Wilhelm Knudson

Wilhelm Knudsen was born ::January 26, 1834, in ::Copenhagen, Denmark. At age 17, Wilhelm joined the Mormon church and shortly after left for America aboard the ship Italy. Wilhelm arrived in Salt Lake City in October 1852 and stayed there for a few years.
He married Laura Amelia Christensen on March 20, 1854. The couple settled in Box Elder. Wilhelm’s assets included a frock coat, pants, a stove-pipe hat and a $20 gold piece, which he used to buy a spade and shovel.
Wilhelm, who changed his name to William, used the shovel to make adobes for a living. (Log cabins were usually lined with adobes.) He also became a successful farmer, fruit grower and exporter. Because completion of the first transcontinental railroad would be at Promontory, not far from Box Elder, William loaded a one-horse cart with fresh produce and drinking water to sell to the workers.
Since William enjoyed music and dancing, he built a dance hall for the community. The music was provided by William on the fiddle and Laritz Johanessen on the accordion.
On December 3, 1889, William’s wife Laura died. He married Hansine Christine Johansen on April 22, 1891.
William died of “stomach trouble” on ::April 20, 1900. He is buried in the Brigham City Cemetery.

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