A
Allred, Isaac, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri.
Allred, James, lived in the Allred Settlement, near present day Polo, Missouri, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri [Martha Stillwell Thomas].
Allred, William, lived in the Allred Settlement, near present day Polo, Missouri, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri [Martha Stillwell Thomas].
Allred, William Hackly, lived in the Allred Settlement, near present day Polo, Missouri, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri [Martha Stillwell Thomas].
B
Beebe, George, born. 6 Aug 1811, Oswego, Oreida, NY to Isaac Beebe & Olive Soule; bapt. Sep 1830; marr. Mahala Stevens, lived in the Whitmer Settlement in Jackson County, Missouri; desired to peach the gospel in 1832 while in Zion. [Far West Record, 248]; "Whipped with an ox goad with Hirum Page, 31 Oct 1833." [JS&R, 258]; purchased part of se 1/4 st t51 r31 20a in Clay County, Missouri [CCLR, D:246; E:54]; part of Liberty Branch; acquired 80 acres of government land in Caldwell County, 8 August 1836; Isaac and Mahala living in IA in 1864.
Billington, Ezekiel, lived in the Allred Settlement, near present day Polo, Missouri, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri[Martha Stillwell Thomas].
Bent, Samuel, visited Kirtland in the fall of 1833, and in 1834 went up to Missouri in Zion's camp. In 1835 he went up to Kirtland and attended the school of the Prophets. He also attended the solemn assembly in 1836. Samuel was tied to a tree and whipped by a mob, near Liberty July 5, 1836. His wife Mary died, and he immediately removed to Far West and assisted in establishing that location. In 1838, Samuel was taken a prisoner to Richmond jail by General Lucas, and confined about three weeks, when he was released on bail and returned to Goose Creek, about one mile from Far West, where he resided. He was warned in a vision to leave, which he did before morning, and went through the woods, and by the wilderness, on foot, to the Missouri river. He had been gone about two hours, when his persecutors came to his house after him. He went to Illinois and aided in establishing Nauvoo. [LDS Collectors Library, 1995, Early LDS Members, CD]. Samuel Bent was made a member of the Far West High Council on 6 October 1838. [RofJS].
Butler, John Lowell: During the fall and winter of 1836-1837, John settled his family on land two miles south of Far West, [near] in what became the [Rich and later] Mirabile settlement. He intended to buy that land, but he also looked for other property to purchase. The Butlers, Emmetts, and Hendrickses picked farm sites next to each other. Within the one square mile shown on maps of Mirabile Township as Section 26, the Butlers owned about 120 acres. Eleven other laid claim to the rest of the square mile, including Porter Rockwell, Samuel Kimball, and James Emmett. Among those who owned land bordering on that square mile were Emmett, James Hendricks, and Reed Peck. [Caldwell County Deed Book A, Court House, Kingston, Missouri, 21 June 1837, Butler, e ½ of the sw qtr. Section 26, Mirabile Township, 80 a, 17 June1837 nw qtr of the se qtr, sect 26,40 a]. [Section 26 was about a mile north of what later became] Mirabile [and] was two miles south of Far West.
. . . By taking up residence on land that was two-thirds prairie and one-third timber, John and Caroline faced a new kind of sod-covered soil to cultivate and near-treeless horizons to become accustomed to. [Leland Gentry "Latter-day Saints in Northern Missouri, " 47]. . . . The Butlers opened a crude wagon path from their home to the nearest wagon road being developed by the new settlers. One evening the Mirabile pioneers spotted a prairie fire flickering towards them tree miles away. Men set backfires, but not in time. Settlers ran for their lives. "The grass was tall and the fames were high," Drusilla said, " and when we reached the house the flames reached the (hay) stacks and burned them up. The house was filled with cinders but we saved it. [Drucilla Hendricks, 18].
. . . On December 4, 1936, the Butlers celebrated as special family occasion. John's sister Lucy Ann, two day shy of being twenty-two, married Ruben Warren Allred, twenty-one, the son of James Allred and Elizabeth Warren. Couple had met when Butler's stopped at the Allred Settlement, In what was to become Caldwell County, (near Polo), MO. [Susan Easton Black, Members of the Church, Allred].
In June 1837, John went to the state land office at Lexington and obtained title to the Mirabile land his family had already occupied for nearly none months. [Hendricks, 18]. . . . The Butler's school-age son Kenion, might have attended the log school built at [Log Creek, near] Mirabile. Pearl G. Wilcox, Latter Day Saints on the Missouri Frontier, 171].
. . . John recorded that a young woman named Melinda Porter boarded with his family and taught school, but he does not make clear if she taught in his home or at the schoolhouse. Melinda Porter was born in 1814, the daughter of Sanford and Nancy Warriner Porter. She married Ezra Chipman in 1839 and died in 1890. [Black, "Members of the Church," Sanford Porter].
. . . Caroline Butler, gave birth to a daughter, Phoebe Melinda, December 16, 1837. The baby's middle name, Melinda, apparently honored Melinda Porter, the young teacher boarding at their home. The Butler Family genealogy lists Phoebe's birthplace as Far West.
. . . Far West Stake leaders organized a branch of the Church at [the Rich Settlement near] Mirabile and assigned James Emmett to be the branch president. John, an ordained teacher, assisted Emmett. Branch members attended sacrament meetings, probably in someone's home. Perhaps the Butlers' experiece was like the Hendrickses'. [William G. Hartley, My Best for the Kingdom: John Lowe Butler (SLC, UT: Aspen Books, 1993), 34, 35, 36, 37].
