1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. latter-day saints

Family Histories
Taken from
Family Journals
and Records of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Compiled by Kathy Kent
a direct decedent of Jay Gillies & Carrie Jensen
Gillies Line
Histories:
Jay Gillies
John Gillies
LIFE SKETCH OF JAY MARION GILLIES
Given at his funeral
By Kathryn Ann Gillies
n February 24, 1901, a
never stingy or selfish with
special
spirit
was
his time.
ushered
into
this
O
Since
Grandpa
was
world. He was born to goodly
raised on the shores of the
parents at Vineyard, Utah, where
lake, he loved boating also.
he lived for 41 years.
He would often take his boys
Grandpa was a man who was
camping, hunting or fishing.
loved by all and especially by his
He was close to his children
family.
wonderful
and taught them to appreciate
husband, father and grandfather he
the beauty and respect of the
was.
outdoors. I know Grandpa
What
a
One thing I admired. most
was very close to his sons but
about Grandpa was his patience
I also think (judging from all
and it seemed his patience knew
of the stories I've heard my
no bounds. One thing he was
Dad and my Uncles tell) that
especially patient with was his
he protected his daughter,
fishing. As a little boy growing up
Gayle, of being too harassed
by Utah Lake, he learned early that he loved to
by her over- enthusiastic brothers. Grandpa loved
fish. Grandpa could sit on the shores of a lake all
his only daughter and like any daughter I think
day long and never get impatient whether he had
she was the apple of Grandpa's eye.
caught his limit or just had a couple of nibbles all
Grandpa
was
very
talented
with
day long. Fishing with Grandpa as a little girl is
woodworking and making things. While living by
one of my most cherished memories. Just the two
the lake he would build rowboats in the winter
of us would go and Grandpa was so kind and
and rent them out for one dollar a day in the
patient with me. Even when I spilled the bait all
summer.
over the shore when he had just gotten the only
Grandpa and Grandma were known to have
bite of the day or I had Grandpa cast out my line
a home that was welcome to anyone who
10 times in 10 minutes because I had been just
happened to stop by. I have never ever heard of
sure that a fish had taken all of my bait off my
anyone that my Grandpa turned away hungry. In
hook, Grandpa would humor me and never get
fact while at Vineyard, Grandma and Grandpa
angry. I think all of the grandchildren share
usually didn't even know how many people they
special times like this with Grandpa for he was
5
Life Sketch of Jay Marion Gillies
Grandpa had some things he didn't like very
would have to Sunday dinner because everyone
much in this life. One was horses because he said
felt welcome at their home.
Grandpa's mother died while he was just a
they either balked or ran away. Another thing he
young man and soon after that he married my
did not like was war although he was always a
Grandmother, Carrie Jensen. Their's was an
very active and faithful citizen and supported one
unusual courtship. Grandpa met Grandma at a
of his boys while he fought in the Korean War.
dance at Provo and then he continued their
Grandpa always preferred the hard floor to
courtship by mail. It must of worked however,
any bed he was ever offered. He would nap on the
because they did get married.
floor and I can remember as a little girl curling up
by the side of him and trying to figure out why he
When the Geneva Steel Mill went in at the
liked the floor so much.
lake, Grandpa was forced to sell his beloved home
He was also very Scottish and what a sense of
and land and move his family to Monroe, Utah
humor he had. He knew so many little readings
where he lived for 38 years.
Grandpa has been a shining example to those
and stories and he knew how to tell a good story.
around him all of his life. He was never afraid to
He would have the grandchildren (or his "lassies
bear a strong and fervent testimony of the gospel
and laddies" as he would call us) in fits of
and he wasn't afraid to express his feelings to
laughter over some little story he would tell or
those he loved. Grandpa was very active and
Scottish song he would sing. Grandpa was very
faithful in the church. He was a home teacher for
quick witted and although he didn't attend formal
60 years and he always made sure he had some
schooling for very long he was a well educated
gum or lifesavers for the little ones. He was
and well read man.
always a stickler on the length of his stay, never
Grandpa was very proud of his Scottish
wanting to outstay his welcome and after his 15
ancestry and he used to say that he should have
minutes were up he and his partner would take
been extremely wealthy because he figured he
their leave and not impose on the family longer
was one of the few "Scottish Jews."
than necessary. He also served as a Sunday
Jay’s Grandpa's parents names were Hyrum
School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent,
Gillies and Jesse Archibald Gillies. They were
Elders Quorum President, High Priest Group
both Scotish. He had four older brothers and one
Leader,
Stake
older sister and he was the youngest of the family
Missionary, one of the Seven Presidents of the
with 12 years separating him from the next
70's in the stake, and he also served in the
youngest. His brothers were Hyrum or Hy, Joe,
scouting program.
David, Jess and his sister was Margaret.
Stake
Mission
President,
After Grandpa retired he and Grandma were
called to be Ordinance Workers in the Manti
Temple. He was also active in community service
and participated in the Monroe Lions Club for
many years.
6
Life Sketch of Jay Marion Gillies
was always touching people with that sense of
humor and personality.
In closing I would like to express my love
and appreciation to this great man who has
touched my life with nothing but good. I would
like to conclude with a poem that exemplifies
Grandpa and leaves all of us who are part of his
family with a great responsibility.
He got it from his Father,
It was all he had to give.
So it was his to cherish
As long as he did live.
If you lose the watch he gave you,
it can always be replaced,
But a black mark upon your name son
Can never be erased.
It was clean the day you got it
and a worthy name to bear
When you got it from your father
There was no dishonor there.
So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son.
Jay When Younger
On April 7, 1926, Grandpa married Carrie
Jensen in the Salt Lake LDS Temple for time and
all eternity. They were married in this life for 54
years. They had four sons and one daughter
I hope we can all live worthy to the name
suffered the heartbreak of losing a son to death
Grandpa so proudly passed on.
when he was only 18 years of age. That was the
My one last thought is one of comfort to me
oldest boy and Grandpa's namesake as his name
as I remember some words a dying mother left to
was Marion Jay. This was hard for Grandpa and
her young son. She said, "My boy, there's a
the pain doubled when he lost a special grandson,
secret.It's a special secret, and I never want you to
Greg, who was only 18 years of age. I know he is
forget it--Families are forever, and even though
happy with them now. Grandpa's and Grandma's
you won't see me, I'll still be there watching over
other children are Phil, Earl, Burke, and Gayle.
you and waiting for your return."
They have 15 grandchildren and 8 great
This is a great comfort to me because I know
grandchildren.
it's true.
Grandpa led a truly wonderful and full life
here on this earth. He never ever wanted to be a
burden to anyone but how could he be when he
7
JOHN GILLIES FAMILY HISTORY
(by Jean Aten)
Newtoun in 1521 (Rental).
Some
eighteenth century MacPhersons who
bore Gillies as a
forename
Englished it as 'Elias' (Clet, Mon., viii,
p.34).
The form Gilhuayes occurs on a
tombstone in Tranent
churchyard,
dated 1702. William Gillice, farmer
in
Findtassie, 1799 (Moray),
Gilleis 1592, Gilies 1692, Gillise
1724, Gillise 1484. cf. under GILL.
(Gillie, A form of
Gillies, q.v.)"
he early history of John Gillies is very
T
sketchy. His parents are listed in the
records as Thomas Gillies or Thomas
K. Gillis, and his mother as Elizabeth Phimister as
recorded on the marriage certificate. Her temple
work is also done under the name of Kelly.
On the Endowment House records when
John went to get his own, the name is Gillis, and
his mother is listed as Elizabeth Fimister and his
birth date is 20 Mar 1830.
In the Genealogy Library in the British
"FEMISTER, Finister, Phemister,
Phimister, Whimster.
Alexander
Feemaister, fisher, had a remission in
1458 "pro capcione filii quondam
Alex. Coupland, judicati ad mortem
aplud Banf in primo itinere tento
ibidem per dominum regem" (ER., vi,
p. 486). Christiane Phemister in
Pettinseit, regality of Spynie, was of
theft in 1595 (SCM., II, p.129), and
Alexander Fumester was fined 6s.8d,
for "Playing at the futeball on the
Sabboth nicht," 1630 (Rec. Elgin, II,
p.215). In 1616 Effie Fumester in
Elgin was charged with bidding Agnes
Fumester cast strang in the fire so that
she might get her heart's desire,
apparently a magical ceremony (ibid,
II, p.149). John Phinister in Pitgounie
was retroured heir of Thomas
Phinister, portioner of Pitgounie his
father, in 1654 (Retours, Elgin, 99).
James Fimister is recorded in
Whitchill in 1684 (Moray), and
Alexander Phimister in Bogside in
1707 (ibid.). Robert Phimister in
Netherbyres was rebuked in 1737 "for
fiddling and dancing at
Collection is a book called, "The Surnames of
Scotland," by George Black.
The following
articles on the Gillies and Femister are from that
book.
"GILLIES, Gillis, G. Gille Iosa,
"servant of Jesus".
It is displaced
the older Malise, q.v. The name was
at one time numerous in Badenoch,
and at present is common in
Hevrides. Gillise was one of the
witnesses to the charter
by King
David I to the Abbey of Holyrood c.
1128 (LSC., pg.6) and Vhtrea, son
of Gillise held land in Lothian c.
1160 (Laing,2). M. Filius Gilise
witnessed a confirmation charter of
Malcoln IV to the Abbey of Scone in
1164 (Scon,pg.5), and Gylis, son of
Angus the shoemaker (sutor)
did
homage to the prior and convent of St.
Andrews at Dull
in 1264 (RPSA.,
p. 349). Nigel Filius Gelyse was
tenant in
the lands of Dalfulbill in
1876 (RHM., I, p, 1vii), and John
Gyllis rented the Fermeland of
8
John Gillies Family History
(by Jean Aten)
from Perthshire, Perth. James Robertson is listed
AlexanderBuie's lykewake" (rec.
Elgin, II, p.336), and Alexander
Fimister appears as burgess and
freeman of Elgin in the last half of the
same century (Jervise, II, p. 263.) The
name is derived from the office of
"fee-master' (from OE. feoh, cattle,
property + master), one in charge of
the flocks and herds:
"Tirrheus thair fader was fee maister,
and gyde
Of studis, flokis, bowis; and heyrdis
wyde,
As storoure to the king, did kep and
zime." (Gavin Douglas, Eneados,
London, 1553, bk. VII, c.9.11.21-23)
Melrose Abbey had a fee-master, and
the Fiemaisteris-lands in
Roxburghshire are mentioned in a
retour of 1606 (Retours,
Roxburgh,43). In the United States
the name is not uncommon as
Feamaster, Feamster, Feemster, and
Feimster."
as a shoemaker, age 30 yrs. from Kinfauns,
Pershire, (Gowrie), about 1 1/2 miles west of
Perth. The wife is Margaret Robertson, age 35
from Mary Kirk, Kirriemuir, (about 6 miles west
of Montrose). There are twin boys, age 4, Edward
and Alexander, Mary A. age 2 and William age 1
month. All the children were born in Kirriemuir,
Angus County, Scotland. (Kirriemuir--town and
parish, west of Foforshire.) This would appear to
be an sister of Thomas, John's father, and might
be helpful in locating the family if her marriage
record could be located.
The next record of John is the branch records
of Arbroath when he was baptized 15 June 1851.
And then his marriage to Margaret Mitchell in the
same branch by H.L. Gowans on the 3rd of June
On the early records of the Church in the
1853.
Arbroath Branch in Scotland, John lists his birth
It is interesting that on the same branch
as 20 March 1832, in Perth, Perth, Scotland. A
records, Susan Duncan, Margaret's mother is
limited search of the records of Perth have not
listed with her baptism date about 6 weeks after
been successful in finding his birth record. In
Margaret. There are 2 more Duncan's listed,
later church records his birth is recorded at 20
James and Mary, perhaps they are the brother and
March 1830, so a wider search should be made to
sister of Susan.
cover the difference in the two dates. The 1841
The next information is the birth of a son Jas.
census records for Perth County have been
Mather Gillis, on 3 March 1854, blessed on the
searched with no success, so perhaps the City of
2nd of April 1854 by Hugh L. Gowan. I have a
Perth and other towns will have to be searched.
problem with this--the only other time I have been
In the 1851 census of Angus, Arbroath, John
able to find anything about James is a letter dated
Gillies is listed in the house of James Robertson,
1910 from New York City to his brother Hyrum
as a nephew, unmarried, 19 yrs. old, a gardener
9
John Gillies Family History
(by Jean Aten)
Smith, but signing it as James K. Gillies. I found
Hints to Emigrants
him in the 1910 Census.
As many of the Saints, previous to
their departure for Zion, may not have
travelled twenty miles from the spot
where they were born, a few hints to
those taking this eventful journey will
not be out of place.
As a commencement we would say,
do not leave everything to the last
moment, for then you are likely to be
nervous and excited and forget some
matter of importance. Pack your
luggage in such a way that all the
things you do not want on the journey
can be put down in the hold of the
ship and into the luggage van on the
railroad; what little you want on the
voyage pack by itself and take it with
you to your berths. Mark your name
and destination distinctly on each and
every package, box and trunk. It is
better to have these painted on the
boxes, bags, etc., wherever possible,
as cards and labels are liable to be
pulled or rubbed off.
In packing leave out everything that
will needlessly encumber you. Do not
bring along heavy or useless things,
such as clock weights, china images,
Japanese idols, massive picture
frames, pokers, fire shovels, fenders
and flat irons. The expense of taking
such thing "across the continent" is far
too great, and most of them when
taken to Utah will there be found next
to useless. If you have money for pay
for the carriage of such articles, you
had much better devote it to help
emigrate some of your poor brethren
and sisters, whilst if you have not, it is
a sin and a shame to throw the burden
of transporting your rubbish on to the
Saints in Zion, and to expect their
donations to pay for it. Recollect, one
hundred pounds, or 7 stone, 2 pounds
is all that is allowed free to each adult
I do have a record of the birth of Hyrum
Smith Gillies in the Arbroath branch record and of
Joseph Smith Gillies, although Joseph's date is
1857 and not 1855 as it is ditto marked in the
record--in the rest of the record he was blessed 17
Jan 1858! I feel inclined to go with the date of
1857 to 1855 as that would make the boys born on
the 4th and 30th of December of the same year!
In the birth register for the Arbroath 1855, the
birth of Hiram Gillies is listed, John his father as
a gardener, and his mother, Margaret Mitchell
Gillies--her 2nd child and the note--one boy
living. So that would have to be James, but I'm
not sure about the "Mather."
I had hoped to find out something in the 1861
census, as Elizabeth Gillies was born in October
1860 in Dundee. I was hoping that the family
were still there in the spring of 1861 when the
census was taken. But I have not found them in
the City of Dundee on that census. So there is
still a lot of checking in the area to be done.
I hope to find them on the 1871 census in
Scotland, but found that they had sailed from
Liverpool in June and were missed by the census
for that year.
In the Latter-Day Saints' "Millennial Star,"
the following article on hints to the Emigrants was
found:
10
John Gillies Family History
(by Jean Aten)
these sharpers, instead of coming
direct to this office. Those emigrants
who come into Liverpool by way of
Birkenhead and St. George's Landing
State, or by the Tithebarn Street or
Brunswick Stations, should not bring
their luggage to this office, as they
will, by so doing, take it two or three
miles out of the way and have to pay
accordingly. If the ship be in the
dock, this office is entirely out of the
road from these stations to the docks,
and if she lie out in the river, the St.
George's Landing stage and the
Tithebarn Street Station are in the
immediate neighborhood of the
Prince's Landing Stage, from whence
the tenders of the ocean steamships
carry passengers to those vessels when
out in the stream. If any company or
family of Saints who come forward
for emigration unattended by an Elder,
will notify this office beforehand of
the time of their arrival at Liverpool,
and the name of the station to which
they will come, we will endeavor to
have some one meet them at the
station to give them the necessary
instructions." G.R.
on the American railroads, fifty
pounds each to all children between
the ages of five and twelve; those
under five are not allowed luggage.
All extra luggage is charged 4d. a
pound.
When leaving home, on the morning
of your departure, be sure and not
leave your money or any of your
parcels behind you. Look well around
before going out the door. Arrange
your departure so that you will reach
the railway station in time to get your
tickets for Liverpool without
unnecessary hurry. See that your
luggage is labeled properly and put
into the luggage van. If the journey be
a long one, do not forget to take some
refreshments with you for the
children. Should you have to change
carriages on the journey, see that your
luggage is also changed at the same
time, and that it comes along in the
same train with yourselves.
As there are several railroad stations
in Liverpool,get your tickets, if
possible for the Lime Street Station, as
that is the nearest to the Office at 42
Islington. But as all the railroad lines
do not run to Lime Street, this cannot
always be accomplished.
When you reach Liverpool, if no Elder
or other person acquainted with the
business is with you, let the luggage
and the greater portion of the
emigrants remain at the station whilst
one or two come to the Office at "42"
to get instructions where to take the
luggage. Do not make arrangements
with porters, lodging house keepers,
ticket agents and others, until you
have called at the Office and made
sure you are right. Never buy your
tickets of any one outside our Office.
Some have been swindled out of
considerable money by listening to
This is probably the kind of instructions that
the John Gillies family received before their
departure from Scotland. The following article,
also from the Latter Day Saints' "Millennial Star,"
could help us to understand a little better what
some of our ancestors had to face.
Going Home
Every week or two now some of the
Saints in the European Mission are
bidding adieu to their friends and
acquaintances and their native land,
and setting their faces Zionward. This
is highly satisfactory to all well
11
John Gillies Family History
(by Jean Aten)
and pure and honorable and worthy of
all commendation and emulation. He
who buildeth thereupon, buildeth upon
the rock, and his work will endure.
It is not the privilege of presidents, or
Elders, or Saints, to hinder the
gathering of any brother or sister, to
suit their own private purposes. Such
attempts can be considered little else
than manifestations of narrow,
individual selfishness, not a very
commendable quality, certainly. It is
natural enough for people to wish to
go with those with whom they have
been acquainted, to whom they
entertain a liking. Still, we have never
been able to see the wisdom of one
Saint persuading another to stay until
he or she goes, when the way was
plainly open for the first to gather and
there was no justifiable reason for
procrastination or for waiting for a
more convenient opportunity, which
there was no probability would ever
turn up. It would be well for all who
have the slightest prospect of
emigrating this season to set their
minds firmly to that work, and
endeavor to do everything possible to
effect their deliverance from Babylon,
with its splendors, its follies, its
corruption, and its crimes, that they
and their children may not partake of
them, nor receive of the plagues which
God will permit to come upon the
people. In some respects it is pleasant
enough to be in Babylon sometimes,
but in such an hour as we think not
trouble cometh, distress and anguish
overtake us, as they suddenly came
upon a neighboring nation, and the
way of escape is hedged up. "A
prudent man foreseeth the evil, and
hideth himself, but the simple pass on,
and are punished." J.J.
wishers to the kingdom of God. May
the good work go on until all the
Saints get home.
In the endeavor to obey the great
commandment of the gathering, not
only should each Saint help himself,
but the Saints should help each other,
as far as they consistently can. Not to
the extent of injuring themselves, as
some have done (may God
nevertheless bless them abundantly for
their goodness of heart), for that is not
required. And first and foremost, all
who have to do with the deposits of
the Saints for their emigration, should
be prompt and faithful and accurate in
all financial transactions, so that no
poor faithful Saint, nor any other Saint
indeed, be wronged out of a single
penny, either by intent or by
carelessness or by misunderstanding,
but that every penny; deposited by
properly accounted for and held to
thecredit of the person who deposited
it, so that no Saints be hindered or
delayed in their emigration by lack of
promptitude in furnishing receipts or
in satisfactorily and available
accounting for the means which they
have deposited. Order is heaven's first
law, and in nothing is order more
essential than in financial matters.
It is the privilege of the Saints to help
each other, financially and otherwise.
It is the privilege of presidents of
Conferences, travelling Elders, and
Priesthood generally to help the
Saints, male and female, in the matter
of their emigration, by counsel, by
advice, by labor, by available means if
the Lord has blessed them therewith,
and all to be done with an eye single
to the glory of God and the
advancement of truth and
righteousness upon the earth.
Righteousness is that which is right
12
John Gillies Family History
(by Jean Aten)
returning to their homes in the valleys
of Ephraim. The names of the
returning Elders are George Lake,
Robert F. Neslen, M.B. Shipp, Eliezar
Edwards, H.G. Snell, Charles
Lambert, and Wm. L. Payne. All of
these brethren have been laboring in
the British Isles, with the exception of
Elder H.G. Snell, whose field of labor
has been amongst the Saints of the
Swiss and German Mission.
These Elders have all, according to
our understanding, labored
assiduously in the vineyard of the
Lord, and much good has resulted
from their faithful testimonies and
counsels. Yet, however much they
may have rejoiced in being privileged
to bear the glad tidings of salvation to
the nations that are overshadowed by
the darkness of unbelief, we doubt not
but that they will find the attractions
and associations of Zion doubly
endeared to them by their short
absence. We wish them, with all the
Saints under their charge, a safe,
pleasant and speedy journey, and we
crave at the hands of our Father in
Heaven His blessing, that it may rest
upon every member of the company
and abide with them, that they may be
preserved from all evil, and
strengthened to resist all temptations."
The next record of John and his family was
their names on the passenger ship Wyoming, that
sailed from Liverpool, June 21, 1871, for New
York City. The ages listed for the children is
interesting, since most of them are older than
listed. As a "thrifty" Scotsman, was it cheaper to
come with children under 10 years of age even
though the luggage allowance was less, and those
under 5 years of age had no luggage allowance??
Considering we have their birthdays on the
records, I'll list them:
Name
Age
Actual
Listed
Age
John
40
40
Margaret
37
37
Hyrum Smith
7
16
Joseph Smith
6
14
Elizabeth
5
11
William
4
8
John
3
5
Susan
2
3
George
infant
1
From the Latter-Day Saints' "Millennial
Apparently Elder George Lake was the elder
Star," the following articles on the sailing of the
in charge of the Saints of the steamship
steam ship 'Wyoming.'
'Wyoming,' as the following is a letter he sent to
Departure
his Mission president from the ship, as I found it
At noon on Wednesday, June 21, the
steamship 'Wyoming,' Captain E.
Whineray, steamed out of this port
with 248 souls of the Saints on board.
Of this number 56 were from the
Swiss and German Mission, 184 from
the British Mission, and seven Elders
in the "Millennial Star."
