MOSES MARTIN SANDERS and AMANDA ARMSTRONG FAUSETT SANDERS Pioneers of the Month - December 2009

Moses Martin Sanders was born on the 17th of August 1803, the son of David Sanders and Mary Allred in Georgia.  He had two brothers and two sisters; William Hamilton,  David James, Sarah and Nancy sanders.  Two of the children were born in Tennessee, where his parents moved sometime after they married in about 1802.  Moses Martin married Amanda Armstrong Faucett on the 12th of January 1826.  They were the parents of twelve children: 

     William Carl ------------4 Dec 1826 ------------Died 18 Aug 1827

     Richard Twiggs--------31 May 1828

     John Franklin----------- 5 Mar 1830

     Rebecca Ann ---------- 5 Mar 1832

     Martha Brown-------- 25 May 1834

     David Walker--------     1 Sep 1835

     Joseph Moroni -------  25 Dec 1836

     Sidney Rigdon--------- 10 Mar 1839

     Emma------------------  23 Jan 1841

     Eliza Jane--------------     4 Jun 1843 -------------Died in 1847

     Hyrum Smith----------    10 Jun 1845-------------Died in 1845

     Moses Martin Jr.------   21 Feb 1853

Moses Martin and Amanda were members of the L.D.S. Church in its early infancy and suffered inhuman treatment at the hands of mobs in Missouri along with the rest of the early Latter Day Saints.  During the Nauvoo Period, the Sanders family lived neighbors to the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family.  Moses received his patriarchal blessing in Nauvoo, given to him by Isaac Morley.

When the Prophet Joseph Smith called for members of the Church t5o bring in their deeds to their property in Missouri, Moses Martin was among the first to come.  The  Propghet said to him, "Brother Sanders, you have done this day that which will entitle you and your posterity to an everlasting inheritance in Jackson Co. Missouri."

Moses Martin received his endowments in the Nauvoo Temple on January 1, 1846.  while in Nauvoo, Moses Martin married a second wife before they were driven from there.  Her name was Mary Jane Sanderson.

In 1859, Moses Martin and some of his married children were called to Sanpete County.  They helped to build the fort in Mt. Pleasant, and then moved north to Fairview.  While the men were busy building a fort and church in Fairview, the women resided in Mt. Pleasant.

In 1865, Moses Martin and his married sons were called to the Dixie Cotton Mission in Southern Utah.  Here again they shared the trials, hardships and toil that went into the conquering of a new frontier, as well as a new industry ----cotton.  They also worked on the building of the temple in St. George.  Moses Martin had quite a lot of land and cattle there.  Moses Martin Sanders died at St. George on November 8, 1878. 

the above is taken from the "Sanders Saga"  family newsletter

Lieutenant General, Joseph Smith on his horse "Joe Duncan"

given to him by Moses Martin Sanders.

While living in Nauvoo, Moses Martin sanders and his wife Amanda Armstrong Faucett Sanders lived as neighbors to the Prophet, Joseph Smit, and they cherished their association with the Smith Family.  Moses owned a very beautiful, but unruly horse.  as Moses was often away from home, performing church duties, it fell to the lot of Amanda to lead this horse to water and she was really afraid of him.  He was very high spirited.

One day the Prophet Joseph said to his neighbor, Moses, "Brother Sanders, give the horse to me and I'll promise that you will never lose by it."  Moses Martin replied, "I would, but I am afraid that he may hurt you."  Then the Prophet said, "No, he would never hurt me."  So Moses tossed him the rope and said, "He is yours."  The horse was called "JOE DUNCAN", a very beautiful, intelligent animal.

The picture above shows the Prophet Joseph Smith dressed in his Lieutenant General uniform.  The Prophet rode this horse in maneuvers of the Nauvoo Legion and many other occasions.

AMANDA ARMSTRONG FAUSETT SANDERS

Amanda Armstrong Faucett was born May 6th 1810, the fifth child of Richard Faucett and Mary McKee.  Before she was sixteen years old, she married Moses Martin Sanders who was then twenty three.

She and Moses lived neighbors to  the Prophet Joseph Smith and family in Nauvoo.

Her life was one move after another and always to new frontiers where it was very difficult and often dangerous.  she was a helpmate and companion to her husband.  She gave birth to 12 children.

She was given a patriarchal blessing by the Patriarch, John Smith.  Her blessing told her that she not only shared in the priesthood of her husband but in the absence of Elders, she should have power to heal her children by the laying on of hands.

Amanda  helped pioneer Mt. Pleasant and also Fairview in 1859, then in 1865 they were called to the Dixie Mission near St. George.  There they built a sawmill and furnished lumber for the St. George Temple.  While living in St. George, she lost her husband and moved back to Fairview.

In 1881, she and some of her sons answered the call to help colonize Arizona.  They moved to Tonto Basin.  this move was about the twelfth move for Amanda.  She passed away on April 24, 1885.

Jacob Hafen - Pioneer of the Month - November 2009

Jacob Hafen was born February 16, 1836 in Canter Thurgau, Northeast Switzerland.  Because of old and absolute laws the people in this fertile and productive country suffered much.  The poor people were so limited in their opportunity to make a living, and their schooling was limeted accordingly.  However their working hours were not limited as they are today.  Jacob learned the trade of shoemaking but he had no money to pay for his learning.  After his apprenticeship, he was required to work at the shoemaking bench a year or more without compensation.  From 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., summer and winter Jacob sat at his bench tapping and trimming.  Thrilled with the thought he could soon be master of a trade and then could assist his good parents in the maintaining their humble home.

 Thurgau, his birthplace was known for its fine fruits, therefore the place was nicknamed Ciderindia.  The plentiful production and use of cider gave rise to this name.  The custom was to serve the workmen in the fields a piece of bread and a cup of cider.  The work would then continue til dusk.  Then the evening bell "Angelus" would call the tired workers home to evening chores and supper.   At mid-day the town clock located in the belfry of the village church would announce with twelve strokes the hour of dinner.  Recreations were few indeed for these humble farm folk.  A dance usually started in the afternoon and a recess was called for chores and supper; then back to the dance until midnight, this procedure was really a rare occasion.



Their main recreation was singing.  There were many small singing organizations who would hold joint festivals much like the Welch Eistefodds.  God had given Jacob a wonderful singing voice.  When he sang we heard not only his voice but his heart sang as well.  Jacob was a jocular, good natured fellow.  He made friends easily and held them all through life.  Thus the Mormon Missionaries found our twenty-four year old Jacob in Thurgau.  He and his two sisters accepted the gospel.  The rest of the family couldn't understand the "Spirit of Gathering" that was calling these three away from their family and friends.



Western America was an almost unknown country to these humble swiss farm folk.  In 1861 they embarked on a sailing boat with other immigrants and Mormon converts.  They were tossed to and fro on the ocean for many weeks.  For Jacob, this long journey was an eventful one.  On the boat was a very attractive young woman named Annie Catherine Naef.  She, too had a wonderful singing voice.  So through the gift of song they soon became sweethearts.  The weeks on the ocean were almost too short for these two young adventurers, whose hearts were bursting with songs of love.



How happy they were to put their feet on this, our American soil.  But America was just in the beginning of the Civil War;; hence, new dangers threatened these lovers.  But Jacob had been schooled in hardships and he had fiath that God who led them safely across the ocean would lead them across the mountains and plains to their destination in the valley of the Great Salt Lake.  They arrived in Salt Lake City in the Captain Jones Company in the year 1861.  From there they went to Payson where they were married and lived for three years.  Their next move was to Fort Hambleton which was then a new settlement in Sanpete.  They there took up a homestead and started anew.  Their stay at Hambleton was short. They were called to Richfield.  All went well for two years, then the Black Hawk War forced them to return to Hambleton, now called Mt. Pleasant.  It was here where Jacob and Annie Catherine established the Hafen home.



The boots and shoes Jacob made were of the best workmanship.  Many of the old  people of our community today (early 1900s) remember the happiness that came to them as children when they received a pair of brass tipped shoes made by Hafen, the shoemaker.



He never became wealthy in earthly goods, but every day brought a wealth of joy to the humble shoemaker.  His sense of humor, his charitable nature, his honesty, his faith in God and his righteous living was an inspiration to all who knew him.  Many nights when this tired tradesman would take an inventory of his days work the charity work he did far out balanced the paid jobs.