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Elder Joseph Carlos Clapp.
He departed this life in the evening of January 31, 1912, at the Independence Sanitarium, after a struggle with bronchial trouble. Assistance was rendered for his relief, but without avail. He was cheerful, patient, and courageous through all his afflictions.
Elder Clapp was born at Far West, Missouri, August 24, 1837, and was blessed by Joseph Smith the Prophet. At the time of the driving out of the Saints from Missouri he, with his parents, moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and there witnessed the tragic scenes following the assassination of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith his brother.
In the year 1846 the family moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa; later to Salt Lake Valley, where he remained until he became a young man. The influences surrounding his father were such as to lead him to accept the doctrine of polygamy in a practical way. This troubled the young man, because of the sorrow and grief he witnessed on his mother's part. It caused him to determine to take his mother and her children away and provide for them. He made his father acquainted with his determination, and when opportunity offered itself, went to California and carried out his purposes.
It was while living in California that he became acquainted with the Reorganized Church, studied it, was convinced of its divinity and accepted it, being baptized June 6, 1863, and ordained an elder before the hands of the elders were removed from his head in the confirmation.
He became an active missionary in the church, having charge of missions part of the time. He suffered considerably during his travels, yet was greatly blessed, and remarkable instances of divine favor were shown him, as will be seen by those who may be interested in reading his autobiography as published in Autumn Leaves, beginning in the latter part of the year 1907.
He married Miss Serville Austin in the year 1878, January 24. To them were born three sons: Carl, Hollis, and George. He continued his missionary labors after his marriage, his wife accompanying him part of the time. Their mission was a difficult one, and attended with trial; however, not without many evidences of God's watchcare over them. Many were brought into the church by his efforts, and branches were organized in the field of his labor.
He moved about considerably during the later years of his life, which at times he said was much against his will, and advised against that way of doing.
He came to Independence about six months ago for relief from his afflictions, and obtained such assistance as was thought best for him, but without favorable results.
His life was a remarkable one and is worthy of a careful review. There are evidences of courage, endurance, fidelity, and heroism, indicating a strong character, one worthy for the Master's kingdom, one calculated to inspire others to noble purposes and deeds.
The funeral service was in charge of Elder W. H. Garrett; the sermon by Bishop E. L. Kelley. Flowers from the various auxiliary societies of the Independence Branch were brought for his grave. The remains were laid away in Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence.
G. E. Harrington.
Herald, 59:207
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Dobson, Benjamon, born 5 November 1799, in Morris River Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey, married Kezziah Wolf, 1 January 1818. Kezziah was born 29 Demcember 1802 in New Jersey.
Dobson moved to the Log Creek area from Tazewell County, Illinois, ca. 1837. Benjamin Dobson, entered E ½ of NE ¼ of Sec. 3 in (Rockford) Township 55, Range 29 in Aug. 1837. Benamin died 17 November 1876. [Journal of History, Vol. 2 (January 1909): 215; Clark V. Johnson and Ronald E. Romig, eds., An Index to Early Caldwell County, Missouri, Land Records (Independence, Missouri: MMFF, 2002)].
Durfee, James, born 16 Sep 1796, Fulton Co., NY to Perry Durfee & Anna Salsbury; marr. Cynthia Elizabeth Soule; bapt. at Palmyra, NY. James was one of 4 brothers to join the church in Palmyra; ordained priest 1831; in Independence Branch while in Jackson County, Missouri; ordained elder 1833; returned to Kirtland, Ohio and was called to serve a mission to the Eastern States, 7 Mar 1835; on that day he also received a blessing for his work on the Kirtland Temple. Moved to Caldwell County, Missouri and purchased government land in the Log Creek area on 21 September 1836. He was reported to have been a leader of the Mormon forces at the battle of Crooked River [Members]; died 16 Jul 1844, Lunia, Adams, IL. [Members]
E
Earl, Sylvester Henry, immediately after he was baptized he migrated, in company with Elder Rich and Geo. M. Hinkle and others to Far West, Mo., arriving there April 1, 1837. Soon afterwards he purchased a tract of land and several cows and prepared to make a home. He started on a mission through Illinois, Ohio and Indiana February 15, 1838.
Emmett, James (1803-1852/3), born in Boone County, Kentucky. James his wife Phebe (Simpson), were converted in Tazewell County, Illinois as a result of the preaching of Lyman Wight and John Corrill on their way to Missouri as part of the Western Mission, the summer of 1831. Along with three children, all under the age of eight, they set out for Jackson, County Missouri, in December 1831, along with a group of other converts from their area. This party included the Porter, Morris Phelps, and the Aldridge families. They arrived in Independence 1 March 1832. The Emmetts located in the Prairie Branch, along the western border of the State of Missouri, with the settlement forming near the location of Lyman Wight's house. Within a short time, Moses Simpson, their oldest child, was old enough to be baptized. In the fall the Emmetts were forced to flee with the other church members of the Prairie Branch out onto the prairie to the south, during which they suffered many "privations." [Stevenson, The Porter Family History, 78-80; Phebe Emmett, 13 May 1839, Missouri Land Claims, Ms 2703, f10, LDS Archives] The family moved to Clay County, Missouri, 1836. Proselyting in states between Ohio and Missouri, 1835-1837. Disfellowshipped and reinstated, 1837. Appointed to Iowa high council, 1841. Policeman at Nauvoo, 1843. Named to western exploring expedition by Joseph Smith in February 1844. After the death of the Prophet, Emmett led a company west that eventually stopped in what became South Dakota. Most of the company later reunited with the Church. In 1849 Emmett went to California, where he died. [PJSv1]
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GrovesElisha Hurd was born on 5 Nov 1797 in MADISON, KENTUCKY. He died on 29 Dec 1867 in TOQUERVILLE, WASHINGTON, UTAH. He was buried in Dec 1867 in TOQUERVILLE, WASHINGTON, UTAH. He was married on 16 Jan 1836 in KIRTLAND LAKE, OHIO.
