Sunday, October 31, 2010



Jedediah Morgan Grant
1853-1933

Jedediah Morgan Grant the second was a Pioneer. He was born on the 9th of October 1853. He was the son of Jedediah Morgan Grant and Rosetta Robison Grant.

Anthony W. Ivins remembers that when he and Morgan were children they would ride stick horses and almost think they were real. Anthony Ivins also remembers going up into Davis County and spending a week or a few days with Hyrum (son of Susan Noble and Jeddy Grant) and Morgan on the farm and helping them with the hay, and going down in the bottoms and hunting geese. Morgan and Anthony were a good deal alike, Hyrum did not care so much about those geese, but Morgan and Anthony had the hunting instinct, and Anthony can remember sometimes when it almost rained geese down in those fields, when they would lay there together as they passed over them.
Morgan endured many of the hardships of a pioneer life as he grew to manhood in the Salt Lake Area. In his early twenties he married Lucy Fackrell of Bountiful, Utah on the 29th of May 1876 in the Salt Lake Endowment House. For about six years the young couple lived in Woods Cross near Bountiful, Utah. Then they with their three children moved to Randolph, Rich County, Utah to help settle the area. It was pioneering; Morgan's wife Lucy stood by him and helped him to build the first home, shared his hardships, and encouraged him day by day.
For almost twenty years they pioneered in Rich County, and then there was another new country opened further east. It was in the spring of 1900, that Morgan was called by President Lorenzo Snow, to take his family and go help colonize the Big Horn Basin. The church sent a colony under the direction of Apostle A.O. Woodruff to this new country in the Big Horn Basin. There were groups of men, many of them young men, a few middle aged, who left Morgan County, Rich County, and some of the other counties near by, and drove their teams, through canyon defiles, across bridgeless streams, out into a new country in Wyoming.
There were about 500 people who went to the Big Horn Basin in 1900 and quite a few more followed the next two years. The Grant family at that time consisted of Morgan-46, Lucy-47, Morgan Jr.-20, Joe-17, Henry-15, Estella-13, Jem-12, Lita-11, Austin-8, Wesley-7 and Lucy's youngest brother William Henry Fackrell-39. (Their oldest daughter Alfa-23 joined them a year later. She began teaching school in Lovell the fall of 1901.)
The Grant family left their home on the 27th of April 1900. They went as far as Hams Fork, a small river that empties into the Bear River above Cokeville. There the group that left Randolph was organized into a company, just as the pioneers were that crossed the plains in 1847, with a captain, Alfred Nebeker, a Chaplain, Morgan Grant, and a hostler, George A. Peart. (Family histories report that the family did not travel with the assigned company. They had some difficulty and ended up traveling alone.) Apostle Woodruff was there to do the organizing. There were several other companies, from other parts of Utah, organized at the same place. 
 About three and a half weeks later they arrived in the Big Horn Basin on the Byron flats, they were greeted with a barren land; many of the Grant children describe the place as being just 'sand and salt sage brush.' They recall that they could hardly get a meal prepared that wasn't filled with sand. On very hot days when they saw a heavy cloud gather in the southwest, they sometimes thought maybe they would get a heavy rainstorm, but when it got there it would be just dust and they would quickly put everything away in a food box. If it was just a whirlwind and they were eating they would cover everything and wait until it passed before they could finish their meal.
It was necessary for a canal to be built to irrigate the land. The Grants along with many others lived in a ditch camp for the first four or five months as the Sidon canal was being built. There they lived in tents or what ever they could make do with.
By the end of the summer the colony was running out of money, a source of income was needed, the people fasted and prayed. And then an answer to their prayers came; the railroad needed help building grade for their new branch of the railroad into the Big Horn Basin. Many of the men of the colony went and helped build the grade. As winter was about to set in the people left the ditch camp and went and built homes for their families.
Because the Grant family had many boys they were asked to go down the river and rent a farm with lots of hay on it and raise hay for the colony. The Grant family rented a farm three miles east of Lovell from Mr. J.J. Marshall, the surveyor for the canal. A few years later the Grant family bought the farm, which from that time on became their home.
As the need for hay was no longer needed for the colony after they built the canal, Morgan decided to explore other crops to grow. Morgan was the first man, in the Big Horn Basin to raise Sugar Beets.
In 1905 Morgan and his family began learning how to grow sugar beets. Because of all the work involved in loading and unloading and hauling the sugar beets to the railroad to be transported to Billings, Morgan decided it would be easier to have a sugar beet factory in Lovell. But to have a factory you had to have so many acres of sugar beets. So Morgan turned his whole farm over to sugar beets and he began working on getting other farmers to turn more of their land over to sugar beets. And finally his dream was fulfilled the Great Western Sugar Company built a Sugar Factory in Lovell in 1916.
Morgan was not only involved in the Sugar Beet industry, but for a time he went into the dairy business and had a cheese factory. By hard work and the sweat of his brow Morgan was beginning to show progress he was beginning to prosper.
 In 1918 the flu epidemic hit the Lovell area, Morgan's wife Lucy went form home to home caring for the sick and then she too succumbed to the flu. On the 12th of January 1919 she left this earthly life. Morgan sorrowed greatly over the loss of his wife. Lucy was a hard worker and believed in politeness. Two of her favorite sayings are "Idle hands are the devils tools, if you haven't anything to do gather sticks and scatter them again; and Doors like these, open with ease, to very little keys, two of these are, I Thank You and If You Please."
Not long after the death of his wife Morgan moved to a brick house in town, while his son J. Morgan Jr. ran the farm. Morgan succumbed to the charms of Mrs. Pheobe Steer Pidcock, a widower with two daughters; they were married on the 1st of April 1920. This marriage was not successful and lasted but a short time. In 1922 Morgan sold his farm to his son Morgan Jr. Morgan lived in the Big Horn Basin for about twenty-five years, after which time he returned to his place of birth, Salt Lake City, Utah. 
 In addition to his activities as a farmer and rancher, Morgan took an active part in church work. He became a first counselor in the Shoshone branch in 1900. Later he was appointed presiding Elder in the Lovell branch and at the organization of the Lovell Ward he became first counselor in the bishopric. He was the first stake clerk of Big Horn stake, and later served several years on the stake high council. In 1919 Elder James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve ordained him patriarch of the Big Horn stake. Morgan spent the remainder of his days in the Salt Lake Area.
Following several weeks of illness Morgan's spirit left this life to once again be reunited with his wife Lucy. Morgan was 79 years of age when he departed from this life on the 11th of January 1933 in a Salt Lake Hospital. During his funeral services Elder David O. McKay spoke on how he had been impressed with J. Morgan Grant (II) as a pioneer and a home-builder. Elder McKay spoke of Morgan as a pioneer in developing the west and as a pioneer in the church, and in looking after the spirituality of his family.
Elder McKay and Pres. A.W. Ivins spoke of Morgan's many sterling qualities, of his honesty and frankness, his kindly spirit, his sincerity, integrity, and fair-dealing. Pres. Ivins spoke of Morgan as a man who made his way up by the sweat of his own brow, made it honorably and uprightly, until he was among the foremost of farmers and ranchers with whom he was associated. Jedediah Morgan Grant (II) was laid to rest beside his wife Lucy Fackrell Grant in the Lovell Cemetery, Lovell, Big Horn, Wyoming.