Because of the Indian trouble there was a militia battalion organized under the leadership of Major James Jorgensen who had served in the Danish Army. Jacob Hafen took part in this and at one time when Jacob was on duty when the drums were calling the men to be ready to fight, he was obliged to lock his wife, Annie Catherine and the baby, Hermina, in their dugout home, lest the prowling redskins would molest them.  She would hide in the corner where she could watch every shadow that came within the range of the one small window that lighted that cellar room.  Suddenly, the window was darkened and as she stared, she saw the face of an Indian pressed close to the window pane.  She didn't know how long he stayed there.  Minutes seemed like hours and an hour seemed an eternity before Jacob returned and found his wife on her knees praying, asking God to keep baby Hermina from awakening and crying.



John Hasler organized a brass band and Jacob played the bass horn.  The village wanted permancy of this organization so ten acres was given to each member.  Jacob received his ten acres along with others and it was known ever after as the Brass Band Field.



There is, however, another episode in Jacob Hafen's life that must be recorded.  With the consent of Annie Catherine, he married and brought across the threshold another wife, Lizetta Ott.  Six children were born to this union.  Three girls and three boys.  She had recently arrived from her native land, in company with her widowed mother, Elizabeth Winkler Ott.  This marriage like the previous one was happy, though troubled by the persecutions of the so called Edmunds Tucker Act.  Consequently, this good man whose family life was exemplary, who was innocent of breaking any criminal law.  Because at this time there was no law in Utah against plural marriage. 



Jacob returned to his native land on a mission in 1883-1885.  On the eve of his departure he sold their best cow to help pay his fare, and he left the wives and children in the hands of God and the community.  These wives and children were equal to the occasion.  The mothers had been schooled in the art of homemaking.  One wife was a fine baker of bread and cakes and the other was a good organizer as well as a good seamstress.  They were educated in the fine arts of lacemaking and embroidery.  They gathered the fruit from the straw stacks and braided it in five and seven strands and sewed the strands to make hats for the next summer trade.  Then all went gleaning over the wheat fields that they might have flour for bread.



The home of the Hafens hummed with activity.  Everything in and out of the house was cleaned and scoured.  The white pine floors and benches were scrubbed with sand and water.  The hand-made lace fillet curtains were taken down from the windows and laundered.  Every cup, plate, pot, and pan was scoured with ashes to give them an extra polish.  Why? Because Father Jacob was coming home! How happy this family of two wives and many children were.  Each doing the different tasks assigned them by their mothers.  There was work for the tiniest hands.  Tiny hands could scour the knives, forks and spoons with ashes.  Tiny hands could polish the shoes of the entire family by applying soot mixed with mutton tallow and brushed with a home made brush.  The brass kettle was made to look like gold scoured with salt and vinegar.  When the house was in order the wives decided to make an arch over the white picket gate for the joyous occasion.  The children were sent out to gather wild flowers to bind it with.  Each child was to bring an armful of flowers and their mothers deft fingers soon arranged them around the green willow arch that was later placed over the gate. "Put my sego lillies on top so Father will be sure to see them." said one little girl.  "No put my blue bells where he will see them." said another.  "He will like them best." said a third child.  Then the wise mothers said, "No, there are no favorite flowers with father and no favorite children or wives."  So the sego lillies, bluebells, indian paint brush, violets and daisies were all twined around the arch that Jacob walked under that never to be forgotten afternoon.  Over the door he entered he read "Welcome Home Father" printed with charcoal on a piece of white muslin tacked above the door.



Jacob had been in hiding for several months which was a hardship on the wives and children as well as himself.  Picture, if you can, two deputies riding up to the house, one went to the front door and one to the back door.  Forcing the door open and demanding to know where their father was.  These children who had been taught to always tell the truth knew that if they told the deputy the truth, their father would be caught so the only answer they could wring from them children was "He isn't here."  Jacob tired in a few months of evading the law and gave himself up.  He was tried with a group of "cohabs" as the prison officers called them and served three months in the Utah Penitentiary.  This was in 1889.  On June 21, Jacob returned to his family in Mt. Pleasant.,



Jacob was a member of John Hasler's Swiss Choir.  They practiced one night each week at different homes.  The object of the choir was to sing at the Swiss meetings, held in the Hague home on South State Street, and they all loved to sing.  This was a great advantage to the children of the Swiss families.  The children would stand around and drink in every note during the practice, and many times had memorized the songs before the older folks did.  Jacob could sing either bass or tenor.  Refreshments of crackers and cakes with cider or beer were served at these practices.



Jacob and his two wives would go serenading at night whenever the spirit of singing would move them.  Especially at Christmas time.  They would share their gift of song with all their neighbors and friends.  No medicine was ever used in the Hafen home except herbs and Hyrum Winters Pills.



Not only the family, but the entire community was happy when Jacob returned.  Many little feet needed shoes Jacob could make.  The Swiss Choir needed the encouragement he could give them.  Young and old needed the jovial salute he would give wherever you would meet him.  His sense of humor made him popular with all people.



One day a man who had "strayed from the straight and narrow" path many times knocked at the Hafen door.  "Brother Hafen", he said, "I know I am not a good man, but I am the father of a baby girl." "Would you come down and give her a name and a blessing?" "I know if any man's prayers reach heaven, yours will."  Needless to say, Jacob complied with the request.



The Hafen children were baptized on their eighth birthday regardless of the time of the year.  Many times the ice on Pleasant Creek had to be broken so baptism could be performed.  The Hafens were an ideal plural family.  In the morning and at the close of day the whole family would kneel in a circle for prayer.  Each child taking his or her turn to thank God for their many blessings.  Jacob was a man of great faith.  He was called out many times at night to administer to the sick. 



Jacob and Annie Catherine Hafen celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on September 21, 1911.



Jacob Hafen was called to the Great Beyond on March 22, 1919.  His wife, Annie Catherine following on the 4th of May 1923.  His wife, Lizetta on the 9th of March 1932.  They left behind a numerous posterity of faithful Latter Day Saints and the God-given gift of singing voices has been handed down to the succeeding generations.  Through the death of Jacob Hafen Jr. in France October 6, 1918, the honor of  Gold Star Mother was bestowed upon Lizetta.

Paul Paulsen Dehlin and Elna Waldemar Dehlin - Pioneers of the Month - October 2009

PAUL PAULSEN DEHLIN
Biographical Sketch by Blenda Dehlin Hampshire

Paul Paulsen Dehlin, born May 4, 1830, in Skana, Sweden, baptized
by Niels Adler, 1855, was married the same year to Elna Waldemar.
When a young man, he learned the cabinetmaker's and mason's trade and
was a journeyman in both. He was a contractor and builder in Malmo,
Sweden, for some time and while at this work heard the Gospel of
Mormonism preached and joined the Church. He was the first one in his
family who did, and was the means of converting three of his own sisters,
his wife and her father and mother, two brothers and one sister. Was a
missionary in Sweden and was arested and jailed once for preaching the
Gospel.

He left Sweden in the spring of 1859 for America. It was a tedious and
long sea voyage in the early days on the slow sailing vessels. Seven weeks
is a long time on the ocean and when that was over, there was the long
journey by land which Paul Dehlin and those depending on him had to think
about. He was intending to come by way of handcart but when he saw how
 hard it was going to be for them all he gave up the idea of going that way
being a little short of cash to provide for them all, but in cases with him
he mastered the situation. He gathered up his own and his wife's jewelry
and sold it to buy a wagon and ox team, which was slow enough traveling,
but way ahead of the handcart and so much more convenient and easier for the
women andchildren as well as his wife's mother and father who were getting
along in years.

He came with Robert F. Neslen's Company and walked all the way
and drove the ox team. A good part of the way carried his little daughter less
than two years old. Managed the trip for his wife and child, her parents, two
brothers, one sister and her little girl and his own sister who were all
depending on him, arriving in Salt Lake City, September 15, 1859. They
went to Mt. Pleasant which was the first year's settlement of that town;
lived there a short time, then moved to Salt Lake City; lived there a short
time, then moved to Tooele but did not stay there very long either. He again
went back to Mt. Pleasant where he settled for good. He was looking for a
suitable place to start a furniture business, and there is where he made and
sold all kinds of fumiture and sold all over the country as his was the
largest furniture business outside of Salt Lake City.
On October 17,1869, his wife died leaving five children, the oldest
12 years old, and a baby boy l8 months old. Elna Dehlin was a very devoted
wife and mother; lived only for her little family; it seemed hard for her to
master the American language, yet when the Relief Society was first
organized in Mt. Pleasant she was chosen second counselor to Mrs. M.F.C.
Morrison, President, and she held that position when she died.
The year following his wife's death, he married a young woman, Julia
Hansen, but she did not make a very happy home for his daughters. His
sister took the little baby boy when the mother died and she raised him to
manhood.

