Josephine Frederikke Olsen

Biography

Josephine Frederikke Olsen was born on February 23, 1854 in Åsengata, Sandåker, Oslo, Norway. She was the fifth of ten children. Her family lived most of her childhood on the third floor of a tenement house and normally had barely enough food. Josephine's father was a stone mason, and from a young age, she and her siblings worked in weaving factories to help support the family.
Josephine's parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was seven years old, and she was baptized a few years later in 1864. She never went to school, instead being taught at home by her father. She sang often and was part of a choir for young people in the Church. Her family left bit by bit for Utah, Josephine being fifteen when her father and older brother left. For three years, she stayed home and helped take care of her ailing mother, weaving on the side to help support the family. She, her mother, and the other four youngest Olsen siblings finally left for Utah on June 18, 1872. They sailed on the steamship Nevada, arriving in New York on July 8, 1872. Then they traveled by rail to Utah, arriving in Salt Lake City on July 17th.
Once in Utah, Josephine's family settled in Santaquin, but Josephine went to work in a boarding house in Salt Lake City. On January 25, 1875, she married Michael Olsen Nash, another Norwegian immigrant. They lived in Salt Lake for a while, where Josephine's first son was born prematurely. He was ill for much of his childhood, but miraculously survived. After a few years, they moved to Santaquin with Josephine's parents, where their second son was born.
When Josephine's sister Julia was married, Josephine and her family moved to live with them in Salem. Josephine and Julia were very close and their children were all great friends, even when Josephine eventually got her own house. She had six more children in Salem, four sons and two daughters, though her youngest daughter died after only a year.
Josephine worked hard to support her family, sending money to her husband when he went on a mission to Norway. She was an adept housekeeper and gardener and often hosted visitors.
Towards the end of her life, Josephine suffered with a tumor in her stomach. After four years of pain and suffering, she passed away on July 25, 1903 in Salem. She was only forty-nine years old. Josephine was buried in Salem.