Comments on: Josephine Marie Augustine de la Harpe Ludert Ursenbach: From the Tsar’s Court to the Kingdom of God

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:59:31 +0000

This is an exciting addition to the story for me, Michael — I’ve wondered who the “maid” was without really knowing how to figure it out.

By: Michael Shaw

Michael Shaw — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:51:13 +0000

The “maid” referred to in this article may be my 4th great grandmother, Anna Furrer Cardon. There is mention in the mission diary of John Lyman Smith (Joseph’s cousin) of these events while he was in Geneva.

The March 11, 1856 entry says, “Sisters Anna Furrer and Ludert took dilligence for Lyons enroute for Valley via Liverpool in good health & spirits & may the Lord grant them Strength of body & mind to endure the journey.”

I would love to know more about this and their journey. Anyone have additional insight for me?

By: JOSEPHINE PERELLI

JOSEPHINE PERELLI — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:46:39 +0000

I read the story of Josephine and her family and her faith, it was a great story, I loved it.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:59:39 +0000

Velikiye, what a kind thing to have done, especially to have remembered William LeFeuvre, too! You could easily be the first one in more than a hundred years who has gone there to remember Josephine, and almost certainly the only one ever to have given a second thought to William, since he would have been known to virtually no one in Utah. I know that Josephine and Octave and William are not there in their graves, but still …

By: Velikiye Kniaz

Velikiye Kniaz — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:31:19 +0000

Hello Ardis,
I went to the Salt Lake City Cemetery yesterday to ‘look up’ Sister Ursenbach. After some assistance by two very helpful and friendly women I was able to locate her mortal resting place. Her grave, as well as that of her Swiss friend, Brother William LeFeuvre, are unmarked. The only point of reference we have to her resting place is the simple and very modest memorial of her husband, Octave Ursenbach. His is the southernmost grave. If they were buried facing east as is the tradition, then Josephine is on his left, directly north. To Josephine’s left is William LeFeurve. The good women in the Sexton’s Office made it clear to me that this arrangement (William’s and Josephine’s) may not be correct. The records from that era were not very precise. But the record did show that Octave died February 25, 1871, William died the following year on December 3, 1872, and Josephine died February 23, 1878. Sister Ursenbach thus passed away 2 days shy of exactly seven years from the passing of her husband. I also learned that the diameter of these graves at the time was 39 inches. So if they rest in the order shown on the cemetery records, Josephine’s grave would have to have been carefully excavated with a coffin immediately to the left and to the right of it. Without knowing to what degree she was involved in her own final preparations, or who ultimately accepted the responsibility after her passing, it is possible that William may rest between her and her husband. Octave’s simple stone is a flat one that is flush with the earth.
Subsequent burials north of William have them hemmed in, so to speak. It would be nice if someday a memorial could be erected to her memory that would synoptically tell her story and perhaps another simple memorial to William LeFeuvre so that he and his resting place are not forgotten. He also gave up all he had in Switzerland to gather with the Saints.

By: Researcher

Researcher — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:55:39 +0000

What an amazing woman. And how beautifully you tell the stories of the Saints and pioneers, Ardis. Thank you.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:42:30 +0000

Yes, I was introduced to Josephine by Wilfried, who included her interview by Mme. Audouard in his anthology. Her testimony during that interview was what sent me off to dig up so many records on Josephine’s life from other sources, to find her son’s life in Utah and his professional New York career, and to trace her genealogy — back 12 generations on her paternal line, so far! Very little of that could be included in a blog-length post; a full journal article could easily be written.

The email you quote, Wilfried, must have been a very early one, based on one of the garbled newspaper accounts. More responsible research shows that she was married only twice (to Ludert and to Ursenbach — well, unless you count Richards, which I don’t think was ever anything more than a ritual sealing) and that she had no children by Ursenbach. Josephine’s private papers, including Victor Hugo’s reply, have not surfaced; several of the literary women of Utah mention in their papers, though, that Josephine had shown them the letter. The sources on Joseph Delaharpe’s birthdate are inconsistent; I lean toward 1849 rather than 1850 based on his reported age at the time of emigration, the record nearest the event.

Thanks to all who have read this, especially to those who have commented. Her story definitely broadens my image of who “the pioneers” really were.

By: JimQ

JimQ — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:40:04 +0000

Another amazing story. I’m sure that you spend many hours researching and writing each of these accounts. Just know that there are many of us that are touched by these stories but never comment. Thank you, Ardis.
In this particular case it seems from the comments that two of the all time bloggernacle greats collaborated to bring us the story of this incredible woman. I tracked down some documentation for one of Wilfried’s many inspiring Times & Seasons stories a few years ago. I’m glad to see he is “passing it forward”.

Keepa, keep them coming.

By: Maurine

Maurine — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:49:07 +0000

Ardis, as with other stories you portray on Keepa, I am totally impressed with your ability to dig out the background of people, then present it in a gripping manner. I loved this account.

By: Wilfried

Wilfried — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:12:32 +0000

Great to have this story finally out, Ardis!

Glad I put you on her trace in my anthology on French authors about Mormonism. In the interwiew which Mme Audouard (in her book A travers l’Amerique) conducted with Josephine in SLC, she mentions: “Her family had her pursued; the minister of France was instructed to have her arrested and sent back to Russia”. Did you find anything about that?

Is there a copy available of the note Victor Hugo wrote back?

In the mails we exchanged on the topic in 2007 you mentioned: “She did bring a small son with her when she came to Utah, and had another son with her third husband Octave Ursenbach.” You did not mention this here. Not confirmed by further research?

One small detail: you mention that her one son was born in Switzerland in 1849. The obituary in the Ogden Standard of 15 February 1901 mentions that he was born June 1, 1850.

Thanks again for a great contribution. There is certainly more to discover about her. What a historical novel or movie this life story would make!