In the spring of 1871 he was called to fill a second mission to
Scandanavia and sailed in company with Anthon Lund and Canute
Peterson, arriving in Copenhagen, May 6, L871. He was appointed to
preside over the Skane Conference, Sweden. He filled a very successful 2
year mission, said he never felt better in his life, but there was a time during
those two years that was very serious. He contracted small pox in the very
worst form; said he was a solid mass from head to foot, and when the mass
peeled off, all the hair on his head came off with it, leaving him entirely
bald. When first taken sick President Peterson forbade the Saints to come
and see him. He set two people apart, blessed them and promised them that
they would not catch the disease, and the promise was made good; but one
young missionary was determined to see him, said he was not afraid of any
disease, but he contracted the disease and died, but the two whom President
Peterson blessed and set apart, the disease had no effect on them, although
they were with him night and day and cared for him until he was well again.
He sailed for Copenhagen, June 27,1873 on the ship 'Pacific". He arrived
in Hull, England on June 30th, sailed to Liverpool on the "Wisconsin" on
July 2nd. He arrived in New York on July 15th and then in Mt. Pleasant on
July 24, t873.

He lived less than two years and was stricken with a severe case of
typhoid fever of which he died June 6, 1875. He left the young wife with
two small children, besides the five children by his first wife, four daughters
and one son. While on his mission he arranged to have his oldest daughter
attend the University in Salt Lake City to study to be a teacher, and on his
deathbed he exacted a promise from her to keep the four sisters together so
they would not be separated. This she did and for six years these sisters
lived together. Hilda, the oldest taught school, Blenda the second oldest
kept house, Augusta and Eda attended school and in time they also became
teachers. Blenda was offered a position as a clerk in the Mt. Pleasant Co-op.
She was the first lady clerk who ever clerked in a store in Mt. Pleasant.
While on his last mission, besides keeping Hilda in school, he placed
Blenda with his sister who already had the little boy. Augusta and Eda with
another sister, for them to take care of his motherless children during his
absence, while his wife lived in a home of her own.

It was a wonder to a great many of the people of Mt. Pleasant to see
these four sisters live along together and support themselves. It so happened
that when John grew to manhood, was called on a mission to Sweden, he
labored in the same district his father had been a missionary twice.
Paul Dehlin was a real businessman and a good financier. He was a
member of the City Council and on the directors of the Mt. Pleasant Co-op.
Charlie Hampshire, clerk in that institution said that Paul Dehlin gave him
more insight to the business than all the rest of the directors put together.

He was a member of the first brass band in Mt. Pleasant and was a
minuteman in the Black Hawk Indian War. He was loved by all who knew
him or whomever he came in contact with. Many a person in need who
asked for help never went away empty handed.
George Q. Cannon once told one of his daughters when talking to her
as she had one of her baby boys in her arms, said, if any of your boys is
mechanically inclined whatever, you do let him follow his grandfather's
trade, for more thorough or better workman I have never known. I have
always admired him and loved him as though he were my own brother.

written by Blenda Dehlin Hampshire

Augustus and Ann Catherine (Porter) Nelson

Augustus Gustave, known to his friends as A.G. was born 21 October, 1851 in Norrvidinge, Malmus Sweden. The son of Hans Nilsson and Olive Poulson (Dehlin). This Swedish father was an excellent farmer and made a good living for his family of six children in Sweden.

When Augustus was ten years old, the Mormon Missionaries converted the family to the Latter-Day Saint religion. They were naturally religious and soon found the principles of the new church suited their beliefs and gave them new freedom of worship. Mormons were not popular so they found themselves without friends and the urge to go to Zion became very strong. The decision to go was made and they sold their home and farm and booked passage for America. They left behind all that had been dear to them.

The trip across the ocean was a long tragic one. Three months of rough seas and many storms. The lack of good drinking water, poor food, and impure air impaired their health. When about half-way across the ocean, measles broke out among the passengers. The children suffered most as there was no room to quarantine the sick. Their low vitality caused the disease to be extremely hard. The Nelson children were all sick at the same time, giving the parents no time for special care or rest. Three of the children died and one was lefft almost blind. It is hard to visualize the depth of their sorrow as the bereaved parents watched while their fifteen-year old son, Anders, almost a man, was tied in a blanket and slid down the plank into the rough black water. Most of the burials were done at night to save the passengers the terrible ordeal of watching a loved one swallowed up in the cold uncaring sea. A few days later his sister, Anna, a young woman of thirteen years followed Anders into the awful watery grave. Mary survived the disease but her eyes were affected by the high fever and the tragedy of blindness seemed imminent. The darling baby Henrik seemed to be recovering when a sudden change snatched him away. All their efforts were in vain. No words can express the anguish of these loving parents. Now all their attention was given to Mary. Her life was spared but she could no longer see and needed to be guided where ever she went. Out of the six children, Anders, Anna, and Henric died. August, Mary and Nels came to Mt. Pleasant, Utah.

Their trek over the plains was much the same as others. Ox teams carried them to Utah and in due time, they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Mary's eye sight was beginning to come back, but she was partially blind the rest of her life. The family found their way to Mt. Pleasant in 1863, where they became farmers using their knowledge and experience from Sweden.

On the nineteenth of April, 1876, Augustus married a lovely young lady, Ann Catherine Porter. They traveled to Salt Lake in a wagon, taking two days to make the trip, to be married in the Endowment House. Ann told the story of how she carried on her lap a basket of dried apples and plums to Eliza R. Snow. She was thrilled to be of service to her.

Augustus took up a quarter section of land three miles west of town with Christian Peel. Each man took half. Each built a log house and a log grainery. The logs were hauled by ox team from the mountains east of town, and each man helped the other. They had to carry water from a spring at the foot of the hill up to their homes until a pipe was driven into the ground to make a flowing well of delicious cold water. This well produced enough water for home and garden use as well. To keep milk, butter, and eggs cool,m a box was placed over the water with a burlap sack which absorbed water and allowed fresh air to cool and circulate. This "cool box" as it was called was used for many years.

Cattle did well on the large meadows. Pigs and chickens helped to supply food along with the garden produce. Grain was raised on the rich fertile fields.

Twelve children were born to this humble home. One died in infancy, eleven reached maturity. The log home became too small. so a four rooms of red brick were added to the log home.

The children were educated in a one room school house two miles west of their home. As education was emphasized in their home, the older girls, Olivia, Ada and Mae, as they reached college age were allowed to go to the BYU Academy in Provo. They stayed in homes and worked their way. Here they learned to sew and along with their mothers help they became expert dressmakers. Ada also became a school teacher.

Augustus saw a good opportunity for his growing boys to go into the sheep business. He went into partnership with Andrew Larsen. As the business grew the Nelson brothers purchased more ground and went into the sheep business of their own. This became their life's work.

About 1900, Augustus was stricken with arthritis or rheumatism as it was called. He became confined to his rocking chair, used in place of a wheel chair, for the rest of his life. This interrupted the schooling of the boys as now they were required to do all the farm work. They could get about five months of schooling in the winter as fall and spring were busy times on the farm.

In 1906 the family built a beautiful brick home at First North and Fifth West. Here the abundant life of the family was enjoyed. Memories remind us of marriages, graduations, birthday parties, Christmas celebrations and the homecoming of two sons, Hugh and George from World War I.

December 9, 1918, during the terrible flu epidemic, Augustus passed away. He left behind him a better place. He was proud of his large family of fine men and women. He left much improved farm land and good livestock.

During his illness, he guided his family from his big rocking chair. He kept track of appointments such as water turns, also sheepcamp supplies, and finances.

All his life he remembered, but talked little of the terrible tragedy when crossing the ocean. An impression on a ten year old boy, he never forgot.


Life Story of Ann Catherine Porter Nelson

Grandma Nelson sat by her radio. It did not matter that she was in her 90th year. God had blessed her with an alert mind and a remarkable memory. These modern stories provided her with interesting thoughts to make the otherwise long, dry day full of unusual events. They were typical of the lives of people who had come from all over the world into the great American melting pot, and all had become loyal Americans.

The new broadcasts brought her reminders of her grandchildren, now in the service of our country, and filled her with pride that they were on the side of righteousness, fighting in the air, on the sea and on the land to hasten the overthrow of evil forces in the earth. How grateful she was that she was that every day victory seemed more assured for the allies. Even though there was still a long hard fight ahead it was great to have the assurance that "Truth cruised the earth will rise again. The eternal years of God are Hers." And she still had much to live for - to see the great conflict come to an end, to witness her stalwart grandsons and her sweet granddaughters come marching home again - proud and happy and grateful that they had done their part cheerfully and well.

