THE SONS
Peter Nielsen Garff, born in 1843 at Saerslev in Holbaek Amt on the island of Sjelland, Denmark, was fourteen years old when his parents emmigrated with a company of LDS converts and returning missionaries and authorities. He had grown up in homes where servants and laborers were ever present, but we see no evidence that he was not familiar with labor or responsibility. His father is listed as a gaardmand in the census of 1850. Perhaps he had been groomed to follow in his father’s work. He would later be known as a masterful horticulturist, as we read in Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah.
Peter certainly rose to expectations during the plains crossing, as has been noted already. When finally he was settled in Utah, he planted the first orchards in Riverton. After his marriage to Antomina Sorensen in 1869 at the LDS Endowment House the family settled on Draper, across the valley at the base of the Wasatch front. Early on I heard of the Garff brothers taking their produce from Draper to Salt Lake City by wagon. Once a week this would have been an arduous task, could it possibly be completed daily? Whenever I travel between the two places I marvel at it anew. This is also related in People of Draper, Vol. I. Peter ran one of two water mills in Draper.
Peter was a thoughtful and spiritual young man, as well as the high qualities noted in his work ethics and business integrity. He went on to become a devout and reverent mature man, serving his church in many roles. He left his family to care for the farm twice to fulfill missions in Minnesota and Norway and at home he provided means for newer immigrants to come to the Utah settlements. Serving his community he was instrumental in establishing the first free public school in Draper.
Peter and Antomina were parents to twelve children. Peter was remembered as stern yet loving, leading an honest, orderly home. Is it any wonder he would be asked to assume leadership in congregation and community? Twelve children would provide a great posterity in numbers alone, yet Peter and Antomina’s legacy is known as much for quality as quantity. We will recount in later articles their descendants who have “lifted up” their community, church and country.
Peter Nielsen Garff passed away on June 5, 1921. His wife followed him twenty years later in 1941.
I have recently read some excerpts from personal accounts of members of the Mathias Cowley immigrant company. These can be found through LDS Databases. I see that the captain of the Westmoreland spelled his name Decon. As it was his name that was given our family's Decon I will adjust my records to use this spelling. The 1880 census for Springville, Utah spells it Dicin, so I know I am not the only person thinking he got it down! Correction improves product. I am glad to learn where I need to amend.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your blog. Peter was my Great-Great Grandfather on my Mothers side. I also enjoy exploring the stories of my ancestors. I have in my possession a biography of Peter and his family as well as one of his wife Antomina. A quick story here, Peter actually had a song written about him by the Evan Stephens, who wrote many hymns for the LDS church.
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