saxton history ch12-13

Our Ancestor Contributions to the Church – By John Wyatt 2009 - 63

12) Deuel -- Utah’s First Log Cabin?

William Henry Deuel Eliza Avery Whiting Deuel

Big Brother Osmyn Deuel (no photo of wife Mary Whiting)

Deuel Log Cabin SLC Utah

Osmyn and William Henry were the sons of Lewis and Mary Barton Deuel, believed to be of French heritage. Before the Revolutionary War they settled in Saratoga County, New York. There were many Deuels in eastern New York. Both sons were both born at Greenfield (or Galway), Saratoga Co., New York - Osmyn on January 1, 1802, and William Henry ten years later on January 1, 1812. William was born in the state of New York, Corinth, Washington Co. (or in Greenfield.). His wife Eliza Avery Whiting was born Oct. 14, 1819 in Gilford, Windham Co., Vermont. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Whiting and Ida Mercy Young who had 6 daughters in all. Brother Osmyn Deuel is believed to have joined in 1832. The Deuel and Whiting families were both living for a time in Freedom NY. All the Whiting daughters joined the church in New England it seems in the 1830s and began migrating toward Kirtland. Many missionaries were sent to Freedom New York in the early 1830s. As a result, Freedom had its own branch and is located near early church restoration sites. Thomas Grover boat captian on the Erie Canal and wife Caroline Whiting, Eliza Avery’s older sister, joined the church in February of 1831 after moving to Freedom NY where “he heard and accepted the teachings of the Mormon Elders”. They could have been the means of conversion for the other Whiting sisters.

Our Ancestor Contributions to the Church – By John Wyatt 2009 - Page 164

Above: Some Important Sites in Church History

The first mention of any Deuel in church history is not until 1836 where brother Osmyn is found living in Kirtland and on his way to becoming an Elder:

From “History of the Church” in several volumes. In Volume 2, p. 406 – 407 – Kirtland Ohio – “Removal of the Presidency and Twelve to Zion Contemplated” Joseph Smith records -

“Sunday, March 13, 1836 - Met with the Presidency and some of the Twelve, and counseled with them upon the subject of removing to Zion this spring. We conversed freely upon the importance of her redemption, the necessity of the Presidency removing to that place, that their influence might be more effectually used in gathering the Saints to that country; and we finally resolved to emigrate on or before the 15th of May next, if kind Providence smiles upon us and opens the way before us… Thursday, 17.— At school in the morning; in the afternoon in the office. In the evening met with the quorum in the west school room of the Lord's House to receive or reject certain individuals whose names were submitted for ordination, Erastus B. Whitman, Osmon (Osmyn) M. Duel, Chapman Duncan, Joshua Bosley, and Heman Hyde, were received, and four were rejected by the united voice of the assembly.” From “Messenger and Advocate” Kirtland LDS newspaper, Vol II No. 9 - “In the Kirtland LDS Messenger and Advocate newspaper, an entry on June 3, 1836 by Thomas Burdick a recording clerk lists Osmyn, an Elder, as one who is an authorized Licensed Minister of the Gospel for the church.” From “Kirtland Saints Land and Tax Records” page 141, Osmyn owns 81 acres of land from Jun. 4, 1836 to Mar. 28, 1838.

On his 25th birthday, William Henry married Eliza Avery Whiting in Freedom, New York January 1, 1837. Eliza Avery is a younger sister of Mary, Osmyn’s wife. During this time Osmyn Deuel, in 1837, seems to have gotten mixed up with a splinter group where some members were disfellowshipped under Patriarch John Smith’s leadership. At this time many converts were being led away by false spiritual manifestations. This became a serious problem for Joseph Smith who personally led the cause to solve the problem. The origins of this were probably from the Sidney Rigdon’s Campballite converts who were “Shaking Quakers”.


Many were possessed by evil spirits and exhibited strange exhibitions in behavior. Joseph Smith publicly cast out an evil spirit from a member in the Kirtland area:

From “History of the Church” Volume 2, p. 525 - Minutes of a High Council at Kirtland -

“Kirtland, November 20th 1837. The High Council met in the Lord's House, John Smith presiding…

Reuben Hedlock preferred the following charge against Zenos H. Brewster, Jane Brewster, Collins Brewster, D. H. Dustin and wife, Moses R. Norris and wife, Eliza Norris, Samuel Barnet, Jemima Butler, Osman M. Duel,—Butler, and Roxanna Repsher, for giving heed to revelations said to be translated from the Book of Moroni by Collins Brewster, and for entering into a written covenant different from the articles and covenants of the Church of Latter-day Saints, and following a vain and delusive spirit. Two were appointed to speak on each side. The writings and revelations kept and received by the accused were presented, and read by the clerk of the Council. The accused pleaded not guilty. Brother Felshaw was called forward by the plaintiff, who stated that he had visited the accused and labored with them according to the law of the Church; that the accused justified themselves, seeing the Church had not lived according to the former revelations, and they considered the High Council and others were in transgression; and that most of the accused appeared to be determined to pursue their own way, whether right or wrong. Brother Allen said the accused appeared to manifest a hard spirit against the Presidents of the Church and the High Council. Brother Dunn concurred. Brother Sawyer stated that he heard Brother Norris say that those in authority were against him and if he could not establish an order of things here to his mind he would go out among the Gentiles and do it. Brother Knight confirmed the foregoing testimony. The accused called Brother Freeman, who stated that he had attended a number of the meetings of the accused and saw nothing out of the way. Brother E. Strong confirmed Brother Freeman's statement, but did not know when he attended the meetings at which they received revelations for themselves. Brother J. Foster agreed with the last two witnesses. Brother Preston was called by the accuser, who testified that the accused refused to admit him into their meetings and that others were rejected… Several witnesses testified that they attended their meetings and saw nothing wrong. Others testified they had heard them speak against the heads of the Church and that Brother Joseph had many things to repent of, and one of them said he thought some put too much stress on the Priesthood, and that he was informed that Brother Norris laid his hands on Collins Brewster and ordained him a prophet, and that one of the accused said he was determined to pursue his own course whether it suited the High Council or not. After the pleas of his councilors the accused spoke in justification of their course generally, when the Council decided that the charge had been fully sustained and withdrew fellowship from those who persisted in their course of conduct as before mentioned. - Harlow Redfield, Clerk.”

The Deuel’s move to the town of Platte in northwestern Missouri and this is where Eliza gives birth to son Joseph Merrit February 10, 1839 who dies in infancy. The families must have moved again to a small cabin between the town of Nauvoo (Commerce) and Warsaw Illinois. Anouther son is born to Eliza, Alonzo, but he too dies as an infant.


Osmyn is still the only member of the church at this point. Osmyn must have repented from his back-sliding and again he is on the right track as he is visited by Bro. Kimball and Young on their way to the British Isles when the Twelve were called as missionaries and assists them in their journey:

From “The Life of Heber C. Kimball”, by Whitney from “History of the Church”. Whitmey’s source is from the Journal of Bro. Kimball, printed here in the book pg. 266 -

Bro. Kimball and Brigham Young are going east to serve missions and just left their families in poor health. The story is portrayed in a church video. Once they wave goodbye to their families from the wagon they head to the Duel home. The above account is interesting because after mentioning the Duel (Deuel) family, Charles C. Rich is mentioned who was the Deuel captain on the westward journey, the town of Springfield is mentioned which is the home of Samuel Mulliner family, and then Bro. Turley is mentioned who was the missionary who converted Samuel in 1837. Small world the pioneers lived in!

From “History of the Church” Volume 4, p. 9 – 10 Departure of Elders Young and Kimball from Nauvoo - “Wednesday, Sep 18, 1839.—Went to Burlington, Iowa Territory. Elders Young and Kimball left Sister Kimball and all her children sick, except little Heber; (footnote - The departure of these two Elders upon their mission to England is worthy of a more extended notice. A brother by the name of Charles Hubbard sent a boy with a team to take them a day's journey on their way. Elder Kimball left his wife in bed shaking with ague, and all his children sick. It was only by the assistance of some of the brethren that Heber himself could climb into the wagon. "It seemed to me," he remarked afterwards in relating the circumstance, "as though my very inmost parts would melt within me at the thought of leaving my family in such a condition, as it were, almost in the arms of death. I felt as though I could scarcely endure it." "Hold up!" said he to the teamster, who had just started, "Brother Brigham, this is pretty tough, but let us rise and give them a cheer." Brigham, with much difficulty, rose to his feet, and joined Elder Kimball in swinging his hat and shouting, "Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, for Israel!" The two sisters, hearing the cheer came to the door—sister Kimball with great difficulty—and waved a farewell; and the two apostles continued their journey, without purse, without scrip, for England. Went thirteen miles on their journey towards England, and were left at Brother Osmyn M. Duel's, who lived in a small cabin (shanty) near the railway between Commerce and Warsaw. They were so feeble as to be unable to carry their trunks into the house without the assistance of Sister Duel and a boy who received them kindly, prepared a bed for them to lie on, and made them a cup of tea ‘which revived us...we were very much fatigued.’” From “History of the Church” Volume 4, p. 10 -: “Thursday, 19.—I returned this evening from Burlington. Brother Duel carried Elders Young and Kimball in his wagon to Lima, sixteen miles, (Kimball - about twelve miles. When he left us, he gave each of us a dollar to assist us on our journey.) where another brother received them and carried them to Father Mikesell's near Quincy, about twenty miles; the fatigue of this day was too much for their feeble health; they were prostrated, and obliged to tarry a few days to recruit. Friday and Saturday, 20 and 21.— At home attending to domestic and Church business. Elders George A. Smith, Reuben Hedlock, and Theodore Turley started for England, and upset their wagon on the bank of the river, before they got out of sight of Commerce. Elders Smith and Turley were so weak they could not get up, and Brother Hedlock had to lift them in again. Soon after, some gentlemen met them and asked who had been robbing the burying ground—so miserable was their appearance through sickness. Sunday, 22.—I presided at the meeting, and spoke concerning the "other Comforter," as I had previously taught the Twelve.


This week I spent in transacting various business at home, except when visiting the sick, who are in general recovering, though some of them but slowly. Wednesday, 25.—President Young went to Charles C. Rich's; 26th, to Brother Wilber's; 27th, Brother Wilber carried Elders Young and Kimball to Pittsfield.”

William Henry and Eliza remain with older brother Osmyn as they move to Montrose, Lee Co. Iowa with him and there finally join church in April 1840. William Henry owned property on plot T66.6, just west of Montrose in land included in the Indian Reservation called the “Half Breed Tract”. This area was part of the Nauvoo 3rd Ward, Zarahemla Stake of Iowa. There were enough members of the church in this area to establish a stake:

From “Nauvoo – A Place of Peace” – by Glen M. Leonard – pg. 70 -

Iowa was organized into a stake with Montrose as its center, renamed “Zarahemla”, the stake boasted of 750 members in 9 branches. Amoung its members were many of Joseph Smith’s relatives from his parent’s families. The prophet’s uncle John Smith served as the stake president.

According to Mrs. Francis M. Deuel Johnson, granddaughter of William Henry Deuel, the Deuel brothers told Brigham Young specifically about the Salt Lake Valley before the saints began leaving Nauvoo. This may be a stretch of the imagination, however, there was time between 1838 and 1846 for the Deuel brothers to travel west from Platte Missouri and return again to Nauvoo. Mrs. Johnson claims the brothers were engaged in fur trapping at the time. (I could find no other mention of this in any research so I am inclined not to believe this claim. Brigham Young had been shown the Salt Lake Valley in a vision from the Lord before the exodus.) On Sept. 11, 1842, the Deuel ancestors were baptized by proxy. Eliza Avery Whiting Deuel’s grandparent Robert Young Jr. was baptized in Nauvoo. Joseph Smith having introduced the principle Aug. 15, 1840 and he himself was found baptizing for the dead in the Mississippi River Mar. 27, 1842. (All the Deuels were re-baptized by the church in 1967/1968 due to as incomplete record of the events. The church re-baptized all early church members at this time having incomplete records.) Daughter Minerva Adaline is born March 3, 1843 in Montrose. On the 23rd day of June, A.D., 1843, Sheriff Joseph H. Reynolds and Constable Harmon T. Wilson of Hancock Co. were authorized by the Governor of the State of Illinois to take General Joseph Smith into custody and return him to the state of Missouri under charge of treason. They took Joseph while he was in the city of Dixon Illinois. But he was taken to Nauvoo and granted freedom by the City. However, news of his eminent arrest reached Nauvoo and the saints rallied to his rescue. Osmyn is found recruited and under the command of General Charles C. Rich of the Nauvoo Legion commissioned to search and possibly rescue him. They leave on horses, with one baggage wagon drawn by two horses, to begin their search and rescue mission:

From “History of the Church” Volume 5, p. 461 -

“As they were getting their horses shoed… Presbyterian minister came up and said to him, ‘You ought to charge a dollar a shoe. These are Mormons; and you, who are a church member, have been shoeing this Mormon's horse on Sunday; and you ought to be brought before the church for doing it.’ Upon which, the blacksmith demanded two dollars for his work instead of one as agreed before. Nichols handed him one dollar, the priest telling the blacksmith he ought not to take it—that Joe Smith was an impostor, and ought to be hung.