She loved the music of the Tabernacle and Blue Jacket Choirs on sunday morning and there were many soloists whos clear, beautiful and melodious voices brough pleasure to her throughout the week.

In all of these experiences came reminders of a day gone by - a day in which she was very actively doing her part to make the world a better place in which to live. How often it had been referred to as "pioneering" and she as "a pioneer," and always she had been proud to be called a pioneer.

As she snapped off the power which brought this march of time parading through her mind, she leaned her head back against the cushion on the easy rocking chair in which she sat. She closed her eyes and soon there came drifting out of the past a stream of events as interesting and definite as any story she had heard coming from the radio.

Her father was James Buchanan Porter, the son of James Porter and Elizabeth Buchanan, a sister of Jame Buchanan who was the President of the United States from 1857 to 1861.

James B. Porter was born May 4, 1805 at Buffalo, Cumberland county Pennsylvania. He was the eldest of six brothers including George, John, and Henry, and one sister, Rebecca. When grown to manhood, he left his childhood home and married Elizabeth Slaughter who had fallen heir to a good home because she had cared for an aunt and uncle until they died..

It was here that they together embraced Mormonism and began moving, with the Mormons, from one place to another until finally they located in Nauvoo where they were living at the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, the Patriarch, Hyrum Smith. With other Nauvoo Saints they experienced the trials of that period, being camped near Haun's Mill when the mob struck there. Elizabeth related many times how all night long she feared that they might be slain. She also related how they were present at the meeting when the mantle of Joseph Smith fell upon Brigham Young and they knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that if they followed his leadership they were doing God's will.

How true it is, thought grandmother Nelson, that "Obedience is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams." Always her father had been ready to obey when the great prophet-leader, Brigham Young called. as a result of his obedience, her life had been enriched; blessings too numerous to count had entered her life. Oh, yes, she had felt the pangs of sorrow at the loss of dear ones. She knew the distraction which comes into the mind of one surrounded with troubles and the heartaches of defeat. Many times she had felt that muscle-aching weariness which comes from an overwhelmed body, but always there had been recompense - the satisfaction that she had done her best, and that always she had tried to meet the issue squarely and bravely, and God had "fit her back for the burden".

When the settlement of Mt. Pleasant was started in 1859, again her father responded to the call of his leader to build and operate a tannery and a shoe shop for that community. This was why, in the spring of that year, she had come with her father's first wife, Elizabeth and her family to this settlement in a company led by James Ivie.

In the fall, her mother with her family arrived, and all of them had lived in a three-roomed house in the fort until the tannery and a three roomed house of rock and tow roomed log house were all completed on the corner where the Presbyterian Church and Manse now stand. The shoe shop was a long room built on the east side of the log house where her mother lived.

It was on April 19, 1876 that she was married to A.G. Nelson - her home town beau. A span of mules that belonged to "the order", was hitched to a covered wagon with one spring seat. This was the carriage in which they traveled by way of Nephi to Salt Lake City to become man and wife.

One of the pleasant memories of this trip was a call she made at the Beehive House. Mrs. M.F.C. Morrison, president of the Relief Society in Mt. Pleasant, had asked her to deliver to Sister Eliza R. Snow, a basket of artificial flowers and a letter. The room was full of women, apparently a gathering of some kind was in session. As she was admitted and announced the purpose of her visit, Eliza R. Snow came quickly to her side and very kindly accepted the gift which was greatly admired by all present. "I will see you at the Endowment House tomorrow, my dear girl, and will be at your side to give you whatever assistance you need when you come there to be married." she said - a promise which she graciously kept.

For five years Ann lived with her mother-in-law, Grandma Olive Poulsen Nelson, in her home on the corner where she then lived.

About 1882 Gus went to Salt Lake City to bring home his mother and sister Mary, with her baby, Obedella - her husband having died very suddenly of pneumonia while she was still in child-bed.

At this time Gus and Ann and their three daughters moved to the farm where they lived in a one-roomed log hut until spring when Gus and his neighbor, Chris Peel, went to the mountains and got out logs for a new home. they moved in a year later.

"I suppose," thought Grandma, as she called to mind the many and varied experiences of her married life, "I can truly say that the happiest time of my life was the next twenty-seven years, most of which were spent on the farm in "The Bottoms."
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Gus and his friend, Chris Peel, united in an effort to surround themselves with farm land, a real example of cooperative endeavor to this day. They built a log house on the land they desired to homestead. Here Chris Peel lived to homestead a quarter section of land while Gus went away to work for about six months in order to earn the money to pay the Government for the land, which they then divided equally. Chris settled on the south side of the road and Gus on the north. They helped each other to get out logs to build their homes and later other neighbors assisted them to get the materials and build the school house about a mile west of their homes in order that the education of the children might not be neglected.

Mary Johansen, who later married Ann's brother, James, was the first teacher. Later teachers were Jennie Jorgensen Rasmussen, W.D. Candland, Andrew Larsen, John N. Ericksen and Camilla Lund.

There were many neighbors in "The Bottoms" at that time, and they were a sociable group, meeting often with their families at the schoolhouse for picnics and entertainment. Some of the neighbors were Jos. Johansen, Chris Peel, Aaron Omen, Jens Jorgensen, Peter Madsen, James Larsen, Andrew Omen, Harvey Tidwell, Mons Monsen, August Anderson, Mart Behanan, Andrew and John Johansen, Will Omen, John and Will Tidwell.

When the schoolhouse was sadly in need of repair and teachers could no longer be secured to teach in "The Bottoms", it was necessary for the children to come to town to go to school. Sometimes they rode horseback, sometimes in the wagon. Some of the children stayed in town with their grandmother Nelson and three winters the family moved to town for the winter. When 21 years had been spent on the farm they came to town to live.

Yes, Grandmother recalled, that was pioneering, but it was a happy time full of interesting varied and worthwhile trials which had made life rich in memories and abundant in living.

Now her granddaughter turned on the radio and the room was again flooded with modern drama, music and news. This brought her suddenly back to the present when times are so different but when every day events are transpiring which will help shape the future destiny of the world.

"Pioneering," she said, "consists of taking the lead in shaping the affairs of the world for a better and more abundant living". "A pioneer is one who prepares the way, as a soldier in advance of the army. I was a pioneer of 1859. My grandchildren are the pioneers of 1945."

At the Annual Celebration of the Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Assoication in March 1947, Mrs. Ann Catherine Porter Nelson was crowned Centennial Queen of the celebration - she being the only surviving member of the original group of settlers who came to Mt. Pleasant in 1859.

She was crowned by her granddaughter, Dolma Nelson. After her coronation, the entire cast of the pageant "Memories Through The Tears" passed in review for Mrs. Nelson.

On July 23, 1948, at the age of 92 years, she passed away in the home she and Gus had built where she had so fully lived, and often in memory relived a long life of noble experiences.

Written by Talula F. Nelson

William Fletcher Reynolds -----Pioneer of the Month - - -August 2009

William Fletcher Reynolds

We now have an excellent picture of him - - -Thank you Joanne!

Dictated and prepared by his oldest daughter, Ellis Reynolds Shipp

My father, William Fletcher Reynolds was born on the 8th of August 1826 in Fayette County, Indiana. His father, James Burt Reynolds was in Maryland about 1796. His mother, Eliza Ann Lawrence Reynolds came to America on a "Man of War" vessel in the days of our pilgrim fathers. As yet we have no trace of my father's ancestry, as to their honor and integrity we can never doubt, but for their carelessness in keeping records, we can never cease to regret.

My father, was one of a number of brothers and two sisters, Mary Emeline and Eliza Ann of whom I have often heard him speak most tenderly.

At an early age, he was made an orphan and mostly thrown upon his own responsiblity. However, his innate honesty and industry enabled him to make his way honorably and obtain through his intelligence and genius, a very remarkable power of usefulness which with his generosity, kindness and sympathy were a remarkable combination, proving a blessing throughout all phases of his life. His genial nature and executive ablility made him an ever welcome addition to any group or community.

At an early age, he made the acquaintance of the Hawley Family, where he was ever a welcome guest. My grandparents soon learned to love him as their own son and the early age of 19, he became the husband of their daughter Anna. She was the sainted one to become my mother when but seventeen years old. While regretting so early a motherhood for her, for myself I shall ever feel grateful for the ideal union of those "two souls with but a single thought and two loyal hearts that ever beat as one." Never in my years have I ever known such perfect congeniality between mortal man and woman. Truly the most perfect connubial happiness I have ever known.