He had the following children:
F i Mary Leah Groves was born on 30 Oct 1836. She died on 12 Jul 1908.
M ii John Simmons Groves was born in Oct 1838 in FAR WEST, CALDWELL, MISSOURI.
http://www.petteefamily.org/william/pafg139.htm
GROVES, Mary Leah, was born 30Oct 1836 in Far West, Caldwell, Missouri. She was the daughter of Elisha Hurd GROVES and Lucy SIMMONS. Mary died 12Jul 1912 in Virgin, Washington, Utah, and was buried 14Jul 1912 in Virgin, Washington, Utah. http://www.wadhome.org/lee/chapter_16.html
H
Hendricks, James, was born 23 June 1808 to Abraham Hendricks about 8 or 10 miles east of Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky. Married Drusilla Dorris Both were baptized in March, 1835 and confirmed by James Emit and Peter Dustin. A branch of the church was organized with 22 members. The family started for Missouri, 1 May 1836 "in company with Mother Buttler, J. L. Buttler and families, Thompson Kimball and families. . . .we reached Clay County, Mo. We soon bought fifty acres of land there and there were six families living on it. We went in the house with a man by the name of Jerome Benson. I put my beds upstairs. . . . We all gave up our land and agreed to go to Caldwell County. We were to be let alone there so we were glad to do so and not be mixed up with. Our leading brethren worked day after day to accomplish this move. We were among the first to go and Bro. Emit and family, (the Elder who baptized us) went with us. We soon selected a place, built a cabin and cut hay for we had but little time to prepare for winter. We got about 12 tons of hay stacked very nice. On looking out one evening we saw the prairie on fire and knew it was three miles away but the wind was driving it direct to us. He said he would go and fight against it. I went with him two or three hundred yards but he had not time to light his fire until the fire was upon us. We were forced to run for life. The grass was tall and the flames were high and when we reached the house the flames reached the stacks and burned them up. The house was filled with cinders but we saved it. We now did not know what to do but we found a man who had raised some corn a mile from us who wanted to sell it. My husband gave him $60.00 for six acres in the field. We gathered and cribbed it, then we were provided for the winter again. I never lived happier in my life. I was always very sickly until now. I had quit taking snuff, tea and coffee and I became healthy and strong. Where before I could not walk half a mile, now I could walk three miles and not tire for we kept the Word of Wisdom. I can bear my testimony to the world. I could run and not be weary, walk and not faint, I received health in my naval and marrow to my bones and hidden treasures of knowledge. I often made myself feel like the old Nephite women while they were traveling in the wilderness for they became strong like unto the men. We never missed a meeting for we loved the Saints and had confidence in them. We read considerable, mainly the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants; had our children baptized when eight years old and in fact could hardly keep them waiting until they were old enough. We entered land at the land office, paid our money and began to live as we supposed the Saints would live, to make their own clothing, etc. We bought some sheep and prepared to sustain ourselves but when we were driven we had to do the best we could to keep soul and body together. In the years of 1836 and 1837 we did pretty well and on March 23, 1838 my fifth child was born and we called his name Joseph Smith Hendricks." Hendricks joined the Crooked River Expedition and was shot in the neck.
Hendricks, Drusilla (Dorris), was born February 8, 1810, Sumner County, Tennessee. By coincidence, James Hendricks and Drusilla Dorris were both the tenth child and the youngest of their fathers' family.
Higbee, Elias, son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers, born 23 October 1795, at Galloway, Gloucester County, New Jersey, moved with parents to Clermont County, Ohio, in 1803; married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 September 1818 in Clermont County; eight children: Francis Marion, Chauncy Lawson, Andrew Jackson, William, DeWitt Clinton, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Elias Keryle; residing in Tate Township, Clermont County, Ohio, 1820; Fulton, Hamilton County, Ohio, 1830; baptized in spring of 1832; traveled to Jackson County, Missouri, in summer of 1832; returned to Cincinnati area by 20 February 1833; there ordained elder by brother, Isaac Highee; moved to Jackson County March 1833; expelled from Jackson County in fall of 1833; located in Clay County, Missouri, in fall of 1833; appointed to be ordained high priest 26 September 1833; ordained high priest 7 August 1834; mission to Ohio 1835; left Clay County 26 March 1835; worked on Kirtland Temple 1835; set apart as member of Clay County high council in Kirtland 6 January 1836; participated in washings and anointings in Kirtland Temple 1836; attended the dedication of Kirtland Temple March 1836; settled in Caldwell County, Missouri, 1836; purchased property in Caldwell County January 1837; elected senior county judge of Caldwell County, Missouri; appointed member of Far West high council 7 November 1837; expelled from Missouri 1838; left Far West for Illinois before 13 December 1838; located in Quincy, Illinois, area before February 1839; on 9 March 1839, appointed member of committee to view Isaac Galland properties in Lee County, Iowa, and Commerce, Illinois; subsequently settled in Nauvoo; appointed 6 October 1839 to travel to Washington, D.C., with Joseph Smith and others to seek redress for wrongs committed against Saints in Missouri; left Nauvoo 29 October 1839; arrived in Washington, D.C., 28 November 1839; met with President Martin Van Buren, 29 November 1839; remained in Washington after Prophet's departure for Nauvoo to lobby for redress; left Washington for Nauvoo 23 March 1840; arrived in Nauvoo by May 1840; on 3 October 1840 appointed one of committee to build Nauvoo Temple and appointed to continue seeking redress for Missouri injustices; wrote a petition to Congress, 28 November 1840, for redress of grievances with Robert B. Thompson; served as temporary member of Nauvoo high council 1840-42; reproved by Joseph Smith for lack of diligence in raising children and building Nauvoo Temple, 28 January 1842; died of cholera 8 June 1843 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois; following written in "Book of the Law of the Lord" (p.315): "His loss will be universally lamented, not only by his family, but by a large circle of brethren who have long witnessed his integrity and uprightness, as well as a life of devotedness to the cause of truth;" Joseph Smith preached funeral sermon 13 August 1843 at Nauvoo. [Cook]