13
John Gillies Family History
(by Jean Aten)
of foggy weather.
We had a
considerable amount of sea-sickness
on board, but now all seem to be in
fine spirits and good condition. We
had one case of small-pox and one of
scarlet fever, in both cases the patients
for the time being were removed to the
hospital, but are now so far recovered
as to be replaced in their berths. One
death occurred, that of an infant of the
Swiss company, who was only three
days old when we left Liverpool. The
captain and officers generally have
been kind. The brethren are all well
and join in love. Your brother in the
Gospel, Geo. Lake
At Sea.
S. S. Wyoming,
off Queenstown,
June 22, 1871
President Albert Carrington.
Dear Brother-I take great pleasure in informing you
that we are all well and have had no
sea sickness so far in our journey. All
is peace and good order, the Saints
vying with each other in striving to
render others happy, and singing the
songs of Zion with a willing zest. We
have organized the saints into wards,
and placed a competent man over each
ward to take the watch-care and render
the Saints as comfortable as possible.
Prayers are attended to morning and
evening. The Saints are delighted
with the ship and the courtesy
received so far from the officers, as
they spare no pains to look after our
well-being. The returning Elders are
feeling fine and are in buoyant spirits,
and join with me in kind love to you
and all at 42, Islington.
Ever praying that the blessings of
Heaven may attend you and all our
fellowlaborers, and the Saints we have
left behind, I remain your brother in
the Gospel, Geo. Lake
The Wyoming.
We clipped the following from the New York
Times of Wednesday, July 5,--:
"Over 200 'Mormon' emigrants from
Europe were landed from the steamer
Wyoming on Monday afternoon, and
were forwarded, yesterday, westward.
A case of small-pox appearing on a
child before they landed, the steamer
was detained in quarantine several
hours, during which the Health Officer
of the Port insisted upon the
vaccination of the adults who had not
been subjected to that experience.
The emigrants looked healthy and
well, and are the first of a batch of
some thousands expected to join the
"Mormons" in Utah."
America.
S. S. Wyoming,
New York,
July 2, 1871
President Albert Carrington.
In other articles in the Millennial Star the
other returning Elders wrote to President
Carrington to express their feelings about their
Dear Brother-We write to inform you of our safe
arrival at New York, having been
blessed with a prosperous voyage,
though we encountered a great amount
missions in the British Isles and the blessings of
the Lord to them, Bro. George Lake, M.C. Shipp
and William L. Payne.
14
John Gillies Family History
(by Jean Aten)
A QUICK PASSAGE--The steamship
"Wyoming," on which the first
company of Saint of this season's
emigration left this port, arriving in
New York on the morning of Sunday,
2nd instant, making the passage across
the Atlantic Ocean, against strong
head winds, in eleven days.
On 13 July 1871 the following article was
printed in the Deseret News:
ARRIVALS--Elder Robert F. Neslen
returned last night. The company with
which Bro. Neslen journeyed from
England to this City numbered 269
souls. They left Liverpool June 21, on
the "S. S. Wyoming." When a short
distance out of Queenstown they fell
in with the brig "Courtain," bound
from that port for America, which was
in a sinking condition. The crew were
taken aboard the Wyoming and
brought to New York. The passage to
the latter city was a quiet one,
unusually wet and foggy. The health
of the company was generally very
good, only one death occurring on the
voyage, that of a child twelve days
old.
On arrival at New York the vessel was
quarantined one day on account of
there being one case of small pox on
board. The company were vaccinated
and then permitted to proceed. The
vaccination, however, only took effect
in two cases. The company as far as
New York, had been in the charge of
Elder George Lake, who left them at
that point to visit his relatives in the
States, when the Saints were placed
under the care of Elder Neslen.
Bro. Neslen speaks very highly of the
conduct of the railroad officials on the
way from New York to this City, who,
with a single exception, treated the
company with the greatest
consideration and courtesy.
Bro. Neslen informs us that his last
voyage makes the 7th time he has
crossed the Atlantic Ocean." (Journal
History--#28)
At this point, I do not know where the
family settled in Salt Lake. On the death records
for Salt Lake County we find the birth and death
of David Herod, born in 1872 and dying in
October 1873, at age 11 months of "teething."
The ward listed is the 20th. I have found them in
the 20th ward in 1876 when both John and
Margaret and Hyrum re-baptized, but nothing
earlier of them on the records searched.
In December 1875, Joseph died of typhoid
fever and then the December of 1877 the four
other children died of diphtheria, listed as the Mill
Creek Ward. The following from the "News."
"Gillies, On State Rd. near Salt Lake
City, Dec. 15, (1877) George, son of
John and Margaret Gillies, aged 7 yrs.
of diphtheria."
"Gillies, On State Road, near Salt
Lake City, Dec 18, 1877, Susan,
daughter of John & Margaret Gillies,
aged 9 yrs. 5 months of diphtheria."
"Gillies, On State Road, near Salt
Lake City, Dec 22nd, of diphtheria,
Margaret, youngest child of John &
Margaret Gillies, aged 1 yr. and 10
months. Also Jane A., daughter of the
above same complaint, Dec. 29th, this
being the fourth child who has fallen
Another article from the Millennial Star:
15
John Gillies Family History
(by Jean Aten)
I do not have any information on William
victim to this disease in Brother
Gillies' family in sixteen days."
after the 1880 census except that my mother used
to say he was not very welcome in the Gillies
On the 1880 census of Salt Lake
homes, he was always borrowing money or had a
County–Mill Creek :
Precinct–I found John and Margaret and
"get rich scheme" to make them all rich--or was
William and John listed as sons, living at home.
she talking about William Miller, her father's half-
William is age 17 and John is age 14. Elizabeth
brother?
is not listed, so perhaps she is working away from
home and she did not marry until four years later
to John Miller. I don't know where James is at
this time, perhaps still in Scotland as in his 1910
letter to Hyrum he says he came out to New York
in July 1883. Said it had been 35 years (at writing
of letter) since he had seen Hyrum and had left
Salt Lake. James served in the East India and the
Afghan war. He was in the famous march under
General Roberts from Cabul to Candahar and got
a medal and clasp for the Battle of Candahar. His
health failed and he was sent to Fort George near
Invernesshire and when he regained his health, he
paid 10 pounds, that's 50 dollars for his discharge
and then came to New York.
In 1881, the family moved to Vineyard and
both John and Margaret died there. I have found
nothing about John Stewart except in a family
history of the "Gillies Families in Utah" compiled
by James M. Black, he lists a wife, Edith Pearson
Harlkley as his first wife. He does not list his
sources as to where each items of information was
found, so I want to do some more checking in the
records for that.
16
History of the Jensen Line
Histories of:
Carrie Jensen Gillies
James Jensen
Andrew Neils Jenson
Karna (or Caroline) Olsson
Lucy Elmeda Harmon
Ansil Perse Harmon
Jesse Perce Harmon
Rosaline Chandler
History of
John Harmon
18
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies*
*(typed as written)
y birthdate is
Jensen and fell in love with
October 19
him and they were married at
1905. I was the
the Manti Temple on April
second child of James and
30, 1902. They then made
Lucy
their home in Richfield, Utah
M
Elmeda
Harmon
at 387 North 3 West, where
Jensen.
James Jensen, my father,
they lived the rest of their
lives.
was the sixth child of
Andrew and Caroline Jensen.
On September 8, 1903
They had come to Utah from
their first child was born, my
Herrestad, Sweden, in 1864.
older sister Ruth. I was born
They first settled in Fountain
two years later, October 19,
Green, Utah, then came to
1905. My brother James
Richfield, Utah, They were
Harmon Jensen was born on
driven back to Fountain Green by the Indians. In
November 13, 1907. Two years later Rose was
the spring of 1871 they moved back to Richfield.
born on February 3, 1910. Milo Andrew was born
On October 14, 1871, James was born. He lived at
on February 23, 1912, while the baby girl, Lucile,
Richfield the rest of his life.
came to live at the Jensen's home on June 26,
1914. Thus oar family was made up of four girls
Lucy Elmeda Harmon Jensen, my Mother,
was the fifth child of Ansil and Rosaline Chandler
and two boys.
Harmon. Ansil came from Pennsylvania and came
My father WRS a farmer and also had a herd
to Utah in 1848. Rosaline was born in New York
of cows. I helped with many things around the
City and she came to Utah in 1862. They had
house and also helped in the field. Getting the
lived in Holden, Utah and it was here that my
kindling and wood into the house was one of the
mother was born September 23, 1871.
first duties I remember doing. This was used to
Lucy came to Richfield to visit a sister Mary
burn in the woodburning cook stove. We didn't
H. Seegmiller, and help her when her first child
have coal to burn, so father and the other men
Myrle was born. At this time she met James
19
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
would go into the hills each fall and bring out
relatives or friends would go along at the same
large loads of wood to last the winter through.
time. We made these trips in the White top buggy.
When I was growing up Father grew sugar
We would leave Richfield about 4 pm and travel
beets. Each June soon after school was out I
part way that evening. This was done so it would
would go to the beet fields and thin the beets and
be cooler for the horses to travel. The next
later in the summer help weed them. As I grew
morning after sleeping on the ground by the side
older I then helped top the beets.
of the buggy, we would then leave about 4 or 5
We had a real good riding horse called Jack,
am and reach Fish Lake before it got too warm.
that I learned to ride on. I would help drive the
Father always helped with the cooking on these
cows to the pasture that was about two miles east
outdoor outings. He ways a real good cook having
of town. Many times I would race with the other
freighted in his younger days, and had done much
boys or girls that were driving cows, as we would
campfire cooking. We always enjoyed the biscuits
return from taking them to the pasture.
he would make and cook in the Dutch Oven, also
the way he could cook fish in the frying pan over
I was a real good baby-sitter, taking care of
the open coals.
the younger brothers and sisters.
Mother was a very good cook and father was
Other trips we took as a family were to
a good provider and we had plenty to eat and
Holden ,my mother's childhood home, and to
wear.
Hinckley where her two sisters, Emma Reeve and
Jane Pratt lived.
Mother had a sister, Anna Stringham, living
at Vermillion, Utah, that we loved to visit. It was
On holidays as a child were special times, we
a great event for us to get the White Top buggy
would either have my fathers family or mothers
and drive the ten miles to her home where we
sisters family come and have holiday dinner with
would visit with our cousins. The train passed by
us or we would be at their homes.
her place and this was a big event for us to watch
I started to school when I was six years old,
it go by. We would put pins on the track before it
my first teacher was a Miss Brown. I had many
came by, then go pick them up afterwards and
other good teachers as I went through school. My
find them pressed in different shapes. A few times
last year at High School I had an operation and
we rode on the train either coming or going when
was ill so that I was only able to attend for a part
we would stay for a few days visit.
of the year. I did not graduate from High School
but did graduate from the Richfield Seminary.
In the summer Father and Mother would take
us to Fish Lake for a vacation. Often other
20
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
The summer of 1925 I went on a vacation to
baby and two boys and went and stayed until
Salt Lake City. I stopped at Vineyard to visit a
mother was better. After I returned home it
cousin for a week. While there I was taken to
seemed that Earl was not growing, so we took him
many places, parties and dances. At a dance on
to the doctor and found that he vas not getting
the 24 of July I met Jay M. Gillies. We became
enough to eat so I began to bottle feed him.
good friends and fell in love. On April 7, 1926 we
were married in the Salt Lake Temple.
Jay's mother Jessie Archibald Gillies had died
in August of 1925. Jay and his father, Hyrum
Gillies had been living alone there in the family
home. It was in this house that we started to keep
house. His father lived with us until he died in
January 1929. He was a very nice man and we all
got along fine.
On February 23, 1927 our first son was born,
just one hour before his fathers 27th birthday,
which is February 24. We named him Marion Jay.
He was a beautiful baby with black hair. He was
the first Grandchild of the Jensens. On December
24, 1929 another son was born, he was a nice
Christmas present, and we named him Phil Marlo.
July 9th, 1931 another baby boy Earl Arland
Carrie When Younger
came to make his home with us. When he was
three days old, it being very hot summer a group
September 25, 1933 was a big event in our
of boys visiting at a neighbor's home, had gone
home, a baby girl was born and we named her
swimming in Utah Lake. One of the boys was
Gayle.
drowned, which was very upsetting to me. A
It seemed that the winter of 1933 and 1934
week later my mother was being taken to Salt
was a very hard time for our family, as there was
Lake City for medical help and stopped in to visit.
much sickness. Marion started to school that fall
After she returned home, she became very ill and
and had only attended a few weeks when he
I was sent for to come to Richfield. I took my
contained measles and the other two boys also got
21
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
them. The baby Gayle was only two weeks old
Many people came to Utah Lake to fish
when this happened. My sister Rose had come to
daring these years. Jay had one boat and people
help me when my baby was born and stayed
would ask to rent it. He decided that he would
during the fall until Christmas time.
make some boats and rent them. He made six and
Rose had been training for a nurse but had to
from February until August many people came to
stop when she became ill. She was better so came
rent them. This extra money was very welcome
to help me. The day after Christmas she became
and helped out with things the family needed.
Sundays during the fishing season many
ill and died before my parents could get to
friends and relatives came to spend the day. Our
Vineyard from Richfield.
Soon after school started after the New Year,
table was pulled out to seat from ten to twenty
Marion developed whooping cough. The other
people for dinner many times. It seemed that the
three children got it from him. We just about lost
city people didn't think it cost farm family
our baby girl with this disease. Before the school
anything to eat, they would say, "You produce all
year was over, Marion got the mumps and again
your food on the farm. We did have a nice garden
all the children had them. It wasn't enough that the
and berries along with some meat and milk, but
children have them, but their father Jay got them.
other things had to be purchased.
Jay was Just ready to out his first crop hay when
There was one family that we really enjoyed
he got them. The good neighbors and friends
having visit us, it was the William Cooks. They
came and cut the hay and put it up. For this we
had been Scottish friends of Jay's parents in
were very thankful.
Scotland. They always brought a box of groceries
and things for the children.
During the 1930's the depression years, we
had our up's and downs, along with the rest of the
In the fall of 1941 we saw men around our
people. We were able to get along and had plenty
firm making soil tests, we wondered what they
to eat and cloth us, but we did not have any
were doing. We found that the Government was
money for entertainment or luxuries. We took the
going to build a Steel Mill and was testing the soil
children on picnics, fishing trips, to church and to
for it. When they had decided where and what
church parties. We made one trip a year to
land they wanted, hey informed us that our farm
Richfield to visit my parents.
and home was to be included in the area they
would need.
Burke Oris, our last child was born on June 8,
We had to sell and move. On March 1, 1942
1937.
we received a letter telling us to be moved by
22
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
April 1, 1942 and gave as $1 as a down payment,
brought the last load down. The older boys had
the rest to be paid in four weeks.
started school in Monroe.
We had so little time to find a place to move,
The boys were staying at my sisters, Ruth
but we found an eighty acre farm west of Monroe,
Jones’ and Lucile Webb's homes. After the cattle
Utah and we began to move our livestock and
were brought the boys would go to our new home
house hold goods.
and do the chores, then to my sisters to sleep.
On this farm was a large brick home, it had
After moving to Monroe the people were
many conveniences that we had not had our home
very kind to us and treated us as one of them. The
This
boys and Gayle soon made many friends at
home in Vineyard was
school. It wasn’t long after moving to Monroe
four
from
that I was asked to be a teacher in the South Ward
Peasant Grove and ten
Primary. After two years as a teacher I was asked
miles from Provo.
to be the President, which position I held for five
When I first came to
years.
in
Marion Jay Gillies
Vineyard.
miles
live there after being
I joined the Litsrose Club soon after coming
married, we had no
to Monroe and have held many offices in it, being
electric lights, but we
President during the year of 1965-66.
had them put in six
months later. On the farm were wells that were
used for irrigating the farm and for the use in the
house. The well for the house dried up and we had
to drill a new one. After this was drilled we then
piped the water into the house. Some time later
we put in a modern bathroom. We had remodeled
the house also, so it was hard to leave this home
for me, and also for Jay as he he'd lived in it all
his life.
March was a stormy month and Jay had to
Carrie & Jay & their house in Monroe
move all our things in his truck. He made eight
trips to bring the household things and cattle. I
In 1943 and 1945 were sad years for us, my
stayed in Vineyard with Burke and Gayle until he
father passed away on February 21, 1943. In the
23
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
spring of 1945 Marion graduated from High
In 1948 we had a good crop of potatoes and
School, which was a high light in our lives.
the price was good. After our debts were payed,
During that summer he was called into Salt Lake
we bought a now Dodge car.
City for a physical examination for his army
Phil and Earl had been on a trip to
service. He did not pass as he had lost an eye
Yellowstone Park in 1947 with the FFA boys, so
when a child. He came home and started to work
we left them home to be chore boys and we took
to earn money to go to college. While driving
Gayle and Burke and took a trip into Idaho and
some horses on a mower, he met with an accident
Yellowstone Park.
which caused his death on August 8, 1945. But
Phil graduated from High School in 1948 and
life must go on, even if one has a sad heart or not.
entered College at CSU in Cedar City. Earl
With the help of relatives and friends and our
graduated the next year and they both were
Heavenly Father and hard work, we came through
attending the CSU the following year. In 1950
our trouble. But one never gets over the loss of a
after school was out Phil left for a mission for the
loved one.
LDS Church to Great Britain. Earl had been a
member of the Utah National Guard and it was
As the boys and Gayle became older our
called up for active duty. Earl served in the army
home became a happy place.
then for two years, being in Korea for 13 months
After dances we would hear the old piano
and in action all that time.
begin to play and singing and laughing of happy
We had in our home for one week an
young people. Our children had brought friends
Exchange student from England, Peter Rupp who
home for a mid-night snack.
was studying agriculture in this area.
In 1948 Jay and I were asked to beStake
Missionaries for the South Sevier Stake. After two
Gayle graduated from High School in 1951
years Jay was made President of the Stake
and attended Snow College at Ephriam, Utah, the
Mission and I was asked to be Secretary. These
following year.
In 1952 we sponsored an English couple, The
positions we held for five years.
At this time Jay was a Scout Master in the
Gorden Hales, to come from England to live in
Monroe South Ward and for a number of summers
the United States. They lived with us for a month
he would take the scouts and our sons on the
until he found employment at the University of
mountain in the old Chevy truck for their summer
Utah in Salt Lake City. We also had a number of
outing.
other English people come and visit us that Phil
had met in England.
24
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
In 1953 we had our first grandchild, now we
have 15 lovely children.
During the spring of 1954 Phil received his
B.S. degree room Utah State University. On June
25, 1954 Earl and Ann Morrey of Joseph, Utah,
were married in the Manti Temple. That summer
Phil was called into the army and served for two
years, sixteen months being in Korea. When he
returned home he was married to Ina Gwen Olcott
of Monroe, Utah on the 14 of March 1956.
When I was released as President of the
Monroe South Ward Relief Society in 1957, I was
asked to be in charge of he Relief Society Serving
In 1952 Earl came back from Korea. Gayle
Committee. This included having charge of all
was married to Kent Johnson on July 18, 1952,
lunches to be served to the people after funerals.
Kent was from Redmond, Utah. It was here that
I am still acting on this committee. I have also
she went to live. Phil came home that fall from his
been an active Visiting Teacher for this
mission and he and Earl were both back in school
organization for many years.
Burke our youngest son was married to
again at CSU.
I had served as Chairman for the Cancer
La Juana Matheson of Henderson, Nevada, on
Society in Monroe for two years. I had also been
May 31, 1958 in the St. George Temple. He was
a Councilor in the Monroe south Ward Relief
graduated from the CSU at Cedar City the
Society in 1950 and in 1952 was asked to be
following years.
President of that society. I served in this position
At this time my mother came to live with us,
for five years. During this time a new Ward and
as she was getting on in years and was unable to
Stake House was built. This was a busy time for
live alone. She passed away at our home on May
we had to raise money to help for this project. Our
12, 1959. So for the first time in all our married
Relief Society was able to raise $5000 to help
life, Jay and I were alone.
Jay has tried to run the farm alone, but his
furnish the Relief Society rooms and furnish the
heart has started to bother him. We have now
kitchen.
rented it to Max Tuft with an option to buy it. We
25
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
have bought a house trailer and we plan to spend
time fishing, traveling and visiting our children.
February 18, 1967 the Monroe Literose Club
named me "Mother of the Year" to represent their
club. At their annual party that night I was
honored by a lovely tribute given to me. My two
sons Phil and Earl and their wives had come from
Malad, Idaho, where they now live, to be in
attendees at this party. Gayle and her husband
Phil, Burke, Earl, & Gayle
Kent, also wore in attendance. Burke had called
saying he was unable to come.
On April 7, 1967 Jay and I will celebrate our
forty first wedding. We hope to be able to have
many more together and grow old with each other.
Jay & Carrie
50 Wedding Anniversary
th
Jay & Carrie
26
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
Mother of the Year Letters
27
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
28
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
29
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
30
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
31
My History – Carrie Jensen Gillies
written by Carrie Jensen Gillies
32
JAMES JENSEN
ames Jensen, the son of
Soon after James was born, the
Andrew Nielson Jenson
room he was born in was torn down and
and Caroline (Karna)
two rooms were built. Two years latter
Nielson, was born October 14,
two more rooms were added to his
1871, in Richfield, Sevier Co.,
parents home. The room in which he
Utah. He died at Richfield, Utah,
was born stood almost where the Main
February 21, 1944. His parents
Street is now, just in front of the old
had joined the Church of Jesus
county court house. The back of the
Christ of Latter-day Saints in
new house was almost on the corner
Sweden and came to Utah in 1864.
where Child’s Service Station was built
They first came to Richfield in
in 1942. His father at that time owned
J
1864, but were driven out, with other people, by
one-fourth of the whole block (including where
the Indians. They went to Fountain Green, Utah,
the Dr. Stiener home (Vernon Erichson’s present
and stayed there a few years, then went back to
home) and later Whiting Motor Garage.
