Eggert Ólafsson (Eggert Olafsson) was born 1 November 1855 at Olafshus, Vestmannaeyjar. He is the son of Olafur Gislason, born 13 November 1803, died 4 June 1855; and Margret Olafsdottir, born in 1828 at Litlabaer, Vestmannaeyjar. Eggert was married to Steinunn Isaksdottir, born 22 October 1856, died 31 January 1920. They had one child, Gudjon 1881-1936. He was then married to Gudrun Arnadottir, born 26 August 1854, died 24 August 1882. Eggert and Gudrun had one child, Gisli, born 4 August 1882.
Eggert joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized by Halldor B. Jonsson 20 June 1887. Eggert and his son Gisli left Iceland for Utah 30 June 1887 with a small company of Icelandic emigrants (22 or 25), mostly baptized members of the Church. They sailed from Vestmannaeyjar to Leith, Scotland on the steamship Thyra, and then traveled by rail to Liverpool, England. They traveled from Liverpool to New York on the steamship Wyoming. From New York they traveled by steamer to Norfolk, Virginia, then by rail to Salt Lake City, Utah, arriving on 25 July 1887. Nearly all the emigrants went directly to Spanish Fork, Utah, where they became permanent residents.
Eggert married Margret Markusdottir, born 21 November 1879 in Vestmannaeyjar. Her parents are Markus Vigfusson, born 25 December 1851 in Kobenhavn, Denmark, died 6 December 1921 in Spanish Fork; and Gudridur Ulfsdottir. Gudridur was born 26 April 1858 in Vestmannaeyjar, died 8 December 1933 in Spanish Fork, Utah. Margret had emigrated to Spanish Fork with her parents in 1886. Eggert owned a few acres of land; however, he was generally engaged in railroad work.
Eggert died 2 December 1918 and is buried in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery. He was known as Eggert Gudmundur Olafsson and Edward Olson, and is number 289 in Icelanders of Utah.
2 comments:
Thank you for selecting Eggert Ólafsson as the Emigrant of the Month. Your biography was very interesting. Just to add to it however,
Ed and Margret lived in Spanish Fork and had 8 children together, 7 of whom grew to adulthood. They are: Pauline Margret, Edna, David Reed (died before his 1st birthday), Anna, Ginnie J, William Andrew, Oliver Edward, and Sophia Elizabeth (Beth).
He died of carcinoma of the stomach. He was a member of the Lutheran church at the time of his
death. He is buried in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery with his wife and 2 of his children.
Good day to you.
I might have some more information about some of the name you did listed in your report. I do have some files regarding the people that left the Island around that time, and some of them where related to my self. My Email is friggi@hive.is
I would like to hear from you about that mater.
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