Higbee, Isaac, married Sophia Higbee, embraced, "the gospel at Cincinnati about the first of June 1832 I removed with my family to Jackson County Missouri in April 1833 I entered 80 acres of land in Missouri which I since gave to the church laid out money to improve the land by making a farm and building a good house raised a crop and got things around more comfortable. In October 1833 we were driven out of the county by mob violence and our house burned and property destroyed on the 9th of November we crossed the Missouri River into Clay County and that night in a tent in the woods my wife was delivered of a son Several families of us had to live in camps all winter not being able to find houses." [Isaac Higbee, Missouri Land Claims, Ms 2703, f14, LDS Archives]
Higbee, Francis Marion (1820-?), merchant; born at Tate, Clermont County, Ohio. With the Latter-day Saints in Missouri in 1838 and was among those arraigned at the hearing in Richmond, Ray County. Migrated to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was elected a colonel in the Nauvoo Legion, 1841. Allied with dissenters against Joseph Smith and was excommunicated, 1844. Residing in Hancock County, Illinois in 1850. Died in New York. [PJSv2]
Higbee (John) [son of Isaac] the Higbee clan may have lived on John's land on Log Creek.
Holbrook, Joseph (1806-1885), farmer, carpenter, judge; born at Florence, Oneida County, New York. Converted to Mormonism in Genessee County, New York, 1833. A member of Zion's Camp, 1834. Wounded at the battle at Crooked River in 1838. Commissioned a captain in the Illinois state militia in 1841. Appointed to the Nauvoo, Hancock County, police, 1845. Left Nauvoo with the Latter-day Saints in 1846 and arrived in Salt Lake Valley in 1848. In 1850 moved to Bountiful, Davis County, where he lived until his death. He served as Davis County Judge, was elected to the Utah territorial legislature, and was a bishop's counselor. He built the first schoolhouse in Bountiful. [PJSv2]
SAMUEL HILL PIONEER IN CALDWELL COUNTY IN 1833
Narrators: Mrs. Mamie Eldredge, Fielding Hill, George Streeter and Others
In building up the life and traditions of this well known character in the pioneer life of Caldwell County, it has been necessary to talk with many people, both his descendents and outsiders, to get the meager information given. Everyone of the older outsiders quoted have seen him and knew his peculiarities well. The younger people quoted heard about him in their childhood.
Samuel Hill came from Tennessee into Caldwell County as early as 1833 for then he entered a quarter section of land in present Kingston township from the government. He entered other tracts of land from time to time and became very land rich. In 1859, he owned 40 acres southeast of the new town of Hamilton, which he and his son, Greenberry, had entered. This was divided into town lots and sold as Hillsborough, being later included in Hamilton as Hill's addition. The present Eldredge home (old Dr. Tuttle property) is in Hill's addition. Much trouble came from these deeds; for Greenberry Hill someway entered the land in his own name and Sam Hill sold the lots in his own name, so Greenberry's name had to be given the property owners.
While Sam Hill was well off, at least in land, reports say that his way of living was frugal. F.W. Hill recalls him when he lived between Hamilton and Kingston and says he lived in a hovel of two rooms. They had so many children that he drove pegs into the log-walls and put boards on the pegs to sleep his little children. His few comforts seemed to satisfy him. At that time he was living with his second wife, who claimed to be part indian. They parted and they divided the farm straight up and down. It is said by George Streeter that she took the girls and he the boys. That farm was the present Bob Minger farm (part of the old Gibson farm). This second wife used to tell the informant about eating raw bear meat which swelled up inside her after being eaten. His children as this informant recalls were as follows; John (married a Ross and lived near Polo), Lucy, Greenberry (child of first marriage), Dave, Bill, Harriett, Gim (Probably Gilbert), and Peter. Some served in the Civil War.
Another informant says that he always understood that Sam Hill could not read or write. He married a third wife, a very young girl and he, by this time was in the late sixties. By this time, he was living in Gomer township on the present Foley farm. One old lady now past ninety says she saw his children there being rocked in the top of a trunk as a cradle. That house, too, was more or less of a shack.
About 1870, he had a very serious sickness, and Dr. King and Dr. Tuttle (father of Mrs. Eldredge who recalls him as grey, old, and decrepit with rheumatism). All his sons and daughters by now had families of their own and were greatly upset when he married the third wife, for his mind seemed to be somewhat affected. In connection with his illness, Mrs. Eldredge tells a story of the first lemons in Hamilton. The doctors had ordered them from Kansas City for Mr. Hill, and kept them uptown in an office, taking them out to Sam Hill as needed. But it got around that there were some lemons in town and about half of them were stolen; for lots of people did not know what a lemon tasted like. Surely Hamilton in 1870 was thirty miles from a lemon! (A saying used in those days.)