We continued our journey to La Harpe, where we learned the full particulars of Brother Joseph's safe arrival and trial before the municipal court, when we made merry, composed a song, and danced, and proceeded to Nauvoo. During the entire journey the heat was extremely oppressive; and as the necessity of the case was very urgent, we had not time to sleep. It may be safely said to be one of the most rapid, fatiguing marches that is on record, having traveled with the same horses about 500 miles in seven days. ….About noon, July 3, 1843, General Charles C. Rich, with twenty-five men, returned, formed a square in front of my (Brigham Young) house, and sang a new song. I went out, shook hands with each individual, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. Another copy of the remonstrance to the governor against his sending an armed force was made out and taken to the porch of the Temple, where it was signed in the course of the day by about 900 persons. Tuesday, July 4, 1843 - Fourth of July Celebration at Nauvoo. At a very early hour people began to assemble at the Grove, and at eleven o'clock near 13,000 persons had congregated, and were addressed in a very able and appropriate manner by Elder Orson Hyde, who has recently been appointed on a mission to St. Petersburg, Russia. A constant accession of numbers swelled the congregation to 15,000 as near as could be estimated. At two p.m., they were again addressed by Elder Parley P. Pratt on redemption, in a masterly discourse, when I made some remarks….” (A Speech was also made by Wilford Woodruff and then Joseph Smith spoke on Politics and Military Organization at Nauvoo.)

Osmyn is found next as one of the many signers of the Redress Petition the Mormons sent to the President for the crimes committed against them at Missouri. (Alexander Mulliner and wife Sarah Mullholand also signed the document):

From “THE PERSONAL WRITINGS OF JOSEPH SMITH” Compiled and Edited by Dean C. Jessee Deseret Book Company Salt Lake City, Utah, Introduction): In June 1844 Church leaders submitted at least three documents to Congress: a memorial asking that Nauvoo be made a territory of the federal government, an appeal to settle land in the Oregon Territory, and a memorial applying to Congress for redress for sufferings in Missouri. Rather than submitting individual petitions, Church leaders sent a single petition in the final appeal. It was 50 feet long and rolled up like a scroll. After a brief, four-page introduction summarizing the sufferings of the Latter-day Saints in Missouri, 3,419 people signed their names. Some signed the petition more than once. Not all of the signers had been in Missouri, but signed the petition in support of those who had suffered there. The scroll petition was prepared in the late fall of 1843 in Nauvoo. The Nauvoo City Council voted that Orson Pratt should "present the Memorial and Ordinance to Congress". Two other emissaries, Apostles John E. Page and Orson Hyde, helped Pratt present the Mormon cause in Washington during the winter and spring of 1844. Once again Church leaders secured the help of Illinois congressmen such as Senator James Semple, who previously had helped the Mormons. This scroll appeal fared no better than the others. On 9 June 1844, Orson Hyde wrote to Joseph Smith that Congress had rejected their plea to present the petition. Still, Hyde had not given up, and he appealed directly to President John Tayler. In a letter dated 11 June 1844, he reported that President Tyler spent a "good deal of time with [me]" and "was very


frank . . . but seemed to feel that I should be satisfied with a few words because of the press of business." Continuing, Hyde explained, "We are now thrown back upon our own resources. We have tried every department of government to obtain our rights, but we cannot find them". From Mormon Redress Scroll Petition, p. 568…To U. S. Congress -

“Finally your Memorialists, pray your Honorable Body to take their wrongs into consideration, receive testimony in the case, and grant such relief as by the Constitution and Laws you may have power to give….Nauvoo, Illinois, November 28th 1843.” Signed by: Joseph Smith Mayor Signed by: …O M Deuel…Alex. Mulliner…Sarah Mulliner….

The next mention of Osmyn Deuel was when he was called to help organize the New York conference of the general church-wide Special Conference of 1844 along with a couple dozen other members. (Samuel Mulliner, was called to help with the Illinois members.):

From “History of the Church” Volume 6, p. 334 - April 11, 1844:

The Twelve Apostles arranged the appointments for the general conferences in the United States as follows: “…Quincy, Ill., Sat. and Sun. May 4 and 5…Oswego, N.Y. Sat. and Sun. June 29 and 30 … We also publish the names of the Elders who are appointed to the several states, together with their appointments…: … New York: O. M. Duel…Illinois: S. Mulliner … Those Elders who are numbered in the foregoing list to preside over the different states will appoint conferences in all places in their several states where opportunities present, and will attend all the conferences, or send experienced and able Elders, who will preach the truth in righteousness, and present before the people ‘General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the General Government,’ and seek diligently to get up electors who will go for him for the Presidency. All the Elders will be faithful in preaching the Gospel in its simplicity and beauty, in all meekness, humility, long-suffering and prayerfulness; and the Twelve will devote the season to traveling, and will attend as many conferences as possible.”

In Kirtland, in 1838, Joseph Smith told a council of priesthood leaders, “…I have a promise of life five years, and they cannot kill me until that time is expired.” Joseph Smith was not martyred until June 27, 1844. An angry mob with painted faces entered the Carthage jail and shot him several times. Hyrum was also murdered. Church leader Warren Foote that same year expressed his hopes and fears regarding the martyrdom – “We all felt as though the powers of darkness had overcome, and that the Lord had forsaken His People. Our Prophet and Patriarch were gone! Who now is to lead the Saints? In fact we mourned ‘as one mourneth for his only son.’ Yet after all the anguish of our hearts and deep mourning of our souls a spirit seemed to whisper ‘All is well….’ So we felt to trust in God.”


The Lord anointed a new in Brigham Young before year’s end. Under Brigham’s leadership the church prospered. Brigham expanded the number of Seventies Quorums. William Henry was ordained a Seventy in the 22nd Quorum between 1845 and 1846. Indeed, as Willard Richards and John Taylor put it, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” The family grew during the Nauvoo trials and they sealed their love in the Temple. Daughter Mercy Ann is born July 30, 1845, Osmyn is one of the few sealed to a spouse in the Nauvoo Temple, and William and Eliza are endowed in the Temple:

From Jay Deuel’s web page - “During their years of migrating from eastern New York, the Deuel brothers lived in at least three cities: Platt, MO; Nauvoo, IL; and Montrose, IA. William’s first 2 sons were born, and died along the way. Joseph born Feb. 10, 1839 lived for only five months in Platt MO., whereas Alonzo born Oct. 26, 1840 was able to celebrate his 2nd birthday in his birthplace of Nauvoo. These were the first children born by the young couple, each given the middle name of Merrit, after their uncle. Older brother Osmyn was endowed Jan. 2, 1846 and sealed to Mary Whiting on January 31, 1846, in the Nauvoo Temple. William and Eliza were endowed Feb. 3, 1846.”

The family finds itself involved on a very a special day in church history; they were endowed on February 3rd, 1846 in the Nauvoo temple. The faith promoting experience of this day is recorded in church history as follows:

From “Nauvoo Temple History” – David R. Crockett -

On January 2, 1846, in the Celestial Room of the Nauvoo Temple, Brigham Young uttered these prophetic words: ‘We can't stay in this (temple) but a little while. We have got to build another house. It will be a larger house than this, and a more glorious one. And we shall build a great many houses. We shall come back here and we shall go to Kirtland, and build houses allover the continent of North America.’ (From Heber C. Kimball Journal kept by William Clayton, “An Intimate Chronicle”, p. 252) From “History of the Church”, 7:579 -

“On February 2, 1846 Brigham Young announced that temple ordinances would cease. When he came to the temple on the following morning he found a large crowd of people seeking their ordinances. President Young was somewhat frustrated because he knew they had to leave Nauvoo before their enemies could intercept them. He told the brethren that it was not wise to continue, that more temples would be built in the future. He told the crowd that he was going to get his wagons started and be off. He walked a distance from the Temple, hoping that the crowd would disperse, but when he returned he found the temple overflowing with people. Looking at the multitude, understanding their anxiety and thirst for knowledge, he decided to continue working in the temple for a few more days.

February 7, 1846, was the final day for temple ordinances in the Nauvoo Temple. Work had been performed around the clock for two days. About 600 people received their ordinances on that final day. At least 5,615 Saints were blessed to have received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple.

The brethren then turned their attention to leaving for the west. On February 8, 1846, members of the Twelve knelt around the altar of the temple asking the Lord to bless their move to the west and asked Him to enable them to complete the temple and have it formally dedicated.


On the following day, February 9,1846, the temple roof caught on fire. An alarm was sounded and the brethren ran to the rescue. A bucket brigade was organized. Axes were used to tear up the roof, and water was thrown on the fire. After raging for a half hour, the fire was put out. It had been caused by an overheated stove pipe. The Saints shouted "Hallelujah." Six days later, Brigham Young started his historic journey to the west.”

Many saints began their trek westward in February of 1846. Crossing the river was slow and difficult for the pioneers. However the weather became an unwitting accomplice, and winter storms hit hard. Charles C. Rich, on the 25th, crossed the Mississippi River on foot. The river was frozen over, facilitating the exodus. He arrived in Iowa at Sugar Creek camp without difficulty.

Above: Pioneer Trail from Nauvoo Illinois to Salt Lake City Utah (see also Mulliner day by day journal section of this book)

When the time arrived for the Deuels to journey across the plains, William and Eliza, their two daughters, and at least two of his brothers, Amos and Osmyn Merrit flee out of Nauvoo February 1846, after they received their endowments, with the first exodus of the saints from Nauvoo. By June 1847 they have trekked across Iowa and settled at Winter Quarters Nebraska leaving abandoned a home that was a blessing to others:

From “Saints in Exile” by David R. Crockett, source: “Thomas Bullock Journal” and “William Clayton Journal”, pg 48 –

On June 22, 1846 Thomas Bullock went to his in-laws, the Claytons (William Clayton’s parents) and discovered they were being evicted. Bro. Bullock hunted for a house for them to stay in. He found an abandoned house owned by Osmyn M. Deuel and took sister Clayton to check it out. She was satisfied, so plans were made to move the family into this house. (Was this possibly the house 14 miles south of Nauvoo?)

The Deuels headed towards Utah in the 5th Mormon wagon train in 1847, called the Charles C. Rich Company under the leadership of John Taylor and Parley P. Pratt. The wagon train company was known as the artillery, supplies and equipment company. The company moved slower and was independent of the first 4 companies. They company arrived at the Elk Horn River camp June 17, 1847, just south of Winter Quarters. With 126 souls, it was the last and smallest company of the 5 that came to Salt Lake during the first year. The company was delayed at it waited for the cannon to arrive.


The company is also thought by some, including Leonard J. Arrington, to have carried the Nauvoo Temple bell. Another story tells us the bell came to Utah much later in another pioneer camp.

From “Charles C. Rich – Mormon General and Western Frontiersman” by Leonard J. Arrington, pg. 114 -

The company carried a boat, cannons, artillery and ammunition, along with the “bell” believed to be the Nauvoo Temple bell. They passed the 1st and 2nd companies along the way but due to wagon trouble made it to the valley after the 1st four companies. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on October 2, 1847.