Taken from:
Life story of Lucy Fackrell Grant
Life History of Joe Grant
Funeral Service of J. Morgan Grant (II)
Obituary of J.M. Grant (II)

Story of Alfa Grant Showalter




Lucy Fackrell Grant
1853-1919

On a lovely spring day the 27th of May 1853, six months after Joseph Crumb Fackrell and his wife Clarissa Dempsey had entered the Salt Lake Valley, to settle in Bountiful, they were blessed with a lovely little daughter, whom they named Lucy. She was their fifth child of fourteen, one who died in infancy and one at 3 years old.

At the age of sixteen, her beloved mother became ill with the measles and passed away. Lucy and the rest of the children were also ill in bed with the same illness as their mother, and they were told that if they got out of bed they would die. When Lucy was told that her mother was, no more of this world, she felt she couldn't let her go without one last look at her, so she got up and ran into the room were she was, when she was discovered she was scolded severely.

As soon as Lucy was well she assumed the cares and responsibilities of helping keep together the home for the family. Up to this time she had never mixed and baked a batch of bread, this was because of the hard times and the fear that the bread might be spoiled; also she had been needed to help her father in looking after the geese and the sheep. Seven of the children were younger than herself with the baby being only two years old, she was the eldest daughter living at home at the time, but feeling these duties to be hers, she assumed them willingly, as family and home were always first with her.