It was in those early days that my people first heard and received the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That same gospel taught by Jesus Christ of former day saints.

In the year of 1852 my happy father left his native land and all his kindred but his youngest brother Levi W. Reynolds whom he sponsored to the far west, greatly to the dissatisfaction of his elder brothers because of their unbelief in what was called by them the Mormon Doctrine. My father was sincere in his belief and enduring faith and joyfully took up his ox whip and steered the way of his covered wagon with his dearest treasures and all his human possessions. He had been a wise and helpful co-worker with my mother's father in the years of preparation for their long journey into the wilderness of the west. He was a true son to his wife's parents and they loved and honored him as did all who knew him for his genial, upright, helpful ways as a husband and father. He was as perfect as a mortal could ever be. As a saint of the living God, his faith and integrity was true to the end.

On that long eventful pioneer journey, his inventive genius, skill and efficiency seemed in constant demand, being ever ready to repair damage for all in need. Never was he too busy to lend a helping hand. He quickly detected defective mechanism in any machinery for which he knew the remedy. In my recollection, I can see him now trudging patiently the old rough trails managing his two yoke of oxen more with his kind words and gentle voice than with the whip in hand. He was ever on the alert to pick up the pretty pebbles or shells for me, and especially any lost or cast off article found along the trail.

One day, it chanced to be two wagon tires which he thought might sometime be utilized for good. He tied them securely to the side of our wagon and there for many weeks they rattled and dangled with every jolt, which yet I seem to hear. But to my childish mind the most assuring music of the journey coming above all the clatter of the moving caravan, was the voice of my father shouting encouraging words and warnings and pointing out landmarks and beautiful scenery. He was eve a peace maker, not only with humanity but with animals. He could see ways and means superior to easing the load. He seemed to know how to ward off stampedes with wild cattle and buffalo which sometimes threatened. He was merciful to the Indians and dangers could be avoided by kindness, "to feed and not fight them."

The now historic touching story of the death and burial and last resting place of our friend and sister in the gospel, Rebecca Winters, could never have been forcefully told had it not been for the wagon tire surmounting her grave upon which my father chiseled the name, "Rebecca Winters 52" making it now an important landmark of the Old Oregon Trail. And it should be a monument of honor to men who sat up through the long night to laboriously chisel the hard iron by the dim candle light of an old lantern. While others slept, he worked and thus exemplified the unflinching innate desire of his honest soul to live a life of service. So in every righteous cause, 'twas thus he gave his precious life to the fulfillment of this purpose. He became immune to smallpox through a severe attack of the confluent variety and thus he in his whole lifetime worked through many such epidemics going where the nearest and dearest ones dared not to go, a constant bedside nurse helping to restore to health, giving hopeful relief in faith and good cheer. And in fatalities, he alone ministered in those last sad rites of burial and removing all possibilities of further contagion, burning and burying every vestige of danger.

On arriving in Utah, our home was first made in Utah County called "the bottoms" near the present site of Pleasant Grove on what was a sort of camping ground for the first winter, but in the spring my father assisted in locating the site for what is now called Pleasant Grove. Its first name was called Battle Creek because of a former battle with Indians on that spot. The first few years were years of struggle and unbounded endeavor. In two cities, Pleasant Grove andMt. Pleasant, he planted the first fruit trees.

Within a very short time after completing his little log cabin for his home, he constructed a planing mill in his granary adjoining. This mill was set in motion with his feet while his dexterious hands succeeded in turning rounds for broken down chairs or any other needed reconstruction of household furniture. Here he would replace the broken fragments with the new he had turned on his lathe. He would reseat the old chairs with green willow, rawhide or rope, polish up with a coat or two of paint, making them look like new. His labor were done in the morning and evenings between strenuous farm duties. As a child I enjoyed seeing the shavings fly in that shop which seemed almost like fairyland as I watched a piece of rough wood fashioned into butter bowls and paddles and rolling pins and potato mashers. The best were fashioned from pieces of mahogany he discovered in nearby canyons. The whole neighborhood was supplied with these useful kitchen utensils. Even as children we had them in our playhouses. Throughout the whole country, my father was known for his genius and handiwork. He had great executive ability which proved a great factor in building a new home in the desert land. His service proved a great blessing to the inexperienced. It was said, he could do anything from building a house to painting the flags for a 4th of July Celebration, or even making a crochet hook for the little girls just learning to make laces for their panties which they so proudly wore with their little white edges showing below their dresses.

We had not long been in Utah when in 1859 my father's quick eye discovered in the dashing waters of the American Fork Canyon, the very favorable possibilities of a grist mill or flour mill where the scanty harvest of wheat and corn could be ground into flour and meal to make our bread and his firtile brain had soon conceived the wonderful ideas, or should we say it was a divine inspiration, for the sustenance and the physical salvation of a righteous, God fearing people. Thus did a true, pure minded man put his hand and head and heart to the work of the construction of this mill which was in good running order in 1859.

In 1862, Grandfather Reynolds built in Pleasant Grove a mill with great wooded rollers for extracting the juice from the native sugar cane. He also constructed metal vats where the syrup was boiled down to the molasses which was such a luxury to the saints. Pioneers brought their sugar cane from many miles to his mill.

One of our first buildings was of logs brought from the hills. This one room structure served for a school house and church activities. For evening service a sagebrush fire in the large fireplace was our only light until the advent of tallow candles molded by our ingenious mothers.

In the building of every domicile thereabouts, my dear father was more or less active for he was naturally skilled in carpentry and all manner of mechanics. In his little shop he constructed a turning lathe which he propelled by treading with his feet. Here he turned the housekeepers rolling pins and potato mashers and made many toys for the younger generations, wooden eggs for Easter and for their elders, repaired broken down furniture and made them new when called for. All this work was done in the evenings and between the hours of laborious farm industries. He made and repaired everything for the people, from a crochet hook to the house that sheltered them. He put new seats in their chairs with rawhide and willow. And best of all he loved and honored by his chosen people whom he not only blessed with his efficient manual service but with his unbounded faith so pure and childlike and yet so powerful to bless a sufferer. So often his humble ministrations brought blessings upon me as a child.

My father, with ready genius strength and brawn and implicit faith, discovered in the dashing waters of American Fork Canyon the motor power for a grist mill where the whole wheat and the golden kernals of corn could be converted into flour and meal and thus he set about to construct a mill for this purpose whidh he did successfully. A little later, down in the valley, he constructed a large water wheel which supplied the power in the Battle Creek waters for running wooden rollers to crush the long sugar cane stocks pressing out the wonderful supply of juice to be boiled in the vats the same skillful hands had constructed and thus was supplied the needed sweets, the molasses for our tables and the sweeteneing for all our desserts and so nice to eat with our corn bread. Now at this late date, I bow my head in reverence and gratitude for the faith and skill and executive ability of my father.

As husband and father I have never seen his devotion equaled. For him, no effort or sacrifice was too great to make for his beloved Anna. And his sacred devotion was mutual. What an example to their posterity, for which I as their daughter, can never express my gratitude for the blessing it has proven, for which I as their daughter, can never express my gratitude for the blessing it has proven to me in my own home life. When my mother was ill, my father would climb in the heat of the summer sun to the highest peakes of the Rockies for snow to quench her thirst and cool her fevered brow. No effort was ever too great that could bring blessings to those he loved.

No home life could ever be more blessed than that of my childhood and its sacred influence will live in my soul forever. In heaven it had its origin and there it will live forever. In mortality, it could not long exist. Too much of joy to remain of eearth apart. We found this so sadly true with the passing of my angel mother, January 28, 1861 but with such a father, his devoted love, his divine faith and the gracious love which our Father in Heaven bestows on those whom he chasteneth, we found comfort and strength and blessed resignation. Every day we missed her guiding ministering presence and yet we knew that she, with our Eternal Father's love was guiding us through mortal paths. In gospel truth, my father's faith never wavered and in good works he never faltered.

With a number of others, my father was advised to remove to Sanpete County to build up another center stake of Zion, where a number of new colonies were established. In the meantime he had brought home to us a new mother, and I am assured no nobler stepmother ever lived. I had no fears after a short time of residing in the care of two beloved sisters and two equally loved brothers to her watchful care, for I knew she was a noble woman with a most kind, loving sympathetic nature.

My father soon became one of the presiding bishopric of his ward and once began another mission of reconstruction. Another mill for grinding the grain which soon became very plentiful. This mill was another monument to my father's constructive ability.