During the early days of their trip, a brother Jacob Weatherby, a wounded member of the Smoot Company, was carried to Brother Rich’s tent. Jacob was shot in an encounter with the Indians. He and another teamster had been dispatched back to Winter Quarters and ran into 3 Pawnees. As Weatherby tried to talk the Indians into letting them pass, he was shot. “We fixed him a bed”, wrote Sara Rich, “and did all we could to ease his pain. He suffered awful pain through the night and the next morning about 9 o’clock his suffering ended with death.” Another story is told by Lorna Jasperson of the South Utah Company D.U.P., she said, “There was a stampede of buffaloes crossed the road and they had to take their teams off the wagons to let the Buffalos through. At one time they saw a large dust storm and they held council to decide what to do. They made a corral of wagons and put their animals inside and waited to see what happened. Wasn’t long till 300 Indians came whooping and yelling, they circled the corral 3 times, then rode away. It was a cold October when the Deuels reached Zion. They had endured many hardships and like most of the saints, more than likely felt a great relief and sense finally arriving safe at “home”. After the company reached the Salt Lake Valley, the Deuels may have built the first home in Utah, or more specifically, they had the walls built and added a chimney, plank floor, earthen roof, and whitewashed the interior. The glass is believed to have been the Deuels glass brought in their wagon as there was no glass in the valley produced at this time. The Deuels were wealthy and brought 3 wagons west. (This information was obtained from Norma Vance of D.U.P from notes taken when Don Elders, Sr. Curator of Historic Sites for the LDS Church spoke at the Centerville Historical Society in 1995.) Osmyn and wife lived in this cabin and William and family next door. By February 1848, the bishop’s report in the north extension recorded three log homes, one for each family and the extra used as a blacksmith shop. An article in the church’s magazine the Ensign, July 1986 was dedicated to the history and restoration of the cabin.

From B.H. Roberts –

William Henry Deuel along with his brothers Osmyn Merrit and Amos, built a home shortly after arriving in Utah on August 2, 1847 that would house both families during the coming Winter. Their first log cabin was located north of the east portal of The Old Fort, now Pioneer Park. The cabin was moved and is on display, across the street west from Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. The first pioneers had been in Utah two months before the Deuels arrived and so there is doubt that this log cabin was the first one constructed in the Salt Lake Valley (as another pioneer also claims to have built the first home). William lived in the home during that winter and his son William Henry Deuel Jr. was born there:


From Jay Deuel web site and Mrs Frances M Deuel Johnson of Toquervilee Utah, daughter of William Henry Deuel Jr.-

“William Henry Deuel, Jr. was born a year later in the log home, during the great infestation of Mormon Crickets. His mother helped fight the pests devouring their fields, until it was time for her to give birth. The crops were later saved as white seagulls swooped down from the sky to ingest the black wave of insects, disgorging their prey into the waters of the Great Salt Lake.”

From Hubert Howe Bancroft’s “History of Utah” -

"Land was ploughed and sown in wheat and vegetables, the crops being more promising than those to the south. But in May of the following year the settlers were startled not by war-whoops of the Utah Indians, but by hordes of black monster crickets swarming down form the bench lands as at Salt Lake City and bringing destruction on field and garden. They turned out to battle with the foe; ditches were dug around the grain fields and water of the stream diverted into them, while men, women, and children, armed with clubs checked the advance of the devouring host. Enough of the crop was saved to supply the wants of the settlers. Their energy, on this occasion, coupled with a supposed miraculous visitation of gulls, probably saved a foretaste of the disaster of 1848."

Faith promoting is the scene of Eliza Avery, while 9 months pregnant, fighting the storm of crickets up to the very day of giving birth when Utah’s first faith promoting miracle occurred. Much has been written about the story of the Seagulls and Crickets - William Henry Deuel Jr. was born in the log cabin on 3 August 1848. This was the same Summer in which the Mormon pioneers were invaded by huge crickets, eating their crops. After much prayer, seagulls descended as a white cloud from the heavens and devoured the black wave of insects. The birds would eat, fly to a nearby stream, regurgitate their meal, then repeat this process until the


"Mormon Crickets" were removed from the valley. In gratitude, the California Seagull became the State Bird of Utah. The Deuel’s are asked by Brigham Young to settle the town of Centerville Utah. In the spring of 1848, both William and his brother Osmyn then moved north as original settlers of the second Mormon city in Utah, known today as Centerville. Thomas Grover and Shadrach Roundy, members of the Salt Lake High Council, who had been part of Brigham Young’s company, preceded them as a watchman over the pioneer cattle herds. They planted crops in the vicinity of Deuel Creek, named after them. The Brothers real value was recorded as $1300 in the 1850 U.S. Census, which doubled by the next decade. The Deuel Brothers were soon joined by their wives and William's three children. Eliza gave birth four additional times, before she passed away in 1873 of Black Smallpox.


Above: Pioneer Memorial Plaque and monument in Centerville Utah. The Deuel family is mentioned.


The story of settling Centerville is told by historian B. H. Roberts and others:


“The first Mormon examination of present Davis County began on August 9, 1847. On that day, a small exploring party left the main camp in Salt Lake Valley, in company with Captain James Brown and others of the Mormon Battalion, who were returning from California. The five explorers, Jesse C. Little, Wesley W. Willis, Joseph Mathews, John Brown and John Buchannan, accompanied the California party as far as the Bear River, then visited Cache Valley before returning to camp after a five day absence. Another who viewed Davis County that first fall was the mountain man Lewis B. Myers. The Mormon explorers reported that although the area they had examined had little wild game, it was ideal for farming and stock raising. Despite this favorable report Mormon settlement in 1847 was restricted to the area close to the pioneer fort in Salt Lake City. Davis County was suggested for use as pasture for some of the five thousand cattle which had accompanied the first year's migration. The high council of Salt Lake City supervised herding arrangements. Men who were authorized to take cattle into Davis County thus became the first settlers at Farmington, Centerville, and Bountiful. Thomas Grover settled in Centerville to pasture his stock for the winter, during the fall of 1847. Early in the spring following, he was joined by other families, including the Deuel brothers, Osmond M. and William (and their wives and Williams 3 children), and a permanent settlement was formed, notwithstanding it seemed to be the winter rendezvous of several bands of Indians. The settlers on this creek, however, were not organized into a ward and given a bishop until 1852, though Sanford Porter had acted as presiding elder from 1850, and became the settlement's first Bishop. Ozias Kilbourn and Simon H. Dalton were his counselors. About the time that Thomas Grover settled on Deuel Creek, Perrigrine Sessions settled on East Mill Creek. In fact, it is claimed that Sessions was the first Latter-day Saint who is known to have made wagon tracks north of the 'Hot Springs'. He was accompanied by Samuel Brown. Afterwards Mr. Brown was killed by the Indians. Like Grover, these men took charge of large herds of cattle through the winter of 1847-48. The following spring Sessions removed his family to the site where he and Brown had wintered in their wagon. He was soon joined by other families and ‘Sessions Settlement’ began its existence, rapidly expanding into a thriving community.”

We learn from Thomas Grover’s journal that the Deuels had an altercation with him over water rights. As a result the Deuels filed a complaint with the committee in Salt Lake against Brother Grover. William Henry apparently the looser in the fight:

From “Our Pioneer Heritage” pg 112 a July 22, 1848 -

The Old Fort committee minutes state that a complaint was filed against Thomas Grover for “unlawfully beating William Deuel and also threatening his life. The parties were present and ready for trial…after the case was duly traversed; President Smith waived giving a decision until he could know how Brother Deuel prospered in recovering from his bruises.”

Other interesting descriptions about the early settlements north of Salt Lake:


From "State of Deseret; Colonizing Achievements” -

"The extension of settlements under the State of Deseret's regime was remarkable. The first of many daughters to the queen city of America's 'Dead Sea' were immediately northward in what is now the south end of Davis County, on what was afterwards called 'Deuel Creek' and 'North Mill Creek.' The former about eleven, and the latter about nine miles from Salt Lake City, on the sites of the present towns of Centerville and Bountiful respectively."


Thomas Grover didn't remain in Centerville very long according to findings in Andrew Jensen's histories. In the fall of 1848, Thomas Grover was in a cabin on Steed's Creek in Farmington. His daughter Lucy Grover (Sanders) was born there Jan. 7, 1849. She was recorded as being the first white child born in Davis County. The Grovers left Farmington, going east for cattle for three years, and in 1856 built the large home which stood for many years on the southeast corner of main and third north in Farmington. This explains why, although Thomas Grover was the first to settle in Centerville, there was never a Creek or monument of any kind named after him. From Smoot: “At that time the settlement became known as ‘Deuel Creek Settlement.’ Later it was called "Cherry Creek Settlement", after the Cherry family, and in 1849, a site for a town was surveyed in the fall, and the place was named Centreville. This spelling was later changed to its permanent spelling of Centerville. Named thus because it was literally the Centerville between Farmington and Bountiful.” From “History of Bountiful” –

“Orville Cox was ordained the first Bishop of North Canyon Ward with Anson Call 1st counselor and John Stoker 2nd Counselor. In the fall of 1849 Bishop Cox was called to settle Sanpete County and Anson Call was chosen Bishop with Aaron B. Cherry and Osmyn M. Deuel as counselors.

The 1850 US Census indicates that each brother was worth about $500, a good sum back then, which was doubled by 1860. After a couple of years, he was asked by [Mormon] President Brigham Young to serve as a blacksmith in the community of Centerville originally referred to as Deuel Creek.”

Deuel Creek is now one of several Historic Sites in the city. The creek is beautiful as it winds up the mountains. The creek can still be seen in several places through Centerville at, 310 S 400 E, 400 S between 200 & 300 E, and 400 S from Main to Frontage Road.


Above: Deuel Creek Centerville Utah – Top Picture - valley is on the left. Bottom Picture – Deuel Creek as it enters Centerville. Lewis Deuel, the Wyatt ancestor was their second child born. Born Jul. 16, 1851 in Centerville, Lewis would follow in his father’s footsteps in becoming a cowboy.


From “Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude” pg. 809 -

“Their lives were difficult. When their clothes wore out, Eliza used canvas from the covered wagons to make new ones. She gathered pieces of wool from the oak brush where sheep had passed through. She made it into yarn, dyed it with native plants in the area, then used it to make socks and sweaters. Eliza helped to tame this portion of our country and helped to build a community that is now a lovely place in which to live. She was a willing wife and careful homemaker. She lovingly cared for her family until she was fifty four years of age.”

It didn’t take long before Osmyn had made a comfortable living for his family. He was able to employ Truman O. Angell, the church architect, December 15, 1851 to draw up plans for his next home. By January 7 1852 Osmyn new home was nearly completed. A home owned by Osmyn is listed in the book “Pioneer Buildings of Early Utah” by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

From “History of Bountiful” –

The first blacksmith shop in Centerville was owned and operated by William Deuel, and in 1849 or 50 he built one of the first adobe homes. Later William and his family moved to Southern Utah where he was called to help settle Panguitch. The abode home was purchased by Lorenzo Schofield. Early in 1854 a fort was begun, enclosing nine blocks of Centerville. The north and east walls were completed. The walls were made of rocks and dirt and were six feet wide at the base and about 8 f t. high. The fort was built as a protection from surprise attack by the Indians. This nine-block area I was referred to as "The Fort", by those people in Centerville living outside of the walls. Other creeks so vital to the pioneers were also named after original settlers. Deuel Creek, situated in the south part of the town, was the first. It is now often called Centerville Creek, but was originally named after the Deuel brothers. The next creek north is Parrish Creek, named after Samuel Parrish; Barnard Creek is next and it was named after James Barnard. Recently a subdivision went up north of that creek and they put in a street named Barnard. The creek on the north end of town is Ricks Creek named after Joel and Thomas Ricks…. Osmyn Deuel continued to live in Centerville. He had the experience of serving on a mission in England. He had four wives: Mary Whiting m. 31 January 1846, Mary Ann Thorn m. 26 November 1855, Sarah Tonks m. 22 August 1868, and Emily Hannah Bowers m. 9 February 1869. (According to Mary Ann Thorn Deuel Anderson, no children were born to any of Osmyn’s wives, therefore, he released claim on the four women to marry others. From DUP Pioneer Women page 86.) He met Emily Hannah Bowers while on his mission in England. She with her mother Elizabeth Emery Bowers and her sister Betsy Jane Bowers came to Utah in September 1868. Osmyn built a beautiful rock home for Emily. It is located just one block south of the Centerville 1st Ward Chapel and is still in use today. It was built in 1878 and was one of the first stone homes in the city. This home was placed on the state register of historic sites in 1971. Osmyn became a well-to-do farmer and accumulated much land in Centerville. He always had a fine team of horses.


