Born January 31, 1850 – Died February 15, 1926
Niels Mikkelsen is a man that’ll I’ll never know and never be able to completely understand. Nevertheless, I have always been fascinated by the man. A man born in Denmark who left his friends and family and sought a better life in the United States.
I wonder what was the primary motivating factor. Religion? Poverty? Homestead laws?
His son Nekolie Christian Mikkelsen was born August 11, 1890 in Fountain Green, Utah. Nekolie, my grandfather, died September 29, 1959. I was just 3 years old.
He also fascinated me. I’d love to go back in time and have a conversation to see what make them tick.
What do we know?
Looking at a copy of his passport we find out a few interesting facts.
- He was born on or about January 31, 1850 in Thorup, Denmark.
- He immigrated to the U.S. when he was 31. July 5, 1881.
- He lived in the U.S. for 22 years, uniterrupted from 1881 to 1903 in Fountain Green, Utah when he got his passport.
- He became a U.S. citizen on September 26, 1893.
- He was 53 when he got the passport. Why did he visit Denmark at 53? Another mission? 2nd mission?
- He had blue eyes, small nose, small mouth, usual chin, dark hair, fair complexion, high forhead and 6′ 6″ (I suspect this might not be accurate)
- He spells his name Niels and Mikkelsen with an E