A few years later she went into Salt Lake City, where she went to work for a Sister Redfield, who was the mother of the wife of Senator Reed Smoot; she stayed there learning the things that helped her prepare for her marriage and homemaking. She was still there when she made her marriage plans and on the 29th of May 1876, in the Salt Lake Endowment House she married Jedediah Morgan Grant (II). For six years they made their home in Bountiful where three children were born, Alfa born 29 April 1877; J. Morgan Jr. (III) born 11 August 1879; Rossetta Grant born 18 Mar 1881.

Then the family moved onto a cattle ranch on the North Fork of Otter Creek, about five miles out of Randolph, Utah. With them came Lucy's brother Henry Fackrell. While living here five more children were born Joseph Crumb born 29 Apr 1883; Henry Charles born 25 Dec 1884; Estella born 7 Sep 1886; Jemima born 20 Dec 1887 and Lita born 22 Feb 1889. For awhile, while living on the cattle ranch Lucy's brother Jim Fackrell lived with them while he taught school in Randolph. A sadness came to them on the 28 Apr 1887 their six year old daughter Rossetta died.
Due to a drop in the price of cattle they were unable to make the payments on the ranch, so they moved onto a 320 acre farm about two miles out of town. There was a heavy growth of sage brush on the farm when they moved onto it so the children would often be out burning sage brush especially in the Spring of the year. Lucy was always a zealous church worker holding various position in the Religion classes and Sunday School.

When the Woodruff Stake was reorganized she was chosen and sustained as Stake President of the Relief Society. The manner in which she received her calling was rather unusual. A conference was being held at Woodruff, Utah. Her husband, Morgan was away in Oregon, and there was urgent work to be done in the fields, the land had to be cleared of sage brush if there were to be crops planted. Even though it was not women's work, Lucy knew the necessity of helping. She had spent the day in the fields with her boys, when word was sent to her asking that she be at stake conference. She attended and accepted the position of Stake Relief Society President.

When she was set apart for this position, She was given a blessing and was told, that her life's work would be among the sick, and she was promised that if she would go to whatever sickness she was called too, she would never bring the illness back into her home. Her daughter has memories of the many times Lucy went out to take care of any and all illnesses. Some of the illnesses were highly contagious communicable diseases such as Typhoid fever, smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, and etc. Each time upon her return she would go into an old shed. There she would bathe and change her clothes so that she would not bring the illnesses into her home. Truly she was an angel of mercy and her blessing was fulfilled.

While living on the farm two more children were born Austin born 19 Nov 1890 and Wesley Dempsey born 23 Aug 1892. Wesley was the last completing her family of 10 children. Her children were a source of joy and pride to her to the end of her days.

A couple of positions she held were an instructor in the Primary Grade and Ladies Dept. in Randolph, Utah between 22 Dec 1892 and 30 June 1892 another was instructor in a Religion Class in Randolph, Utah between 1 Oct 1897 and 20 June 1889.

In 1897 when the "panic" hit which was blamed on President Grover Cleveland they couldn't make the mortgage and lost the farm.

It takes courage to leave a home and answer a call to assist in colonizing a new country, but Lucy Fackrell Grant had that courage. In 1900, having been called by President Lorenzo Snow and under the direction of Apostle A.O. Woodruff the family gladly responded to leave their home. Lucy's father was concerned about her not wanting to go and came to visit her. She told him yes, that she wanted to go because in the Big Horn Basin her sons might find land on which to build homes. This was the last time Lucy saw her father as he passed away that winter. It took the company four long weeks to make the trip. One of her daughters, who at that time was thirteen years of age, tells that she clearly remembers the day they crossed the South Pass and met two men on horseback. It had been a hard day's travel, for the company had covered only one mile, Lucy and two of her little girls were walking along by the wagon in the mud and slush. The two men on horseback looked pityingly at their struggles and said, "it's a hard trail folks." Such hardships did not discourage them, these very words were typical of Lucy's entire life, "a hard trail,' but she followed it cheerfully.