Osmyn Deuel died January 11, 1889, at his home in Centerville and was buried in the Centerville cemetery. He never had any children (Osmyn eventually married 4 women but released all 4 from their vows to him because he could not give them children), and although Emily was a widow for many years, she never remarried. She died November 6, 1916, and was also buried in Centerville. Eliza’s father, Nathaniel Whiting was baptized Feb. 13, 1883 (proxy of live?) Her mother Ida Mercy Young who died in 1840 was proxy baptized Dec. 2, 1884 and endowed Dec. 4, 1890.

Sometime during 1865/1867 William Henry and family received a “life mission” call from Brigham Young to help settle Dixie, When they arrived at Kannara, on their way south, William was ask to stay there as he was a good blacksmith and they needed him and his tools. But he said no, for he wanted to fill his mission. Men wrote to Brigham Young and got him to release him, so he stayed in Kanarra. Lewis Deuel, William’s son, is baptized Jun. 5, 1864 by Henry Yales and confirmed a week later by James Lindford. Lewis married Catherine Kelsey Jun. 10, 1871 near her home at Kannara; Easton Kelsey’s Black Ridge ranch. Following the death of his wife Eliza of black smallpox December 20, 1872, William moved to the small town of Escalante, Garfield County, in Southern Utah to be with three of his sons. (Eliza is buried in the Centerville City Cemetery. Becky and I visited the site once while visiting her cousin.) Eliza Avery Deuel grave site in old Centerville Utah cemetery:

“In memory of Eliza Avery Deuel wife of William H. Deuel. Born Oct. 14th, 1819”

In Escalante they were farmers, providing blacksmith services to travelers heading for "Hole in the Rock" pass. Deuel family members were some of the first settlers in Panquitch, Escalante, and Toquerville.

From “Utah History Encyclopedia”, Escalante -

William Henry Deuel is listed as one of the first pioneers in the city of Escalante.


Pioneer life for the Deuels began to return to normal after the struggles of settling were over. The Deuel family had their lighter side, being musically gifted they joined a band:

From “Our Pioneer Heritage” pg. 93, by Carter -

William Henry and son Lewis Deuel were part of Bishop Andrew Schow’s brass band. This band performed on all holidays. On the patriotic holidays the group would ride a band wagon draped in red white and blue bunting and serenade from house to house beginning at 4:00am. Householders would come out to serve treats. The wagon was drawn by fine white horses with William Henry Deuel playing the flute and leading the band. Blacksmith, farmer, and home builder William Henry Deuel lived in Escalante the remainder of his life, where he was laid to rest in 1891.


A typical pioneer band wagon in Utah - The Deuel family played in a Bishop Andrew Schol’w brass band wagon in Utah.

William Henry and Eliza Avery Deuel Willam Henry died an active church member in good standing in 1891. Now the gospel spreads from the Deuels to the Saxtons, to the Wyatts.


Mercy Ann Deuel Roundy The Deuels daughter born in 1845 in Montrose Iowa married Myron S. Roundy, Dec. 3, 1864 in the Salt Lake Endowment House. They bore 9 children. Her picture and brief biography is published by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers:

From “Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude”, DUP -

“Mercy was an accomplished seamstress; taught dressmaking, tailoring, and knitting. She fashioned costumes for the home theatre groups in which she always took a leading part. She and her husband were pioneers for the second time when they were called to help settle the Kanarra Valley in 1866. Having a beautiful voice she as a member of the ward choir at age eleven and was a member of the Tabernacle Choir when she lived in Salt Lake City. She studied obstetrics under Dr. Jacobson from Denmark and served as a midwife and held positions in the Relief Society.


13) Whiting -- Parents of Pioneer Wives Nathaniel Whiting and Ida Mercy Young were the parents of Eliza Avery Deuel. I could not find much on the Whiting family. Having a family of all girls in a patriarchal society made it difficult to find their histories. The saving grace here is that the daughters married prominent pioneers, and there is extensive resource material on their husbands. Since I am not a direct descendant, except with Eliza Avery Whiting Deuel, their stories are told elsewhere. Nathaniel was born in Warwick Massachusetts Dec. 22, 1783 and Ida Mercy was born in Athol Massachusetts Aug. 27, 1780. They married around 1805 in New Milford Connecticut and moved to New York. There first daughter Mary was born in Whitehall in 1807. They moved several times to Vermont and New Hampshire. The daughters began joining the church as early as February 1831 in Freedom New York. Caroline, who became a mother to Emeline Whiting Grover, accepted the teachings of the LDS missionaries and were baptized either in Freedom or nearby (see Pioneer Heritage pg. 419)


Somehow the Whiting families found their way to Nauvoo. Nathaniel and Ida never joined the church, but it appears they supported their daughters in their new religion and moved west with them. (The Whiting parents were apparently proxy baptized in 1883 and 1884 by their daughters. Robert Young, Ida’s father was proxy baptized on Sep. 11, 1842 in west bank of river at Nauvoo two years after Joseph Smith revealed the doctrine of proxy baptism for the dead. This seems to have been done outside the temple after the date permitted by the prophet. The baptismal font had already been completed.)

From “Nauvoo – A Place of Peace” – by Glen M. Leonard – pg.255 -

The first proxy baptisms were conducted in the Mississippi River in September 1840. Only near relatives were authorized to perform proxy baptisms. During the October conference Vilate Kimball noted that “there were sometimes from 8 to 10 Elders in the river at a time baptizing.” For more than a year the saints continued to be immersed in the river on behalf of dead relatives. On October 3, 1841, Joseph Smith halted the proxy baptisms performed outside the temple.

Eliza had 4 sisters who all or mostly joined the church in the early years. Polly Deuel (Osmond’s wife?) (a sister?), proxy baptized some Whiting, Young, and Ryder ancestors Sep. 11, 1842. Nathaniel’s home was in Nauvoo on Mulholland and Hyde streets, due west of the Temple as few blocks on block 82, lot 3. The home is no longer there and currently it is being used as overflow parking for the Temple open house. Under the topic “Nauvoo Bonds” at BYU’s Special Collections and Manuscripts, is found MSS 771 which includes 3 notes signed in 1839 by Joseph Smith for the purchase of property in Nauvoo from Moses C. Nickerson of New York. This same Mr. Nickerson sells to Nathaniel and his brother George, property next to the one sold to Joseph Smith on August 28, 1841. Finally, on September 29, 1845, Nathaniel, Lorenzo Roundy, and a Roderick Barnum transfer title of the property to George. Below summarizes the Joseph Smith contracts but lists in detail the notes concerning on page 4 concerning Nathaniel. Page 1: (Missing) Page 2: (Summary : Contract Note signed Sep. 18, 1839 by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, all of Nauvoo and Moses C. Nickerson of New York witnessed by James Mulholland as Clerk. for block 82 lot 3) Page 3: (Summary: Contract Note signed Sep. 25, 1839 by Joseph Smith, agent of Oliver Granger for Nauvoo block 141 lot 3) Page 4: (Several small contract Notes all listed below)


#1 (Block 83?): “I hereby transfer all my rights title interest and claim to the within assembled? (spelling unknown) Piece or parcel of land to George Whiting and Nathaniel Whiting it being for value received Nauvoo August 28th 1841” Signed: Moses C. Nickerson “Cancelled – for the use of the church” #2 (Block 83?): “Sep. 27, 1845 I hereby transfer all my right title interest and claim to he said afore signed and within signed piece or parcel of land to George Whiting it being for value received”

Signed : Lorenzo W. Roundy (Nathaniel’s son-in-law)

Nathaniel Whiting Roderick R. Barnum (Relationship unknown. Related to P.T. Barnum?)

#3: “Received on the within bond two hundred and twenty five dollars June 1st 1841 – it being for one horse, buggy and harness” Signed : J. Smith

Mr. G. S. Fullmer, Clk. Nathaniel’s wife Ida Mercy died November 1840, before the purchase of the property in Nauvoo but the place is unknown. Nathaniel married Cassandra Jenkins May 16, 1841 in Nauvoo? (Second wife?) One history reports Nathaniel and Ida Mercy divorced Aug. 13, 1842 in Nauvoo but this may have been Cassandra. Ida’s older sister Caroline Whiting married Thomas Grover in 1828 in Windham Co. Vermont and they both joined the church in February 1831 after they were married (See Our Pioneer Heritage, Emeline Grover, pg. 419). The Grovers were “fairly well situated financially”. Thomas Grover became helped build the Kirtland Temple, was an early church leader, and also “acted as bodyguard for the Prophet”. The Grovers suffered from the Missouri persecutions. Caroline died and was buried Oct. 17, 1840 in Nauvoo at the old Nauvoo Cemetery. Like her mother she also died possibly due to the hardships imposed by persecution and exile from Missouri. They were later proxy sealed at Nauvoo Temple August 1843 (Caroline Eliza - Nickerson Hubbard proxy) and again (by Sister Hubbard) once the Temple was completed on Jan. 20, 1846. One of sister Caroline’s 6 daughters, Emmeline Grover (named after her Aunt Emeline Whiting), was in the crowd that witnessed the return of Joseph Smith’s body. Emmeline married the


Apostle Charles C. Rich, performed by Heber C. Kimball Feb. 2, 1846. She was later on the famous flat boat sinking incident on the Mississippi, and became one of the few women to drive an ox team to Utah. The youngest sister of Ida, Adeline (or Adaline) Whiting, married Lorenzo Wesley Roundy, early church leader, May 1, 1842 by Amasa Lyman in a civil ceremony in Nauvoo. Lorenzo was called on by church leaders to lead a company of Saints to explore the Colorado River basin and Arizona for possible settlement (See John Heber Mulliner in the Immediate Family of Samuel Mulliner section of this book). Adeline died May 27, 1845 also in Nauvoo but shows having been endowed (proxy?) Jan. 22 1846 and proxy sealed Jan. 31, 1846, at the temple. She is listed on the 1839-1846 Early Mormon Series records. At The Nauvoo Memorial there is a Adeline Whiting Roundy listed as one who died in Nauvoo, she is likely this youngest sister. There is a board on-site with all the names. Appears Adeline is listed twice and her oldest sister Caroline Whiting Grover is also listed twice: Inside the Nauvoo Memorial to those who died on the journal west and the end of Parley Street at the edge of the Mississippi River. From Nauvootemple.com


Nauvoo Memorial to those who died on the journal west and the end of Parley Street at the edge of the Mississippi River. At another site Elisha, Emily, Sally, and Widow Whiting are listed as those who died in Nauvoo (relation if any is also unknown):

The surviving Whitings may have moved with the main body of saints from state to state as they sought shelter from persecution. In Yelrome Illinois, the Eli Morley settlement, several Whiting families are mentioned. A letter by Solomon Hancock on September 11, 1845 printed in “Old Mormon Nauvoo” by Richard N. Holzapfel (pg 197) states that Chancy Whiting’s house was burned down by mobs and “Father Whiting’s” chair shop was burned down as well. History records that mobs eventually burned down this entire Mormon settlement. Were these family members? The Trail of Hope is the road the pioneers traveled out of Nauvoo to cross the Mississippi River. The Nauvoo Memorial is located at the end of the trail next to the river. Our ancestors traveled this road; The Mulliners, Kelseys, Deuels, Saxtons, and Whitings as the first leg of a long and difficult journey to the Great Salt Lake. Plaques line the gravel Trail of Hope road:


The date Nathaniel and Ida made the trek west is unknown, but some if not all the daughters made the trek. Sister Emmeline Whiting, born 1815, could be the “Emily Whiting” listed as one of the Pioneers who died on the trek west as listed on the Nauvoo Memorial to the Pioneers or this may have been the granddaughter that married Charles Rich. There is also listed a “Widow Whiting” who died. Is this Nathaniel’s wife Ida Mercy Young Whiting? If so It appears all the Whiting sisters were re-baptized in 1958/1959/1968 due to the incomplete original records. This was a standard policy the church held in these cases.


