The Andersen family was one of the first families to homestead in Arbon Valley (first known as Bannock Valley), coming after the George Arbon family. They were also the largest family to settle and homestead there.
Andrew Andersen [also known as Anders Jorgensen] first hailed from Bromme, Soro, Denmark. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and emigrated to Utah in 1858. Most of the individuals in this company coming from Denmark sailed across the ocean on the ship John Bright. About sixty individuals were in the independant wagon company captained by Russell King Homer when it began its journey on July 3, 1858 from the outfitting post at Iowa City, Iowa, arriving in Salt Lake City in October 1858. They made good time, in spite of narrowly averting a Sioux Indian attack, and at one time being hit by lightning that "stunned" thirteen people taking cover in one tent. They also met Jim Bridger as they crossed the plains.
Andrew eventually settled in Mendon, Cache Valley, Utah, where he met his wife Sophia Larsen, married in 1871, and raised a large family of ten children. They also raised one grandchild.
Andrew and his two oldest sons first viewed the Bannock Valley (Arbon) in 1892, returning in 1893 to take up land. Some of Andrew's great great grandchildren still farm in the valley today. Andersen Lane, named in honor this homesteading family, goes by the original homestead farm; it is about twelve miles south of the school.
Sources:
Call, Laurie Jean, Bannock Valley (Providence, Utah: Keith Watkins and Sons, 1982).
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KWZT-S9R
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17103478
The links provided here will lead to other family members.
Andrew & Sophia Andersen
- Andrew "Otto" Andersen
- John C. & DeSena Andersen
- A. Mark Andersen
- Earl Dean Andersen
- Willard & Mamie Andersen
- Lynn & JoAnn Andersen
- David Revell Andersen
- Lars Magnus Andersen
- Ezra Taft Andersen
- Harvey George Andersen
- Mary Caroline Andersen
- George Lionel Andersen
- Annie Andersen Pett
- Henry Waldemar Andersen