In the year 1864, he filled a mission to his native state of Indiana and old home in Iowa where he carried the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to his kindred and all who would listen to the great plan of salvation, making every effort to secure genealogy of his kindred now gone. On his return I was blessed with the opportunity of assisting in this work in the old Endowment House when he visited me in my own home after my marriage. This was a sacred work of great satisfaction to both of us. This glorious work for our kindred dead who never had the privelege of doing for themselves. Later my father and his new family removed to Colorado. My mother's children were all married and settled in their own homes and taking noble part in the same work of their pioneer parents.

Through all these many years of changing, never ending vicissitudes, my father's industries and novle works continued. His faith in the Gospel was unwavering. In 1899 I made a visit, and at the same time utilized my time in teaching classes for women on the art of nursing, while I had these pleasant visits between times. When the parting time came, I had a premonition that our next reunion would be in that "better land" where parting never comes again.

How bitterly I wept as he clasped me in his arms as in the olden days, when he would lull my cries and repeat, "Don't cry, darling." This time how I well understood his comforting words and well I knew his words would come true, "We would meet again." but not in this life. Although in those later years we were so far distant from each other, our devotion for each other never wavered. I knew no child ever had a more tender, kind and helpful father, one more faithful and mindful of a daughter's welfare, more exemplary and wise in his teachings and more lovingly true.

I was far away when his call came. When the sad news reached me, I was an orphan indeed! I had already said my last good byes, now I was too far away to reach him. I wasz in a situation rendering a long journey impossible.l I was far from home and all my kindred. No comforting note could reach me, save the echoing of memory, "Don't weep, my child, we shall meet again." At the age of 78 he passed on to his reward. All who knew his integrity and good works knew full well his reward was sure in the highest glories of eternal life. Oh, I feel assured through his spiritual uplifting and daily righteousness of life that he has earned life everlasting and how well we know, "Truth is reason, Truth eternal and that in heaven we have a father and mother there." And those precious ones, our earthly guardians will be there to meet us once again, in perfect blessedness.

Front Row: Wm. Fletcher Reynolds with wife Anna K. Laussen and Emma Reynolds

Back Row: Levi Reynolds, Carl Reynolds, Asa F. Reynolds, and Clara Reynolds Kofford

(sent in by JoAnn Truscott Peterson)

C.N. Lund - - - Pioneer of the Mont - - - July

Obituary of Christian N. Lund printed in THE CALL, Mt. Pleasant, Utah May 7, 1921 no. 747.

Christian N. Lund was born in a little straw thatched dwelling lying by the roadside just out of Seest, Pr Kolding, Denmark, January 13th, 1846,of good honorable parents. He received a splendid common school education and was so proficient in his studies that the principal of the school offered to put him through college and give him opportunity to work for his board, but his parents having embraced the religion of the Latter-Day Saints, chose to ignore the offer. He was baptized into the church March 21st 1856. At the age of 19 he was called to labor in the ministry as a missionary in his native land, and did so well that he was soon appointed president of a branch.

Alone and without friends, at the age of 22, he took what was the same as steerage passage on the last sailing vessel to cross the Atlantic with Mormon immigrants. The voyage lasted fifty seven days. the weather was bad, disease was rampant ofthe vessel and forty one souls died on the voyage. He crossed the plains with the last ox team that carried Mormons to Utah, arriving at Salt Lake City, September 25, 1869. He worked some in Cottenwood and Echo canyons. On October 9 of the same year, he married Petra A. M. Neilsen, an immigrant girl from his native country. On the evening of their marriage they started for Sanpete with an ox team driven by Lars Neilsen of Ft. Green. Arriving there they started out to end their "honeymoon" trip by walking to Mt. Pleasant, carrying all their earthly possessions in their two hands. But they overtook Aaron G. Omen, with his ox team and rode with him to this city, arriving on the 18th day of October 1869, living for a time with his brother Neils, who was here. They moved to Moroni in the spring of 1870 and lived as did many others in a cellar, or dugout. He took up land in Wales, but fate or circumstance drove him back to Mt. Pleasant, where his mission seemed to lie and he has been prominent and well known for over fifty years. In 1876 he was set apart as one of the seven presidents of the 66th quorum of seventy. He clerked in the first Co-op store,worked in the canyons and at farming. He was a member of the United Order anddid some work on the Manti Temple.

In 1879 he went on a two-year mission to Minnesota in company with Erick Ericksen, which mission was filled with honor. To know the circumstances under which he went and labored on this mission would apall the strongest elder of today. In 1882 he was elected a member of a constitutional convention which endeavored to procure statehood for Utah. On August 21st 1882, his wife died, leavving himn with five small children.

On October 9th, 1884, he married Anna Neilsen, a lady who had lately arrived from his native land. To this union was born six children, five of whom survived. On December 5, 1907 she died leaving him with these five living children and one Toral, (Torval) deceased. Since her death, her daughter, Amanda Lund Christiansen died in 1910.

In 1884 he was elected Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, was re-elected in 1886 and re-elected in 1888, having previously served two terms as a city counselor and two terms as city recorder. In the fall of that year he toured all Southern Utah in company with Cyrus H. Wheelock and Wilford Woodruff for his church in the interest of the temples. In 1887 he was elected superintendent of the Co-op store which position he held for seven years. In 1888 he was elected a member of the legislature and upon his return home was twice elected Justice of the Peace.

He served as a ward counselor to Bishop William S. Seely. In 1890 the two Mt. Pleasant wards were united as one and he was chosen Bishop. This made the largest ward in the church at that time. He held this position and served with unswerving fidelity for twelve years. In the fall of 1893 he was again elected to the legislature from a district comprising of Sanpete, Juab and part of Utah Counties. He later served as U.S. Court commissioner for Sanpete and was judge in a number of cases. He also served as county U.S. Land Commissioner.

He was closely connected with the public schools and was one of the state's strongest champions of education in every phase. He served as a trustee and school board member for over thirty years with singular credit and ability. He supported every school house from the smallest to the two large and beautiful structures of today. His efforts in educational lines extended farther than this district for he was a board member of the Snow Normal------------at one time offered the presidency of the old Union Hall. Upon this occasion he delivered one of the most eloquent political addresses ever heard in this city.

On May 1st 1896, he departed for Europe to take charge of the Scandinavian mission, embracing the countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. He filled his position with great credit and even made some history while there, as the people he represented had some controversy with the government and he made an able written defense throught the U.S. Minister for his people to the King of Denmark. He traveled over much of the European Continent and saw many of the most noted historic places. Upon his return home in 1898 he took up his home duties again. In December of that year he was honorably released from being bishop of Mt. Pleasant and at a meeting presided over by Anthon H. Lund he was chosen and set apart as the first president of the North Sanpete stake, which office he filled to the satisfaction of everyone, until honorably released because of failing health fourteen years later. At the time of his release he was set apart as Patriarch which position he held and ministered in up to the time of his last illness.

Before passing away he called each of his children to his bedside and gave them such a blessing and such advice and counsel as his feeble condition would permit. His last days and nights, when he could talk, were, to his family, the most inspiring of his life, and not one of them can ever forget the magnificent nobleness of his mind and spirit, when the poor broken body was slowly going into dissolution.

He has, in his life-time preached more funeral sermons than any other man in this section. As a funeral orator he was unsurpassed and was generally at his best in that capacity. As an expounde of the faith and a defender thereof he was second to nonein ability and knowledge. The people mourn him as a father who has served them unselfishly and left with them the noble example of his pure and stainless life.

Morrison, William and Mary Margaret Forquhar Cruickshank

William and Mary were both of Scottish descent, being born in Aberdeen Scotland. William was born 7 Sept. 1820 to George Charles and Mary Ann Bruce Morrison. Mary Margaret was born 5 June 1823 to William and Mary Forquhar Cruickshank. William was a young man of good reputation. He had the advantage of having a classical education and was a good latin scholar. Mary (Maggy) was taught to always do her best. Her mother was always a silent monitor to her to guide her along through life's journeys.

They were married 22 December 1843 by a Rev. David Simpson, Minister of the Free Presbyterian Kirk of Scotland. They entered life's journey together with youth, health and much happiness with bright prospects. In the spring of 1844 William received a governmental appointment in Her Magesties Dockyard, Sherrness, Kent, England. On the 31st of October 1844 they had a son whom they named Anthony Bruce Morrison. He was a light and sunshine of their happy home. Everything went on pleasantly with nothing to mar their peace for about three years. Then William was taken down with fever and ague. In a very short time Maggie was seized with the same disease. The doctor pronounced her as incurable and so William applied for a transfer to Woolwich, Kent, England which was granted. They remained there for some years and spent many happy days together.

