Nils Simelius
Page by Bob Leathers
A Family Connection to Old Carbon
Pekka wrote in his email:
August 22, 2011
email from Pekka Simojoki in Finland to Bob Leathers Hanna Basin Museum Website.
Hi friends,
I'm happy to find this website, because I found the father of my great grandfather in your list. His name was Nils Simelius (grave no. 123). Now I have a question: I'm coming with my son to Wyoming next year and our mission is to find the grave, where nobody in the family has ever visited. Can you send me the facts of the grave, first of all, where we can find it? Have you a photo of the grave?
Pekka Simojoki (former Simelius)
My grandfather writes in his diary, that “as far as I know, that village of ours is today abandoned...” He also writes, how he remembers the funeral of his father. He tells that on the grave was put “two stones on both ends of the grave and the text was written on the headstone.” His mother decided to bring the family back to Finland after she got married again in Rock Springs one year later. My grandfather was born in 1882 and he was 7 years old when they returned to Finland from the USA.
The visitors are all descendants of Nils Simelius. The name change from Simelius to Simojoki occurred after Nils' death in Carbon when Nils' wife Agnetta remarried in Rock Springs prior to returning to Finland.
Prior to his death, Nils purchased a farm in Finland and was planning to move back to Finland. Nils died before he was able to make the move. Penti and his family brought with them a rock and plaque from the farm and left them at the grave site. Nils was a blacksmith by trade but was working at the coal mine at the time of his death.
Prior to his death, Nils purchased a farm in Finland and was planning to move back to Finland. Nils died before he was able to make the move. Penti and his family brought with them a rock and plaque from the farm and left them at the grave site. Nils was a blacksmith by trade but was working at the coal mine at the time of his death.
2012 September 6: Pekka and Janne Simojoki
Page by Bob Leathers
Pekka Simojoki and his son Janne came from Finland to Carbon and Hanna Wyoming to pay their respects to their forefather, Nils Simelius.
Pictured with Pekka and Janne are Bob Leathers, Cel Landen, Victor Anderson and Nancy Anderson from the Hanna Basin Museum. In attendance, but not pictured was the photographer, Jim Landen.
Pictured with Pekka and Janne are Bob Leathers, Cel Landen, Victor Anderson and Nancy Anderson from the Hanna Basin Museum. In attendance, but not pictured was the photographer, Jim Landen.
It was a beautiful day for a visit to the Carbon City cemetery. The day was spent at the cemetery, town site and museum. (Image by Bob Leathers)
Visiting Old Carbon Cemetery
Images by Bob Leathers
Images by Bob Leathers
Visiting Old Carbon
Click on the image for a larger view and comments.
Click on the image for a larger view and comments.
Visiting the Hanna Basin Museum
Click on the image for a larger view and comments.
Click on the image for a larger view and comments.
2012 August 5: Pentti, Samuli, Elias and Kaius Simojoki
Images and Notes from Bob Leathers
Pentti Simojoki, seventy-three years old, the grandson of Nils Simelius along with his son Samuli Simojoki and his two sons - Elias, age eight, and Kaius, age six, came from Finland to Carbon City, Wyoming to visit the grave of Nils Simelius and pay their respects. The family brought with them a plaque attached to a rock from the family farm in Finland to leave at the grave site.
August 3, 2012
email from Samuli Simojoki to Bob Leathers Hanna Basin Museum website volunteer.
I got a copy of your email from my cousin Pekka Simojoki who will be visiting Hanna and Carbon in a couple weeks.
I am coming to Hanna and Carbon this Sunday the 5th of August with my father Pentti Simojoki (73 years) and my two sons Elias and Kaius Simojoki (eight and six years). Pentti's grandfather Nils Simelius is buried at the Carbon cemetery. We are coming to Wyoming to visit the grave and pay our respects to Pentti's grandfather. My father has never visited his grandfather's grave. Actually, none of his brothers has visited the grave. We were encouraged to take the trip after having received, through Pekka, the photo of the grave that you sent to Pekka. Before receiving the photo, we were not even aware of the whereabouts of the grave or whether the grave still existed at all. It is great that there are people who maintain the history of the region.
Regards,
Samuli Simojoki
It was late afternoon when we arrived at the Carbon City cemetery. We were able to visit the cemetery and make a quick stop at the Carbon City town site. It was Sunday and the museum was closed.
Images by Bob Leathers
Simelius, Nils
Cemetery: Carbon
Headstone: “Kotoisin, Franttilasta, Elettyansa; 33 W 11K 22P, Ruoli 8P, Kokakuuta 89"
Born: Oct. 1, 1856
Died: 1889
Age: 33 y's
Note: Nils Niilonpoika Simelius was born October 1 1855 in Finland to Liisa and Nils Simelius. Nils was a blacksmith by occupation. He died in 1889 in Carbon, Carbon, Wyoming at age 33 and was buried in the Carbon cemetery. (Ancestry) (BL)
Cemetery: Carbon
Headstone: “Kotoisin, Franttilasta, Elettyansa; 33 W 11K 22P, Ruoli 8P, Kokakuuta 89"
Born: Oct. 1, 1856
Died: 1889
Age: 33 y's
Note: Nils Niilonpoika Simelius was born October 1 1855 in Finland to Liisa and Nils Simelius. Nils was a blacksmith by occupation. He died in 1889 in Carbon, Carbon, Wyoming at age 33 and was buried in the Carbon cemetery. (Ancestry) (BL)
(Image by Gary Beaver)
2018
Simelius, Nils. Carbon. 2021. (Image by Bob Leathers)
2021
(Image by Bob Leathers))