From “Excerpts From Diary of Emmeline Grover Rich” – 1890 -

Nathaniel Whiting and Ida Mercy Young had 6 daughters. This is a story of one of their daughter’s family, Caroline Whiting, who married Thomas Grover in 1828 in the State of New York. The story is told by Emmeline, their daughter, who survived the experience pioneering west with her family. Emmeline married Apostle Charles C. Rich. One of her sisters, Eliza Avery Whiting, married William Henry Deuel builder of the first home in Utah. Thomas Grover was the first pioneer that raised the first crop in Utah, inviting the Deuel family to join him in settling the first town outside Salt Lake City. Thomas Grover and wife Caroline Whiting joined the church in 1834-1835 in Freedom, Cattaraugus County, New York. They had 3 daughters at the time. In the spring of 1835 they moved to Kirtland Ohio and there had a fourth daughter born. “He (Thomas Grover) was very liberal with his money, and I have always thought—over zealous. My mother (Caroline Whiting Grover) did not like to break up her home and go, but went because her husband went—for go he would!” “They were not permitted long to tarry, but built a temple, and made homes, etc. They were soon driven from Kirtland, and, in a destitute condition, started for the state of Missouri, some of the Saints having gone there previously…Now all this was in opposition to the wish of my mother, for she it was who had the brunt to bear, traveling by ox team, with four small children hundreds of miles. How well do I remember her tears, although young at the time, and not realizing, as I now do, the cause of her sorrow. My mother was a very different woman in many respects from my father. I can say truthfully that she was an honest, frugal, industrious woman, not so fanatical as was my father. He was so zealous in the cause of which he had espoused that he would give the last, and all he had to the “Cause”, not knowing where he could obtain more, and this was sometimes a bone of contention between them, for she knew not how to live, and barely exist. Her family was noted for being industrious, energetic, good people. My father settled in Caldwell County, Missouri. Here he lived 4 years—prospered exceedingly, made farm, set out an orchard, and many animals…and in his wife he had a helpmeet in very deed. Trouble began to develop again. We must get out of the state, and had but a short time given us for which to leave. My mother had now 5 children and was daily expecting the birth of the sixth. It was winter weather, how could she possibly pack up and move? …He waited till within 3 days of the time set for us…I remember, in the dead of night, hearing my father say to mother, ‘Tomorrow I shall have to go –there is only 3 days left for me to get out of this state. You must take your choice—pack up and go with me in the morning, or I will go, leaving you here for the present, until you are able to travel, and then, I will send for you.’ She concluded to go with her husband. They immediately called my sister Jane and myself out of bed, sending one of us in one direction, and the other in another, half a mile distant, calling on our nearest neighbors to get up and come at once, and help my mother pack up and get started. They responded to the call, came and helped cook victuals to last us on our journey. By ten o’clock in the morning we were all piled into a wagon drawn by a yoke of cattle jogging on our journey.


I remember my mother looking back after we had stared and seeing her shed tears. She saw the Missourians milking our 3 cows before we were yet out of sight of our unsold home and all our possessions left behind. All this time my father seemed happy. He would sing, read the Bible, and make prayers an hour long before breakfast, or, as my mother used to tell him, until the breakfast was cold. I well remember that she didn’t believe in long prayers, especially when prayers were observed morning and evening. When nearing the edge of the State, after about 3 days journey, and just in sight of Palmyra, my mother was taken sick with labor pins. My father thought if she could just postpone matters until he could get into Palmyra, where he could call a physician. But, she was not to be put off. He finally called at a nice farmhouse that we were passing and asked for the hire of a room…In due time her sixth daughter Eliza Ann was born. I think about the next day we crossed the Mississippi River near Quincy, Ill. My father rented a farm 3 miles from the above named place, where we spent the summer, and then moved to Commerce (Nauvoo) in the autumn of 1839. Here my father rented a farm of Mr. Hibbard, lived and tilled this farm 2 years. ‘Twas here my mother sickened, worn weary, gave up her life. She had remittent, bilious fever 2 or 3 months previous to her death. My father procured 3 different physicians…At last, she was prematurely confined, had her seventh daughter born. She succumbed a week later, in the fall of 1841, leaving 7 young girls under eleven years of age. However, the infant, Emma, only survived her mother 3 days.” In Nauvoo Thomas remarried the widow Hannah who had 3 children of her own. The Grover family left Nauvoo February 10, 1846 with the first company to leave the city. The family was one of the families that were part of the now famous boat incident. While on a flat boat, a young fellow on the boat spat ambier tobacco juice into an ox’ eye. He commenced to plunge and jump, breaking a hole in the bottom of the boat. The cattle went overboard and the boat began to sink. The people on board climbed up to the upper part of the boat as it sank. Little 7 year old Eliza Ann jumped into the water and pulled a baby up out of the sunked wagon and held onto it until rescued. The family lost most of their prized possessions including books and family records!! The water was freezing with large islands of ice yet everyone dried on shore without any casualties.

The next day, February 11, 1840, daughter Emmeline Grover married Charles C. Rich in the Nauvoo Temple; he had just married 3 plural wives the month prior. She must have stayed behind in Nauvoo for this purpose. If the following account is accurate, it sheds more light on the inner workings of plural marriage arrangements.

From “Charles C. Rich – The Man and His Family” by Nedra Reese -

“Together Charles and Sarah (1st wife) selected 3 young women who they felt would be compatible as members of their family circle. After the parents approved, the women were taught the doctrine of plural marriage by Sarah and made the decision to mary Charles.” Within weeks, on Feb. 25, 1846, the Rich family crossed the frozen Mississippi River on foot.


In Paris Idaho stands a monument to Emmiline’s husband and is an historical marker:

In Honor of Charles Coulson Rich

1809-1883

Pioneer Builder of the West. Major-General of the Nauvoo Legion.

Alderman of the City of Nauvoo, in the time of Joseph Smith.

Pioneer of Utah, 1847. Chairman of the first committee to organize civil government in the

Rocky Mountains. Colonizer of San Bernardino Valley, California in 1851.

First Mayor of San Bernardino City. Member of the Utah Territorial

Legislature for many years. Colonizer of Bear Lake Valley, 1863, where he lived and died.

Husband of six wives and father of fifty children.

Friend of the Indians, Humanitarian, Apostle of the Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. thirty four years.

One of God's Noblemen.

This monument erected by

the citizens of Bear Lake Valley The Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association

and his descendants

Unknown Whitings in Mormon history and possible relatives: “Old Mormon Nauvoo” by Richard N. Holzapfel, pg. 197, 9/11/1845, at Yelrome Il, in a letter by Solomon Hancock, we find several Whiting families moving into the Morley (Yelrome) Il. settlement. They are Chency Whiting, whose house was burned down by mobs, and a Father Whiting, whose chair shop was burned down. Soon the entire town is burned to the ground. Note: Edwin and Edward Whiting are mentioned often in church history but relationship is unknown.


14) Saxton -- English Immigrants

Solomon Saxton Matilda Dexter Saxton

Polly Marie Deuel and Howard Solomon

Solomon Saxton was born February 21, 1826, in Nottinghamshire, England, son of William Saxton and Catherine Heminway. William and his family moved to Clay Cross Derbyshire, England. When he was just a boy he went to work in the coal mines which occupation he pursued while living in England. When he was 24 years old he married a young woman by the name of Matilda Dexter, she was born February 5, 1827 or 1828, in IronVilla, Alfredton, Derbyshire, England. Matilda’s father was John Dexter and mother was Lydia Wardell both of Nottinghamshire, England. Just where the Solomon and Matilda family were living when the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first contacted them is not known for sure, but we first find them at New Brinsley, near Greasley in Nottinghamshire. It seems that when they heard the Gospel, they were ready for it and readily accepted it. The missionaries were in that area in the early 1840’s (See Samuel Mulliner history and Official LDS Church History accounts on the mission of the Twelve Apostles to England). Before publishing this family history’s second edition, my son David Wyatt received a mission call to the Burmingham England Mission. He flies to England June 30, 2004 to the Preston mission training center and afterwards he’ll serve in the areas where the Saxton and other

Counties of England


ancestors lived. He’ll connect with the family roots and hopefully learn more about the area. This is an exciting development for our Wyatt family. Maybe he’ll bring back enough information from the branches there for a third edition. For now, information on the Saxton conversion story is not known. Matilda was first to join the church, being baptized on 21st of March, 1845. She may have been the influencing factor in helping Solomon or he may have deliberated a little longer, but he too joined 21 June 1845. It is unsure if they even knew each other yet. They became affiliated with the New Brinsley Branch of the church and active there. Parley P. Pratt was the only Apostle to remain in England at this time and stayed until November 1846. The Gospel seemed to fill the great void in their lives and they were eager to live its principles and help others to do the same. They taught by example and precept. They married Oct. 26, 1848 in Old Bray Green, Staffordshire. While still living in England their oldest, born 14 Mar. 1848 died (a year later). Their second died the same day, their third died the same day, the fourth died before her 3rd birthday, their fifth died within a year. By 1854 their first five children had died.

Nottinghamshire Area – Saxton Family

Their love for the church leaders is evident by naming their first son after the Prophet Brigham Young. Seems this tradition ran in the Mulliner family as well. One interesting thing that should be mentioned is that in New Brinsley we found the Saxton, Robinson, Dexter, and Wardle families in close association with each other there in that Branch and on one occasion we found them all in one home, that of John Dexter, discussing their Branch problems. Those four families intermarried and their descendents came to


America, perhaps not together, but most of them settled in the same vicinity when they arrived in Utah. So their friendships were continued. From Brother Andrew Jensen’s Biographical Encyclopedia (and from Mormon Immigration Index CD Ship: George Washington), we learn that Solomon and family (Matilda Saxton and 1 year old daughter Mary), immigrated to America in 1857. Daughter Lydia arrived also in America later but soon died on August 30, 1857. This is a brief account of their voyage:

From “Mormon Immigration Index” CD, A Compilation of General Voyage Notes: "DEPARTURE”:

Ship: George Washington: Date of Departure: 28 Mar 1857 Port of Departure: Liverpool, England LDS Immigrants: 817 Church Leader: James P. Park Captain: Cummings Date of Arrival: 20 Apr 1857 Port of Arrival: Boston, Massachusetts Source(s): BMR, Book #1046, pp. 12-50 (FHL #025,691); Customs (FHL #419,943) The splendid ship George Washington, bound for Boston, cleared on the 27th of March, having on board 817 souls of the Saints. There were amongst them 14 returning missionaries, namely: -- Elders J. P. Park, J. B. Martin, C. R. Dana, D. B. Dille, James Carrrigan, J. C. Hall, Israel Evans, B. Ashby, A. P. Tyler, T. H. Latey, O. G. Workman, D. A. Curtis, A. M. Musser, and W. G. Walker. We sent Presidents Benson and Ray on board to organize the Saints, by aiding them in the selection of their presidents and teachers. About 3 o'clock, p.m., the Saints were called together on the upper deck. After singing one of the soul stirring songs of Zion, prayer was offered up by President J. A. Ray for the blessings of the God of Israel to attend the Saints while journeying to Zion, and for Heaven's blessings to rest upon all Israel, in their various conditions in life, &c., to which a hearty amen resounded from the bosom of every Saint on board. President Benson then proposed Elder James P. Park to be their president, and Elders J. B. Martin and C. R. Dana to be his counselors, which was unanimously agreed to. The vessel was divided into five wards, and the following elders were selected to be their respective presidents: -- Israel Evans, B. Ashby, J. Carrigan, D. B. Dille, and J. C. Hall. President E. T. Benson then addressed the congregation for about three quarters of an hour, as directed by the Spirit, touching upon the practical duties that would devolve upon them while traveling up to Zion; President Ray, and Elder Hatch, and Lunt followed making such remarks as were suitable for the occasion. About the time the meeting was dismissed, we arrived on board: the attention of the Saints was again called, when we proceeded to address them for a short time, upon the subject of patience, promising the Saints great blessings on condition of their faithfulness. The meeting was then dismissed. During the meeting several hymns suitable to the occasion were sung by the brethren and sisters in a spirited manner, one of which was -- 'Ye elders of Israel come join now with me,' &c., with the chorus 'O Babylon, O Babylon, we bid thee farewell, We're going to the mountains of Ephraim to dwell.' All hearts seemed to be filled with joy, peace, and praise to their Heavenly Father for his goodness in giving them an understanding of the gospel, for making known to them that the hour of his judgments (upon Babylon) were at hand, and for making a way for their deliverance. About 6 o'clock we bade farewell to all on board. Three cheers for 'Mormonism,' were given by the vast concourse, led by President Benson, making the air ring with -- Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! -- handkerchiefs and hats were waved until we were out of sight. May God bless and preserve his Saints."