Richfield a few months before James was born
October 14, 1871. The day he was born, his
father went to Glenwood, Utah, for a mid-wife,
Mrs. Herring. He went by ox team. James was
born before his father returned and Mrs. Christine
Morrison was with his mother. The house wasn’t
finished. The walls were made of adobe mud and
the roof had willows on it with dirt of the roof. It
James Jensen - Age 12
was raining when the baby was born and the rain
was coming through the roof. Pans had been set
As a boy some of his playmates were
around on the floor to catch the rain and a parasol
George Morrison, Chariton (Shirt) Seegmiller,
was held over the bed so the mother and baby
Verg Bean, Joe Horne and Pet and Joe Nielson,
wouldn’t get wet. James was a little, white-
and Joe Hanson.
headed, hazel-eyed baby.
33
Histories of James Jensen
As a boy he used
The boys would herd the cattle in the hills in
to herd sheep and cows
the spring where there was grass, but in June and
in the northwest hills.
July where there was plenty of feed in the
When he had shoes to
pastures, they would put them with the public
wear, he would take
herd and keep them there until fall.
them off after he got to
Jim’s first school teacher when he started
the hills and would
school, was a Mrs. Alice Hoyt. The school was
play and run around
held in an adobe house just three blocks west of
barefooted. One day as
the Richfield Post Office. There were ten or
he and his brother, John
were
coming
twelve students in the school. There was one
James ~ Age 12
room in the house and a curtain was drawn to
home
from the hills on horses, the horses stopped at a
divide the school from the living part. Once Jim
stream for a drink. Jim, as he was called, had a
and Joe Horne found the teacher’s pie and helped
switch in his hand and hit John’s horse. The
themselves. The teacher kept willows to do her
horse jumped and ran away leaving John sitting in
switching and Jim got his share of the switching
the ditch.
for eating the pie.
(The ditch was down east of
The next year he went to a private school
Cottonwood Canyon--about where the hospital
taught by Anna Morrison, and produce was given
is.)
to pay the cost of going to her school. Anna
Another time while herding cattle, he and
Morrison was only a few years older than Jim.
another boy were rolling rocks down the hill up in
Cottonwood Canyon. The boy slipped and the
Lyle Merral was the next teacher and this
ledge was loosened. Jim grabbed onto the boy
was in the Academy Hall. Jim would start to go
and helped pull him back. The rocks and dirt just
to school when the fall work was done and go
missed falling on a man with a wagon load of
until the spring work began. He went to this
wood.
school for two terms. Louise Bean was the next
Another time he and another boy were
teacher for two years. A Mr. Rasmussen had a
rolling rocks down the hill and one of the big
mixed school and he attended this school for some
rocks rolled and hit the other boy’s cow. The cow
time.
was killed. In the herd of cattle they were
When Jim was about 15 years old, he was
watching, was an old red bull that was tame and
riding a bronco and was giving the horse a drink
he and other boys would ride it if they didn’t have
at a ditch. A lady nearby shook a rug and it
a horse to ride.
frightened the horse, the horse bucked and threw
34
Histories of James Jensen
Jim off. He caught the horse, got back on it and
going to leave home to go back to Marysvale, his
rode home. When he got home, he tied the horse
mother, wanting to give him a treat, gave him
up, fed it, then went in the house and went to bed.
some canned salmon. His father had been to Juab
The next morning when he woke up, he didn’t
and gotten the salmon a few days before. Salmon
know were he was.
He said the last he
was quite a treat and he and his folks really
remembered was seeing the lady shaking the rug.
enjoyed it. After breakfast he left home. When
When Jim was about 17 years old, he got a
he got to Monroe, he stopped for a drink of water,
job working for Jered Taylor at Marysvale. He
then started for Poverty Flat. Before he got the
was to receive twenty dollars a month, plus room
drink, he had been a little dizzy, but thought it
and board. He worked about seven months and
was the heat. By the time he got to Poverty Flat,
couldn’t collect all the money so he took part of
it was all he could do to keep on the horse. A
his pay in cattle.
little farther on he became blind and just let the
From Taylor’s he went to James Stark’s
horse go. He didn’t remember getting to Starks,
ranch (near Marysvale) and worked for a year and
but the horse had taken him back there. When
a half. While working there, Mr. Stark became
Mr. Starks found him, he thought he had stopped
very ill. Jim started for the doctor who was in
in Monroe and gotten drunk. Finally they realized
Richfield. When he got to Monroe, he went to
he was ill and sent for the doctor. The doctor
Hans Tuft’s home, and as it was in the night, and
came and worked with him for two days before
because he was in a hurry, he just took a fresh
Jim could talk. He had been very sick and had
horse and left his. He got the doctor and on his
been able to hear people talk, but he was unable to
way back to Marysvale, he stopped to get his
talk to them. It was decided that the salmon had
horses. Mr. Tuft, when he found his best horse
made him sick. For years afterwards, he could
gone and strange horse in his corral, was pretty
never eat salmon. Long afterward if salmon was
angry, but when Jim told him why he had taken
served on the table, he would just take a little on
the horse as he did, Mr. Tuft told him if he ever
his plate.
needed a horse to help himself. Jim made the trip
At one time he went to the Sevier Stake
to Marysvale and back in four hours. The doctor
Academy, which held higher classes and this
said if he hadn’t gotten him, Mr. Starks would
school he attended for one year. While working
probably have died.
at Starks he saved enough money to go the B.Y.U.
While he was working at Starks, he went
for one year. When he left for the B.Y.U. he
home for a couple of days. He traveled most of
weighed 196 pounds and when he went home in
the time without a saddle. The morning he was
the spring he weighed 165. James M. Peterson
35
Histories of James Jensen
and William Coons were room-mates at the B.Y.
freight to Nevada. It was early in the spring and
That winter, James M. Peterson became very ill
there had been a lot of moisture that winter. The
and Jim would go to their rooms between classes
weather had turned warm and there was a thaw on
to turn him over and attend to his needs. Mr.
at the time when they were to begin their journey.
Peterson said that Jim was the only one who could
The wagons were loaded and they started on their
care for him without hurting him.
way from Richfield during the early morning
The next summer he was at home part of the
hours. When they got just south of town, the
time, then he went back to Marysvale and worked
heavy load made the wagons sink in the soft mud
for some Harris brothers helping them to plow
of the road. Their horses were soon unable to
and break up some new land. He intended going
move the wagons. In order to get on their way,
back to school in the fall, but was not able to save
they doubled their teams up. As each had four
enough money, so was unable to go.
horses, they would put the eight horses onto one
It must have been after this that he spent
wagon, move it away, then go back and move the
some time hauling freight. He has told of going
other wagon. They continued this all day and by
from Richfield to various towns in Nevada. He
night they had traveled only to the north end of
said that if the weather was cold, after leaving
the town of Central. The next day they were able
Richfield, he would stop in Elsinore and purchase
to make better progress and traveled to the mouth
a pair of wooden shoes. He always got the shoes
of Clear Creek Canyon and stayed at the James
too large for him, then he would put straw in them
Morrison Ranch. The trip to Nevada and back
to fill the space around his feet. The results were
would sometimes take a month to six weeks.
that he had warm feet as he traveled on this way.
On December 17, 1897, Jim left for Mexico.
He would tell of how the other men would laugh
A. D. Thurber, a polygamist, was moving to
at him, but he had warm feet while the men
Mexico and offered him a job of driving a team of
complained of how cold their feet were.
horses to Mexico for him. Mr. Thurber had a
buggy and a wagon to be taken there.
He traveled in the winter and many times
when he awoke in the morning he would be
In the group going to Mexico, besides the
buried under a heavy coat of snow. He said that
Thurber family, was E. Payne and wife and a
while out on the road, he was never sick or had a
Charles Bean drove a wagon. (Charles Bean later
cold, but when he would be at home, it seemed he
became Jim’s brother-in-law as he married Mary
would have a cold or an illness would develop.
Jensen.) An Odis Fielding of Manti drove a team
of supplies.
He told of one experience that he and
another man had as they were taking a load of
36
Histories of James Jensen
New Mexico where they crossed the boarder.
The first night they camped one and a half
miles from Monroe. They made a big bed for all
From there they went to Diess, Carluis, and
of them, men women and children.
A
DyBlain (all Mormon settlements) and it was here
Presbyterian minister came along and wanted to
the Thurbers stopped to live. (Spelling of towns
know what kind of a bed it was. They told him it
may be wrong). It was the last of February or first
was a “polygamist bed.”
The next day they
part of March when they reached their destination.
reached the other side of Marysvale and camped
Jim left the Thurbers and went to Jaurez,
there. Then they spent a night a Panguitch, Hatch,
about fifteen miles away. He found work at
and Upper Kanab. The day before Christmas,
Hurst’s sawmill for about two months and then he
they reached the town of Johnson, a place half-
went to Cacletis after a load of logs for Charles
way up the Bicksin Mountain. Christmas night
Bean. He lost his hat and had to go without one
they went into town and attended a dance that was
for three days.
being held. The stopped at Houserock and at
Jim was asked to go down to Galenta for
Lee’s Ferry. At Lee’s Ferry they were ferried
some cattle and take back to the U.S.A. Two
across the Colorado River on a boat. They next
other white men were going to help drive the
went to Bitter Springs (near Tuba City) and here
cattle as well as some Mexicans. When it was
they crossed the Little Colorado and it took three
time to leave with the cattle, the white men were
days to get to Windslow. They traveled for three
ill, so Jim and 17 Mexicans drove about 3,000
days in the rain and then at Shoveling Creek they
cattle to the United States. For six weeks Jim
had to wait three days as there had been a flood
didn’t see another white man. He learned to
there and they had to wait for the road to dry.
speak a little Mexican language and could
From there they went to Holbrook, Arizona;
understand quite a lot. After delivering the cattle,
Neutarosa, Woodruff and Springerville.
At
Jim went back to Mexico for a few days then got
Springerville, they stopped for Sunday School and
on a train and went to El Paso, Texas. He planned
Jim was asked to give a talk.
Also, at
on waiting for some fellows to come from Mexico
Springerville they visited with a Jeppson family
and while waiting for them he heard of a train
that had once lived in Richfield. Sometime after
wreck at Guinn and he went to help clear it up,
crossing into New Mexico they chased desert
then when he went back to El Paso the fellows
turkeys and were able to catch three.
They
were waiting for him. They had planned on going
stopped at Williams Ranch for four days and then
back to Utah, but they had changed their minds
went on to Silver City. There they loaded the
and went to Deming, New Mexico. (This was
wagons with hay and grain. Stopped at Deming,
June). While in Deming they met two fellows
37
Histories of James Jensen
who wanted to sell two tickets to San Francisco,
Portland thinking about joining the Navy, but he
California for $5.00 each. Jim and Thee Brandley
happened to meet a Methodist minister from
thought it too good a bargain to pass up. Jim
Richfield, who was there at a convention and
collected $40.00 from Guy Taylor for driving the
when he talked to the minister, it made him
cattle and he and Thee Brandley bought the
homesick so he decided to start for home. He
tickets and went to Los Angeles. They stayed
stopped at Grass Valley and worked on a farm
there three days then arrived in San Francisco on
helping thresh grain. (A picture was taken of him
July 4, 1898. The tickets were first-class tickets.
on the thresher and one of his children has it.) He
The day they arrived in San Francisco, they saw
worked on a railroad for a time and then got on a
the biggest parade of their lives. They also saw a
train and went to Salt Lake City. He arrived
man killed in a sky rocket. The parade was put on
home for Christmas in 1898. He had been gone
by the Christian Endeavors.
over a year.
Jim stayed in San Francisco two weeks and
One incident which happened while in
then went to an employment office where he go a
Mexico was related by his parents. While Jim
job at the mouth of the Columbia River in
was in Mexico, his coat was stolen. In the coat
Oregon. He went on a ship which took two days
pocket was a letter he had received from his
to get there. Here he worked on a railroad for
mother. The man who took the coat was riding on
awhile. The flu got so bad that he quit there and
a train and was killed. The authorities found the
went to Rainier on a boat. Here he bought some
letter and thinking it was Jim who was killed,
new clothes and then got a job at a saw mill. It
wrote to his mother telling her about the accident.
was here that he was ill with the flu and when he
Of course, the family was very upset, but it was
went back to work, he was so weak he wasn’t able
only a few days after that when Jim arrived home.
to do the work, so he left there and went back to
It was a joyous homecoming for him and his
the mouth of the Columbia River and helped
family.
make dikes. He had to get up on a high platform
Jim had two sisters, Mary and Martha. The
and release a one and a half ton hammer, which
sisters’ friend, Liz Seegmiller, her brother had
drove in the logs for the dikes. At night he would
married Mary Harmon for Holden. Mary Harmon
sleep on a scow. One night the anchor rope broke
Seegmiller’s sister, Lucy Harmon, was visiting
and if a man hadn’t seen it break away, the boat
her and went with Liz Seegmiller to visit Mary
would have been carried down stream.
and Martha. It was here that Jim met Lucy. That
night Jim walked the two girls home. Later Jim
He worked in a salmon factory for some
took Lucy to a dance.
time, and when the work was done, he went to
38
While at the dance
Histories of James Jensen
someone stole a fur cap that Lucy had. Jim had a
To Lucy and James Jensen were born 6
coat and cap, and when he took Lucy to her
children--Ruth, Carrie, James Harmon, Rose,
sisters’, he put his cap on her head. Lucy stayed
Lucile and Andrew Milo.
part of the winter in Richfield or in Vermillian
James or Jim was a farmer and did a very
with another sister, Anne. Jim went to Eureka to
good job at farming. He first had 10 acres south
work and wrote to Lucy. When he went back to
of town, then sold it and bought land north of
Richfield, Lucy was in Holden. That summer he
Richfield, he had also some land that he had
went over to Holden in a one seated buggy to see
bought earlier. The land is now owned by his
her. It was in this same buggy that he went to
sons, Harmon and Milo. He also had land east of
Holden to take his bride to Manti, Utah, to be
town that was used as pasture for his cows.
married in the Temple there. It was a raining and
stormy day as they left on their journey, but they
arrived in Manti that night and stayed with some
Harmon relatives, that ran a Hotel, called the
Harmon House.
It was on April 30, 1902 that James Jensen
and Lucy E. Harmon were married in the Manti
Temple. After they left the temple they started for
Richfield. It was raining so bad that when they
got to Gunnison they stopped there and spent the
night there, the first night as newlyweds.
They made their home in Richfield and
moved into the home where they lived the rest of
their lives.
The home in which they moved was one
Jim’s brother, John, had owned. John had moved
to Salt Lake City. This home was what is now 386
North 3rd West. This home was a brick home
with three rooms. Jim bought it from John and his
wife Elma.
39
A HISTORY OF ANDREW NIELSON JENSON
ALSO HIS WIFE
KARNA, OR CAROLINE OLSON JENSON
(written by Ruth Jensen Jones)
ndrew was born on May 7, 1828, at
Andrew’s family was not at all happy about them
Fronch Stora, Warabadt Scona,
joining this church. The stepmother, Christina,
Sweden. He was the son of Nils
said it was all Karna’s fault. She ordered her out
A
His
of the house and spat on her. An Aunt who was
father, Nils Jonsson, was born on June 30, 1794,
there said that Karna’s skin was darker now that
at Malmohus, Sweden. He died November 6,
she had joined the church.
Jonsson and Gunilla Erlandson Jonsson.
1859. His mother, Gunilla Erlandson, was born
Andrew and Karna soon got the spirit of
on September 5, 1790, and died on May 20, 1832.
gathering. They wanted to be with the Saints in
Her birthplace was Honalands, Sweden.
Utah. They began to save their money and to sell
their possessions. In March of 1864, they started
Andrew was married in October, 1860, to
on their long, long journey to Utah.
Karna Olson. She was born on August 25, 1839,
at Snarladt Scona, Sweden. Her parents were Nils
Their second child, Nils, had been born on
Olsson, born March 12, 1774, at Belentrop,
December 23, 1862, at Harrestad, Sweden, so with
Sweden, and her mother was Anna Mattsson, born
this baby and little Gunilla they started on the long
August 8, 1779, at Snorestad, Sweden.
voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving all of
their other loved ones behind.
Andrew and Karna’s first child was a
daughter, Gunilla, born December 18, 1861, at
The food and water, on the ship, was very
Harrestad, Sweden. Soon after this child was
poor and stale, and they were quartered down in
born the parents heard the missionaries of the
the bottom of the ship. Karna was one of the first
L.D.S. Church preach the gospel. Karna was soon
passengers to get seasick. Soon the little girl,
converted and was baptized on March 29, 1861.
Gunilla, became ill and died. This happened in
It was just two days later when Andrew was
either March or April. It was necessary that she be
baptized on March 31, 1861.
buried at sea. This must have been very hard on
Some time after they were baptized they
her parents. Andrew and Karna were on the sailing
went to visit Andrew’s family. Andrew’s mother,
vessel for six weeks, and Karna was ill most of the
Gunilla Erlandson, had died in 1832, when
time.
When they reached New York City Andrew
Andrew was three years old. His father had
remarried a lady named Christina Phesson.
did whatever work he could get until there was
40
enough money to join an immigrant train. This
A History of Andrew Nielson Jenson
Also His Wife Karna, or Caroline Olson Jenson
their food and clothing with them and also helped
train took them to Florence, Nebraska. It was just
Andrew to get work.
a train of box cars and the people were crowded
In the spring of 1865, they decided to go
into them, with their families and their few
father south where there was more land and water.
belongings, including food. They traveled this
They traveled south to Richfield to make their
way for several days before they arrived at
home.
Florence, Nebraska. Grandma Jenson said that
The first home was a dugout but later
this was a very hard trip and they suffered much.
Andrew was able to build a one-room house. For
After arriving at Florence they met some ox
the roof he placed willows across and dirt on top of
team outfits from Utah. They joined one of these
them. The dug-out was on the corner of 2nd North
and were thus able to start on the last part of their
and Main Street. Later the courthouse was built,
journey. Joseph Herring was their teamster boy
just across the street east from their lot.
Andrew was able to secure a yoke of oxen
and they were in the Isaak Canfield company.
Andrew walked most of the way. Karna and
and began grubbing brush from his ten acres that
little Nils were so ill that they were allowed to
was south of Richfield, just north of Richfield
ride in the wagon. While going along a dugway
Airport. It took him two years to clear off the
one day the oxen swerved and nearly sent them to
brush. While he was doing this work he had to
the bottom of the canyon. By some quick action
have a gun at his side because the Indians were
on the part of the teamster, however, a tragedy
troubling the people. During this same time he
was averted. If the wagon had gone off the
helped dig the canal, using a grubbing hoe and
dugway the mother and child would have been
pick.
A little son whom they named Andrew was
killed.
They arrived in Salt Lake City on October 5,
born 20 December 1865, at Richfield. He only
1864, after leaving Sweden in March. Their shoes
lived until the 16 of September 1866, so, again
and clothes were almost worn out and they had no
they were childless. This little Andrew was buried
money to buy more. In a few days they were
in the old Cemetery west of Richfield north of the
taken to Fountain Green, Sanpete County. Three
high school.
days after arriving there little Nils died. He was
Karna didn’t have any shoes that were good
buried at Fountain Green and again they were
at the time, and she would borrow some long
childless.
enough to go to church. She was anxious to learn
to talk and read English, so she attended night
They had a difficult time that first winter but
school. Brother H. P. Miller was the teacher.
the Saints there were kind to them. They divided
41
A History of Andrew Nielson Jenson
Also His Wife Karna, or Caroline Olson Jenson
Even if they had had money they would not have
wooden bed and dresser and a paisley shall, and a
been able to buy anything as there was not a store
clock among other things to bring home to his
in Richfield at this time. Andrew did not attend
wife. Mary J. Bean had the dresser and she gave it,
school and did not learn to speak or read very
when she moved to Salt Lake, to her son, Lowell.
good English.
She gave Ruth J. Jones the shawl. Karna had this
In the Summer of 1867 the Indians became
shawl around James Jensen, another son, when he
so troublesome that the church authorities advised
was blessed and given a name. He was born on 14
the people who were settled in this area to go
of October 1871. I remember Grandma using this
north until things got safer. They left and went
on a little stand in her dining room.
back to Fountain Green and lived for a while with
While Andrew was returning from Salt
Ole Jenson and wife, while they built a one room
Lake after taking his load of grain, he stayed one
house of logs.
night to camp at what is now called Spring Lake,
On August 11, 1867, after arriving at
near Payson. His team of oxen went into the water
Fountain Green another son was born, they named
to drink and began to sink, as there was quick sand
him John. How happy they must have been to
there. He became very excited and began calling
have a son.
for help. People came to help, but as he was
talking in Swedish they couldn’t understand who
At this time Karna secured a loom and
he was and where he was going.
began to weave cloth which she would exchange
Adelbert Nebeker of Annabella told me,
for wheat and provisions.
In the spring and summer the men would go
Ruth, that he was a young boy at this time living
to Richfield and tried to raise some crops, as the
near this area and he and several other boys ran to
Indians had become more peaceful. Later in the
see what the trouble was. He said that he saw the
summer of 1871, Andrew brought his family back
animals sinking in the water. A man that lived
to Richfield.
near was from Sweden and was sent for and came
While they were in Fountain Green a
to help but by then it was too late to save the oxen.
daughter was also born, Mary Caroline. She was
The man did secure a loan of a team for Andrew to
born the 20 of July 1869. So again they had a son
go home with. A widow let him have a cow that
and daughter as they had when they left Sweden.
was dry and he was able to also get an oxen.
In the early fall of 1871, Andrew took a load
It was also during this summer of 1871 that
of wheat he had harvested to Salt Lake City. He
Andrew was traveling alone on a trip from Sanpete
went by ox team.
to Richfield with supplies with his ox team. He
While there he bought a
42
A History of Andrew Nielson Jenson
Also His Wife Karna, or Caroline Olson Jenson
had unhitched them from the night near the town
Andrew was chosen a counselor to Bishop
of Aurora. He had turned the cattle out to browse
Lewis and for years took care of the fast offerings.
and had lain down in the wagon to sleep. A voice
More children were born to them. Martha
awakened him telling him to get up and move on.