One of Sam Hill's peculiarities according to F.W. Hill was wearing an old tall silk hat, no matter what his other clothes were. He was a vigorous walker and people could recognize him down the road at a distance by his hat.
His name used to be the cause of many jokes for in this community the words "Sam Hill" were used as a common saying to express something extreme without reference to him. Therefore, when Mrs. Lottie Anderson (as a girl) was told that old Sam Hill lay buried on the other side of the hedge, she thought it was only a joke referring to the old saying. A man recently told of his father, a contemporary of Sam Hill, meeting him as a stranger. The first told his name and asked the second his name. The second said "I'm Sam Hill", whereupon the first, taken back by the answer said, "Well, I'm sure glad to meet you for I have always heard of you." Hill said "How?" and the other man said, "People are always saying that it is as hot as Sam Hill or as cold as Sam Hill and, at least, I know who Sam Hill is."
At Sam Hills death, he asked to be buried under a certain tree by the hedge on his place. Even today, people speak of attending that burial probably in 1870. Another says that in her girlhood, in going to Locust Grove school, the grave was pointed out to her, and people told her about the peculiar old man. James Murrell moved into the neighborhood in the 70's and used to have the mound pointed out to him.
Mr. Taylor Allee recalls that Sam Hill was a good hearted man but a hard drinker, as pioneers often were; and that when half-full, he was ready to fight all comers but few people took him up.
William Hemry tells another story showing the families queer ways. He is reported to have buried money. He had a son also who is said to have done the same. At any rate, one day when William Hemry was working at the Blacksten place, a daughter of the son came out and dug around a spot in the orchard in the Greenberry Hill farm, saying that she was hunting two pots of gold which her father had buried there for her and a sister. Mr. Hemry saw the torn-up-places where she had dug but everyone said that she found nothing. No marker has ever been put up at the grave of the old pioneer Sam Hill, as far as the interviewer has been able to ascertain.
I
James R. Ivie, lived in the Allred Settlement, near present day Polo, Missouri, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri [Martha Stillwell Thomas].
J
Jones, Benjamin, birth: February 24, 1797, Delaware, NY, Alternate Date: February 24, 1796, Alternate Place: Cattaraugus County, NY, USA; Parents: father: Jones, Benjamin, mother: Buss, Miriam, Alternate Mother: Russ, Miriam; marriage Hadlock, Lydia; Death: April 4, 1875, Fairview, Sanpete, UT, April 10, 1875, Fairview, Sanpete, UT; may have become RLDS: Early Reorganization Minutes, 1852-1871, Book A, 496; Early Reorganization Minutes, 1872-1905, Book D, 56; Early Reorganization Minutes, 1872-1905, Book B, 45.
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DR. WILLIAM EARL McLELLIN (McClellen, McClellan)
EARLY MORMON IN CALDWELL COUNTY
Narrator: Mrs. Nellie Scott, Kansas City, Missouri
From the church records at Independence Missouri I found the following: "In 1831, Wm. E. McLellan heard the gospel preached by the elders of the church (then at Kirkland Ohio) on their way to Missouri and followed them as soon as he could arrange his business." Some of his business may have been getting married for he married my mother's sister, Emeline Miller, the April of the next year. The year following Dr. McLellan and his wife made a wagon trip to Illinois and then to Independence, but stayed there only a few months, for Gentile antagonism was growing very strong there to rid that country of this new sect. In July 1833 the citizens of Jackson County adopted a resolution to expel the Mormons. The Saints committee (of which McLellan was one) agreed to urge their elders to leave by January 1st 1834 and to urge the others to leave by spring. While many Mormons refused to agree to this Dr. and Mrs. McLellan left. They went probably to Ohio and later returned to Missouri; this time to Clay County where many of the Saints had fled. On July 3, 1834 McLellan was elected to the High Council of the Church in Clay County. He was also made Traveling Council or Apostle. By this time he had advanced so far in the church that he was in a position capable of receiving revelations. At one time he had a revelation suggesting a plural wife but Aunt Emeline showed him the revelation was not divine. They were in Kirkland Ohio now and stayed there till Joseph Smith and his followers were driven out. This time they went to Far West, Caldwell County having been set apart by the legislature as a home for the Mormons.
Accordingly the county seat was established at Far West and a log school house was erected in which court was held. The McLellans came to Far West in 1837. By this time, Uncle William began to have doubts and questions about some of those working with Joseph Smith. At all events, he was tried for Apostacy and expelled from the church May 11 1838 at Far West. Ever after, he was called a Dissenter, altho he never entirely severed his connection, in spirit at least, with the followers of the "Great Prophet, Joseph Smith."
Uncle William left Far West before his trial. He lived awhile in Davenport Iowa where he practised medicine (he was in part an old fashioned herb doctor) but in 1845 he and my Aunt went back to Kirkland Ohio trying to re-organize the Church on the earlier plans. Somewhere about this time, he returned to Far West trying to reassemble the Saints who had stayed in Caldwell County when the general Exodus of Mormons occurred after the fall of Far West 1838.
Eventually after many years of being on the move, the McLellans returned to Independence where they lived the remainder of his life and where he is buried. He had six children and none embraced their father's faith.
