 1864.
He and Mary got married om December of 1964. AC had made a bedstead of a pole and got and twisted
cornhusk for a bed cord. The house theylived in was a cellar dug into a
hill, one little window in the end, a fireplace in one side.
They had 9 children. Their 2nd last son was Joseph Alma Neilson and he was my Great-Great Grandfather.
Next week will be about Maren