Sophi was born 24 February 1874, Lewis on 17
He heeded the voice of warning. He rounded up
August 1876, and Alexander 20 November 1878.
his team and came on to Richfield, reaching there
In 1882 Andrew decided that he wanted a
at sunrise. That morning word came to town that
plural wife. James told of how he and John and
a man camped a short distance from where
Lewis, though they were just boys, would be
Andrew had camped near Aurora had been killed
helping haul hay, and as they came to where this
by Indians. It would undoubtedly have been his
lady, Anna Eliza Swenigen lived, Andrew wanted
fate if he had failed to heed the warning to get up
to get off and go visit her while they unloaded the
and go on to Richfield.
hay. James or Jim as he was called, or John if
On the 14 of October 1871, another son was
either were driving the load of hay, would whip the
born. He was named James. There was no doctor
horses up and go on past and not let him off the
in Richfield, so Andrew left his wife and went to
load. They didn’t feel that he should take another
Glenwood by ox team after a mid-wife to help
wife. But Andrew did take her for a second wife in
with the delivery of the baby. The lady he went to
1882. She bore him three children, Mary Ann,
get was a Mrs. Herring. When they returned they
Ardell and Oscar.
found that the baby had already arrived. Mrs.
After he took Anna Eliza for a wife, the
Chrisina Morrison had been left with Karna and
government arrested him and he was sent to the
had helped bring the baby.
state prison. He stayed there for six months. Jim
James told how his mother had told him that
had a comb case that he had made while there. He
the roof began to leak, as there had been a heavy
had carved a design on it, and it was very
rain storm on, and they had to put pans over the
attractive. When he got out of prison, he found
bed to catch the rain and try to keep mother and
that Anna Eliza had found her another man and she
baby warm and dry.
had left him. A divorce was granted on May 28,
1890.
During the winter of 1871, Andrew
continued to help dig what is known as the
Andrew was still struggling to fence the land
Richfield Canal. Karna carded and spun cloth.
he had secured from the government. He had also
She made cloths for her family and others. Later
taken some land north of Richfield. One day in
she wove carpets for many people in the area.
1893, he was on a horse and had a cradle that they
43
A History of Andrew Nielson Jenson
Also His Wife Karna, or Caroline Olson Jenson
used to harvest grain, when the horse he was
and Jenson. Also at this time Karna took the
riding became frightened and threw him off. He
English name of Caroline.
Andrew was the first to plant a fruit orchard
fell on this cradle and was injured very badly. He
died on May 12, 1893.
in Richfield. To obtain the trees he took his ox
He was buried at
team and traveled to Fillmore to get the young tree
Richfield May 17, 1893.
When Karna first came to Richfield there
plants. He planted them on the block they first
were many hard things she had to do. The bread
lived there on main street. At this time they owned
that she made was not very good. It was not her
the whole block, but as time went on they sold
fault. The way they had to sperate the sunflower
building lots.
seeds and other seeds from the wheat was very
This first home had been added on to, there
hard to do and many were left in the flour. She
were several rooms. There was what they called a
said the bread was very untasty and it was hard
lean to, built on and used as a kitchen. I remember
for her to eat.
as a child, riding in front of my father, James or
When Andrew was working on the canal,
Jim, on a horse and he stopped near the door and
and in the field, she would kill a chicken and
Uncle Lewis coming out and lifting me down in his
grind it to put on the bread. She would give him
arms, then going into the house. The door must
the meat and she would eat the soup.
have been low as I remember him saying, “duck.”
Karna continued to study the English
I also remember they had a lounge, the sides and
language but Andrew was frightened of being
back was of wood. I used to play around it and on
made fun of and when he would see a man
it. Uncle Lewis and Alex would sit on the floor
coming down the street he would go around the
with their backs to it and I would play on the
block rather than have to talk to him in English.
lounge and bother them. This is all I remember of
this house.
When they came to this country they went
by the name of Nielson, using the way people got
Along about 1900 they bought a lot two
there names in Sweden, adding “son” to the
blocks east from this first home. Here a nice brick
father’s name.
When they obtained their
home was built. I know that Grandma was really
endowments on May 3, 1869, they were asked to
proud of her new home that her children had been
use the last name of his father, that of Jonsson or
able to build for her. It had one of the first
Jenson as was used in English. For many years
bathrooms that I remember seeing.
Grandma was very neat in caring for herself
the family was known by old timers as Nielson
as well as her home. It was always spotless. I
44
A History of Andrew Nielson Jenson
Also His Wife Karna, or Caroline Olson Jenson
remember that one day I had been there eating
them. There was a nice little shed also, and in it
dinner with her and the rest of the family. The
was kept a pretty one-seat black buggy. She was
men had gone out to work and Aunt Marth had
so proud of it.
When I was a Grandma’s place and Uncle
gone back to the bank, where she worked.
Grandma went out to look after her chickens. I
Lewis and Alex were there Grandma would have
thought that I would surprise her and I washed
a good dinner at noon for them, as Aunt Marth
and wiped the dishes while she was outside.
would come from working at the Commercial
When she came in and saw what I had done, she
Bank, and we would all eat.
wasn’t too happy until she inspected them to see
One day I was there and Grandma had made
if I had done a good job. She said that I had. I
a nice big cake, it was sitting on a big glass cake
was about 7 years old at that time.
dish, and looked so good. After the blessing on the
It was a joy to go to Grandma Jensen’s and
food was said, Uncle Lewis reached over and took
eat dinner with them. The table was set in the one
a piece of the cake. Grandma told him to put it
end of the kitchen and by now she had some very
back and have the other food first, but I remember
nice dishes. There was the set of green water
him saying, “What difference does it make when
glasses and pitcher that was trimmed with gold.
you eat it first or last, it all goes to the same place.”
How good her rootbeer was from them. She also
Grandma loved to have friends come in and
visit for an afternoon. Some were Swedish and
made the very best sugar cookies.
Grandma loved flowers. Around her new
other Danish. The would talk these languages and
home she had rows of many kinds of flowers--
I used to think they were saying things that I
Pansies, Sweet Williams, Larkspurs and those big
shouldn’t hear.
Cantaberry Bells along with Snap Dragons. She
footstool even if I couldn’t know what they were
would let me pick some of the Snap Dragons and
talking about.
But I used to sit on her big
play they were little dogs. We never left there
My father would take me sometimes down on
without a big bunch of flowers tied around with
the horse or in the wagon and let me spend the day
some string. Even if someone was just passing by
there; I really did enjoy it.
and she was working in her flowers and they
The last time I went there was with Mother
stopped to admire the flowers, they would take
and the other children, Carrie, Harmon and Rose,
some with them as they went on there way.
with Milo in the baby buggy, as he was about three
In the back yard was a coop with a little
months old. Grandma was out working in her
flock of chickens, and she took the best care of
flowers when we got there. My mother told her
45
A History of Andrew Nielson Jenson
Also His Wife Karna, or Caroline Olson Jenson
that it was too damp and cold to be out there on
that time there were no automobiles, and the hearse
the damp lawn. It was in May and not to warm a
was drawn by some big black horses. The Joseph
day. Grandma said that the weeds were coming
Horne family were the funeral directors.
During the funeral my sister Rose became
up and needed pulled out.
We went in the house and visited for a
restless, so I was told to take her and Harmon
while, then went over to Uncle Lewis’ place,
outside and keep them till it was over. When I saw
where he and Aunt Adell lived and had a new
the people coming out, I went back in, and they
baby. But when we went home we had our bunch
were just ready to close the casket. At this time it
of flowers to take with us. That was on a Friday,
was the custom to leave the casket open during the
and on Sunday my father, James, went to a
service. Mr. Horne saw me coming and held the
Priesthood meeting down at the Old Academy
lid back up and lifted me up so I could see
Hall where they held some of the meetings, and
Grandma one last time.
We had a white top buggy at this time and we
Uncle Charles Bean, Aunt Mary’s husband, came
rode to the cemetery in it.
up to him and said, “I thought that you would be
During her 73 years Grandma had seen many
at your Mother’s.” He asked why and Uncle
changes and had taken time well. Aunt Martha
Charles said that she was very ill.
continued to live in the home until she died.
Father left the meeting and at once came to
Grandma’s place and found that she was very ill
NOTE: Ruth Jensen Jones gathered this
with pneumonia. After visiting there for a while
information by talking to several people and by her
he came home to get mother and they both went
own experiences.
down. When father came into the house mother
looked at him and said, “Jim what on earth is the
matter, you look like a ghost?” He then told her.
I stayed with the children, but mother did
take Milo. There had been a misunderstanding
among the brothers and sisters, each thinking that
one had told Father about Grandma being ill.
After doing his chores that night he went and
stayed with her.
Grandma died on May 20, 1912, and her
funeral was held in the Third Ward Church. At
46
LUCY ELMEDA HARMON JENSEN
n November 29, 1862, Roseline
Stringham’s. Amos Harmon had been
waiting there for us for two days.
When we arrived on October 22, I saw
the cars (train), for the first time. We
left Salt Lake for Toquerville on the 25
of October and arrived at Holden on
the thirtieth. Arrived at Toquerville
about the middle of November, and I
went to school December and
January.”
O
Chandler became the wife of Ansil
Perse Harmon, the ceremony being
performed by Daniel H. Wells in the Endowment
House, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
They remained in Salt Lake until the
following spring when they moved to Cedar
Springs, now Holden, Utah. Ansil had been called
The following is a copy of what Lucy H.
there to take charge of the Church property, which
Jensen had written about herself. This was found
consisted of a farm and a large number of cattle.
among her papers.
They first lived in a fort built for protection
February 19, 1933. In a little town of
Holden, but was called Cedar Springs
at first, and one hundred and sixty
miles south from Salt Lake City, Utah,
in the year of 1871 a little black
headed, black eyed and red faced girl
of 8 1/2 pounds was born on the 23 of
September. The good parents were,
Ansil and Roseline Chandler Harmon.
The house I was born in was a large
frame one and was painted white. It
had 8 rooms in it and was a very nice
home for the family.
I was the fifth child there being 9
children, two dying when a baby. I
had 6 sisters and 2 brothers. Their
names were Annie Rose, Milo Ansil,
Joseph Martin, Mary Sophronia,
Emma Tressa, Zina Bell and Jane
Marinda. Our house was open to the
many friends who ever came there.
How often one of the 12 apostles
would stop on their way going from
Salt Lake City to St. George and eat a
meal with us.
I well remember the old coach that
would pass our home and stop at the
Post Office across the street on the
against the Indians.
On November 11, 1863, their first child was
born, whom they named Anna Rose. Three other
children were born in the fort, Milo Ansil, Joseph
Martin and Mary Sophronia. Joseph died when
only a few weeks old.
In the spring of 1871 the family moved out of
the fort into a new eight-room house.
From the journal of Willis Milton Harmon he
writes:
“On the ninth of July 1870, Father
(Appleton Milo Harmon) and I left
Toquerville for Holden to build a
house for Uncle Ansil Harmon. We
arrived in Holden on the fifteenth of
July. On the twenty-fourth of July
(Pioneer Day) they spoke comic pieces
and sang songs, and on the twenty-fifth
they had a public dance.
My father and I left Holden for Salt
Lake City on the 18th of October
1870.
We stopped at Grandma
47
Lucy Elmeda Harmon Jensen
Eve, Father was away after goods to
Mona. This was before the train came
to Juab, which was the station for
years.
We used to drive the cows over the hill
so they could get feed, how I
remember when spring came we would
gather the lilies and red tassels as we
were going along. My father had the
contract of getting out the sleepers and
joice for the brick school house. The
old adobe one was getting old and little
for the number of children.
We girls would go with him for
company up the canyon. While he was
working on the logs, we could set and
crochet and do other things.
Sometimes ramble around and gather
specimens of different kinds of plants.
We all loved so well to go with him.
We would always be ready to help him
as he was so kind to us.
When I was small and about 8 years
old, one of our neighbor boys picked
up a stick and threw it at me, hitting
my mouth so hard that it broke one of
my teeth off. Of course I thought I
was killed when I saw the blood, but
he was only a mischief boy, like all
boys. His mother was such a nice
lady, her name was Mary Ann Tanner.
She gave me a little box with some
lace in it, which I thought was nice, as
it was a rare thing in those days to get
a present.
We girls used to go on the farm and
help father pick up his potatoes. There
was other children who would come
and help us. We would see who could
get the largest pile before dinner time.
We would always try to lay out the
largest ones so to show the neighbors
who were digging potatoes, who had
the best.
Once when it
was getting near lunch time, I called
out to Pa, “Minne says dinna dinna.”
Of course they had a laugh on me for
corner where the old Coop Store stood
for years. It is now occupied by the
Wood Bro.
My father was a great person for
improvements. He planted lots of trees
also, raspberries, strawberries,
grapevines. We had a beautiful grape
arbor by the south side of the parlor.
A Brother Tanner, who once was our
neighbor and who had moved to
Milford, said he would give us $40 for
it if we could only move it to his
home. If I could count the bunches of
grapes that had been eaten by others
beside our own family it would be a
good many. Everyone who came by
always tried to see how good they
were, and they were always welcome
to try them.
On each side of our lot there was a row
of large locus trees. In later years all
afternoon sports of the 4th of July and
24th of July on Pioneer day was held
there.
In the lot father had two large barns, a
good granary and a wagon shed. The
material in our house and barns and
shed was gotten from the saw mill
which was owned by Uncle Appleton,
Amos Harmon and father. The two
brothers were carpenters and also
father was very handy with tools.
My two uncles lived in Holden for
some years, then Uncle Amos moved
to San Bernardino, California. Uncle
App, as we called him, died in Holden.
Grandfather Harmon lived on the lot
adjoining ours, where my Brother Milo
lives now.
I remember when my grandfather
raised a good garden and often when
we children would go over there he
would show us his large onions which
he had grown. I remember when I
would go into the house and they were
eating, he would always give me lump
of sugar out of his little tin sugar bowl.
He died, I remember on Christmas
48
Lucy Elmeda Harmon Jensen
Indian and fallen in a fire when a baby
and his legs and been burned and cut
off). He had a cane and asked for
something to eat. Afterwards he came
a lot for something to eat.
A crowd would go up to see the
Indians who were camped near the hill.
They had a big room or wick-up made
of brush and the top was covered with
skins. Sabaquin, an Indian, always had
a big blanket around him. He would
bring deer meat to sell. Grandpa
Harmon would usually buy a quarter of
it. John Indian, and others would
come on horses, and they would have
horses pulling poles with tents and
provisions on it.
A group would go up to the sandhills 2
1/2 miles away to play games, roll
each other down the hills. They would
go to the hills in wagons. They would
go up to Wild Goose Canyon, 7 miles
away for a picnic on May Day. It was
a big flat place with big oak trees.
They would make ice cream and take it
up there, then find snow or ice to
freeze ice cream.
years. (Minne was what mother called
Aunt Mary when she was small.)
I often slept with a friend, Sade Wood,
whose mother had died when she was
14 and the only girl home with her
father and brothers. I would always
wake up early so to get home in time
to help before school time as father
would always rise early. My cousin,
Jess Harmon, said the only thing he
knew bad about father was that he rose
too early.
We always had lots of sweet corn and
pop corn, in the winter we would parch
and pop it. We had lovely apples to
eat. Our cellar being a large rock one
we would be able to keep everything
so nice.
We always had some
neighbors come in or other friends to
spend the evening and enjoy those
things with us.
Luce Kane gave me a large shell for
tending her boy.
Once when we were children we were
sitting around the fire place and
mother went to gape, my brother Milo
picked up the fire shovel handle and
stuck it in her mouth. We all had a
good laugh on mother, she said in a
jolly way, “I’ll kiss you.”
When I was 17 I went to Salt Lake
City to a Mutual Conference with a
crowd of young folks. We went to
Juab and stayed all night, then went on
the train in the morning. We rented a
room at Juab and all the girls made a
family bed, as we had taken our
bedding with us. We sure had a jolly
time. We had places assigned to us
where to go in Salt Lake City. Mary
Evans a little English girl was my
friend and we stayed at a Brother
Smiths. They treated us very nice.
Lucy had trouble with her eyes and was not
able to attend school as would have liked. Lucy
went with Jane and some of the other girls from
Holden to the BUY to attend school. Before the
year was out she became ill and had to return
home. Lucy had a Patriarchal Blessing given her
by Jacob Croft, Patriarch of Millard Stake, May
26, 1896. In this blessing she was promised that
“you shall have faith to administer unto the sick
and to prove yourself a mother in Israel in every
deed for your guardian angels have watched over
you and guarded you for this...”
The following was told to Lucile years ago.
Indeed she did administer unto the sick. In
Lucy and Mary were picking peaches
and Stubby Indian came there. (The
the biographical sketch of Emma H. Reeve, it tells,
49
Lucy Elmeda Harmon Jensen
“Lucy came and assumed charge while Emma was
your company at the wedding reception of their
in bed with her first born baby. Byran Harmon
daughter Lucy and Mr. James Jensen at their
Reeve, was born August 11, 1896, on Emma’s
residence, Holden, Utah, May 7, 1902, at 6
grandfather’s (Jesse Harmon’s) birthday.”
o’clock p.m.”
to
The home in which they moved was one
Vermillian, Lucy told of going there and helping
Jim’s brother had owned, John Jensen. Lucy had
them out when babies came and when the family
a large rag carpet, quilts, linens and may other
had diphtheria. It was while she was in Richfield
things received from the reception. Jim bought
staying with Mary H. Seegmiller when Myrle was
her a bedroom set, bed and dresser and wash
born that she met James Jensen or Uncle Jim as he
stand. One of the gifts was a big china wash bowl
was letter known by the relatives.
and pitcher. Alex and Lewis gave them a little
When
Annie
Stringham
moved
Jim had just returned from a trip to Mexico.
round stand, Grandma Jensen and Mary and
He had driven a team for Al Thruber and Ed
Charles and Martha a rocking chair. John had left
Payne. In this company was his sister Mary and
a table they used in the kitchen. The stove was
Charles Bean. After arriving in Mexico he stayed
called Charter Oak, and was a wood burning one.
there for a little while then worked his way up the
It was in the house that they lived all their lives
coast to Oregon and Washington then home.
and raised their family of six children, Ruth,
Carrie, Harmon, Rose, Milo and Lucile.
Jim would come over to Holden in a little
Lucy continued to be the good neighbor.
one-seated buggy and visit Lucy.
It was in this buggy that he came to claim her
Whenever any of the neighbors or relatives were
as a bride on April 30, 1902. After they were
sick, she would be found there helping in any way
married at the Manti Temple they started toward
she could. She often said that if she could live her
Richfield. It wa raining and it became dark by the
life over, she would have loved to go and have
time they arrived at Gunnison so here is where
trained as a nurse.
they spent their first night of married life. The
For years she was on the Sunshine
next morning they continued on and stopped at
Committee of the Relief Society, where they fixed
Vermillion where they had dinner at Aunt Annie’s
the lunch after the funeral for members of the
Home. Then on to Richfield that night. Just how
ward. She would also go and arrange the church
long they stayed here I don’t know, but on May 7,
with the white drapes before the funeral.
1902 a wedding reception was given by Mr. and
She was a primary teacher for many years
Mrs. A. P. Harmon; the invitation was as follows.
and also a Relief Society Block Teacher until her
Mr. & Mrs. A. P. Harmon, desire the pleasure of
health stopped her.
50
Lucy Elmeda Harmon Jensen
She loved to grow flowers and didn’t like
stand as a peace maker in the midst of thy sex and
weeds around her yard. Even in the last years of
words of wisdom shall flow from thy heart and thy
her life she would go out and try and hoe up the
lips to make glad the hearts of many that may hear
weeds in the yard and along her sidewalk. It
thee, and thy feet shall never depart from that path
seemed she had a touch or green thumb for she
that leadth to your Eternal Exaltation and Glory,
could make her flowers grow most beautiful.
and as you grow in years thou shall grow in
She passed away at the home of her
knowledge, and if you will listen and harken unto
daughter, Carrie Jensen Gillies, at Monroe, Utah,
that still small voice, that shall come forth and
May 12, 1959.
truth unto thee under all the circumstances that
you may be required to pass through for thou art of
Her funeral and burial was in Richfield, Utah
Ephriam, and entitled to all the blessings, and the
LUCY ELMEDA HARMON
authorities of the Holy priesthood, as one of the
(Patriarchal Blessing)
daughters of Abraham and the blessing of the
earth, and of the heavens shall be unto thee, to
A Patriarchal Blessing given by Jacob Croft,
supply all thy wants and desires and if you desire
Patriarch of Millard Stake, May 26, 1896, on the
it thou shall have a husband of thy choice and
head of Lucy Elmeda Harmon, daughter of Ansil
children shall be given unto thee, and shall grow
and Roseline Chandler Harmon, born at Holden
up around thee, as Olive Plants, and you shall be
Sept. 23, 1871.
honored by thy husband, and by thy children, all
Sister Lucy Elmeda in the name of the Lord
the days of thy life and if you desire it that the
Jesus Christ, I place my hands upon thy head, in
vision of the spirit world will be revealed unto
the name of Jesus Christ to predict, and seal such
thee and if you desire it you shall see the Holy
things as the Lord our God may give unto me by
Temple reared in Zion, and shall administer their
the inspiration of His Holy Spirit. I say unto thee
with your companion when the spirit of the Lord
lift up thy head and rejoice for I desire through the
shall fill that building you shall be made to shout
spirit of the Lord to seal upon thy head such things
Hosanna to the most high, and if you desire you
as shall come to pass hereafter. Thou are one of
shall be permitted to live upon the earth, when the
the chosen ones that has been reserved in the Spirit
Savior shall stand upon the earth, in the midst of
World to come forth, when the fullness of the
his Saints, and if you desire it you shall have
gospel has been revealed for you are one of them
wisdom and faith to rebuke all evil influence, from
that shall assist in the establishing of truth and
your habitation that no power shall enter your
righteousness in the midst of thy sex. You shall
habitation that will annoy you or disquiet you and
51
you shall have faith to administer unto the sick and
to prove yourself a mother in Israel in every deed
for your guardian angels have watched over you
and guarded you this far through life, and shall
never leave thee, but shall be thy constant
companion in days that are to come, and I say unto
thee that thy heart shall be filled with a love for
the truth all the days of thy life and if you desire it
that you shall stand here in the midst of the
faithful daughters of Zion and words of wisdom
shall be given unto thee in every time of need, and
I say unto thee that you shall never depart from
having the things revealed unto thee that will
prove for your good, as one of the daughters of
Israel. And I seal all thy former blessings that
have been pronounced upon thy head and I seal
thee up unto eternal life to come forth in the
morning of the first resurrection a queen and a
priestess unto thy husband, and thy posterity to
receive thrones and principalities and powers in
the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, Amen.