In the summer of 1848, Maggie made a visit to the home of her childhood, Aberdeen, Scotland accompanied by her little son anthony. Never was there a more joyful gathering: father, mother, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, Maggie and her son. They had all met to show their love and respect for cousin Maggie and her new child.
About six weeks later on the 25th of September, Maggie gave birth to another son who was named Andrew Cruickshank Morrison, named after her oldest brother. Maggie's whole thought was of my return home with two beautiful boys and the happy greeting awaiting her by her husband. However, one short month later her firstborn son was seized by scarlet fever and a malignant sore throat. He died and was buried on the 31st of October, 1848 which was his fourth birthday. That was the first great sorrow of her life, but not a tithe of what had to follow.

In the month of November 1848 they were introduced to the principles of the great latter day work preached by elder Thomas Bradshaw and believed in its devine authenticity of the same great work. And unitedly with a firm determinbation to serve God and keep His commandments, Maggie and William were baptized January 1, 1849for the remission of their sins and had hands laid upon their heads for the reception of the Holy Ghost, with the signs following. After this great event their aim and end was to gather up with the Saints to the land of Zion, via Utah, and their future course was shaped accordingly.

Two years later, Maggie desired to go home to visit her parents and family with her son Andrew. Andrew at the time was bad with whooping cough and it was considered the change of air would do him good. But again in two weeks after her arrival, death seized her second son, leaving her childless. She felt that the hand of affliction was laid heavily upon her. She tried to console herself that the Lord knew best and she tried to obey His Will. Three weeks later on the 15th of September 1850, she gave birth to a daughter who they named Sarah Allen Morrison.
This taking place at the home of her parents in Aberdeen. She was able to visit the graves of her two sons and bid farewell to those dear ones in Aberdeen.

In the spring of 1851 a change in circumstances caused Maggie's father to move to Dartmoor, Devonshire, England where he had received an appointment. He repared thither forthwith and with his family made a new home. In the meantime, Maggie's oldest brother, Andrew wound up his affairs and started for America to make his home in Connecticut where he remained till his death which took place in the summer of 1855. In the meantime, her sister, Isabella, was married to Mr. James Freston and went to reside near Maggie in Woolwich. She died in February of 1852. This was season of great affliction for Maggie. Her sorrow was almost greater than she could endure. But still the Lord in his mercy and goodness made Maggie's strength equal to the great task. As months rolled on she was strengthened and fortified to meet every emergency. On the 16th of January 1852 she gave birth to another daughter. This daughter was named Mary Isabella Morrison. After this they commenced in good earnest to prepare for their emigration to the land of our adoption. The time for which was set for April 1854 and accordingly all their arrangements were made preparatory to the event of leaving England.

In the fall of 1853, Maggie's father visited her at Woolwich to give his last farewell and tried to convince her to change her views on religious matters. He found that she was resolute to continue on to Zion. So, he then tried to convince her not to see her mother again as he knew it would break her heart. However, about two weeks after her father left, Maggie made preparations with her two little girls and her nephew, Willie Freston to go to Devonshire to visit her Mother and sisters.

Her visit was a delightful time. She remained with them for about ten weeks, but the time of parting drew near and the dreaded hour at last came when Maggie had to say "Farewell". Her father's heart burst and he could not speak as he pressed her next to his bosom. He told her that he was proud of her and although he could not see things in the same light, he knew that she had a mind of her own and that she would not swerve from the path of duty at whatever cost. He said that Maggie had been true to her marriage vows and no inducement that he should lay before her could tempt her; to relinquish or turn aside from the road already marked out. He told her that she would carry with her good wishes of both her father and mother; and their constant aspirations would ever be for her future happiness and prosperity, and if ever she was in need of help to call on him and he would help to the best of his ability.

Just before leaving England, she received a letter from her mother with the following poem:
Farewell, farewell, my treasured one,
My second born, farewell.
I cannot speak the yearning thoughts, that now my bosom swell,
I cannot tell thee half my love, My precious one for thee,
Henceforth thy Mother's heart will dream of nothing save thesea.

Strange visions came to me last night.
The whole life seemed to pass before my eyes in one shor hour.
Through sleep's mysterious glass.
I thought I held thee in my arms, a tiny babe once more.
And marked with pride each infant grace, thy happy features wore.

I blessed thee with a quivering lip, and flattering speach my child.
But though bright tears were in thine eyes, Love's angel in them smiled.
Then with a start, I awoke to know that ere the morning's dawn,
These aged eyes must look their last, on thee my second born.

And now tis hire this dreaded hour of agony and woe.
I cannot send thee from my side. I cannot let thee go.
These words are wild; Thou must depart,
But sorrow not for me.
For thou wilt take thy Mother's heart, across the pathless sea.Maggie loved her mother with a love unspeakable and hoped that her mother would be the first to greet her on the other side of the veil.

William and Maggie sailed from Liverpool on board the ship Germanicus on the 6th of April, 1854 in company with her two daughter, her brother-in-law James Freston, and his little son, Willie. All were in good health and comparatively good spirits, all things considered. Their journey across the Atlantic was long and tedious, it being eleven weeks from the date of starting from Liverpool until the time of their arrival at New Orleans. There, they were still in good health and good spirits. No one in their family had been sea sick which they considered to be a great blessing as they watched much sickness all around them.

The next day after their arrival at New Orleans, they sailed to St. Louis and were two weeks on the river. Never was there a healthier company to land. But because they had been so long at sea, the city authority deemed it improper for them to land. They were towed back to a small island nearby. There they had to remain quarantined at the authorities pleasure. It was only one day before the people began to take sick, and in one week's time, 80 persons died of choloera. Maggie had a severe attack, but through the blessing of God was restored to health. A petition was sent into the city begging that they be allowed to leave that dreadful place. Their petitions were granted, but in many cases it was too late, for disease had laid ahold and many victims were doomed to an early grave. Among those were Maggie's three darlings. Within ten days she lost both her daughters and her nephew. Mary Isabella, age two died of cholera on the 23rd of July. Sara Allen died July 28th at age 4. On August 2nd her nephew Willie Freston age 4 died. All died of the same disease. They all lay side by side in the Holy Ghost Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Maggie and William were left childless and in a strange land broken down in body. It seemed as nothing could compensate for the heavy loss they had sustained.

But in the midst of such great affliction, the Lord again blessed them and on the 3rd of January, 1855 another daughter was born. They named her Mary Margaret. This again brought sunshine into their home for a short period. But in the month of November of the same year, death again robbed them of the blossom after being privileged to enjoy her sweet company just ten months.

It was most painful to look back on all those days, weeks and months and years of sorrow and affliction, but surely the Lord was with Maggie in the midst of it all and had a purpose in view to prepare her for yet greater events which came to pass little by little as time rolled on.

In the spring of 1856 their faces still turning Zionward, they again commenced to St. Louis, by way of Omaha, and from there crossing the plains by oxteam. For six weeks they remained at camp in Omaha living in tents, waiting for the company to get ready. On the 26th of June, 1856 they commenced their journey across the plains. They were 60 wagons in all with Canute Petersen as Captain of the company. He was a wise and most efficient leader. During their journey their cattle stampeded five times. A young man from Denmark was run over and instantly killed, but otherwise there were no other accidents on the journey. On the 14th of July a herd of buffalo passed right through their camp. This surely was a great sight and as no accident occurred they were indeed very thankful for the preserving care which had been around them.

On the 23rd of September they arrived in Salt Lake City in good health and glad to meet many dear friends with whom they were acquainted before they left England. Soon after they arrived they bought a good city lot and hous in the 5th Ward in Salt Lake City for $300. And soon, they were comfortably fixed. On the 28th of November 1856 William was engaged to take charge of a mill which was under construction at Farmington. His employers were S.W. Richards, and Joseph Cain of the firm Elias Smnith and Co.

They had much to be thankful for in this the land of their adoption. On the 9th of December, 1856 Maggie once again gave birth to a son, named William George Cruickshank Morrison and so again the Lord blessed them with another child which surely helped to make life worth living. And on the 13th of March 1857 they received their endowments in the House of the Lord and were sealed at the alter for time and eternity. This was what they had started for and had now obtained.