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Morris Phelps, embraced Gospel in 1831, Taswell County, Illinois, as a result of the preaching of Lyman Wight and John Corrill. After joining the church 18 August 1831, he and his wife Laura (Clark) removed to Jackson County, Missouri the winter of 1831-32. According to his daughter, Mary, "they bought them an inheritance in Jackson County and worked in unison with the rest of the LDS until they were driven from their houses in 1833." Following the expulsion the family moved to Clay County, Missouri. While Morris completed a mission, Laura supported the family by teaching school and practicing obstretrics. Morris went on to Kirtland where that winter he worked on the Temple and participated in washings & anointings in the Temple. [Life of Mary A. (Phelps) Rich, 1829-1912, Ms *?,]
Phelps, Laura, "It is with deep regret that we announce the death of our highly esteemed and worthy sister, LAURA PHELPS, consort of Morris Phelps, who departed this life Feb. 2d, in the 36th year of her age. She was warned of her approaching dissolution, and desired her companion to have her remains conveyed to Nauvoo, and there be interred with her old tried friends, who, with her, had passed through many trials, and afflictions, and had their days shortened by the unparalleled cruelties which had been heaped upon them. She was one of the first who embraced the gospel, consequently suffered much persecution from her friends; but by leaving them, and also her father's family, to be gathered with the Saints, she manifested to the world that no sacrifice was too great for her to make for the cause which she had espoused. She was one of the number driven from Jackson county, in 1833, at which time she suffered many privations, but her mind was calm and unruffled, for she had a firm reliance on Him whose arm is able to save all who put their trust in Him. During our persecutions in Mo. in '39, she endeared herself to many of her friends by her acts of kindness, and in many instances her conduct was truly heroic. When my life was sought at Richmond, and my brethren in prison had great anxiety on my account, she interceded with my pursuers, who were nearly thirty in number, and actually convinced them that I was another person, altogether, and the pursuit was stopped. She, afterwards, in company with her brother, left her home in Iowa Territory, together with her tender offspring, and traveled a distance of nearly two hundred miles on horseback, to assist in the deliverance of her companion, or devise means whereby he and his brethren might make their escape from Prison; which thing was effected, and she left among a savage horde to suffer such abuses as they saw fit to inflict upon her, but through the goodness of God she was delivered from their hands anof our deceased friend, but our paper will not permit us to be lengthy in our eulogies on the dead. We have penned the above acts to be handed down to future generations as a memorial of her, for her faith, her patience, and her integrity to her friends and her religion." Times and Seasons, Vol.3, No. 9, 713-714
HEBER C. KIMBALL.
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Rich, Charles Coulson. Son of Joseph Rich and Nancy O'Neal. Born 21 August 1809 in Campbell County, Kentucky. Moved with parents into Indiana shortly after birth. Moved with family to Tazewell County, Illinois, 1829. Baptized 1 April 1832 by George M. Hinkle. Traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, to see Joseph Smith in summer of 1832. Left Pleasant Grove, Tazewell County, Illinois, 7 May 1832. En route to Kirtland ordained elder by Zebedee Coltrin and Solomon Wixom 16 May 1832. Arrived in Kirtland mid-June 1832. Preached by way and arrived home in Pleasant Grove, Illinois, 24 October 1832. Assisted in organizing branches of Church in Tazewell County area. Recognized as presiding leader of Church in Tazewell County 1832-36. Joined Zion's Camp 29 May 1834. Traveled to Clay County, Missouri, May-June 1834. Left Clay County, Missouri, for Illinois 2 July 1834. Arrived in Pleasant Grove 16 July 1834. Short mission to Eugene, Indiana, October-November 1834. Mission to DuPage County, Illinois, April-June 1835. Mission with Solomon Wixom to western Illinois September-November 1835. Left for Kirtland 26 January 1836. Arrived 12 April 1836. Ordained high priest 12 April 1836. Received washings and anointings in Kirtland Temple and attended solemn assembly April 1836. Received blessing from Joseph Smith, Sr., 24 April 1836. Left for mission through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois with William O. Clark in summer and fall of 1836. Arrived in Pleasant Grove 6 October 1836. Traveled to Caldwell County, Missouri, in fall of 1836 to purchase property. Left Pleasant Grove 20 October 1836. Arrived in Far West 1 November 1836. Laid claim to eighty acres of land in Caldwell County, Missouri, 12 November 1836. Returned to Pleasant Grove 7 December 1836. Moved to Caldwell County, Missouri, in spring of 1837. Appointed president of high priests quorum in Missouri 20 August 1837. Married Sarah DeArmon Pea 11 February 1838. Nine children: Sara Jane, Joseph Coulson, Artimesia, Charles Coulson, John Thomas, Elabeth, David Patten, Benjamin Erastus, and Fred Carmel. Located in Far West shortly after marriage. Participated in Battle of Crooked River 25 October 1839. Fled Missouri November 1838. Located temporarily in Quincy, Illinois, 1839. [Cook]
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Sanders, Moses Martin, lived in the Allred Settlement, near present day Polo, Missouri, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri [Martha Stillwell Thomas].