A HISTORY OF LUCY ELMEDA HARMON
(written by Lucy Elmeda Harmon)
This is a copy of what Lucy Harmon Jensen had written about herself. This was found among her papers.
ebruary 19, 1933 In a little town of
The good parents were, Ansil and Roseline
Holden, but was called Cedar Springs at
Chandler Harmon. The house I was born in was a
first, and one hundred and sixty miles South from
large frame and was painted white. It had eight
Salt Lake City, Utah, in the year 1871, a little black
rooms in it and was a very nice home for the
headed, black eyed and red faced girl of eight and
family. I was the fifth child, there being 9 children,
one half pounds was born on the 23 of September.
two dying when a baby. I had 6 sisters and 2
F
52
Lucy Elmeda Harmon
written by herself
brothers. Their names were Annie Rose, Milo
to San Bernardino, Cal. Uncle App, as we called
Ansil, Joseph Martin, Mary Sophronia, Emma
him, died in Holden. Grandfather Harmon lived on
Tressa, Zina Bell and Jane Marinda. Our house was
the lot adjoining ours, where my Brother Milo lives
open to the many friends who ever came there.
now. I remember my grand-father raised a good
How often the Twelve Apostles would stop on their
garden and often when we children would go over
way going from Salt Lake to St. George and eat a
there he would show us his large onions which he
meal with us. I well remember the old coach that
had grown. I remember when I would go into the
would pass our home and stop at the Post Office
house and they were eating, he would always give
across the street on the corner where the old Coop
me a lump of sugar out of his little tin sugar bowl.
Store stood for years. It is now occupied by the
He died I remember on Christmas eve, father was
Wood Bro. My father was a great person for
away after goods to Mona. This was before the
improvements. He planted lots of trees, also,
train came to Juab, which was the station for years.
raspberries, straw berries, grapevines. We had a
We use to drive the cows over the hill so they could
beautiful grape arbor by the south side of
get feed, how I remember when spring came we
the Parlor. A Bro. Tanner, who once was our
would gather the Lilies and Red tassels as we were
neighbor, and who had move to Milford, said he
going along. My father had the contract of getting
would give us $40 for it if we could only move it to
our the sleepers and joice for the Brick school
his home. If I could count the bunches of grapes
house, as the old adobe one was getting old and
that had been eaten by others beside our own family
little for the number of children. We girls would go
it would be a good many. Everyone who came by
with him for company up the canyon. While he was
always tried to see how good they were, and they
working on the logs, we could set and crochet and
were always welcome to try them. On each side of
do other things. Sometimes ramble around and
our lot there was a row of large locus trees. In later
gather specimens of different kinds of plants. We
years all afternoon sports of the 4th of July and
all loved so well to go with him. We would always
24th of July on Pioneer day was held there. I the lot
be ready to help him as he was so kind to us. When
father had two large barns, a good granary and a
I was small and about 8 years old, one of our
wagon shed. The material in our house and barns
neighbor boys
and shed was gotten from the sawmill which was
picked up a stick and threw it at me, hitting my
owned by Uncle Appleton, Amos Harmon and
mouth so hard that it broke one of my teeth off. Of
father. The two brothers were carpenters and also
course I thought I was killed when I saw the blood,
father was very handy with tools. My two uncles
but
lived in Holden for years, then Uncle Amos moved
he was only a mischief boy, like all boys. His
53
Lucy Elmeda Harmon
written by herself
mother was such a nice lady, her name was Mary
City to a Mutual Conference with a crowd of young
Ann Tanner. She gave me a little box with some
folks. We went to Juab and stayed all night, then
lace in it which I thought was nice, as it was a rare
went on the train in the morning. We rented a room
thing those days to get a present. We girls use to go
at Juab and all the girls made a family bed as we
on the farm and help father pick up his potatoes.
had taken our bedding with us. We sure had a jolly
There was other children who would come and help
time, this being our first trip to the city, of course
us. We would see who could get the largest pile
we looked like country girls. We had places
before dinner time. We would always try to lay out
assigned to us where to go. Mary Evans a little
the largest ones so to show the neighbors who were
English girl was a friend who stayed with me at a
digging potatoes, who had the best. Once when it
Bro. Smiths. They treated us very nice.
was getting near lunch time, I called out to Pa,
Minne says dinna, dinna. Of course they had a
laugh on me for years. I often slept with a friend,
Sade Wood whose mother had died when she was
14 and the only girl home with her father and
brothers. I would always wake up early so to get
home in time to help before school time, as father
would always rise early. My cousin Jess Harmon
said the only thing he knew bad about father was
that he rose too early. We always had lots of sweet
corn and pop corn, in the winter we would parch
and pop it. We had lovely apples to eat. Our cellar
being a large rock one we would be able to keep
every thing so nice. We always had some neighbors
come in or other friends to spend the evening and
enjoy these things with us. Luch Kane gave me a
large shell for tending her boy. Once when we were
children we were sitting around the fire place and
mother went to gape, my brother Milo picked up
the fire shovel and stuck it in her mouth. We all had
a good laugh on mother, she said in a jolly way,
“I’ll kiss you.” When I was 17 I want to Salt Lake
54
ANSIL PERSE HARMON
NOTE: The author is unknown and all of the facts are not documented. This is close even if it is not
all accurate.
nsil Perse Harmon, the
When sixteen years of age, in
fourth child of his parents,
May 1848, he and his brother,
was born in Conneaut
Amos, stared for great Salt Lake
Township, Erie Co. Pennsylvania, April
Valley driving teams for Heber C.
5, 1832. He was the son of Jesse Perse
Kimball, receiving their board as
and Anna Barns Harmon.
compensation for their labor. They
A
When five years old his parents
arrived in Salt Lake Valley the same
moved from Pennsylvania to Kirtland,
time as their father about October 5,
Ohio. While at Kirtland his parents
1848.
joined the Church of Jesus Christ of
Ansil Perse Harmon
For some months they lived in
their wagons but they immediately
Latter-day Saints and journeyed with the
Saints to Springfield, Illinois; they also lived at
set to work making adobes and built a one room
Nauvoo and reached Winter Quarters late in the
house for his brother, Appleton, where all lived for
fall of 1846.
a few months until a new log house had been built
In January 1847, his mother and only sister,
by them for their father. When that house was
Sophronia, died within ten days of each other,
finished their father, Amos and Ansil moved by
their deaths occurring through exposure and
themselves.
Ansil arrived in Salt Lake City on a Sunday
hardships of the journey.
At the time of their death all the family was
and the next day began work at a molasses mill
ill, my father Ansil, being the only one able to go
where he worked two weeks for a gallon and a half
and see his mother buried and he was having chills
of molasses which was made of cornstalks. He
every other day. Both his mother and sister were
remained at home helping his father until about
affectionate and kind in their disposition and the
1852 when he went to work for Bryant Stringham.
loss fell heavily upon the family.
The winters of 1854 and 1855 were spent by him
After his mother’s death, Ansil remained
in Cache Valley looking after church property and
about a year and a half with his father and brother
stock. In the spring of 1855 he returned to Salt
Amos at Winter Quarters His brother, Appleton,
Lake and began work for the Y.X. Company.
had married at Nauvoo in 1846.
Worked for this company until August when he
55
A History of Ansil Harmon
went with the first company, (that of Robert
charge of Church Stock and property which he
Burton), to meet Johnson’s Army.
attended for eight years. During that time they
In the fall of 1854, he was ordained an Elder
lived in an adobe fort. In June 1871, they moved
and had his endowments, and about a year from
on their own property into a new eight room frame
that time was ordained a Seventy under the hands
home which had just been built. In the fall of
of Henry Hereman.
1874, Ansil was called on a mission to the Eastern
In the year 1860 he went from Salt Lake to
States. He left Salt Lake City November 22, 1874,
the Missouri River as night guard with the first ox
for his mission and during his absence his wife
team or rather train, that went and returned the
Rosaline was confined to her room with fever.
same year after emigrants. The following year he
On July 22, 1877, David R. Steven was
went again on the same trip as an assistant Capt. to
appointed and ordained Bishop of the Holden
Joseph W. Young. At Ft. Laramie, Bro. Young
Ward with Benj. J. Bennett and Ansil as his
left the train in charge of Ansil and when at
counselors. In 1881 Bro. Bennet moved from the
Florence, ready to return home, he was appointed
ward and Ansil was chosen first counselor to
captain of the company. After reaching Salt Lake
Bishop Stevens. In the year 1890, D. R. Stevens
in October, he remained at home until the
was chosen a member of the Stake Presidency so
following February when he started to Lower
Bro. A. Y. Stephenson was selected as bishop and
California as teamster for George Stringham, who
Ansil as his first councilor to Bp. Stephenson. Bp.
went their for goods. When on his way he visited
Stephenson’s name and Ansil’s name were both
his father and brother Appleton in Dixie, as they
presented and Bro. Stephenson received one more
had been called there the previous fall. The trip
vote than did Ansil.
was made to Los Angeles and back to Salt Lake by
Ansil has been in every temple built by the
the first of May 1862. The next day after he
Latter-day Saints except the one in Logan. He
returned from the California trip he was notified
was on the ground when the Salt Lake Temple
that he had been chosen as captain of a company
now stands when the first shovel full of soil was
to again cross the plains for emigrants. In the
thrown out for its foundation, by Pres. Brigham
company at Florence he first met Rosaline
Young. He also saw its first corner stone laid and
Chandler and after arriving at Salt Lake City on
beheld the laying of the capstone and was present
November 29, 1862, they were married in the
at its dedication. He also stood on the ground
Endowment House. They made their home in Salt
where the Nauvoo Temple stood before its
Lake City until the following May when they were
erection, saw its corner stone laid, worked on it
called to go to Cedar Springs, now Holden, to take
56
A History of Ansil Harmon
He witnessed the Kirtland Camp leave for
until its completion and was present at its
Missouri in July 1838, and was at Nauvoo at
dedication.
conference time when baptizing was being held.
In August of 1893, when going to the field
on horse back one day, the horse became suddenly
Ansil was about six feet tall. His eyes were
frightened and jumping, threw Ansil and most
dark gray and his hair was black. His disposition
seriously injured him. His left collar bone was
was one of kindness and love. He was very fond
broken, his left arm badly bruised and he also
of children, and how often his children used to
received serious internal injury. Little hope for his
climb upon his knee and ask for a story of the
life was given but under the hands of Apostle
plains and not only his children but grandchildren
Marion Lyman, a blessing was given him
and neighbor’s children did likewise.
promising a recovery to health and strength from
He was very hospitable in his nature and was
which time he began speedily to recover and until
happy and frank in entertaining his friends. At
nearly 67 years old was hale and hearty, able to do
conference time his barn and correl were full and
most any kind of farm work.
his table filled with friends.
In February 1906, he took a trip to
In the summer of 1908, he sold his home and
California, visiting his brother Amos and family at
other property in Holden and went to Vermillion,
San Bernadino, also visited at Los Angeles, San
Sevier Co., to stay with his daughter Anna for a
Pedro and other places.
time. As his health had not been good for several
After laboring in the bishopric for twenty
months he lived only about a month after arriving
five years through failing health and advance age
at her home. He passed away September 1, 1908.
he was released as counselor to A.Y. Stephenson.
His remains were taken back to Holden for burial.
He was ordained to the Office of High Priest by
As they approached the settlement a large
Apostle Erastus Snow.
company of people in vehicles came out to escort
In his boyhood days he had his arm broken
the remains into town. A large number or people
three different times, but generally speaking he
attended the service among them being the Stake
was a strong healthy boy. His faith in the gospel
President, Alonzo Hinckley, and many from other
was strong and he was greatly blessed with
towns. He was dearly loved by his family and
healing power, for often has he been called out at
friends.
all times of the night to administer to the sick and
His children were: Anna Rose who married
the Lord blessed him in his calling as many have
Jacob Stringham; Milo Ansil, who Married
been restored form blessings received at his hand.
Elizabeth Jane Hunter; Joseph Martin who died in
57
A History of Ansil Harmon
infancy; Mary Sophronia who married William
Adam Seegmiller; Lucy Elmeda who married
James Jensen; Emma Tressa who married John
Reeve; Jane Marinda who married Thomas Pratt.-Zina Bell died and Lily Orivilla died.
Ansil Harmon Mission Certificate
58
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JESSE PERSE HARMON
Recorded on microfilm in the records of the 11th Quorum of Seventies,
at the Genealogical Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. (GS#025,553)
esse Perse Harmon,
Champlain with the army
son of Martin and
under
Triphena
[Poole],
Colonel Clark to Plattsburgh
who was the son of ________,
and joined Gen’l Hampton’s
was born in the Town of
army and remained there a
Rupert, county of Bennington,
few months.
J
the
command
of
State of Vermont on the
Sometime in the month
Eleventh day of August, A.D.
of March 1814 my father
1795. My father was married
came and visited us at
the 22nd day of November,
Plattsburgh.
A.D.
1785
_______.
Triphena
On the 30th day of
My father and
March was fought the battle
to
grandfather emigrated, soon
Jesse Perse Harmon
of LaColle Mill, a large
fortified stone house at the
after my father was married,
to Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont, form
Major Hancock commanded, who was the British
Suffield, Connecticut, where my father remained
officer.
until I was about six years of age. I then left my
On the day which our father left us we took
father and went to the Town of Lewis, about six
up the line of march from Plattsburgh to LaColle
miles from my father’s and lived with John Gibbs.
Mill and our father went to the Town of Jay to get
In the year 1810 my mother died, and in the year
married to a Mrs. Dunbar which took place on the
1811 my father moved to Castleton, Rutland
30th at the time we were engaged in the battle in
County, Vermont, and left me still living with
hearing of the cannon.
John Gibbs and in June 1813, I left owing and
We had several skirmishes with the British
then enlisted into the service of the United States,
and Indians before we reached LaColle Mill in
with my brother Martin N. Harmon with our
one of which I received a slight wound from an
father’s consent and shortly after joined the army,
Indian’s tomahawk.
stationed at Burlington, Vermont. We remained
At LaColle Battle my brother and myself was
there a few months, and then crossed Lake
on the right wing of the army under the Command
59
Autobiography of Jesse Perse Harmon
from the records of the Quorum of the Seventies
of Col. Clark in Gen’l Smith’s Brigade. We were
The design of General Brown was to “storm
exposed to a galling fire from the enemy and my
the batteries, destroy the cannon and roughly
brother received a mortal wound in his breast
handle the brigade on duty” before those in
while fighting by my side and died on the 17th
reserve could be brought up.
day of April following at Little Sharzee, New
previously been opened by Lieutenant Riddle and
York and was buried there in the honors of war.
Frazer, in a certain route through the woods
A road had
I then returned with part of the army by way
within pistol shot of the flank of the line of
of Plattsburgh to Burlington, Vermont and there
batteries, and with such secrecy as to have
reenlisted on the 5th of June during the war, and
escaped the notice of the enemy.
At two o’clock, the troops were drawn up in
left for Rutland County, Vermont where I
remained in the recruiting service a few months
readiness to make the sortie.
The division
and was appointed a Corporal. We then marched
commanded by General Porter, was composed of
for Buffalo, New York from thence we crossed
riflemen and Indians, under Colonel Gibson, and
Lake Erie to Fort Erie, Upper Canada. While
two columns, one on the right command by
there we received a continual cannonading and
Colonel Wood, the left commanded by General
combatting from the enemy of several weeks and
Davis of the New York Militia. This was to
on the 17th of September we fought a general
proceed through the woods to the road which had
battle and spiked several pieces of cannon, took
been opened, while the right division of the troops
800 prisoners and left upwards of 1,000 of the
in the ravine already mentioned, was stationed
enemy dead upon the field of battle. We lost 571
between the fort and the enemy’s works, under
men.
General Miller, with orders not to advance until
General Porter should have engaged their flank.
When General Brown, observing that the
enemy had just completed a battery which could
The command of General Porter advanced
open a most destructive fire, the next day planned
with so much celerity and caution that when they
a sortie which has been considered a military chef
rushed upon the enemy’s flank, they gave the first
d’oeuvre.
intimation of their approach. A severe conflict for
The British force consisted of the brigades of
a moment ensued, in which those gallant officers,
one thousand five hundred men each, each one of
Colonel Gibson and Colonel Wood, fell at the
which was stationed at the works in front of Fort
head of their columns, and the command devolved
Erie. The other two occupied a camp two miles in
on Lieutenant Colonel McDonald, and Major
the rear.
Brooks. In thirty minutes possession was taken of
60
Autobiography of Jesse Perse Harmon
from the records of the Quorum of the Seventies
both batteries in this quarter, together with a
remaining battery which was instantly abandoned
blockhouse in the rear, and the garrison made
by the British Infantry and artillery.
Three twenty-four pounders were
General Ripley now ordered a line to be
rendered useless and their magazine blown up by
formed, for the protection of the detachments
Lieutenant Riddle, who narrowly escaped the
engaged in destroying the batteries and was
effects of the explosion.
engaged in making arrangements for following
prisoners.
At this moment the division of General Miller
up, against the rear of General Drummond, the
came up; General Brown, having heard the firing,
success
which
had
so
far
transcended
had ordered it to advance. In conjunction with
expectations, when he received a wound in the
Colonel Gibson’s column, he pierced between the
neck and fell by the side of Major Brooks; he was
second and third line of batteries, and after a
immediately transported to the fort.
severe contest, carried the first of these. In this
The object of the sortie having been
assault General Davis fell, at the head of his
completely effected, General Miller called his
volunteers. The whole of these batteries and the
detachments and retired in good order with the
two block houses, being in possession of the
prisoners and the trophies of this signal exploit.
Americans, General Millers’ division inclined to
During the engagement General Porter who
the more formidable batteries toward the lake
commanded the riflemen and Indians, on the right
shore. At this moment they were joined by the
of the left wing was taken prisoner by the enemy,
reserve under General Ripley. Here the resistance
whom, I, then acting as orderly sergeant, with a
was more obstinate, the work being exceedingly
small force, retook, together with several British
intricate,
of
officers and soldiers, before they had time to
entrenchments contrived with studied complexity;
retreat to their camp. We then took up our line of
a constant use of the bayonet was the only mode
march to Chippewa and had a small skirmish with
of assailing them; the enemy had, also, by this
the enemy and lost a few of our men, from thence
time, received considerable reinforcements.
we crossed the Niagara River and marched to
General Miller continued to advance, although
Sackett’s Harbor by way of Black Rock, where I
suffering severe loss in some of his valuable
remained till the 23rd of May 1814, when I was
officers.
The twenty-first, under Lieutenant
discharged from the army and on the 24th started
Colonel Upham, forming a part of the reserve, and
for Sangerfield, Oneida County, New York and
a part of the seventeenth, uniting with the corps of
arrived there about the 30th day of may and there
General Miller, charged rapidly upon the
remained about one year, and then removed to
from
the
successive
lines
61
Autobiography of Jesse Perse Harmon
from the records of the Quorum of the Seventies
Georgetown, Casinova County, New York,
Nauvoo where I arrived about the fourth day of
remained there several months, thence to Wolcott,
October 1840, was there ordained a Priest by
New York, Seneca County, and remained there
Elder William Marks, and received a license as
about one year, from thence to Springfield, Erie
such December 20th, 1841. On the 2nd day of
County, Pennsylvania, where I became acquainted
April 1842 was elected Major of the Second
with Anna Barnes, daughter of Abijah and Aby
Battalion, Fourth Regiment, Second Cohort,
Barnes and on the 29th day of April 1819 was
Nauvoo Legion. On the 6th day of the same
married to her, and in December following,
month was ordained an Elder by Elder Lyman
removed
Wight. On the 15th day of September 1844 was
to
Coneaught,
Erie
County,
elected Colonel of the aforesaid Regiment to fill
Pennsylvania.
On the 4th day of August 1828, I was elected
the vacancy of Colonel J. Dunham who had been
Second Lieutenant and on the 7th day of April
promoted. On the 8th day of October following
1832 was elected First Lieutenant and on the 2nd
was ordained under the hands of President
day of March 1834 was elected Captain of the
Brigham Young and Amasa Lyman into the
“Lexington Light Infantry” attached to the First
Eleventh Quorum of Seventies as one of the
Battalion
Seven Presidents of the same, and being the oldest
of
Erie
County
volunteers
of
one of said Presidents, presided as Senior
Pennsylvania.
President of the said Quorum at the organization
In the year 1837, I removed to Coneaught,
of the same.
Astabulia County, Ohio in the month of April and
from thence to Kirtland, Ohio, in
In the fall of 1842 my brother Alpheus and
August following and was baptized into the
nephew was called on a mission to Wisconsin
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, on
during the winter. My brother started for home
the 28th day of April 1838 by Elder Elijah
and perished in a severe storm between Carthage
Cheney, and on the 4th day of November
and Nauvoo. Hearing the news of his death, I
following I left there for Caldwell County,
returned to Nauvoo.
removed
Missouri with the expectation of permanently
Acted as Sergeant of the police from 1845
settling myself there with the saints, and came as
until the Exodus of the Saints from Nauvoo. I had
far as Springfield, Illinois (December 12th) and
command of the Police while destroying the
there settled, the brethren being driven out of the
printing press that published the paper called the
State of Missouri under the exterminating order of
Nauvoo Expositor, which was declared a nuisance
Governor Boggs, and from thence I removed to
by the City Council.
62
Autobiography of Jesse Perse Harmon
from the records of the Quorum of the Seventies
I was taken with a writ the same time that
City and held said office till 1861. Was called on
the Prophet Joseph was to Carthage when we gave
mission to Southern Utah in 1861. Resided there
Bail to the next term of Court. The Prophet was
until 1866. I then removed to Holden, Millard
taken with another writ and placed in jail where
Co. I commenced to receive a pension in 1873 for
he was martyred. Had charge of finishing the
my service in the War of 18l2. My son Appleton
work on the temple at Nauvoo. Left Nauvoo in
Died Feb. 26th, 1877---------Jesse Perse Harmon.
June 1846, arrived on Missouri River opposite
Note: Jesse Perse Harmon died Dec. 24th,
Winter Quarters in November. In Jan.
1877, aged 82 years 4 months and thirteen days--
1845, my wife and daughter died from
He lived and died a Faithful Latter Day Saint. He
exposure. In 1848 came to S.L. Valley with the
was only sick 24 hours before his death.
rest of my family. Arrived in Salt Lake in the fall
of 1848. Was the first Alderman elected in G.S.L.