On the 7th of March 1858, William married a second wife, Lucy Etherington with President Brigham Young officiating. This was a great trial for Maggie, but her faith was strong and she was willing to sacrifice her feelings for the righteousness sake. During the same month, William was called to go to Echo Canyon to meet the army who were on their way east to exterminate the Mormons. Very soon after he went, notice was given that everybody had to leave Salt Lake City and move south. This was called the "big move" and early in April, Maggie was ready for the journey with her husband's second wife and Maggie's little son. They took only their clothing and bedding to supply their wants for the journey, leaving everything we owned behind them, trusting to a kind providence to open the way for them to recover what they had left behind. Bishop Woolley had called from the stand to find out who would be ready to start south the next morning. Maggie raised her hand, and was ready when they started at 9: a.m. with her infant son in her harms. friends came around and begged Maggie not to go farther than Provo and they would soon come. They said goodbye for a little while and traveledon until they arrived at Provo. The brother who owned the team said, "Now Sister Morrison, this is Provo, how far will you go with us?" Maggie then asked, "How far do you go?" He answered, "One hundred miles farther." Then Maggie replied, "If you will take me, I will go as far as the team will carry me, for I feel that is where the Lord wants me to be." So they drove right to Ephraim, Sanpete County. This was in April, 1858. Maggie did not see her husband for eleven weeks, but it was a joyful greeting when they did meet.

They met a very welcome reception from the inhabitantsof the little "Fort". For at that time it was in its infancy. There was not a hous to be seen from the time they left Nephi, til they came to Fort Ephraim. Maggie made up her mind to remain there, feelibng that was the place the Lord wanted her to be. William was out to meet the Army, and she did not know when he would return. She assumed all the responsibility. The people in the country towns were very bare of clothing and she had a plentiful supply, so she bartered clotingand blankets for things she needed. She rented a house and paid rent three months in advance. She then bought a city lot and had it ploughed and grain put in. She then bought a coa, a pig, and chickens, flour, meat, butter, eggs, soap and everybody treated her with respect and kindness. Wherever she saw the chance to do a kind act, she took pleasure in doing it; thereby, gaining for herself many friends, who were dear to her for the rest of her life.

It was sometime in June before William came to find them, not knowing exactly where they were. He had gone south and made an inquiry at every settlement until he got to Nephi. There he was told that a few families had gone on to Sanpete. So there he directed his steps and found the family all well, with plenty to eat and drink and a comfortable house to live in, which was all obtained by obedience to the commandments of the Lord, given through his servant Brigham Young.

When William was at Nephi he came to a junction where the roads lead not only to Sanpete, but also on to settlements on the west side of the mountain range towards the St. George or Dixie country, he did not know for sure which way Maggie had gone. He got off his wagon and prayed that the Lord would guide him to her, then took his place behind the wagon and let the team lead the way. They were guided to take the left hand road which let him into Sanpete. It was a warm summer evening adn Maggie had found herself most restless and not able to sleep. After the other folks had settled down for the night she walked out into the night, down to the gate of the fort and back several times and then opened the gate and walked out of the fort and down the road not knowing why she should be disobeying the order of safety which forbad anyone going outside the fort alone especially at night. She had not walked far when she thought she heard the creaking of a wagon. She peered into the dark, but could see nothing, but listened again and was sure then she could hear a wagon coming towards the fort. She quickened her steps going toware the oncoming visitor - then in the clear air she heard a familiar "hrmmmmph" which we would no doubt cal a "burp" today and she clled out "William is that you?" and the voice in the dark quickly answered. "Maggie, darling, is that you?"

On the 13th of March Maggie gave birth to a daughter and named her Williamina Henrietta Morrison. During this same spring it was deemed wisdom to organize a new settlement in the county, so Mt. Pleasant was organized and settled (but was called Fort Hambleton at that time). It was thought the inhabitants were becoming too numerous in Ephraim, so William moved his family to Mt. Pleasant thinking that would be a better location for them.

On the 11th of June, William took another wife. As he was one of the first settlers, he was appointed Clerk of the settlement, also postmaster and assessor, and collector. There were many trials during this period, too numerous to mention. But through patience and perseverance they were enabled to endure all things. In the mont of August 1861, William took yet another wife, this being the 4th and the last. After that the family moved into their new home known as "Bon Accord Cottage", Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County.

Here on the 15th of February 1863, Maggie gave birth to another daughter and they named her Clementina Marion Morrison who surely was the comfort and joy of Maggie's later years.

In the spring of 1865, William was called to lead a company of 30 families to make a new settlement called Richfield, Sevier County. He was the first probate judge of that county and held that office for five years in succession, also the office of Postmaster until the government officials deemed it improper for a man holding the family relations (Polygamy) he did - to hold public office any longer. He also held many other important offices with honor and dignity. He lived in Sevier County and raised a numerous posterity til 1889 when he died honored and respected by all who knew him. Peace to his ashes. (The following epitaph was written by Grandmother for his grave marker):

Aged 68 years, 11 months, 10 days,

Beneath this consecrated ground,

Now free from mortal care,

at peace with God and all mankind,

An honest man lies there. MFCM

Maggie was the first Relief Society President called to serve in Mt. Pleasant. Following her death on January 10, 1910, the WOMAN'S EXPONENT published in Salt Lake City, Utah carried an article entitled "A REMARKABLE WOMAN, Margaret F. C. Morrison". written by Sister Emeline B. Wells, giving a brief sketch of her life and also the following comment:

"The Morrison family were among the foremost in the new settlement they had helped make. As time went on there were trials and difficulties to meet and obstacles to overcome, but through patience and perseverance they were able to endure all things and to keep the faith for which they had made much willing sacrifice. William Morrison died in 1889, honored and respected bo all who knew him, leaving a numerous posterity to labor in the interest of Zion.

"On May 11, 18668, Sister Morrison was called and set apart to preside over the Relief Society of Mount Pleasant, Utah and filled the position not only with great dignity and credit, but her charity and magnanimity were boundless, the peopple of that vicinity never tire of recounting instances of her great love and humility and ready assistance for the needy and distressed often from her own personal resources. she was the very embodiment of that "charity that never faileth."

"It is stated that ofver one thousand of those who have died andare buried intheMt. Pleasant cemetery were dressed and laid out for burial by her without charge. what a record of service for others, truly she will receive an abundant welcome into the courts of glory." (signed) E.B. Wells

In 1893 upon the occasion of what would have been the 50th wedding anniversary of Grandmother and Grandfather Morrison had Grandfather lived another 4 years, the entire family including all the children of the subsequent wives as well as her own, gathered together to honor and show their love andrespect for Margaret F. C. Morrison. Because of this demonstration, Grandmother wrote the following and read itto all who were assembled that day.

"My dear Children:

In response to your good feelings manifested towards me this day, I must confess that I am too full to give expression to my feelings asI should like.

In reviewing the past fifty years of my life it brings many thing to my mind, but the one of the greatest importance to me is that since I embraced the Gospel I have been enabled by the help of my Father in Heaven to prove faithful to my Covenants which I made at the waters of Baptism, and in the House of the Lord.

In looking upon your faces all so happy and cheerful today, I feel thankful that I never once opposed my husband in his wishes to enter into the order of plural marriage. We all know that it was a great trial, but we have stood it and will receive our reward.

Our husband and father is absent in body, but I believe he is present in spirit, watching over our doings this day with great interest mingled with joy andpride, to witness those of his family wsho are here so united in thier efforts to make one heart glad.

May God help us to live in the future so that when our mission here is ended, we shall all meet in one grand family reunion that shall be lasting as eternity is the heartfelt prayer of

Grandma M.F.C. Morrison

Grandmother remained in the adobe cottage named by her "Bon Accord" which means "unity" until her death in January, 1910. Her son William spent much time with his father in Sevier County and eventually married and made his home in Monroe, Utah.

Her daughter Mina (Williamina) married Henry Ericksen and they made their home in Bon Accord where mother and daughter loved and worked together for many years as one, mainly caring for the needs, cares and woes, of the less fortunate in the community.

The youngest child, Tina, "Clementina" was a spirited talented child who gree up and was able to attend school through the assistance of her mother and older sister, and thereby was able to teach school and music. she married Judge Ferdinand Ericksen, and brought great happiness and joy to her mother. Then at the birth of her third child she too was taken in death which was as great if not the greatest sorrow her mother had yet born. TGhe two older children were taken into the home of her grandmother, and Aunt Mina to be cared for and raised while the baby was taken by her Father's sister.

And so at the age of 86 year, 7 months, and 5 days Margaret F.C.F. Morrison passed on to her reward leaving a heritage of faith, courage, and industriousness of emulation, but difficult to match by the many who revere her name.