Shearer (Daniel), land on Goose Creek; Father was William Shier, Stillwater, Albany Co. (for Saratoga), 1790 Census, NY, p. 50, col. 3. 30 Aug 1791 Daniel and twin brother, Joel, born in Stillwater to William Shearer and Laetitia Landgon (DAR appl. of Agnes Phillips Reed, no. 308623, and Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, p. 285, item 15) in NY state, married Jane McCutcheon Latimer (Latimore), about 1817; dau. Jane Maria born in Luzerne, Warren Co., NY, 12 Feb 1819; son Norman Barber born in Luzerne, Warren Co., NY, 10 Apr 1821; wife Jane died; married Lucy Noble(s) (perhaps related to Joseph Bates Noble, prominent LDS contemporary of Daniel), 1823; wife Lucy died, 1826; Daniel and his twin brother, Joel, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the same time, per note in JMSWS' Record Book (perhaps implies same place); Joel was in Canton township, Bradford Co., PA, in 1830 Census; nearby Columbia twp. had a community of Latter-day Saints, 1832; Daniel, of Ray Co., took up Federal land, Kingston township, Caldwell Co., MO, 13 Feb 1837; Daniel "received into the church" at Far West, Caldwell Co., MO (the local church, per his Elder's License), 7 Dec 1837; married Vienna Jaques, inferred (see 15/16 Jan 1839 entry) about 1838; following the Battle of Crooked River, jailed at Richmond, Ray Co., MO, discharged end of month (various LDS histories), 11 Nov 1838; received Patriarchial Blessing from Joseph Smith, Sr. at Far West (P.B. vol. 11, p. 117, no. 257); about this same time Vienna Jaques receives her Patriarchial Blessing as Shearer 15/16 Jan 1839; Daniel placed on committee at Far West to supervise evacuation of Saints from Missouri, and the signed the covenant of removal. (History of the Church 3:251-2) 29 Jan 1839; removal committee met at Daniel's house in Far West. (History of the Church 3:284); 17 Mar 1839; en route from Quincy, IL to Far West, MO (History of the Church p. 335; saw son Norman in jail in Richmond, Ray Co., MO; Norman was released and they went to Caldwell Co. (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 226, 234), 24 Apr 1839; present at the farewell Conference in Far West, which included ordination of Norman to the Quorum of the Seventy. (History of the Church 3:339) 26 Apr 1839; traveled with Norman, from Nauvoo on mission, reported in letter written by them on 7 Nov 1839 about working Tazewell Co., IL (Times and Seasons 1:61, Feb 1840), 14 Sep 1839 [http://www.softcom.net/users/paulandsteph/
dshearer/homepage.html]
Shearer (Joel), Joel's son, Thomas Jefferson Shearer, b. 23 Apr 1834, Vigo Co.; Joel Shearer, of Ray Co., took up Federal land, Kingston township., Caldwell Co., MO, 13 Feb 1837; purchased land on Goose Creek, 11 August and 25 November 1836.
Shearer, (McCutcheon) (Latimer or Latimore), Jane, b. 1784 to George McCutcheon and Nancy Robertson; Jane was of Cognewaga (now Fonda, Mohawk twp, Montgomery Co.) NY; had at least 2 girls: Ann Eliza and Fanny; her first husband's name may have been Samuel.
Shearer, Norman, son of Daniel Shearer, participant in Crooked River Expedition, 24-25 October 1838, arrested at Far West and jail in Richmond, Ray Co., MO; Norman was released and they went to Caldwell Co. (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 226, 234) 24 Apr 1839, assembled with others on the Far West Temple Lot on 26 April 1839 to dedicate the Temple cornerstones. Norman Shearer was ordained to the office of Seventy at this meeting. [See more about Daniel Shearer below]
Smith, Bathsheba Bigler, a few days after their arrival
in Missouri, a battle was fought between the Saints and the mob,
in which David W. Patten (one of the first Twelve Apostles) was
wounded, and he was brought to the house where they were stopping.
Sister Bathsheba witnessed his death the same day. [LDS Collectors Library, 1995, Early LDS Members, CD].
Stout, Hosea, was born 18 September 1810 at Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, Kentucky, to Joseph and Anna Smith Stout, who had been married in 1797 and subsequently had a very large family. When they experienced financial setbacks, the children were temporarily put in Shaker schools. Hosea remained in such a school from 1814 to 1818, at which time his father came to reclaim him. In the years following, the family moved to Ohio, and from this time on Hosea was let out to other families to work. In September 1828 some of Hosea's family moved to Stout's Grove, Indiana, which was named after an uncle. In 1830 Hosea began to feel a need for religion, and became interested in the Methodists, as well as becoming involved in the temperance movement for a short time. In 1832, moving to Pekin, Illinois, Hosea enlisted as a ranger in the Black Hawk War, fulfilling a military inclination which lasted most of his life. It was at this time that Hosea was exposed to Mormonism at Farm Creek, Illinois, and was proselyted by C.C. Rich, who later became an apostle. Hosea wrote, "I could not forego the idea of joining the church for aside from the disgrace which would follow I was fearful least I should not live up to its precepts. . . . I wanted confidence in myself." Hosea retained an association with Mormonism until August 1837, when he sold his business interest to move to Caldwell County, Missouri, "for the purpose of being gathered with and associating with the Latter-day Saints." There he became acquainted with Samantha Pack, and married her on 7 January 1838. On 26 August of that year Stout was baptized by Charles C. Rich. This was during the height of the Mormon persecutions, and on 26 October Hosea was asked to go with the company of David Patten to engage a mob under Samuel Bogart. The engagement was known as the Battle of Crooked River, and on 31 October twenty-seven Mormon militiamen made their escape to Iowa, where Hosea's wife joined him ten months later. Samantha Stout died from exposure there on 29 November 1839. And a year later, on 29 November 1840, Hosea remarried, this time to Louisa Taylor, who was to die in childbirth in 1852. In 1841 Louisa gave birth to a daughter, Lydia Sarah, who was first of Hosea's nineteen children. http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/STOUT,HOSEA.html
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Thomas, Daniel Stillwell, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri. His wife Martha recalled, ". . . James Allred approached her husband and his brother Henry to join the "Big Field Company" an experiment in cooperative farming that had theocratic roots in the Order of Enoch and offered a practical solution to the problems caused by a large influx of poor emigrants, and aggravated by the vulnerability and eventual abandonment of outlying farms and settlements. It was the basis for the system later used in the settlement of Southern Utah. By Fall, Far West was under siege, and most able-bodied men had given up farming for soldiering.