Jesse P. Harmon Priesthood Certificate
63
Autobiography of Jesse Perse Harmon
from the records of the Quorum of the Seventies
64
A HISTORY OF JESSE PERSE HARMON
J
esse Perse Harmon, son
In August 1837, he moved to
of Martin and Triphina
Kirtland, Ohio and was there
Pool,
at
baptized into the Church of Jesus
Co.,
Christ of Latter-day Saints on
Ruport,
was
born
Bennington
April 26, 1838, by Elder Elijah
Vermont, August 11, 1795.
Chenney.
Martin and Triphina Harmon
were married Nov. 22, 1785.
From there he started to
Soon after Martin’s marriage he
Caldwell County, Missouri, but
and his father emigrated to
made a stop at Springfield,
Ruport, Bennington Co, Vermont
Illinois and there remained until
from Suffield County. Triphina
1839, when he went to Nauvoo.
Harmon died in 1810.
While
After his mother’s death
Jesse Perse Harmon
at
Nauvoo
he
was
ordained a Priest by William
Markham, April 2, 1842. He was
Jesse lived for a time with John
Gibbs. With their father’s consent Jesse and his
elected Major of the Second Battalion, Fourth
brother Martin N. enlisted in the U.S. Army on the
Regiment, Second Nauvoo Legion.
7th of October 1815. His brother was killed in the
On October 8th of the same year he was
army but Jesse remained until May 23, 1816, when
ordained, under the hands of Brigham Young and
he was discharged.
Amasa Lyman, into the Eleventh Quorum of
On April 29, 1819, Jesse Perse Harmon was
Seventies as one of the Seven Presidents of the
married to Anna Barns of Springfield, Erie
same and presided as Senior President of said
County, Pennsylvania.
Quorum at the organization of the same. While at
Anna’s parents were
Nauvoo he took another wife, a widow, by the
Abijah and Abbie Barns.
Jesse Perse moved to Conneaut Township,
name of Wilcox, and by her he had no family.
Erie Co., Pennsylvania and on April 3, 1828, was
In June 1846, Jesse and his family crossed the
elected Second Lieutenant and on April 7, 1832,
Mississippi River enroute to the Rocky Mountains.
was elected First Lieutenant. On May 2, 1834, he
For six weeks, he with others remained on the
was elected Captain of the Lexington High
banks of the river preparing for the journey, and
Infantry.
three times recrossed the river to assist the people
at Nauvoo who were being threatened by the Mob.
65
A History of Jesse Perse Harmon
Late in the fall of 1846, he arrived at Winter
He was the father of three sons and one
Quarters with his family and in January of 1847,
daughter. Their names were: Appleton Milo,
his wife Anna and only daughter, Sophronia, died.
Sophronia Melinda, Amos Washington and Ansil
His daughter was a grown woman.
Perse. These children were all born in the same
In the spring of 1848, he again took up his
house. Their Spouses were: Appleton married
line of march for the Great Salt Lake Valley. His
Elmeda Stringham; Amos married Mary Jan
wife, Mrs. Wilcox, remained at Winter Quarters
Theobald; and Ansil married Rosaline Chandler.
Ansil Perse Harmon son of Jesse Perse
where she died the following fall.
He was in Isaac Higbies 50--Heber C.
Harmon and Anna Barns Harmon was born in
Kimball’s Division. He arrived in the Salt Lake
Conneaut Township, Erie Co., Pennsylvania, April
Valley about the 5th of October 1848. The next
5, 1832.
June he married a grass widow by the name of
Nancy Tibbetts.
JESSE P. HARMON
At the organization of Salt Lake City he was
(Patriarchal Blessing)
elected Alderman of the First Municipal Ward and
Nauvoo, March 15,1846
continued in that office until the year 1861. He
A Blessing by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the
raised a company of Silver Greys in the Nauvoo
head of Jesse P., son of Martin & Triphena
Legion and soon after was elected Major. He held
Harmon, born August 11th, 1795, Bennington
that office a short time and then was elected
County, Vermont.
Brother Jesse, I lay my hands upon thy head
Colonel, which office he held until 1861, when he
in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority
moved to Southern Utah.
He first settled at Grafton and was there
vested in me to bless the fatherless, I seal a
during the time of the great flood of the River
blessing upon they head because thy hast obeyed
Virgin. He did not remain there long but went to
the gospel and suffered the loss of all things in
Duncan’s Retreat where he lived two or three
obedience with commandments of the Lord. The
years then moved to Toquerville.
Lord is well pleased with thee and will bestow
He made his home in Toquerville until the
blessings upon thee innumerable and invaluable.
spring of 1868, when he moved to Holden, Millard
Thou art of the house and lineage of Ephraim and
County, Utah and there resided until his death,
thou hast a right to all the blessings which were
December 24, 1877.
sealed upon his head.
I also seal the same
priesthood upon thee with all its powers which
66
A History of Jesse Perse Harmon
shall continue with thy posterity throughout all
their generations and they shall be very numerous
and increase so that they cannot be numbered,
thou art called to be a counselor and watchman in
the house of Israel to watch the saints to counsel
them and see that no evil befall them and if you
desire to preach the gospel to this ungodly
generation it is thy privilege. The Lord thy God
shall bless thee in thy labors at home and abroad
wherever thy lot is cast and as thou art set to guard
the saints the Lord hath set Angels to guard thee
and thru their counsel to comfort thee in times of
trouble; thine enemies shall not prevail against
them inasmuch as thou hast been brought down
low in poverty’s vale thou shall be lifted up and
possess all things which you desire that are
calculated to make you comfortable; the number
of thy years shall be according to thy faith, the
spirit whispereth that thou shalt live to be very old
and rejoice exceedingly to see the enemies of the
Lord swept off the face of the earth and thou shall
enjoy peace in Zion and prosperity in the New
Jerusalem. This is thy blessing Brother, if thy
faith does not fail every word of it is sure unto
thee, Amen.
67
HISTORY OF THE JOHN HARMON FAMILY
(Author Unknown)
ohn Harmon born in England in 1617, and
was married the 22nd of November 1785, to
his wife Elizabeth, landed in Boston,
Tryphena Poole, who was born in Mass, about
Mass, about 1640. After a year or two in
1763. Soon after their marriage Martin and
Roxbury, they with a few others, settled on the
Tryphena, accompanied by his parents, moved to
fertile banks of the Connecticut river and were
Rupert Bennington Co., Vermont. It was here that
some of the first settlers of Springfield, Mass. Two
Jesse Perce was born August 11, 1795, the fifth
brothers of John also came to America, one
child in a family of seven.
J
At the age of six he went to live with the John
settling in Maine, the other in Pennsylvania or
Gibbs family in the town of Leois, about six miles
Virginia.
Of John's sons, only Joseph and Nathaniel
distant from his home. In December, 1810, his
married. They early moved to, and were the first
mother was taken by death. He remained with the
Gibbs family until 1813, when he returned to
settlers of Suffield, Connecticut.
Nathaniel was born March 13, 1699, his wife
his father, but a few months later he and his
Mary, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Filley
brother Martin, with the consent of their father,
Skinner, was born Sept. 22, 1667, in Windsor,
enlisted in the service of their country and were in
Conn. Their family consisted of ten children, the
the war of 1812 where he had some thrilling
eldest, Nathaniel Jr., was born the 15th of January
experiences. At one time in a skirmish with the
1686/7 in Suffield, Conneticut. He married Esther
Indians he received a slight tomahawk wound. He
Austin, Daughter of Anthony and Esther Higgins
relates the following incident:
Austin. She was born January 11, 1686/7 in
When he and his companions sought shelter in
Suffield, Connecticut. They were the parents of
a log cabin they were gathered around the table
nine children, Nehemiah being the youngest. He
when a cannon ball burst into the room, killing
was born in Suffield, Connecticut, April 17, 1728.
everyone but Jesse. Bodies were dismembered and
For his companion he chose Abigail Norton,
arms and legs and heads went flying through the
daughter of Freegrace and Sarah Martin Norton.
room.
She was born the 9th of March 1727/8 in Suffield,
In the battle of the "Mills" Jesse and Martin
Connecticut. After the birth of their first child they
were fighting side by side exposed to a galling fire
moved to Malborough, Massachusetts, where their
from the enemy. Martin was mortally wounded
son Martin was born the 20th May, 1759. Martin
and was buried with military honors. He died
68
History of the John Harmon Family
April 17, 1814. Jesse received his discharge in
Missouri, but hearing of the exterminating order of
1815 and spent the next two years in New York
Governor Boggs, they remained in Springfield,
State, then wended his way into Springfield,
Illinois. In 1840 they joined the saints in Nauvoo
Pennsylvania, where he met Anna Barnes. After a
and helped to make it the largest and most
romantic courtship they were married the 29th of
beautiful city at that time in the State of Illinois.
April 1819. Anna was the daughter of Abijah and
Appleton was baptized after arriving in Nauvoo.
Abi Bradford Barnes. Abi was the daughter of
He and Jesse were active in Church and civic
Robert and Sarah Cornish Bradford. Robert was
affairs. Jesse was a Major and later a Colonel in
the third great grandson of Governor William
the Nauvoo Legion, a body guard of the Prophet
Bradford who played such an important role in the
Joseph and he and Appleton were both policemen
settlement of Massachusetts. With the exception of
and participated in the destruction of the printing
five years he was governor of Massachusetts from
press of the Nauvoo Expositor, a paper printed by
1621 to 1657. One historian says, "He was the
the enemies of the Church and which the City
very prop and glory of Plymouth, during the
Council declared a nuisance and ordered it
changes that came over it."
destroyed. The Prophet Joseph promised them that
Abijah Barnes was a descendant of Charles
no one would be harmed and although it caused
Barnes, the first school teacher of Long Island and
much excitement and many threats from the mob
known as "Charles the Schoolmaster."
no one was injured.
Jesse and Anna were married in Springfield,
In 1845 persecution became unbearable. The
Pennsylvania, April 29, 1819. The following
enemies began burning houses and grain stacks,
December they moved to Conneaut Township,
driving off cattle, whipping and even killing the
Erie Co., Pennsylvania.
brethren. For the sake of peace, the Saints agreed
to leave early in the Spring so in Feb. 1846, the
It was here that their four children were born,
Amos
great exodus of a company of twelve or fifteen
Washington and Ansil Perce. Anna was baptized
hundred wagons crossed the great Mississippi on
a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
ice. Jesse and his family remained in Nauvoo until
day Saints 1833.
June and after crossing the river spent some time
Appleton
Milo,
Sophronia
Belina,
in helping others cross and in preparing for the
In August of 1837, the family arrived in
great journey ahead.
Kirtland, Ohio, Jesse and Amos were baptized
members of the Church in 1838. In November of
In the meantime Appleton had married
1838, they left Kirtland with the expectation of
Elmeda Stringham and gone ahead with a
settling with the Saints permanently in Caldwell,
company to help in routing the way. In September
69
History of the John Harmon Family
they reached a place about three miles from the
Captain Burton's company who went out to meet
Missouri and settled here for the winter, building
Johnson's Army sent here by the Government. He
a temporary house and a saw mill. They named the
also drove a mule team to Southern California for
place Winter Quarters, now Florence, Nebraska.
George Stringham for hauling freight, making the
Appleton had just finished his house when his
round trip in three months.
father's family arrived in December. They had
Ansil made three trips across the plains after
endured many hardships of cold, hunger and
emigrants and in 1862 was Captain of the
sickness. They were all ill with chills and fever.
Company. In this group was a young girl named
Grandmother and Sophronia grew continually
Roseline Chandler who had joined the Church in
worse and on January 16 Grandmother was
New York. After a short romance they were
stricken with death and ten days later Sophronia
married November 29 of the same year. The next
passed to the great beyond. The weather was
spring he was called by Brigham Young to go to
severe, the ground being frozen three feet deep
Cedar Spring, now Holden, to take over the
made it very difficult to dig the graves.
management of the Church property.
He resided in Holden the rest of his life. He
In 1848 they again started on the trek across
died September 12, 1908, at the age of 76.
the Plains to the Rocky Mountains. Jesse drove his
own outfit, Amos and Ansil each drove one for
Appleton was a cabinet maker, carpenter and
Heber C. Kimaball. They with Appleton and his
blacksmith. He made much furniture for the
wife and child arrived in the Valley of the Great
pioneers. He also built a saw mill in Emigration
Salt Lake October 5, 1848, ragged and weary but
canyon. In 1862 he was called to Dixie to help
thankful to reach a haven of rest.
build up the south. It was indeed a great sacrifice
They lived in their wagons until they had
to leave a good home and begin all over again, but
made enough adobes to build a one room house
obedient to the call he went. They lived in
for Appleton which they all shared for a few
Toquerville where he had a sawmill. He also built
months, after which time Jesse and the two boys
a cotton factory for the church in the little town of
Amos and Ansil moved into their new log house
Washington. They remained in Dixie until 1872
which they had built.
when they moved to Holden.
In 1851 Appleton was called on a mission to
He and Ansil and Jerry Stringham built a saw
England. During the Gold Rush of 1849 Amos
mill in Pioneer Canyon which they operated for a
went to California to seek his fortune. Ansil
number of years. In February 1877 while working
remained with his father until 1852, then went to
on his new house he became violently ill and
work for Briant Stringham. He was a member of
passed away February 26, 1877.
70
History of the John Harmon Family
Sometime after arriving in Salt Lake, Jesse
married a widow named Nancy Tebbets, When
Appleton moved to Dixie they accompanied him
there, remaining there until 1872 when both
families moved to Holden. Jesse bought a home
onthe lot adjoining Ansil's. After a long and useful
life he passed away December 24, 1877, at the age
of 82.
After about twenty years absence Amos
returned to Utah and joined the family in Dixie.
Here he met and married Mary Jane Olds. They
lived in Toquerville and Silver Reef where he
worked in the mines. Some years later they moved
to San Bernardino where they spent their last days.
He died loved and respected by all.
Jesse, Appleton and Ansil were all buried in
Holden.
May we, their descendants, honor the rich
heritage which they left us.
71
A HISTORY OF THE EARLY MORMONS AND HARMON
FAMILY
(Written by Appleton Milo Harmon)
Appleton Milo Harmon
Smith.
son
Perce
called on a mission. In the
Harmon and Anna, his
Spring of 1842 my Uncle
wife who is the son of Martin,
Alphens Harmon and Orsey
who is the son of Nehemiah
Harmon, my cousin while
Harmon
was living in the
crossing the prairie on their
Township
of Coneant,
return from a mission and
I
of
Jesse
Erie
A year later was
County, State of Pennsylvania
between
and lived there until they heard
Nauvoo perished in a snow
the Gospel preached by Orson
storm. It appears that my
Hyde,
Twelve
cousin Orsa had fallen first
Anna was baptized
being of a tender constitution
one
Apostles.
of
the
May 29, 1988. They with their
Appleton Harmon
family, Appleton Milo, Ansil
Carthage
and
and the howling blast had
overcome him as the snow
Perce and Amos and daughter moved to Kirtland,
was falling fast and wind blew my uncle had left
Ohio in the autumn of 1837 where father, sister
his nephew and traveled some twelve or fourteen
and Amos where baptized in the Spring of 1839.
miles toward Carthage, when being without chart
We all moved to
or compass and as the snow fell so thick and fast
Springfield State of
that no landscape or mark or roads were visible,
Illinois in November
lost and bewildered over come with fatigue,
1838, and from there to
hunger and cold he fell asleep laying on his face,
Nauvoo, Illinois.
In
where he was found some five or six days after,
1840,
frozen stiff, leaving a widow and seven small
October
remained there through
children to mourn the loss.
the winter and it was
The winter of ‘43 I spent in Nauvoo enjoying
here I was baptized in
the refreshing teachings from the lips of President
April 1841 by William Excerpt from Appleton’s
Joseph Smith and Hyrum, in the Spring of 1844
Journal
72
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
the tide of emigration into Nauvoo had for a time
exposed myself to we and cold and soon after was
been gradually increasing, and had caused a spirit
taken sick with chills ague and fever and for three
of jealousy to arise in the breasts of our enemies,
months was very sick in fact the sickest that eve I
they feared that if they left us there alone all soon
was in my life. My recovery was but slowly,
would believe on us and the Mormons would take
during this time our enemies were active against
away their place and nation, and hold the balance
us, and the work of apostasy was going on Sidney
of power accordingly our old enemies renewed the
Rigdon, I Strang, Wm Smith and several others
attack. New ones joined in the persecution until it
were excommunicated who with the 2 Days, 2
came quite warm and then to assist Satan in his
Fosters and 2 Highus were figuring against us.
course of persecution several apostatized and
During this time Brother Brigham Young was
joined the mob in persecuting the Saints and
acknowledged President of the Church, the
commenced publishing a newspaper called the
Temple continued to progress while our enemies
Nauvoo Exposter and one number was issued.
continued to harass us in the fall of 1845 their
The city council pronounced it a nuisance and
persecution became much warmer.
ordered it removed. At the time I was acting in
commenced burning houses grain stacks, driving
the Police who was called upon to remove and
off cattle, catching and whipping the Brethren and
destroy the press type and all libelous prints, etc.
some were killed. The persecution became so
This caused quite a stir with our enemies and soon
general that for the sake of peace we agreed to
their cries were so loud that the Governor of the
leave as early in the Spring of 1846 as
State took the field in person at the head of a body
circumstances would admit.
The
Brother Joseph surrendered to a
On the 13th of February 1846, I left Nauvoo
demand made for him and stood his trial they not
with my wife crossing the Mississippi on ice,
finding of not being able to prove any thing
proceeded en route for Council Bluffs with the
against him and for his safety for a few days he
pioneers, the Twelve and some 12 or 15 wagons.
was placed in Carthage goal where they say no
I left behind me my father’s family, wife’s people
chance of substantiating any thing against him
and many other acquaintances. We experience a
they arose in mob and broke open the gaol and
great amount of cold had weather, snow and rain,
killed Joseph and Hyrum and severely wounded
high water and mud having to lay by from time to
Elder John Taylor on the 27 the day of June 1844.
time some 2 weeks at Sugar Creek, again some 3
During this time I was serving as police man on
weeks at the Sharaton and at several other places
almost constant duty night and day and in so doing
a few days at a time remaining long enough at the
of militia.
73
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
crossing of Grand River to form a settlement fence
great service in preserving the present state of
a large farm and locate a permanent settlement
California from again falling into the hands of the
with houses built and a ridge across the River
Mexicans.
called Garden Grove, calling again on the west
building of a flat boat, the replenishing of our
Branch of the same river, built a bridge laid out a
stock, provisions and etc., preparatory to our start
town, fenced the land we called the place Mt.
in to the wilderness took us until the for part of
Pisgah. I went from this place with the first
August before we crossed the Missouri. By the
company pioneering out west taking our course by
time the season had become so far advance and
Indian trails and compass.
Bridging all the
many being sick and 500 of our active men taken
streams that we could not ford many of them very
from emigrating families it was thought best to
high the 2 Wichanabotanas we bridged on the
locate on the banks of the Missouri for the winter.
driftwood passing through the Patawatomie
And only a small company undertake to cross the
Indians village. Bridging the numerous tributary
plains, consequently a small company of about
of Brand River, Nichanbotanies, Keg Crick,
200 wagons under the command of George Miller
Ninsketue Crick and arrived at the Missouri River
started on wand when arriving at the Loupe fork of
the 14 of June, many of the following co, arrived
the Platte some 200 miles from the Missouri,
and the next days and camped on the Bluffs about
found that the season had so far advance that it
6 miles from the river the next for us to do was to
would not be wisdom to go on any father and they
cross the Missouri River, it being in the June rise
turned north until they came to the Missouri river
it was spread out to considerable width. the camp
near the Mouth of the Lococo with the Punkah
proceeded to make a large flat boat during which
Indians and wintered while the remainder of us
time I assisted several days on the boat then went
camped at the Pavilion and called the place of our
to work and make me a wagon. My wife was
encampment Cutlara Park. While here our work
taken sick and for several days lay very low, but
was to cut hay and prepare for winter. The 22 day
how ever recovered. About this time the United
of Sept. was born my son named Appleton Milo
States made a call on our camp for 500 volunteers
Jr.1
The raising of the Battalion and
to go to the Mexican Service. A battalion of over
The 26 of September 1846 we moved from
500 were raised and started in the month of July
our encampment about 3 miles to the Missouri
for Mexico via Fort Leavenworth, For Pueblo
Santa Fee, San Diego and arrived in California just
1
(NOTE: Appleton Harmon married a second
wife before leaving Nauvoo and took her to Winter
Quarters.)
in time to save the relapse of treachery and was of
74
River and there settled down for the winter and
suffered greatly with cold my clothes were worn
called the place winter Quarters. Here we built a
rather thin and the howling blast of the cold
temporary house and a mill many of our cattle
prairies was piercing as we had to go at the tardy
were sent up the river to winter on the rushes
pace of the ox we went 150 miles into the state of
while others were fed on hay at our residence, the
Missouri. Sold the wagon and got a load of corn
winter proved a sever cold one and many cattle
pork, groceries, and the like and started for home
died with cold and starvation. I lost one ox during
and when at Keg Creek in a snow storm I heard of
the winter.
the death of my mother which happened on the 16
In the month of December my father’s folks
of January 1847, and was interred before my
arrived from Nauvoo, they had remained until in
arrival home which was a few days after and
the month of September. Before they left Nauvoo
found my sister Sophronia laying very low. She
and then on their slow march and experiencing
died about 8 o’clock a.m. on the 26th of Jan. 1847.
heavy rains they were reduced to sickness. So
The were both interred in the grave yard on the
much so that my sister was confined to her bed for
hill on the west side of the Missouri River just
several weeks and my father was obliged to lay
back of Winter Quarters. At the time the frost was
by, as soon as she was sufficiently recover they
so sever the ground was froze 3 feet deep--I made
started on again following our trail which by the
another trip to the Settlements in Missouri and in
time and become quite hard beaten road but soft in
the two trips I suffered more with cold than in all
rainy weather. My father took sick my mother,
my life besides. frosted my face and fingers and
Amos and Ansil my brothers so that at the time of
feet but however I returned home safe and spent
their arrival at the Missouri river they were all sick
the remainder of winter at Winter Quarters.
not able to help themselves or each other. Ansil
During the winter some Indians of the Omaha tribe
would shake with ague one day and wait on the
was camped close by and within sight of my house
others the next. I had just finished a small house
was surprised by a party of Iowa in the night and
and took into it Sophronia sister and brother Amos
fired at several of them severely wounded. The
and made them as comfortable as possible. I then
firing awakened me and the cries of the wounded
went to work and built a House for my father and
was dreadful while the assailants as soon as they
got them into it and made them as comfortable as
had discharged a volley of their rifles and poured
my circumstances would allow, by this time our
in a round of arrows and fled. The sufferers was
store of provisions was running low and I started
kindly treated by our people their wounds dressed
in Company with Briant Stringham to Missouri
and broken bones set and about this time a war
with an ox team to sell a wagon to get money to
party of Sioux came to an encampment of the
replenish our stock and eatables. In this trip I
Omahas. Some 60 or 70 miles up the Missouri
75
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
and fell upon them in the night and made a general
remaining from the ravages of the winter, with 8
massacre. 78 of the Omaha were killed in their
of the Quorum of the Twelve started from Winter
lodges as they never stirred from their beds while
Quarters the fore part of April 1847 for the lonely
the dead of night many of them being shot through
miles of the mountains to find a secluded retreat a
the head or heart never stirred from their bed while
resting place for the Saints and for the Saints as
others being mortally wounded would crawl a few
many as possible to follow as soon as the grass
feet and expire in the path that led from one camp
should grow. So as to afford their teams a good
to another. those that did not fall the first and
substance on the way. The winter in fact the past
second fire fled in all directions. Sioux cut off the
12 months has been as tiring a scene for the Saints
noses of all the dead as a token of spite and
as they ever had to pass through. Sickness, Death,
contempt which they held to wards them and
loss of cattle and teams, poverty in all most every
retreated the surviving Omaha gathered up their
shape exiles in a Christian Land. Heavy draft for
horses dongs and effects took up their march
men to carry on the Mexican war without a place
howling as the went down the river they came to
to lay our heads. The task laying on our shoulders
our settlements and stopped a short time. At night
of finding a future resting place for those worn out
they would set up a howling and their cries would
Saints, Government watching us with jealous eyes
rend the air they soon moved on down to Belview
ready to do anything but to assist us in this our
the suffering of those poor miserable beings was
perilous situation, thus in our forlorn condition by
immense and excited the sympathy of our people
request of Brother Kimball I left my wife, child,
who gave them several beef cattle and a great
father and brothers, my wife with her fathers folds
amount of bread.
and I started on the 18th of April 1847 with the
The winter being past the Spring made its
above mentioned pioneers and drove a team for
appearance which relieved the suffering of the
Brother Heber C. Kimball we proceeded on our
Saints and our cattle form the long perilous cold
way as fast as we possibly could, crossing the
and famishing winter during which many of the
river Horn on a raft then up the Platte river
Saints had died also, many of our cattle and our
crossing the Loupe Fork at the old Pawnee Station
stores of provision
groceries etc were much
and village crossing over to the main Platte and
exhausted in so much that it was not wisdom for
falling in to the company of a large herd of
us to pursue as a body our hazardous journey in
Buffalo on the first day of May, a chase was
fact we could not consequently a body of 143
commenced and 5 killed the first day and our
picked men with 73 wagons with the best teams
camp laid by one day to take care of the meat.