"99th Company of saints - The ship had an unusually speedy and prosperous voyage, reaching Boston in twenty-three sailing days from Liverpool. Four deaths occurred on board, and one child was born. MS, 19:15 April 11, 1857, pp. 233-34

Above: Example of Sailing Ship the Mormons Used to Migrate to the U.S. The song “Ye Elders of Israel” after reading the story of their voyage to “Zion”, brings new meaning to me and I cannot sing it without crying. What a wonderful time for the family. Because they were not able to finance their way west immediately, they settled in Springfield Illinois for a few years, making preparations to come west (a daughter Sarah Ellen was born to them there in April 30, 1858.). In 1858 - “he opened a coal mine, which is supposed to be the first coal mine opened in Illinois.” His reason for doing this was to get the animals and money and commodities needful to cross the plains. Some of their children were born and died in Illinois (no record can be found of these children except John Solomon, born at Cornwall, Henry Co. Illinois, on Mar. 7, 1860.). One record says that they were in Springfield, Illinois, but the Census did not show them there in 1860. In ”Crossing the Plains Index”, taken from the Journal History of the Church, we find Solomon and family came to Utah in Capt. John R. Murdock’s Company (Ox team company), but it says he was driving his own team, whether Oxon or horses we are not sure. They arrived in Great Salt Lake City 9th or 12th Sept. 1861. There were no other Saxton mentioned as having crossed the plains in the Index, but we know that some others came later. (Source: Journal History 12 Sept. also from the Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah). Their first home in the new Zion at Coalville, Utah. Pres. Young had encouraged them to settle here as they were mining men and familiar with that occupation and there were few if any white people living at Coalville at that time, and the Saints were called to help settle the territory. Charles Dexter was born in Coalville February 13, 1862, the first white child born in the town.


Here Solomon took up coal mining again. In Coalville, like many of the early settlers, they lived in a dugout for a while and while there Charles Dexter and William Sherwood were born. Charles Dexter was the first white child born in Coalville, Summit Co. Utah. It was on Judd’s Hill, where the Sumner Salmon Home later was built, that Solomon chose to build this hut for “Tilder”. He made a dugout right in the side of the hill facing the valley. Here with a dirt floor, a fireplace, some bed bunks, he and “Tilder” made their home. I believe later on they built a log house, and still later a better one just above where the old school house stands (according to Bud). (One of the homes in Coalville or Upton was donated to the church as tithing, but it is unknown which home that was.)

Dugouts were not that unusual for the settlers as a temporary home, used until time and materials could be acquired to build more suitable homes. I wish it was preserved as a monument to the Saxton family, these dugouts were filled in or built over and none were ever saved. Once he could afford it, he bought a two acre farm and lived there 3 years. They later traded it for a farm in Spring Hollow, just north of Coalville. It was while they were here

in Coalville that he was ordained High Priest. So we are sure that he became active very soon, after coming to that place. Perhaps it was here too that they took advantage of the opportunity to go to the Salt Lake Endowment house, and received their endowment on 7 Nov. 1865. They were sealed for time and eternity the same day. They must have been very poor at this time, Solomon working hard but receiving little pay, for William (Bud) said he was first wrapped in a salt sack. He maintained this was true all his life. Matilda made all of the clothing for the children and they were bare-footed most of the time. Even though they were poor, Solomon and Matilda were God-fearing people and did as they were counseled by those in authority over them. The Indians in the area caused trouble for the settlers and a friend of Solomon bought a farm at Upton, further north up the canyon. He was afraid to take his family there alone, so he talked Solomon into trading his farm for a horse and moving to Upton with them. Around this time other people began moving up the valley further north in the canyons along the streams to farm. Solomon made another dugout home where they lived for a time, as finances permitted they built a log house then finally a frame house. The summers were very short, but they raised some grain. Some years the grain was ripe and harvested once winter had set in. The flour mills were a long way off, so they would ground the wheat as best they could and ate boiled wheat all winter along with whatever deer and elk they could hunt. (Bud’s son) Elmer said he didn’t remember them ever having any horses or oxen, but they must have had for Brother Jensen in his history said Solomon was a stock raiser and rancher. Elmer said he remembered that they were very poor and lived off of nature and the milk from


their cow. They saved the cream from the milk and Matilda made butter, then walked the eleven miles to Coalville to sell it and buy other needed groceries. They obtained their drinking water from a spring nearby. When the snow was deep and the weather cold, they carried a board with them and when their feet got so cold they couldn’t go any farther, they dropped the board down and stood on it until their feet got warm.

From “Echoes of Yesterday – Summit Co. Centennial History” by Marie Ross Peterson 1947, DUP pg. 138 –

“These people endured many hardships while in the process of making their homes. Most of the land had to be cleared of brush and rocks. This was slow due to the lack of equipment and food. Many of them died from disease and starvation. On one occasion in midwinter one family emptied their straw bed ticks to keep their cow alive. Several winters their main food consisted of boiled wheat, rabbit, and elk meat.”

Natural Food Sources in Utah For the Early Pioneers - From “Others” by Laura Clark

Wild Berries: Bull berry, serviceberry, huckleberry, elderberry, chokecherry, ground cherry, Potawatomie plums, and wild currants of black, yellow, and red. Pioneer “Greens”: Clover, redroot, wild mustard, tender pigweed, new shoots of rabbit brush, buffalo grass, dandelions’ early leaves, sego lily bulbs, wild artichokes, young branches of alfalfa in cattle feeding season. Other food sources: Pinenuts, pine-gum chunks, syrup made from molasses and sulphur. All kinds of herbs, roots, and bark for tonics to cure ailments including saffron, rhubarb, tansy, and horehound. Later came apple trees and other fruit and berry crops. Basic foods: Wheat and other grains. Dairy products. Meat from domestic and wild animals.

In the spring of 1866 Brigham Young notified all the Upton settlers to move into Coalville, on account of the Indians, where Matilda Maude was born (April 30, 1868) and they stayed until 1869 when many began to move back to their farms in Upton. In the ward there he was first counselor to Bishop Chester Staley for 15 years and also counselor to Bishop John Clark for 10 years. In 1897 after their children were all married they moved back to Coalville and lived there the rest of their lives. In The Historical Record, Church Chronology section, by Andrew Jensen, states that son John Solomon was installed as Bishop of Upton Ward in 1901 and he helped to build the first chapel there. A picture of this chapel is on the next page. At a meeting held on July 6, 1902, the minutes recorded that Bishop John Saxton suggested that the saints make an effort to start building a meeting house. Some effort on collecting money and making plans is reported periodically until in August of 1905 it was decided to hire a mason to build the foundation. On 29th of January 1908, Apostle George F. Richards met with the Upton people and encouraged them in the building of their meeting house. By the 7th of June of that year, plans were being made to paint the building. On January 3, 1909, the first meeting was held


in the new building. At one time there were 350 members of the Upton Ward. Coal oil lamps were used for light. While talking to the Special Collections curator at the BYU library, he indicated that the demolition of this structure met with State-wide outrage. Because of this, laws were changed to protect pioneer structures. Right: John S. Saxton built the First Chapel In

Upton Utah – 1901 Their children were sealed to them later on 10 Oct. 1901, all except Charles Dexter who was sealed 2 June 1915 and Sarah Ellen who was sealed in 1966-67. (The church built a connecting railroad to SLC 40 miles away, which was quickly acquired by Union Pacific in 1869 which soon monopolized the coal industry.) Solomon was an uncommon man. He as small of stature, but healthy and ambitious and diligent in doing the Lord’s will. He was respected by his fellowman and they all looked to him whenever sickness came to their homes, for he was blessed with the power of healing. He was not a heavy set man, and had a beautiful white beard. (Matilda was of average height and a little on the heavy side.) One night, the family was all in bed and suddenly Matilda noticed Solomon getting up and “Sol, what is the matter?” He said, “I must get dressed, they will be here for me in a few minutes.” She asked, “Who will be here?”, then she heard the sound of horses. It was Bud with word that Sarah Ellen was ill and he had come for Grandpa Solomon to go to administer to her. After the blessing Sarah got better. Elmer said Grandpa Solomon was a visionary man. He lived so close to the Lord that the Lord could work through him. Matilda was a mid-wife - as there were no doctors. She is mentioned in “Our Pioneer Heritage” pg. 266, delivering four of Mrs. Bernett Blonquist Smith’s children.

From “Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude” by Daughters of Utah Pioneers, pg.2703 –

Here is a faith promoting story is told of Matilda. “One year the snow fell so deep, they couldn’t get out and go for food for they were entirely out of everything. Her husband had been gone several days hunting for game. They were so hungry. Matilda gathered her children around her and prayed that she would be able to get them something to eat. Just as they finished praying, one of their neighbors came through the deep snow toward their home bringing them a pan of flour.” As her family grew older, the boys were able to drive teams of oxen, so the family began freighting coal and lumber to Salt Lake City. They traded these items for food and clothing. After their children were all married, they moved back to Coalville where they lived the rest of their lives.


Below: Upton Utah Valley

The saints on Bear River were snowed in for long periods of time. One year friends living there survived by boiling raw hide for food. One elderly woman died from starvation there. The Saxtons lived off the land in while in the Coleville area. Solomon died in 1903 at the age of 78, leaving his wife and three children.

From “Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah”, pg. 1148 -

In this book Solomon’s picture is displayed and his various occupations…High Priest, Bishop, block teacher, mining man, stock raisers. Died Feb. 19, 1903 in Coalville. From the church’s magazine for youth, the “Improvement Era” volume 5, November 1901 – April 1902 (BX 8605.1, BYU Lib.) –

In the Improvement Era, the church magazine for youth, it is fitting to have the acknowledgement of the passing of a bishop. The entry for Feb. 19, 1901 reads: “Solomon Saxton, born England, Feb. 21, 1824, joined the church in 1847 (1845?), came to Utah in 1861, died at his home in Coalville, Summit Co.”

Matilida died July 24, 1908 in Coalville.

From Andrew Jenson’s “Church Chronology” –

The Jul 30, 1908 entry states: “Matilda Saxton, a pioneer of Summit County, died at Coalville, Utah.”


Both Solomon and Matilda have their picture and life sketch in the Biographical Encyclopedia publishes some data on the family. (Some family sources claim the baptismal dates are 2 years early than recorded in this source.) Some data from this source are:

From “Biographical Encyclopedia” of Latter Day Saints pg. 634, 706 and “The Improvement Era” magazine 1897-1970 Vol 5 pg. 477

Solomon Saxton was born Feb. 21, 1825 in Leicestershire, son of William Saxton and Catherine Hemingway. Matilda born Feb. 25, 1827 at Coydner Castle Park, Derbyshire England, daughter of John and Lydia Dexter. Joined the church in March 11, 1847, at Brinsley, Nottingham, Eng. by C. Dunn. Matilda attended the Brinsley, England conference. Married Solomon Oct. 26, 1848, Old Bray Green, Staffordshire, Eng. Solomon joining the church in 1849. They migrated to Utah in John R. Murdock’s company driving his own team, arriving Sept. 9, 1861, settling in Springfield Ill. He opened supposedly the first coal mine in that state.

They settled in Coalville, Summit Co. where Solomon was ordained a High Priest and Matilda called to serve as Relief Society President. They moved to Upton and was called as counselor in two bishoprics in the Upton Ward for 15 and 10 years respectively. Matilda was again called as Relief Society Pres. In 1896 they moved back to Coalville. They had 10 children, the first 5 died in infancy. Their son John Solomon Saxton was bishop of the Upton Ward from 1901 to 1910 ordained by Reed Smoot.

Above: John Solomon Saxton is the fourth picture from the left. This plaque hangs on the wall at the new Upton Church.


