Hans F. Petersen

Who was Hans F. Petersen?

Hans Frederik Petersen was the first missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to preach in Norway.

Petersen was born near Aalborg, Denmark. In 1845, Petersen married Helena Matilda Denker and in 1850 he was baptized a member of the LDS Church by George P. Dykes, one of the first LDS Church missionaries to preach in Denmark. In September 1851, Petersen traveled to Norway where he preached; he later returned to Denmark and served as an LDS Church missionary in Sjaelland. His wife accompanyied him during his mission in Sjaelland.

In late 1852, Petersen his wife and their daughter set out for Utah Territory. They traveled by ship and rail to Liverpool where they sailed for New Orleans on the Forest Monatrch. They then went up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and then crossed the plains in John E. Forsgren's company, reaching Salt Lake City on 30 September 1853.

In 1854, Petersen was among the original settlers of Ephraim, Utah. Petersen was the first postmaster in Ephraim. He died at Ephraim at the age of 60.