76
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
The followed our course up the Platte passing
this time the river became fordable and we
daily great herds of buffalo in many places the
remained waiting for the rest of our emigrating
earth was dearly divest of every green thing. Our
company and waited until the 26th of August.
teams could not get sufficient grass to sustain
During this stay we ere occupied in the hunting of
them they were fed on grain that we had provided
Antelope, Buffalo, and Bair [sic]. However only
for the like occasions until the grazing go t better
one of the latter was killed but the circumstance in
near the mouth of the South Fork of the Platte. I
which it was done makes it quite interesting and
completed a road meter and attached it to the
shows the danger that there is in attacking these
wheel of a wagon by which we could tell each
ferocious Animals the circumstance is this:
night the distance traveled through the day. We
Doctor Lerike Johnson while on one of his
proceeded on meeting with some parties of the
circuits after game on horse back in riding around
Scout Indians about at the mouth of Horse Creek
a small grove near the foot of a range of mountains
who was apparently glad to see us well, we arrived
a little east of the Red Buttes and at the margin of
at the Ft. Laramie the 2nd of June and from the
the Black Hills his horse took fright at the smell
fort procured a flat boat in which we crossed the
for as yet nothing was seen which put the rider on
Platte to the South side and proceeded on the
a look our and on riding around to an opening
South side through the Black Hills until we again
nothing was seen when into a thicket he discover
came to the Platte making something like 600
a large She Bair [sic] and 2 cubs. To take good
miles that we had followed the course of this river
aim he carefully slipped of his horse and at the
and here had to recross it which took us 8 or 9
moment he struck the ground the bair [sic] saw
days, during which time we made a kind of ferry
him and came towards him at the extent of her
boat by digging out 2 trees of some 30 feet in
speed each jump accompanied with a growl and
length and placing them side by side and decking
mouth open as tho she was in earnest but the
them over while this was in the course of erection
Doctor stood firm until his antagonist had got
most of our company was ferried over by means of
within 20 feet of him and then with unerring aim
rafts and a small boat that we had brought with us
he fired the Ball took effect in a fatal spot and the
on the 19th myself with eight others was chosen to
bair [sic] after a few jumps fill lifeless and the
stop and keep the ferry boat, we accordingly done
cubs took fright and run off. We were on visited
so and for three weeks was quite busy in ferrying
by a party of Apasarokas of Crow Indians it
over the emigrants that was then passing to
happened at a time when a part of our company
Oregon, we cleared to ourselves about $70 each by
was away. The had started to meet the company
77
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
that were following us from Winter Quarters who
Black Hills we hunted for game and killed four
had left us on the 13 of July and we did not hear
our use one Antelope, one Deer, one Elk and
from them until the 22 of August during which 5
arrived at Fort Laramie about the 3 of Sept. when
of us were encamped taking care of the stock
an inducement has held out to me of $300 a year
wagons, goods, and etc., we assisted by Yerick a
for my services if I would accept it to work at my
faithful watch dog and 3 or 4 other assistant dogs,
new trade that is Black Smithing having during
when one morning a party of Crows coming to us
our impatient wait at the ferry used the tools coal
was kept at bay by the faithful dogs until we had
and Iron that would have other wise laid idle and
time warning had arose got our guns and calling
by so doing acquired a practical knowledge
out the dogs they came to us, we gave them some
sufficient to enable me to take charge of the work
refreshment and watched for treachery and with all
at he fort and on the 8 of Sept. commenced and
our watching they stole several small articles and
worked until the first of March 1848, during this
wanted to borrow our horses but these we kept
time several bands of the Sioux came to the fort
locked up tight not considering their
credit
and many interesting scenes such as war dances
altogether good we chose to keep in our
parades and etc. which are recorded in other places
possession our horses, etc. After finding all of
by me.
their trials fruitless and endeavors to get a haul in
On the first day of March I started for Winter
their useless prey namely horse flesh the object of
Quarters in Company with Mr. C. Ligoness and
their search, there was ten of them they left us in
with my gun on my shoulder I made my way
the afternoon and proceed in route to the land of
homeward as for Bread we had none. and we took
the “cut throats” via Laramie Peak, etc.
We
but small supplies to start on depending on the
remained here until the 26 of August the
wild beasts of the prairie for days we feasted on 2
companies yea the long looked for companies all
very tough wild geese in the absence of sweet
having arrived and passed we also having heard
venison tasted very good after they were well
from the remainder of the pioneers that they had
roasted by a willow fire. We experienced several
proceeded by way of Fort Bridger to the valley of
cold nights and nearly all the route dry weather.
the Great Salt lake and there settled upon a
WE crossed the Platte in the midst of ice current
permanent settlement, the destined place of our
and we would have to dodge them as they swept
future home.
past. This crossing was effected near Ash Hollow
We started that is 6 of us to return to Winter
after crossing and traveling a short distance we
Quarters for our families traveling through the
came to an Ogalallak Village of Sioux where some
78
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
French traders were encamped here we stopped 2
not see the little boy an enquiring was told that he
days during which time I traded my pony of a
was dead. Appleton Milo Harmon, Jr., was his
stronger one and a mountaineer joined us in our
name he Died Sept 20, 1847, at Winter Quarters
journey to the States. We proceeded on killing
Omaha side of the Missouri River, Council Bluffs,
some buffalo for our support and at the heart of
from this time until the 4th of June I spent in
Grand Island we fell in with a band of Pawnee
preparing for the journey. I went into Missouri as
Indians who after begging of us our generosity
far as the town of Oregon and purchased a load of
would allow forced from us everything that we
wheat and got it ground at Mr. Holister’s Mill on
could get along with out as they thought, and then
the Nodaway, I got some groceries, etc, in fact I
it was with the skin of our teeth that we got off
procured a fit out for one year of groceries,
with our horses but this we did and crossed the
clothing and etc., returned to the Bluffs fitted up
Loupe Fork the water was up to our arm pits cold
my wagon, assisted my father to fit up his wagon
from the melting ice and snow and the quick sand
also my wife’s father got a good team 2 oxen, 2
bottom making it extremely difficult but effected
cows 2 heifers, 2 chickens, 1 pig, 1 horse my wife
a crossing in safety and after passing through
and self and started from Winter Quarters June 4th
some more of the Pawnee Red Skinsand again
1848, and the day before we started I experienced
being begged of everything we could spare we got
on of the heaviest showers of rain I ever saw for
through and crossing the horn then across a burnt
about one hour we traveled on crossing the Horn
prairie, and parted with my company as their
River on a raft where we joined the camp that led
destination was Belview and mine Winter
by Brother Heber C. Kimball it being organized
Quarters, I tried had to reach home that night but
were placed in Brother Isaac Hibbees company of
night came on and my horse tired and hungry I put
about 60 wagons my father Amos and Ansil my
up at a grove of timber turned by horse loose to
wife’s father and folks and etc. were all alone and
browse on the Hazel Brush and I laid myself down
where fairly started I can say I truly say I felt
to sleep alone and was lulled to sleep by the
happy to find all of us once on the road for the
howling of the wolves.
valley in good health and a fair prospect before us
March 26, 1848, I arose at break of day
and years provisions and etc, my fathers cow died
saddled my horse and started arrived at Winter
one week out from Winter Quarters this weakened
Quarters about ten o’clock found my people all
our team some Amos and Ansil drove a team each
well and my wife at her fathers as soon as she saw
for Brother Heber C. Kimball and got their board
me she began to weep looked for the cause could
for it, we journeyed along the Platte River for 600
79
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
miles killing the wild beast for to supply us for
come in contact with my companion, he ran off
meat, one morning as we were bout to start on our
and when on an extensive plain turned around and
journey a large buffalo came near our camp and all
shook his head at us as much as to say come on
the large dogs and the small dogs ran out to bark
where there is plenty of clear room but his we
at him and many of the men and women stood and
were not anchor for and came off and left him.
gasped at the monster as he would hook and kick
while on the Sweet Water we had several long
at the dogs, who some of the more courageous of
tramps after Buffalo one day when the camp was
the men ran out in the direction and I soon
laying still I went with five or six others tramping
followed with a rifle in hand as he was running
until the sun began to approach toward the western
toward the camp I shot and brought the monster to
horizon we discovered the object of our search
the ground. He was soon dressed and divided in
namely a band of buffalo we then cast lot which 2
the camp and we with our fresh meat went on our
of us should go and commence an assault. It fell
way rejoicing. I had given me charge of the
on myself and Ira Spaulding after crawling for
hunting department and was come say in dividing
considerable distance we keeping a small bunch of
the game to the camp many a sportive day we had
green wood between us and the buffalo we
and many a long tramp after the buffalo and
succeeded in getting within rifle shot we then
antelope until our legs would get wearied looking
commenced our at act both rifle shots took affect
for game of tracking them on the sandy plains
the wounded animal ran a few yards and stopped
wounding them in the chase, the sun would sink
and we had to wait for him to die not daring to
behind the Rocky Mountains range and we to our
approach him while he had life for he was rather a
wagon repair. The night crept on. The wolves
ferocious looking and acting sort of animal. We
how and we by some range of promontory
then dressed the buffalo took each of a back a load
glittering in the pale moon rays, git the weary
and started for our camp and the sun went behind
hunter to his home, with his venison one day while
one of the grey granite range of the Sweet Water
in a chase had wounded a large buffalo and on
Mountains and soon its gliding rays upon the snow
approaching to a near to the wounded animal he
covered peak gradually disappeared and the red
charged with great velocity at my companion
sky of the west turned grey like other parts of the
while I stood trying to shoot, my companion at the
Horizon and the little stars grew bright and
quickness of though jumped behind a tree and then
twinkled in the distance, the moon cold and pale
the dodging to keep the pine sapling between them
was watched as it began to sink behind those
after 2 or 3 desperate but fruitless attempts to
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A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
rugged peaks that a short time previously had
velocity of the wind and was soon over the hills
concealed the King of day from our view.
out of our sight with the dogs in full chase. We
While we were taking what proved to be a
advanced in quest of new objects and as on a large
circuitous route, as we passed along as we passed
herd of cows were in full view. WE surveyed the
along the trails of the buffalo the smell of fresh
situation of the ground with as much skill as a
meat caused the wolves to howl and follow on our
general would his enemy and contrived our plan of
tracks and after clambering over one or two
attack and immediately commenced to put our
rugged cliffs and long, long walk at last came in
plans into execution from some unknown cause to
sight of our camp fires and after 2 hours smart
us the monsters were around from there quietude
walking came tired to our camp about 2 o’clock i
and commenced their flight but fortunately for us
the morning and I had 40 pounds of good beef for
their were in a direction favorable to us we by a
my day and nights work, one more Buffalo story
little shifting in our position secreted ourselves in
will wind up the hunting stories and leave me
a cavity of the earth and as the herd were dashing
ready to go over the Rocky Mountain range and
past us were partially brought to a halt by an
winding way into the valley that is to afford us
obstruction in their path which afforded us a good
future home.
opportunity that we failed not to occupy we
A few days after the above circumstances as
leveled our rifles selected the choice of the flock
we were about to leave the Buffalo country it was
and brought each of us one to the ground while
thought necessary to possess ourselves of a full
dressing them an antelope cam close enough for a
supply of beef as we were about to leave the last
target and i with a single crack of my rifle added
probable source of obtaining supplies of that kind.
him to our stock of venison. By this time our team
Early one morning as we were snugly camped on
was in sight and as soon as it reached us we were
a rich bottom of the Sweetwater I set off in
ready and loaded on 2 buffalo and antelope and
company with Charles Chapman for the foot of the
started for home where we arrived about the
mountains where we were expecting to fall in with
darkening and felt quite satisfied and well repaid
a herd of buffalo. While my father and father-in-
for our days work, the next day was spent in
law followed on our trail with a pair of ox and
curing our meat we then proceeded on our
cart and a pack horse. We proceeded to the spot
journey, but as we were heavy laden and our teams
where we expected to find the game the first herd
light we made slow progress, but we patiently
that
our
pursued our journey as fast as we could while
unmanageable dogs they dashed past us with the
camped at the Pacific Springs as the South pass of
we
surprised
was
chased
by
81
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
the rocky mountains about the 2 or 3 of September
pilgrimage. We gradually approached into a rough
1848 we encountered a sever snow storm, which
mountainous country and the hill sides partially
on the high peaks each side of us fell to
covered with cedars sage and other shrubbery the
considerable thickness but on the lower table
elevation increasing daily at the highest places the
landed the fall was lighter which mostly
road went was 7800 feet above the level of the sea,
disappeared in 2 or 3 hours after the storm abated.
the nights were cold and frosty the days warm and
The storm had caused our cattle to ramble in
sunny and our anxiety daily increasing to behold
search of shelter and they were found about 12
our future mountain home, we continued to wind
miles distant still rambling the emigrants
our weary way over the hills and down the
frequently lost their cattle in storms like this and
canyons crossing the rivulets some times shut up
never see them again, but we were fortunate in
as it were between two mountains, and would
getting ours we passed on again. While passing
travel in the shade for hours together after a
from Big Sandy over to Green River my wife’s
journey one hundred and twelve days at about 11
father lost an ox that is he died, having lost one a
o’clock a.m. on Sunday the 24th of September
few days previously reduced his team until he was
1848 emerged from Emigration Canyon into the
unable to proceed further without help but
open valley which opened to the right and left in
fortunately a number of teams were sent from the
the bright sunshine which gave it a golden hue that
valley and he was supplied nor was he alone in
made it look doubly rich to us after having been
this situation for some 30 or 40 families were left
for the last 2 weeks shut up between high
without sufficient team to proceed with in
mountains and passing over urged ways.
consequence of being so heavy loaded short feed
brethren that were there bade us welcome to our
and immense dust and saleratus plains over which
home all looked beautiful Godlike handsome and
we had to pass this deficiency was supplied from
cheerful.
The
the reinforcement from the valley and we were
The next thing for me was to prepare for our
again able to pass on fording Green River passing
winter quarters which I done by building a small
along without anything accruing worth of note
adobe House which I accomplished in time to git
more than we were cheerful and laying by
comfortable situated in before the first snow storm
Sundays and holding meetings, the best of feelings
came which was about the first of December our
prevailed and we were beginning to rejoice that
fuel was obtained form the neighboring mountains
we were so near our journeys end where we had a
and our cattle sent off into the low part of the
prospect of a season of rest after so sever a
82
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
valley to winter and I worked at cabinet work the
the remainder of the streams were easily forded.
winter.
While passing from Independence Rock to Willow
January 16, 1849, Sister Harmon gave birth to
Springs a party of Crow Indians came up us and
a fine son and Briant Harmon is his name and long
traveled along with us. As we were passing large
may he live to honor the same, the winter was cold
herds of buffalo and antelope we thought to avail
and severe one of my oxen died the number of
ourselves with a supply of the former and
emigrants that came into the valley the fall before
accordingly commenced our pursuit. The Indians
was greater that the amount of provisions brought
joined in the case and one of the expert ones
or raised consequently a great scarcity prevailed
seemed to take the lead, charged upon the herd
through all the settlements at one time an
and run them until the fattest ones began to lag
inventory of all the bread stuff was taken which
behind then selected his choice and prohibited any
amounted to about 10 per head per day until the
one to fire at it until he gave the signal, they
harvest, of this some had more that their equal
chased the cow to the road and to the very place
share and some less, those were generally
where we were camped then gave the signal when
exhorted to divide with the scanty neighbors for a
a shower of arrows and musketry was poured into
reasonable enumerations which was cheerfully
the animal which brought her to the ground, we
done by most of the saints so that all was made
drove up our wagons and camped for the night,
comparatively comfortable.
dressed the Buffalo and kept a diligent watch
In March the Spring opened grass began to
through the night for fear of treachery and the next
grow the farms began to plow and sow I slowed a
day proceeded on accompanied by the Indians
small piece of wheat planted a garden and
party who were 7 in number, during the forenoon
commenced the opening of a ten acre lot for a
3 of our horses were swapped for their sometimes
future farm.
getting 2 or 3 for one. We stopped at Willow
May 3, 1849, I started in company with 9
Springs for our noon halt where we finished our
others to keep a ferry at the upper crossing of the
trades and after our refreshment started on and Br.
Platte River 380 miles east of the Salt Lake
M.D. Hambleton having tarried a few moments in
Valley. On our trip we encounter heavy road
trying to make another trade. As we were perhaps
sowing to the departure of the snow but we passed
3 or 4 hundred yards distance and just passed over
along very easily and crossed the small streams
a little hill that excluded us from their sight one
without difficulty as we had with a boat we ferried
Indian catched [sic] his horse and the others pulled
ourselves across Hams Fork of Green River and
him off and gave him in exchange a bow quiver
83
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
and three arrows and exclaimed in broken English
of August and found all well. I then cut some hay,
“Swap Swap” accompanying the expression with
done some harvesting then went to the canyon
a sign signifying the same they then mounted their
and got some lumber that is cut some logs and
horses and drove off their prize in a south westerly
took them to the saw mill and got them sawed took
direction over the sand hills at the height of speed
home the lumber, go t some adobes made
and by the time Br. Hambleton had come up to us
commenced butchering with Briant Strigham, his
and told us his story the Red Skins were out of
father having went to the gold mines. Butchering
sight and probably 2 miles distant. We thought
and doing the joiner work for the house.
1850.
pursuit useless and continued on our journey
In February the Utah Indians
without making any endeavor to recover the lost
committed some depredations, stole some cattle in
horse.
the Utah Valley and became troublesome that it
We arrived at the ferry the 27th of May and
was thought best to chastise them. Accordingly a
commenced ferrying the 28 a very heavy
company of 100 men was selected to go to Utah
emigration were passing to California and in July
for that purpose.
2 Battalions of U.S. troops crossed at our ferry on
purpose and gathered themselves together in a
their way to Oregon, and one company of our own
conspicuous place on the Provo and resisted our
emigrants going to the valley. About the last of
people.
July and after the river became fordable we having
keeping up a constant fire which was sent back as
earned and divided $646.50 to each of us, we
warm by our people. A reinforcement was sent
bought each of us a wagon and oxen to draw it and
from the city to join our people. The attack was
started to the valley and the 3rd day of our journey
resumed again the 3rd day and moving batteries
I was taken sic with colic which turned to cholery
erected under the cover of which companies of our
[sic] or something like it.
