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Show November 1 02.qxd 12/7/2021 3:17 PM Page 9 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume VII Issue II Page 9 November 1, 2002 Dr. Niels Peter Jensen Compiled by Stanley Wangsgaard Ogden Valley Historian For many years people in Huntsville, Utah told about Dr. Jensen, yet no one seemed to know his first name. It was generally known that Dr. Jensen was not a licensed doctor but still he diagnosed common ailments, prescribed medicine, or issued pills and herbs. He continued this practice in Huntsville from 1888 until his death in 1897. The first clue found to his identity was when I was told that he was married to Ernest J. Nielsen’s mother, Ane Poulsen Nielsen. They had both lived in Eden and were married there before 1888 when they moved to Huntsville where he purchased the house on the southeast corner of 300 South 7300 East in his name, Niels P. Jensen. Niels Peter Jensen was born July 18, 1834 in Verge Rolle, Kolle, Denmark, son of Jens Nielsen and Maren Petersen. For the most part, he went by his second name, Peter, throughout his life. Peter was married July 1, 1831 to Maria Sophia Larsen who was born July 3, 1831 in Hojby, Holbaek, Denmark, daughter of Lars Pedersen and Karen Gundersen. There were five boys and one girl born to them in Denmark, and they emigrated to Utah about 1872. Their seventh child was born in 1874 in Huntsville, and soon they moved to Eden. Peter took a second wife about 1877. She was Christina Madsen, born May 10, 1828 daughter, of Mads and Karen Margrethe. Peter’s only daughter died of diphtheria in 1878 and his first wife, Maria, died in Eden July 22, 1880. His second wife apparently had left him before that time, because the 1880 U.S. Census in Eden doesn’t show her, but lists Peter Jensen, age 45, with four sons: Lars 19, James 17, Charles 15, and Brigham 7. Also listed in his household was Anne Poulsen, a 50-year-old servant, along with her daughter Anne, age 7. Odd that it showed her married, but with her maiden name. She had divorced her husband Niels Jorgen Nielsen around that same time. Anne Poulsen Nielsen had married Niels Peter Jensen before 1888 when he received title to Lot 6, Block 9, Plat A, Huntsville survey, and they had moved into the house there. Anne died December 12, 1894 in Huntsville, and Peter took a fourth wife, Mrs. Ane Lenne Madsen on August 13, 1895 in Ogden. Ane Lenne may have been a shortened version of Magdalene R. Jensen, as that was the name given when she took possession of Dr. Peter Jensen’s property the day after his death, which occurred April 21, 1897 in Huntsville. In a paper written by Marcia Newey Lono, March 1970, Weber State College, titled “Ogden Valley Folklore,” is found some interesting stories about Dr. Jensen and his house: “Huntsville not only had saloons, but it also had haunted houses which added to the local color. In the early days, there was an old adobe house with a porch that extended over the walk. Dr. Jensen lived there. He was a mysterious character. He was an herb doctor, and kept medicines to sell. One night Marie Madsen was coming home from Mutual. She was accompanied by some other girls. The girls were always nervous when they reached the area where Dr. Jensen lived. That evening as they approached the alley east of the house, a huge ball of light appeared. The girls could not account for its appearance. It didn’t seem to be a fire, and they knew of nothing that would produce a light like that. The next day Dr. Jensen was found dead. From that time on, the little old adobe house was known as the haunted house. Everyone in the community avoided it. “Dr. Jensen’s house continued to live up to its reputation. John Jorgensen was justice of the peace. He went into the hills to pick up a dead man, and brought him back to Huntsville for an inquest. Not having a morgue or any place to leave him, they placed him on a door slab and tied him down. This was necessary because it was quite a few days since he had died, and he was badly out of shape. He was then placed in Dr. Jensen’s old house. Anyone passing the old house could look in the windows and see the gruesome sight of the dead man lying on the board. The inquest was held to declare the man dead, and John Jorgensen made preparations to bury the corpse. He untied the ropes but, unfortunately, he failed to step back in time (as rigor mortis caused the body to sit up), and was knocked down by the dead man. “The story spread, the haunted house’s fame became even more widespread.” The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please, mail, email, or call Shanna 745-2688 or Jeannie 745-2879 if you have material that you would be willing to share. 801-745-4000 2555 WOLF CREEK DR. EDEN STORE HOURS: MON. - SAT. 7 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 7 AM - 9 PM Snelgrove Ice Cream 2 for $4.00 with coupon Limit 2 per coupon Western Family Expires 11/15/02 Apple Juice or Cider Gallon 2 for $3.00 with coupon Limit 2 per coupon Nabisco Expires 11/15/02 Oreos All Varieties 2 for $4.00 Limit 2 per coupon 16-18 oz pkg with coupon Expires 11/15/02 Nestles Candy Bars 5 for $1.00 Limit 5 per coupon with coupon Expires 11/15/02 Historical Photo Mads Christensen (right rear) with Army friends - 1870. Photo courtesy of Stanley F. Wangsgaard, Ogden Valley historian. EDEN COFFEE & COCOA CO. “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” Welcome us in our Ghoulish Grand Re-Opening Now with 5 Gourmet Cocoas & Mochas to choose from! Come In & Try It SAVE 25 c per cup No Limits - One coupon per visit - Expires 11/30/02 NOW Located inside the Valley Market OPEN 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Daily DRIVE THRU COMING SOON!!! |