"Far West, Missouri - Mr. Thomas had entered all the land he had wanted, timber and prairie, driven stakes for a large farm, as he thought he could turn the world upside down with a plow. He put in a large crop but before it was ripe he was called to other duties.
Brother James Allred called on him and his brother, Henry, to join the big field company. They wanted to fence a large field for the benefit of the poor. They wanted all the tools for farming that could be spared, oxen, horses, cows, and work when called on. He told them "Yes" he would do anything the rest did. Henry, his brother, said "No," he could do to take care of himself. I tell this to show my first lesson in obeying counsel." [Martha Stillwell Thomas].
Thomas, Martha Stillwell, wife of Daniel Stillwell Thomas, lived in the Allred Settlement, near present day Polo, Missouri, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri [Martha Stillwell Thomas].
Thomas, Henry, brother of Daniel Stillwell Thomas, lived in the Allred Settlement, near present day Polo, Missouri, former resident of Salt River Branch, Monroe County, Missouri [Martha Stillwell Thomas].
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Walters, George, early resident of Caldwell, acquired large land holdings following the expulsion of the Mormons. Walters was related to Mrs. Frances Clarkson and the Dodge Family.
Narrator: Mrs. James Kautz, Hamilton, Missouri
On her mothers side Mrs. Clarkson was descended from the Alvord families which made her related to Mrs. George Walters, a very early settler. The Walters family came to the Mirabile Kingston neighborhood in 1836 and are buried in the old section of the Kingston Graveyard.
Mrs. Kautz is the daughter of Nathan Clarkson and Frances Nevada Dodge 1853 to 1920. Mrs. Clarkson the daughter of Silas Dodge and Mary Ann Hull was born 3 miles south of Hamilton where her father settled in 1846 and the farm remained in the Dodge family for more than 70 years. He cut the walnut shingles for the first [house] that was built in Hamilton. Silas Dodge was the son of Dwight Dodge and Susan Monroe, also pioneers. Dwight Dodge came into the country in 1844 and settled near Mirabile. He was not only a farmer but a Christian Minister. Thus the Dodge family was among the very early settlers in the county and the community school for many years was called the Dodge School. The Silas Dodge home is mentioned by old timers as a landmark between Hamilton and Kingston.
As a girl, Mrs. Clarkson attended the District School on her fathers farm and enjoyed the few social opportunities of those early times: district school literary societies and dances. Fourth of July was a day always to be observed in the big wagon, one spring seat, the rest chairs. She said they always had a wagon full by the time they left Kingston. But there always had to be room in the wagon for the wonderful picnic dinner which was a part of the Fourth.
Like most young people of her time, she went places horseback. One day she and her brother, Dwight, were going through Kingston when her horse being scared acted up and broke the saddle girth, letting her fall to the ground in sight of the whole town, much to her embarrassment but to her brothers amusement.
She married Nathan Clarkson Feb. 20, 1874 and had four children three now living. The companion of her youth died in 1906 and in 1911 she married Jackson Edminster. - Mary C. Kautz, C.D. of Kansas City, and Egbert of Nettleton, Missouri.
Winchester, Stephen, moved to Missouri in 1837, settling
on the prairie south of Far West, where he lived until the saints
were expelled in 1839. David W. Patten died at his home after
the battle on Crooked River. [LDS Collectors Library, 1995, Early LDS Members, CD].
Wixom, Solomon, birth: March 26, 1809, Hector, Schuyler, NY; alternate place: Franklin County, OH; parents: father: Wixom, Reuben Hiram, mother: Walker, Clarissa; marriage: Johnson, Matilda, January 24, 1833, Vermillion county, IN; children: Wixom, Reuben Wesley, February 11, 1834, Vermillion County, IN; marriage No. 2: Avery, Sarah, February 15, 1836; death: March 1, 1879, Paris, Bear Lake, ID, burial March 1879, Bear Lake, ID, USA
Wixom, (Avery), Sarah, birth, 12 December 1817, Marlesville, Venongo, PA, parents: father: Avery, Daniel, mother: Sargent, Sarah Alice Dean; marriage Wixom, Solomon, February 15, 1836; endowment: January 12, 1846, Temple: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois; sealed to spouse: January 16, 1846, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois; death: January 3, 1849
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Yale, Gad , birth: August 21, 1790, Bristol, Hartford, CT, Alternate Date: August 21, 1786, Alternate Place: Burlington, Hartford, CT, USA; parents: father: Yale, Thomas, mother: ________, Polly; marriage Sanburn, Sophia (Aphia) Woodman; Patriarchal Blessing, Kirtland, Geauga, OH, by Joseph Smith, Sr.; ordained Seventy; convert in the New Portage, Ohio, area, gathered to Missouri ca. 1836, purchased land on Log Creek in Caldwell County, Missouri, 24 October 1836; Temple Ordinances: Endowment, December 19, 1845, Temple: Nauvoo, Hancock, IL, sealed to spouse number 1, January 27, 1846, Temple: Nauvoo, Hancock, IL, residence, Gunnison, Sanpete, UT, USA; 1870.
Yale, (Sanburn), Sophia Woodman, birth: August 28, 1795, Sandburn, NH; Parents: father: Sanburn, Jonathan, mother: Miles, Sarah; married Yale, Gad.
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