Right: Painting by Wright 1926 – Old Coalville Utah Farm Many of the Saxtons are buried at section 2 of the Upton Utah Cemetery including, Solomon, Matilda, son John Solomon and his wife Amelia Andrea Johansen, grandson Howard Solomon (our mother Sharon June’s father), and many relatives.

From – “Pioneer History” by Linda Meyerhoffer, D.U.P. -

“Solomon was described as one of the kindest, finest man to be found. He must have been a very devout and religious man, for the story is told of how one time he sware and afterwards cried to think that he had let himself do such a thing.”

The Saxtons are the last of the great Mormon pioneer families in this book. Not much is known of the Saxtons, yet they pass along a rich heritage of faith, endurance, and accomplishment we can be proud of. This family provides us with a link into Scandinavia thru the Johansen family. Below is their grave stone at the remote Upton Cemetary.

Left: Solomon and Matilda Saxton grave stone.


Below: A Poem by Great Aunt Florence Saxton:


Above: Solomon Saxton Family Group Sheet


15) Johansen -- Scandinavian Immigrants Carl Johansen, wife Helena Hansen, and family joined the church on March 10, 1860 in Aker near Oslo Norway. Carl was 32 and Helena was 33 years old when they were baptized and 44 and 45 when they emigrated. They had 3 small children who later joined the church. Their daughter Andrea Amalie (wife of John Solomon Saxton) was born under the covenant Sept. 18, 1861 and was baptized July 26, 1872 along with her older brother at the age of 11 in the same town of Aker. Carl was born in Nittedal and Helena in Stange, both small towns north of Oslo and below Hammar. They started to immigrate to the United States on August 27, 1872 according to the Oslo Branch membership records of the church, leaving port on the 30th according to the “Emigration record of the Scandinavian Mission”. Below are journal entries of their immigration from England to Utah.

Andrea emigrated a year after her parents when she was 12.

From “Mormon Immigration Index” CD, Steamship Minnesota (September 1872), A Compilation of General Voyage Notes -

"THE FOURTH COMPANY GONE. -- On Wednesday the 4th instant another company of Saints, consisting of 602 souls, left Liverpool in the Guion & Co.'s fine steamship Minnesota. Elder George W. Wilkins, returning missionary, has charge of the company. Returning elders James A. Leishman, J. R. Park, C. Madsen, M. Anderson, and P. O. Tommasson form part of this company. Though some of the Saints were quite advanced in years, the company were in good health and excellent spirits, rejoicing that the time of their deliverance had come.


We unite in wishing them a safe and speedy journey to their destination." <MS, 34:27 (Sep. 10, 1872), p.585> "Wed. 4. [Sep. 1872] -- The Steamship Minnesota sailed from Liverpool, England, with 602 Saints, in charge of George W. Wilkins. The company landed in New York, Sept. 17th, and arrived at Salt Lake City, Sept. 26th." <CC, p.88> ". . . On Friday, Aug. 30, 1872, at 1 o'clock p.m., a company of 260 emigrating Saints sailed from Copenhagen, per steamer 'Cato,' accompanied by the following returning missionaries: Peter O. Thomassen, Christian Madsen, Arne C. Grue and Mons Andersen. On the 2nd of Sept. this company arrived at Hull, England, where the emigrants were served supper at Mr. Lazarus' hotel, and the following day they took [a] train to Liverpool, arriving there on the 3rd at 11 a.m. The sisters were at once conveyed by omnibus to the steamer 'Minnesota,' while the brethren assisted in the handling of the baggage. At 9 p.m. all went on board, and the following day (Wednesday, Sept. 4th) the ship sailed from Liverpool, Elder George W. Wilkins having charge of the company. No deaths occurred at sea, but the company was increased by the arrival of two babies. On the 16th, the steamer anchored near Castle Garden, New York, and the next day (Sept. 17th ) the emigrants went ashore. On the 18th they boarded the train and traveled via Pittsburg, Chicago, Omaha, etc., to Salt Lake City, Utah. One child died on the train and was buried in Chicago. Halfway between Ogden and Salt Lake City the company was met by President Brigham Young, Elder Daniel H. Wells and other leading men, who immediately went through the cars, bidding their brethren and sisters from afar a hearty welcome to Zion. On their arrival in Salt Lake City, Sept. 26, 1872, the emigrants were taken to the Music Hall, where a sumptuous dinner was awaiting them. In course of the two following days the company was dissolved, friends and relatives taking the newcomers to temporary homes. . . ." HSM pp.212-13

Journal of Peter Olaff Thomassen BIB: Thomassen, Petter Olaff. Journal (Ms 1536), pp. 67-69. (Danish) [DOCUMENT NOT INCLUDED IN DATABASE]

Letter from George Wilkins - September 5, 1872 Steamship Minnesota, 10 a.m., Sept. 5, 1872

President A. [Albert] Carrington, Dear Brother--We are in sight of Queenstown. The wind is gentle. We have had a little seasickness. Yesterday afternoon we organized and appointed our local officers for ship duty. The Saints are in good spirits. Letter from John R. Park - September 5, 1872 Steamship Minnesota, off Queenstown, Sept. 5, 1872

President [Albert] Carrington, Dear Brother--All are well, aside from the usual indisposition attending a not very rough sea last night and this morning; with this exception our journey, so far, has been a pleasant one, cheered by the joyful countenances and conversation of the many Saints delivered from Babylon, and their singing of many of the songs of Zion. Such changes in berthing and classification as order, convenience and comfort require, were made yesterday, so that all is ready for the open sea. With a prayer for the thousands of honest souls we have left behind, that they may soon follow to Zion, we bid you farewell. Yours in the gospel, John R. Park [p.586] BIB: Park, John R., [Letter], Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star 35:37 (September 10, 1872) p. 586. (HDL)


Rose Berry West . . . In the fall of 1872, on September 4, we sailed on the sailing vessel, Minnesota, under the able direction of George W. Wilkins for Utah along with 602 other Saints. At one time during the trip there was a severe storm on the ocean and the waves were so high they washed way over the deck. We all prayed though and landed safe in New York on September 17th and from there we took a train direct to Ogden, arriving on September 26th. . . . [p.157] BIB: West, Rose Berry, [Interview], “Utah Pioneer Biographies,” vol. 29, p. 157. (FHL) From “EMIGRATION FROM THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 1867-1881” (6) Page 51 - Christiania Conference - 30 Aug 1872 on "Minnesota", Emig.S.M.- film 025696

Names Ages/Occupation City Carl Martin Johansen 44 (Joiner*) Hakkdalen Helena Johansen 45 Slang/slarup Carl Hagebert Johansen 11 Aker Josephine Brighami Johansen 7 Aker Elisa Christine Johansen 4 Aker Ane Hyrumine Johansen 2 Aker Jonas Johansen relative?) 35 (Shoemaker) Skarup/svarig Louise Marie Johansen 18 Aker

*A joiner is a wood finisher and performs tasks such as assembling prepared wood and parts to construct boats, buildings, doors, cupboards, partitions, floors, false ceilings, etc. His craft requires many fine tools and expert skills in woodworking.

From “The gathering to Zion - Mormon emigration from Norway” By Nicholas J Evans © 2001 -

Apostle Erastus Snow was called to open up a mission in the Scandinavian countries. He and others left Salt Lake in October 1849. Peter Hansen was first to arrive in Denmark, a month later, on June 14, 1850, Elders Snow, Forsgren and Dydes arrived. The first baptism was Aug. 12, 1850 in Copenhagen. Sweden and Denmark branches were the first established. On 11th September 1851 the first missionary, Hans F. Petersen, a Danish local Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Norway. Within just twelve days he and his companions had baptized Svend Larsen of Østerrisör as the first Norwegian convert. The early Mormon missionaries experienced enormous difficulties as they traveled throughout Denmark, Norway and Sweden spreading the word of the gospel and the book of Mormon. They encountered widespread opposition to their missionary work and were regularly fined or imprisoned in an attempt to stop the growth of the church. Despite the difficulties they endured, they slowly succeeded in gathering small numbers of converts to their church. Though they could not meet for regular worship in public places, they were often able to meet in small groups in houses throughout Norway. On the 14th August 1852 the Brevig [later Christiania] Conference was organised at a general conference of the Scandinavian Mission held in Copenhagen. The Christiania Conference included the whole of Norway and involved Church Elders and missionaries traveling extensively throughout Norway to spread the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As it was difficult for members of the church to meet or practice their religion freely in Norway and Sweden, the church encouraged converts to migrate to Utah - or Zion as it was


commonly referred to. In Utah they would be free to practice their religion and the first Norwegian convert left Copenhagen on 22nd December 1853. The 'gathering to Zion' was organised through the Scandinavian Mission of the Church of Latter-day Saints in Copenhagen. Norwegian emigrants started their journey by traveling to Christiania and from there sailing on steamship to Copenhagen. From Copenhagen the emigrants then sailed to Kiel, traveled from Kiel to Hamburg by train, before crossing the North Sea to Hull or Grimsby by steamship. From Hull or Grimsby they traveled by train to Liverpool - where the European headquarters of the church's European Mission was based. In Liverpool the Saints would be joined by other British Mormon converts who were also emigrating to Utah. Often joined by non-Mormon emigrants, the saints would then journey across the North Atlantic to New York via the passenger services of the Guion Line of Liverpool. The journey to Liverpool was a complicated experience for the Norwegian emigrants as they had to "gather" with other Mormon converts in Christiania, Copenhagen, Hull and Liverpool. By gathering together all of the Scandinavian speaking Saints, the Church was able to ensure that Elders would travel with the emigrants for the whole of their journey to Utah. No other group of emigrants was provided with comprehensive help by people who could converse in both English and their native language. Despite such assistance, the Mormons often had to endure the effects of protest and mob violence by non-Mormons as they gathered to depart from the quayside in Norway or Copenhagen. The experiences of Norwegian Mormons migrating to Utah were described in 1927 by Andrew Jenson in his book 'History of the Scandinavian Mission'. For the journey of a group of Norwegian Mormons emigrating from Christiania in 1863 he provides the following narrative. About two hundred emigrating Saints from the Christiania, Lolland and Bornholm conferences sailed from Copenhagen per steamer Aurora, April 30, 1863, bound for Utah, under the leadership of Elders Carl C.N. Dorius, Johan F.F. Dorius and Hans Peter Lund. Some of the Norwegian emigrating company (28 souls) had sailed from Christiania [on] April 13, 1863, per steamer Excellensen Toll. A strong and contrary wind on the Skagerak and Cattegat made the voyage very uncomfortable, but the emigrants were safely landed in Copenhagen [on] April 15th. Another company of emigrating Saints (about one hundred souls) left Christiania, Norway, [on] April 28th, under the direction of Elder Johan F.F. Dorius and arrived in Copenhagen, [on] April 29th, where the Norwegians joined the emigrants from other parts of the mission. About a dozen Saints emigrating to Zion went direct from Stavanger to Hull where they joined those who had sailed from Copenhagen. When the emigrating Saints left Copenhagen [on] April 30th the weather was fine, and a great number of people congregated on the wharf to see the Saints leave, but there were no disturbances, as a number of police had been detailed on special duty to keep order. The emigrants made themselves as comfortable as they could on the deck and in the second cabin of the Aurora, which on the morning of Friday, May 1st, arrived at Kiel, where the emigrants walked to the railway station and left at 11 o'clock a.m. by railroad for Altona, where they arrived at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. From Altona to Hamburg the emigrants walked in about half an hour to the ship Roland, on which they went on board, together with about four hundred emigrating Saints from Jutland and Fyen (or the Saints from the Vendsyssel, Aalborg, Aarhus and Frederica, and like those who commenced the voyage from Copenhagen, landed in Kiel, whence they traveled by rail to Altona. After the


