Neils Christian Heilesen

NEILS CHRISTIAN HEILESEN

by Eva T. Heilesen

…was born in Hjorring Co., Denmark, 19 Feb. 1849.  He had three sisters and one brother.  Neils was 16 years of age when his parents came to America.  His parents were converted to the L.D.S. Church by Mormon missionaries.  They came to Utah as they wanted to live where the Saints were.  They lived in several different places in Southern Utah.  His only brother, Ole Heilesen, was killed by the Indians.

Neils C. Heilesen married Inger Christina Steffensen, 13 Oct. 1873, in the Endowment House.  They made their home in Glenwood, Utah. To this union were born four children, one girl and three boys.  Henry Edward Heilesen, being the third child, was born 17 April 1878.

In the time of the Order in 1875, a cooperative of pioneer men built a small store in the North West part of Glenwood.  Stores being scarce at that time, Glenwood had the largest one and people came from near and far to trade in this store.  Then in the year 1878, this being the year Henry Edward Heilesen was born, the cooperative of men built the large stone building now standing on Main Street in Glenwood.

In 1880 Neils Heilesen went on a mission to Denmark.  When he returned he began working in the Glenwood Coop Store in which he owned a few shares of stock.  Soon after, they decided to sell the store as it was going in the red. Neils decided to buy it.  He liked it very much and did real well as he was a good manager.

Neils Heilesen was married three times and was the father of 16 children, a very wonderful family.  He served on the Glenwood Town Board April to December 1897.

On April 26, 1898 Neils left Glenwood and went into Idaho where he had bought a nice farm as he had a large family and wanted to have something for them to do.  He sold the store and home to his son Henry Edward Heilesen, and he and his family have always lived here in Glenwood.




*I have seen the spelling Neils and Niels... can anyone confirm either way?