Our company layed
men moved up within close rifle distance of their
[sic] by two days until I recovered. During my
enemies and poured in a deadly fire. At the same
illness I was administered to by 2 of our Brethren
time another detachment charged up and took
elders and with the administration of some mild
possession of a vacant house within close rifle
medicine I speedily recovered and the 3 day was
shot of our enemies ground, while they were at the
able to ride the next to sit in the wagon and drive
same time assailed from 2 or 3 other quarters. In
and the next to take care of my team and in a few
this desperate effort 7 of our horses were killed 11
days was well as ever. I had bought me 8 head of
of our men wounded some severely and others but
oxen and 4 cows. I arrived in the valley the 15th
84
The Indians perceived our
They fought desperately for two days
A History of the Early Mormons and Harmon Family
slight and one killed by the name of Joseph
into a treaty of peace and agree to cease taking our
Higbee.
cattle and horses. During a portion of the was
On the other hand the Indians suffered the
which lasted about 2 weeks I filled a station
loss of about 13 killed several wounded and the
allotted to me to guard the frontiers of our
rest drove into holes that they had excavated in the
settlements and prevent any depredations that our
deep snow drifts that lay in the bend of the River
enemies might in their enraged state attempt to
Provo where they were situated where it was both
make.
difficult and dangerous to follow and as night
At the close of the war the different
came on our men retired to the fort about 3 miles
detachments returned to the city after having
distant, and left the field of battle, and the Utahs in
killed, put into flight or taken prisoners the whole
their snow dens. The next day our men being
of the band of the Utah Valley who were our
joined by the reinforcements form the city repaired
enemies the other band of the Utah tribes being on
early to the field of battle but on arriving at the
friendly terms with us. The prisoners taken who
spot found it vacated by our enemies how had
were mostly women and children were sent at
form one of the horses killed the day before taken
liberty or taken care of by some of the Brethren.
two quarters of beef and taken their flight to the
About the last of February I got my house so
mountains. The were followed to where they
far along that 2 rooms were finished and I moved
ascended, Rocky Canyon. One of the chiefs by
into it. In March the winter broke up and Spring
the name of Elk was found dead in the trail and the
came. The grass and vegatations [sic] generally
other chief by the name of Stickenhead had has
began to shoot fourth and all looked green and
arm broke by a rifle ball they had come to a halt in
growing. I busied myself in preparing to cultivate
the cave of some rocks a short distance up the
a small farm and till my lot to the best possible
mountain and Stickenhead the only remaining
advantage. I felt happy. I had a good affectionate
chief and 2 or 3 other of the principal warriors
wife, a promising son a comfortable house a small
escaped off over the mountains while the others
far ago stock of cattle. In the Church of Christ,
maintained their stronghold for a few days.
settled in the garden of the world, a secluded
Meanwhile a guard was set to prevent their escape
retreat in the mountains of Ephraim, was on of the
into the valley they seeing all prospects of escape
Seventies, chosen as a special witness to the
guarded they gave themselves up a prisoners.
nations, to preach the gospel of Christ to the meek
During this time other bands were chastised in all
and lowly.
of them about 40 were killed who would not enter
85
Before us lay the prospect of growing up with
the settlement and to share with the prosperity of
the new colony, the county abounding with all the
natural advantage necessary for the building of a
city and an extensive settlement.
A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ROSALINE CHANDLER
HARMON
(Written by her Daughter Jane Harmon Pratt--March 1941)
Chandler
known. As he grew older he ran
Harmon, daughter of
away from his uncle’s home, and
Abel and Mary Ann
when the War of 1812 was
R
osaline
Jerome Chandler, was born
declared
March 15, 1841 in New York
teamster and received a number
City. Her father was of Irish
of promotions.
descent born in Baltimore,
with the army until the close of
Maryland, July 4, 1795. When
the war.
he was eight days old his mother
private
died leaving him to the care of
machinist.
his grandmother, who loved him
twice.
dearly and lavished upon him
unknown) died leaving him with
every kindness that a child
Rosaline Chandler Harmon
might wish. He was reared in
he
enlisted
as
a
He remained
After returning to
life
he
became
a
He was married
His first wife (name
two small children, John Wilson
Chandler
and
Angeline
comfort and luxury until he was eight years old
Chandler. He later married Mary Ann Jerome,
when his grandmother died.
Abel’s father
who was born in New York, May 14, 1810. Here
mysteriously disappeared and it was supposed that
they resided the remainder of their lives. Mary
he had been killed by a runaway negro. Thus, at
Ann became the mother of five children as
an early age, Abel was left an orphan to fight
follows: Abel Jr., Joseph, Andrew, Rosaline and
life’s battle alone.
Lucy. The three boys died in their youth, and in
After the death of his grandmother he went to
1843, at the age of forty-eight the father was also
live with an uncle, but was treated harshly. No
stricken with death, leaving Mary Ann a widow at
doubt his childish heart often yearned for the
the age of thirty-three with only one child,
loving care of a fond mother whom he had never
Rosaline, who was then only two years old.
86
However, about three months after the husband’s
Forshay. After mother’s death she made her home
death a little daughter, whom they named Lucy,
with Aunt Caroline and Aunt Antoinette.
was born to give comfort to the heart-broken
In June 1862, she bade adieu to all she held
mother. But it was only a short time that they
dear and began a trek of over 2,000 miles across
were permitted to keep Lucy when she too was
mountains and deserts to cast her lot with an
taken. Thus left with only one little daughter, this
unpopular people, to share their trials and
good woman faced the stern realities of life,
hardships, and also to become a partaker of their
devoting herself to her only child.
many blessings. She had saved up a little of her
Mary Ann was left with only meager means
wages each month as typesetter, and with the
of support. Her child was too young to leave, so
money she had saved form the sale of her
she would get work she could do at home. She
household goods she had sufficient means to
did sewing and also did copying for lawyers.
finance herself. She went as far as Florence,
Later she went out nursing, and in this she was
Nebraska by train. Here she bought a yoke of
able to support herself and child.
oxen for $100 and also bought a wagon. The
Roseline attended the public schools and
Church put on another yoke of oxen and furnished
received a good education. While she was a
some freight, and also provided a teamster, a
young girl she contracted scarlet fever and was so
young man by the name of Chariton Jacobs.
seriously ill that her life was despaired of, but
About the time of Rosaline’s conversion to
through a kind providence she was spared. Her
the L.D.S. Church, she met a young man who was
Aunt Caroline at this time lost her whole family of
also a member of the church and to whom she
five children from this malignant disease. When
became engaged to marry. He left for Utah in
Rosaline was fourteen she finished school and
company with other Saints expecting Roseline
secured employment in a printing office as a
would be able to soon follow; but on account of an
typesetter, thus assuming the responsibility of
illness and her mother’s death and also a trip to
bread-winner and making life less strenuous for
Kentucky to visit her Aunt Sarah and regain her
her mother. When she was nearly eighteen years
health, this was in 1861. She returned to New
old she heard some Mormon Elders preach, she
York in the fall where she remained with her aunt
became interested and investigated this new
Caroline until June 11, 1862.
doctrine, and was converted and baptized March
communication was so uncertain that letters did
17, 1859, by Elder Rugg.
not always reach their destination, and as her
In those days
In February, 1861, her mother, after an illness
fiancee, not hearing from her, but hearing that she
of three months, passed away. Her nearest kin
had been ill, thought she had died, and he married
were five aunts: Sarah Wade, Suzanne Toms,
another girl. Thus, upon arriving she found that
Caroline Boyington, Eliza Bijoat, and Antoinette
she had lost her fiancee. Is it any wonder that this
87
young girl who had lost father, mother, brothers
were making their trips south they would make
and sisters and fiancee should feel sad and lonely?
this home their stopping place. It was therefore
The captain of the company, Ansil P.
not unusual for Rosaline to have a large crowd to
Harmon, with whom she had trailed, observed her
prepare for and take care of frequently.
loneliness and was especially kind to her. It was
On November 11, 1863, after forty-eight
not long, however, before his interest grew into
hours in the valley of the shadow of death,
something more than sympathy. Rosaline was a
Rosaline gave birth to a little girl, whom they
very beautiful girl, with large brown eyes and an
named Anna Rose. Her suffering was intense,
abundance of dark hair, a clear rosy complexion
with no skilled assistance or doctor except a
and winning smile, which won for her the title of
midwife, a Mrs. Carling of Fillmore. Three other
“Queen of the Plains.” So before the journey was
children were born in the fort, namely, Milo Ansil,
ended another romance was in the making. They
Joseph Martin, Mary Sophronia. Joseph died
arrive in Salt Lake Valley September 27, 1862.
when only a few weeks old.
Rosaline made her home with Brother and
One day when Ansil was away two young
Sister David Leaker, whom she had known in
Indian braves with their faces painted and an
New York. They were very kind to her and were
insolent air came stalking into the house and
ever after good friends. On November 29, 1862,
demanded some pig meat. Not having just what
Rosaline became the wife of Ansil P. Harmon, the
they wanted she offered them some liver.
ceremony being performed by Daniel H. Wells in
Disdaining this substitute, one Indian took the
the Endowment House.
liver and threw it on the hot stove. At the same
They remained in Salt Lake until the
time he drew his large hunting knife from his belt
following spring when they moved to Cedar
and came toward her brandishing the knife and
Springs, now Holden, Utah.
Ansil had been
threatening to stab her. She and the children
called there to take charge of the church property
screamed. William Stevens, living in the next
which consisted of a farm and a large number of
room, heard the screams and rushed to her aid. He
cattle.
ordered the Indians to leave at once, which they
They first lived in a fort built for
protection against the Indians. This was indeed a
did.
new experience for Rosaline, who had lived in a
In the spring of 1871, the family moved out of
city all her life and been accustomed to comforts
the fort into a new and commodious eight-roomed
and conveniences. She now had a crowd of
house. Here they were very happy and proud of
hungry hired men to feed, butter to churn, candles
their new home. Ansil had made a trip to Salt
to run, soap to make, and a hundred other things
Lake City and about carpet and furniture, so they
all new to her on this frontier settlement. Since
ere really made comfortable. Fruit trees, grape
they were working for the church it was only to be
vines, rose bushes, and lilacs were planted, and
expected that when President Young and his party
though many years have passed others are still
88
enjoying the fruits of their labors. In September
cooking for his father and himself. He was a good
of that year, another daughter was born and was
provider, and Rosaline became very proficient in
named Lucy Elmeda. Three years latter Emma
the art of cooking and the table was always spread
Tressa arrived, followed by Jane Marinda, born
with good wholesome food.
Jan 10,1877. No doubt the husband was wishing
In the fall of 1874, when Emma was about
for another son, but he was not to have the wish
three weeks old, Ansil left for a mission, his wife
granted, for on July 15, 1879, another girl was
was ill all the time he was gone, which
born, and died the same year, August 16, 1879.
necessitated hired help in the home to assist the
She was christened Zina Belle, but was not
oldest daughter Anna, who was then eleven years
permitted to remain with them long. Lily Orilla
old, in taking care of the children an performing
was born March 31, 1881, and was a beautiful
the household tasks. Rosaline and Ansil were
child with golden curls and blue eyes, the only
noted for their hospitality and did much
blue eyed girl of the family. She had a loveable
entertaining. Ansil was a member of the Bishopric
dispositions and was the idol of the whole family.
for many years and this gave them the opportunity
In January 1887, when she was not quite six years
of having many of the Church Authorities stay
old, she contracted pneumonia and lived only a
with them while attending conference. Most all
few days. On January 7, 1887, she passed to the
the president’s of the church and many of the
great beyond.
Apostles have been among the number.
Rosaline was very fond of reading and was a
Rosaline was a teacher in the Sunday School
good story teller. Of the few things she brought
and a worker in the Relief Society, being a visiting
across the plains were her books which she valued
teacher and was assistant Secretary and Treasure
very highly. Among them were many standard
in the Stake Relief Society.
ones such as Shakespeare’s plays, George Elliot’s
member of the District School Board for
novels, and Jane Porter’s “Scottish Chiefs.” She
sometime.
She was also a
also brought an accordion which she played
After the children were all married and her
nicely. Her children used to gather around the
husband’s health failed, they sold their home in
open fireplace winter evenings, eating ripe
Holden and went to Sevier County where their
mellow apples and listening to wonderful tales of
three daughters, Ann, Mary and Lucy were living,
her early life and to the music of her accordion.
expecting when Ansil recovered his health to buy
She also played for many parties and dances in
them a home in Richfield. These hopes were
those early years in Holden.
never realized, for one month later while still
When she was married she knew very little
stopping at the home of their daughter, Ann, in
about cooking, but was willing to learn. Her
Vermillion, on September 12, 1908, he passed
husband proved to be a good teacher, since he had
away.
been motherless for many years and had done the
Richfield, living alternately with one of her three
89
Rosaline remained in Vermillion and
daughters. The next spring her daughter Mary,
with her husband and family, left for the Society
Islands, where Mary’s husband, William A.
Seegmiller, had been called to preside over the
Tahitian Mission. She then went to Hinckley,
Utah to stay for some time with her other two
daughters, Jane Pratt and Emma Reeves.
About a year after her husband’s death her
daughter, Anna, contracted typhoid fever and
passed away in October 1909. Anna’s death was
a great sorrow to her. After spending nearly two
years in Hinckley, she again returned to Richfield
and lived with Lucy until Mary returned when she
went to live with her. In the spring of 1914, her
health failed and she continued to grow worse
until the end came September 8, 1914. Three
months after her death her daughter, Emma,
passed away at her home in Hinckley, leaving a
family of seven children.
Ansil and Roseline were both buried in the
Holden Cemetery beside their three children.
90
Top Row Left to Right:
Emma Thressa Harmon Reeve, Milo Ansil Harmon, Mary Sophronia Harmon Seegmiller, Anna Rose
Harmon Stringham
Second Row Left to Right:
Jane Marinda Harmon Pratt, Ansil Perce Harmon, Roseline Chandler Harmon, Lucy Elmeda Harmon
Jensen
91
92
ROSE JENSEN ~ MY LIFE
Rose is Carrie Jensen Gillies’ Sister
(Found in Rose Jensen’s “Treasures of Truth”)
On February 3, 1910, Thursday at
ground. When I was small I was fat and
4:35 p.m., a little black-headed, red-
chunky, now I am extra tall and skinny.
faced baby was brought forth into this
The second grade teacher I had was
large world. I was clothed in a beautiful
Blance Wilson, and the third grade
pink night dress which with that little
teacher Lora Curtis, fourth grade,
nightgown and my red face, black hair,
Vonda Ence, fifth Rae Haycock and
made me look like a little Indian. The
sixth was Sophie Goldbransen.
I was baptized February 3, 1918, on
Indians were camped in their wigwams
north of our place. Uncle Charle Bean asked
a Sunday which I had the honor of celebrating my
Mother if she had gone over to the Indians and
birthday. I was baptized by Charles Ogden and
borrowed a papoose. From these compliments, I
confirmed by W.A. Seegmiller.
On my ninth or tenth birthday, Sister Miria
have learned that I was a very beautiful baby.
Horne gave me a pretty handkerchief for my
I was named and blessed May 1, 1919, by
birthday.
Joseph S. Horne.
As the years went by, I was not the baby but
In the fifth grade they put on “Jack the
had a sister and brother come into the world. I
Beanstalk,” which I had the honor and pleasure of
remember that whenever the older sisters would
being in the chorus. I thought it quite an opera.
want me to do something around the place I would
In February 19, 1923, I took pneumonia. The
be nowhere to be found. During that time I would
Friday before I stayed down to Tilda Horne’s
be down to Gledhill’s or over to Johnson’s instead
place and we ate black walnuts. The next morning
of around the house.
I came home and was washing. I ate some blue
At six years I entered my first year of school.
plum preserves for breakfast then I complained of
How proud I was to be able to go to school like
a sick headache. I went to bed early and the next
the rest of my family. My first grade teacher was
morning I had a fever of 104. They called Dr.
Marvel Blomquist. I remember that during that
Garn Clark. He told mother that I had pleurisy
year mother bought me a ring when she was in
pneumonia. He called in the afternoon again and
Salt Lake City. I wore it to school and lost it. I
told them I could not have anything to eat for a
was unable to find it on account of the snow on the
period of time.
I remember asking Ruth for
something to eat but she told me it had been only
93
Rose Jensen History
a few minutes since the doctor had left. It seemed
On January 15, 1929, I entered the Holy Cross
hours to me. They gave me some quinine capsules
Hospital for a nursing course. During the time I
and told me to swallow them, but I didn’t, I
was there it was one of the best years of my life.
chewed them instead. They said I was in delirium
With all the ups and downs I gained many
for in that stage I had no control of what I was
friendships from people I cherish highly.
On April 9, 1931, I underwent an operation
doing.
Uncle Will Seegmiller and Bishop Virg Bean
for my appendix removal. During that time in the
administered to me, in which they layed their
operation I left this world, entering into a more
hands upon my head and sealed the blessing of our
beautiful world, but with the hand of the doctors,
Father in Heaven. It was, the fever, a degree
I was able to come back to live once more in the
lower after they administered to me.
life we live in now.
Monday morning the doctor was surprised
During the summer I was up to Carrie’s
that the fever was down to normal. The blessing
helping nurse when little Earl was brought into the
sealed upon my head by the Elders through the
world, on July 9, 1931 at 2:00 a.m.
Since that time I have been at home, staying
Priesthood had done it and I was on the road to
with mother during her sickness. I hope to in
recovery.
more days to come to continue more incidents and
Throughout the Junior High I had lots of fun,
history of my life.
for I helped with the paper called the “Go Getter.”
For graduation I had a voile dress.
This is what Lucy Elmeda Harmon Jensen
wrote about the death of her daughter, Rose:
In high school there, I was surrounded with
Rose Jensen passed away on the 26th of
many more high ideals. I was a member of the
December 1933 at Vineyard, Utah, at her Sister
Home Economic Club, Bayeaus Club.
I had the privilege of trying out for the school
Carrie Jensen Gillies’ home. She had been staying
plays, for though I never got in the plays I had one
with Carrie while she had been confined and had
of the leading parts in the Opera “Lelawala” by
a sweet little girl who they named Gayle. She had
Cadmen. I was Hintola the grandmother of the
been there four months and had been bothered
leading lady taken by Yetive Gledhill, Lelawala.
with a pain in her head which the Doctor called
During the years or summers of 1928 and
Sinus, but it was Encephalitis, which caused
inflammation of the brain.
1929 I went up to Provo Bench and picked berries.
She was buried in Richfield on the 31 of
I stayed at my sister Carrie’s place at Vineyard.
December 1933. The speakers at her funeral was
Those good old days I will never forget.
Dr. T.R. Gledhill, John L. Sevy and A.J. Ashman.
94
Rose Jensen History
The quartet who sang was Ruby T. Oldroyd,
Marion Bean, Darrel Olyrod and Ed Mortensen.
Mrs. Helen Poulson sang, “My Faith in Thee,” and
other songs were, “I Will Go Where You Want Me
to Go Dear Lord,” and “Some Time We’ll
Understand.” Opening Prayer was by John Ross
and the closing prayer by Leo Beal. The grave
was dedicated by Uncle William A. Seegmiller.
Pallbearers were:
Cousins Owen and Horace
Harmon of Holden, Evan Seegmiller, Lowell
Bean, Boyd Jensen of Richfield and Bryan Reeve.
Rose would have been 24 years old on the 3 of
February 1934.
95
Rose Jensen History
HISTORY OF MARION JAY GILLIES
Marion is Jay & Carrie Gillies’ Deceased Son
(Life Sketch)
arion Jay Gillies
family in the Spring of 1942.
was born February
Here he took three years of
23,
at
Seminary, was in F.F.A. three
Vineyard, Utah. He was a good
years, and was treasurer two
natured baby and grew and
years. He took track three years
developed well. He was always
and won the 880 Yard Run. In
teachable and never gave any
1945 he took the Mile Race on
trouble.
Boys Day at Monroe and fourth
M
1927,
On May 25, 1929, he was
place in Region 4 Track and
given an all-day sucker at the
Field meet at Richfield. At the
store in Lindon, Utah. He fell
Southern Utah Junior Livestock
down with it in his hand while
Show on May 3 and 4, 1945, he
going to the car and it struck him
in his left eye.
Marion Jay Gillies
There were
Black Faced Buck and the other
several operations on it but it never healed, and at
on his lamb.
10 years of age it was taken out and replaced by an
Marion graduated from Seminary May 22,
artificial one.
1945 and from South Sevier High School May 24,
He
attended
Elementary
1945.
School
He went to work at Richfield the latter part of
and Junior High at
July and a team of horses hitched to a mower ran
Vineyard and one year
away with him and drug him under it when he fell
at Lincoln High in
off. His foot was hurt and cut open. Tetanus set
Orem. He was on the
in an he died before medicine could get here from
wrestling
Salt Lake City, Utah. He died August 8, and was
team
at
Orem.
He
A Young Marion
took two B ribbons, one on a
Monroe
buried August 13, 1945 at Monroe, Utah.
moved
to
with
his
96
He was serving as second councilor in the
South Ward Sunday School at the time of his
death. He was always quiet and studious.
Additional Photos
1907 - Taken Near Utah Lake – Behind Geneva Steel Plant
Left to Right: Hyrum Gillies, Jack Wilkinson, David Gillies, Jess Gillies, Great Grandma Gillies
(Hyrum’s Mother - Margaret Mitchell), Jay Gillies, Margaret Gillies Wilkinson, Margaret Wilkinson
Green (Baby), Joseph Albert Wilkinson
97
Hyrum and Jessie Gillies
Jessie [Archibald] Gillies
Maragret [Mitchell] Gillies
Amanda [Wyatt] Gillies
Jay Gillies
Jay, Carrie
Phil & Earl
May 1930 ~ Pocatello
Maggie Wilkinson, Joe Gillies, Jean &
Margaret, Jay with Helen, Joe’s Daughter
Oct 1935
L to R Back: Jess and Belle, Joe, Jay,
Maggie Wildinson,
Mildred Chick Wagner
L to R:Margaret & Jean and
Carrie in Front
Monroe 1937/38?
Jean Gillies, Burke, Gayle,
Phil Gillies
Monroe
Earl Gillies
98
Milo Harmon &
Marion Gillies
The Jensen Siblings
Ruth, Milo, Lucille, Carrie, Harmon
Lucy & James Jensen
The Ansil P. Harmon Family Home ~ Holden, Utah
Back Row: William & Mary Seegmiller, Ansil P. Harmon
Front Row: Jane, May, Eva, Eliabeth Jane Harmon holding Lois, Rosaline C. Harmon, Angie (in front),
Emma Reeve holding Byran, Aunt Hulda Barnes, Lucy
99
Harmon Sisters
Emma, Mary, Jane & Lucy
Ansil Perce Harmon Family
Top Row: Emma, Milo, Mary, Anna
Front Row: Jane, Ansil Perce, Roseline Chandler, Lucy
Harmon Sisters & Spouses
James and Lucy Jensen Far Right
Rose Jensen, Marion Gillies, Carrie Gillies
Lucy Jensen
100
Jay & Carrie 50th Wedding Anniversary
Jay & Carrie Gillies Family
The Gillies Siblings
Earl, Burke & Phil
Burke, Gayle, Earl & Phil
Earl, Phil, Jay, Carrie,
Gayle, Burke - 50th
Wedding
Earl & Gayle
FR - Gayle, Earl, Ann, Ina
BR - Burke, LaJuanna, Phil
Reading the Paper at Burke’s
101