emigrants, numbering nearly six hundred souls, had gone on board, together with about forty steers and several hundred sheep (which made the atmosphere on board anything but comfortable for the emigrants), the ship Roland sailed from Hamburg May 1st about midnight. The weather was very fine, but the emigrants, in their crowded quarters, nevertheless, were uncomfortable. Early on Sunday morning, May 3rd, the Roland cast anchor off Grimsby, and a little later sailed to the wharf, where most of the emigrants landed, with some of their baggage; the balance of the baggage, together with forty of the brethren, remained on board, as the ship went to Hull, where they arrived at 6 o'clock in the evening and remained on board all night. The next morning (May 4th) a small steamer ran up to the side of the Roland and took the rest of the baggage, belonging to the emigrants, back to Grimsby, while the forty brethren went to the same place by rail. Elder Carl C.N. Dorius, however, remained in Hull where he, about 11 o'clock the same day, received some emigrants (seven adults and six children) who arrived direct from Stavanger, Norway, per steamer “Scandinavian”. In the afternoon, after settling with the captain of the steamer for their passage, Brother Dorius led these emigrants by steamer and train to Grimsby, where they were united with the other emigrants. At Grimsby the emigrating Saints were made quite comfortable in a large building erected for the use of emigrants. On the 6th all the emigrants, except the Norwegians, made themselves ready for the journey to Liverpool. They left, nearly seven hundred strong, by rail for that city at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. A young Danish sister who was sick was carried in a chair to the cars. The exact number of emigrants who arrived in Liverpool [on] May 6th, 1863, was 681. At this port 644 Scandinavian and 13 English Saints were taken on board the ship B. S. Kimball [captained by H. Dearborn], while thirty-seven Scandinavians were placed on board the ship Consignment. Elders Anders Christensen was placed in charge of this little band. (Extract taken from Pages 175-179, Andrew Jenson, History of the Scandinavian Mission, (Utah, 1927). The local press in Norway also described the leaving of the emigrants on board the “Excellence Toll”. The Scandinavian newspapers and the Lutheran Church used their ability to communicate with the local communities - through the press and their church services - to stir up opposition to Mormonism in Norway. Regardless of whether the preacher had been found guilty of theft - which was highly unlikely as the Mormons were often commended for the fact that they were so law abiding - the distress caused to the Latter-day Saints was enormous. Such actions occurred throughout the early history of the Mormon church in Scandinavia. After 1884 the Norwegian Mormon emigrants increasingly traveled to Hull direct from Christiania, on board the steamships of the “Wilson Line” of Hull. Overall between 1853 and 1926 the Scandinavian Mission of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assisted over 3 437 Norwegians to emigrate to the United States. Many often came back from Utah to serve on Missions to their country of birth - using their linguistic skills and experiences in Utah to spread their beliefs and the work of the church. The following table will hopefully illustrate in more detail the numbers of Norwegians who departed each year. By 1930 54,358 Scandinavians were baptized making it the most successful non-English speaking mission area in the world, of these, 26, 027 emigrated to Zion in that same period.


The mission house in Liverpool. Picture from the book "Jorden Rundt, en Reisebeskrivelse" or “Around The World, a Travel Log”, by Anderw Jenson, printed in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1908. Written in Norwegian

Johansen Family left the Oslo branch in 1872 to immigrate to Utah. A microfilm of some of the voyages from Copenhagen to Hull (between 1872 and 1894) can be ordered via any Latter-day Saints Family History Library using the reference FHL 0040994. Alternatively a CD-Rom by Professor Fred Woods with details of hundreds of voyages and first-hand accounts by the emigrants can be ordered through the web site of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To research - Three pioneers died in the 1857 Black Hawk Indian War, one was Martin Andrew Johansen who is buried at Spring City Cemetery near Coalville. Is this a relative?


16) Some Pioneer Descendants Lewis Deuel – Great Great Grandfather son of William Henry Deuel by a granddaughter Miranda through Lewis’s oldest daughter Minerva) Lewis was born July 16, 1851 at Centerville, Davis County, Utah. He was the son and sixth child of William Henry Deuel and Eliza Avery Whiting. In 1867 the William Henry Deuel family was called from Centerville to go to Iron County. The settled at Kanarrah, where they lived for about 15 years. It was here in the Dixie Country that Lewis now a young man met Catherine Kelsey and they were married in Kanarrah by Lorenzo Roundy June 10, 1871 and endowed in Salt Lake City Endowment House in October of the same year. Catherine Kelsey was born on February 20, 1854 at Union Fort, Salt Lake County, Utah. She was the oldest child of Easton Kelsey and Jeanette Mulliner. She had two brothers and a sister. They moved to Panquitch where their first child, Minerva Elizabeth was born on November 26, 1873. Their second child, Jeannette was born at Kanarrah. They lived on the East Fork near Pine Lake one summer, then moved to Escalante, Garfield County, in 1877. Lewis Deuel was a very religious man, he was regular and punctual in all his church duties, as was his family also. When any of his family made an appointment or gave their word he saw that they kept it to the letter. While a young man he hauled granite from a quarry in the Little Cottonwood canyon to help build the Salt Lake Temple. He told the story that it took two days to load and haul one large block from the canyon to the temple by ox team. He was very charitable. No widows suffered or wanted when he was able to help them. It was a very common thing to see him taking a load of hay, wood, or shoulder meat to help them out with or to see him ploughing their gardens. He paid his tithes and offerings and would not run in debt if he could possibly help it. He spent much of his time in the temple. He was a very good farmer, owned his own home, and was a good manager. His gates and buildings were well repaired as he was very thrifty. He raised lots of fruit and produce. All except his first two children were born in Escalante, having six girls and one boy. The boy, Easton, taught school, filled a mission in the Eastern States, then was Postmaster at Burley, Idaho for several years. He married Clema Barr November 3, 1897 and was sealed in the Manti Temple 1899. The girls of this union were all quite active in the wards where thy lived. The boys seemed to pursue their talents. One of his sons could tatas good as a woman.


Lewis’s girls were all active workers in the various wards and stakes in which they lived. These children were taught to work and become independent; they had to help in the fields when young. For several years he kept a hotel in Escalante. He was Sunday School and Ward Teacher, also High Priest. He played the fife in the Martial band, was a good singer, also played an accordion and step-danced all his life. The Deuels were entertainers and several people who used to go to their home told of how Lewis would play his fife and step dance. He also played it in the martial band and loved to sing. He also played accordion and step-danced. Several of his daughters were talented in the same lines. Most of them had received awards for best dancers and singers. Some gave dramatic readings. About 1867 Lewis, D.W. Campbell, and Brigham Woolsey went down on the Escalante Creek toward Boulder and homesteaded. Here he could raise almost anything he planted, even good potatoes. In the later years around 1902 he and some other Saints, youngest daughter included, moved to Nibley, near LaGrande Oregon, where through some crook or misunderstanding the Saints lost their homes. This was very hard on them. It was shortly after this shock that he lost his wife and companion, Katie, leaving him a broken man. He could not stand to remain in Oregon so returned to his other children in Escalante. His youngest daughter remained in Union, Oregon where she acquired two fine ranches. Some few years after his return he remarried a widow Sarah Anderson from Hatch Town. The marriage didn’t work out so he drifted back to his old home, but in the meantime he had sold this home to a son-in-law Thomas Spencer, but a room was reserved for him when he wished to return. He spent most of his summers among children in Idaho, Oregon, and other parts of Utah. He nearly always had money in the bank and at the time he died to pay all expenses. He drove a team of fine horses in a light spring wagon from Southern Utah to Idaho Falls, having his tent, feather bed, and many other belongings which he wished to bring and owning a good outfit, he was so independent he would no bother anyone to help him load them on and off the train when he returned (for this is how he would travel home some times). I can see that spring wagon yet, it was painted green and the wheels were bright red. He sat upon that high spring seat like a king. He would stay with us in Idaho at times and this was a pleasure for us as we both loved him, my husband Bryant and I. He had a marked generosity. Little children liked him for he usually had tiny boxes of seedless grapes or candies in his pockets to give them. When he saw their mothers were being worn to desperation by their noise and confusion he would intercede and find some delicacy form his pocket to quiet their noise. If this did not help he would sing to them or play his fife and dance.


In the later years of his life he was stricken with rheumatism in his arms and could hardly get his coat on without assistance. His eyesight also failed (cataracts) and these two afflictions almost taxed his nerves and ambition but he never ceased his walking exercise. He was so independent we could not get him to an eye doctor. He slipped on the ice and fell and was disabled until his death May 15, 1929 at Escalante at the age of 78. The father of seven children and grandfather of 64. The great grandchildren are numerous and have not a definite count. Catherine Kelsey – Great Great Grandmother – wife of Lewis Deuel (See Lewis Deuel) John Solomon Saxton - Great Grandfather: Solomon, John’s father, was a great pioneer and had to carve out an existence in the untamed western Wasash Mountains of Utah. Their parents, converts to the church, immigrated to Springfield Illinois in 1857 from England. John was only 1 years old and his sister was Sarah was 3 when they trekked west across the plains from Springfield where they were born. They settled in Coalville Utah. I don’t know much about John’s pioneer life. His first 5 siblings died in infancy in England. One other sister and two brothers were born after they settled in Coalville. John married a Norwegian, Andrea A. Johansen, born in the Aker community in Oslo Norway. John and Andrea had 11 children born to them in Upton near Coalville. Two died in infancy. John’s last calling was a Bishop in the Upton Ward, ordained a Bishop by Reed Smoot in 1901 and helped to build the first chapel in Upton Utah.

From “Echoes of Yesterday – Summit County Centennial History” by Marie Ross Peterson 1947 DUP pg 141 –

“When John S. Saxton became Bishop, the present church house was built. Bishop Saxton spent much time and effort to complete this building. For days he worked alone and made many personal sacrifices so that the members of the ward would have a building of their own.”

John died only 4 years after their youngest was born. John was only 50 when he passed away in 1910 at Coalville. There is a Saxton cemetery in Upton where many of the Saxtons are buried. Andrea A. Johansen – Great Grandmother wife of John Solomon Saxton: Nothing is known except she was a Norwegian. Lewis Easton Deuel – Great Grandfather son of Lewis Deuel: Lewis Easton was born in 1880 in Escalante Utah were his father settled after leaving Centerville. Lewis Easton’s forbearers were pioneers that settled in Utah. His father was Lewis


Deuel early Utah band member after his father pioneer William Henry Deuel. Lewis Easton’s mother was Catherine Kelsey a daughter of pioneer Easton Kelsey. Lewis Easton married Clema Barr in 1898. They had 12 children, several died in infancy. He was a farmer and an English teacher and an active member of the church. The family moved to Burley Idaho sometime after their first son Leland was born. They owned many farm animals and grew crops. Their barn was destroyed by a tornado but the home was saved. Lewis was a great man but died in 1929 before the children were raised. Clema Isabella Barr – Great Grandmother wife of Lewis Easton Deuel There exists much Barr genealogy and even a book was written. The Barr line was converted through the missionaries sent to N.C. I don’t know anything about the Barr conversion story. Stout and strong willed, firm but gentle, is how Sharon remembers Clema, who gave birth to 12 children. Clema outlived her husband Lewis Easton Deuel and remarried twice, outliving both these husbands. Clema did what she could to help with the finances. She farmed, sewed, and made hats as a milliner. Clema was active in the church before her health deteriorated due to diabetes and she was confined to a wheelchair. On the way to church one day, she was prompted to look back at the house and saw it was on fire. The iron was left on and had caught the curtains on fire. She was able to save her children and her sewing machine but lost everything else. When she retired, she sold the farm in Burley and bought a corner lot in town. The lot had 2 houses and she rented one out. Her health did not permit her to attend church and she began drinking coffee but kept her testimony her whole life. She died of diabetes in 1964. Polly Marie Deuel – Grandmother daughter of Lewis Easton Deuel and Clema Barr By my mother Sharon June Saxton Polly Marie Deuel was born in 1902 eldest of Lewis Easton’s children. She was raised in a wood framed farm house. Polly being the eldest surviving child, she helped raised her brothers and sisters. This gave her maturity and a serious nature. She lived a hard life on a farm. When she was 9, a tragedy struck the family, she watched her elder brother Leland only 12, fall off the plow in a field and was plowed over and killed. Polly said that after her father died, one evening she saw a light from a bedroom keyhole. When she looked through it, she saw her father and two others talking, when she opened the door, they were all gone. She was self taught on a treadle sewing machine. Because her father was an English teacher, she loved to write poetry. She was published in the Relief Society Magazine.

saxton history ch12-13

Documents

new york osmyn

church history

whiting daughters

freedom new york

whiting families

whiting sisters

wife caroline whiting

mary barton deuel