When they finally arrived in the Big Horn Basin, on the Byron flats, they were met by Apostle Woodruff who after greeting them said, "This Sister Grant, is to be your home." The pioneers who entered the Salt Lake Valley in obedience to President Young's "this is the Place," could not have faced a more barren land or more discouragement. Those of her children describe the place as seeming to be just "Sand and Salt sagebrush." They recalled they could hardly get a meal prepared that wasn't filled with sand. On very hot days when they saw a heavy cloud gather in the southwest, they sometimes thought maybe they would get a heavy rainstorm, but when it got there it would be just dust and they would quickly put everything away in a food box. If it was just a whirlwind and they were eating they would cover everything and wait until it passed before they could finish their meal. For eight months the family lived in a ditch camp, where everyone pitched a tent, lived in their wagons or what have you for shelter while the Sidon canal was being built.

During this time Sister Grant gladly shared with anyone in need. The Grant family was very fortunate in possessing two cows, but the family only used so much, because of the many babies in the camp, it had to be shared with all. One incident in which kindness brings its own reward was when a Mr. Marshall who had been sent from Omaha, to act as a surveyor on the canal, brought his wife and two daughters from the east, there for the summer. They were refined wealthy people of the world, used to every luxury possible of the day and living in places where neighborliness had been forgotten. The Grant family shared milk with them also. At the end of summer, when they were preparing to leave for the east, Mrs. Marshall came expecting to pay for the milk they had received. Sister Grant refused any pay whatever, insisting that she was only too glad to share what they had with others. Mrs. Marshall was very surprised and vowed to repay her in some way. The Grant's rented a farm from Mr. Marshall for one year and then they bought it, which from that time on became her home.

When the family first moved on to the Marshall farm, they found a rather distressing situation a large house stood on the place and part of it was occupied by the family of the tenants of the previous summer. The people who were then on the farm were very much opposed to having anything to do with the so called "Mormon" believing the untruths and tales the world would have them believe. They flatly refused to permit the Grant family to live in the unoccupied part of the house. There was only one thing to do and that was to build a small cabin of their own in another corner of the farm.

Soon after the wife of the tenant became seriously ill with erysipelas, there was no one for miles around to go to their assistance, but Sister Grant, whom they had despised because of her religion, gladly went. For days she devoted every minute of her time in saving the life of Mrs. Tracy and also taking care of the rest of the family. Needless to say, the family had their ideas about "Mormons" changed very suddenly, and from that time on Sister Grant considered Mrs. Tracy one of her most faithful friends.

On the 28th of Oct 1900 organization of the church in the new colony called the Shoshone Branch was established with Byron Session Branch Pres., Jedediah M. Grant First Counselor and W.W. Graham Second Counselor, Mrs. Lucy Grant, Relief Society President. Lucy held this position about one year or until the Big Horn Stake was organized. Sister Grant's home was always open to the weary travelers, and at conference time, it had always been sort of a “headquarters" for conference visitors. Her children relate how many times there was scarcely room to step; so many beds had been made on the floor. Many times Apostle Woodruff, who stayed at the Grant home a great deal of the time would say, "Sister Grant, put these good people up for the night, they're tired and hungry." She never failed to respond to this call. Once again a sadness came to their home when their son Wesley died at the age of 13 with a heart ailment.

Busy helping others; busy rearing her own children, teaching them to follow in her footsteps, the years passed quickly. Lucy was able to see her sons go on missions. In her Patriarchal blessing Sister Grant had been promised that she should live as long as life was desirable to her. Her only desire was that she be permitted to live until she could see her children developed into good men and women and building homes of their own. This dream she saw fulfilled most of her children settled in the vicinity of Lovell. There they raised their families, and happy indeed were the days when the families met together in the old home on the ranch, bringing joy to the hearts of Brother and Sister Grant.

The grandchildren brought joy to the hearts of their grandparents. Many of the grandchildren, who were then little, still speak of the happy visits there. They tell of the wonderful dishes, which no one else could cook just like “Grandma”, and how she let them help her. She taught them other things, such as sewing, knitting, and tatting, leaving many wonderful memories. One Granddaughter, Nelliemae Grant remembers a favorite poem of hers:
Doors like these open with ease,
Two very very little keys,
Two of these are,
I Thank you and If you please.

A Grandson Nolan Grant remembers how she didn't believe in idle hands. She would tell him to go gather sticks and scatter them again if he had nothing else to do.

Sister Grant continued her life of service, always ready to aid in sickness and distress, and never for pay. When the "flu" epidemic which took such a toll, came to the land, she nursed the first victims in her locality, and during the long siege of sickness she went from home to home, helping. One of her grandchildren, who was then a little girl, relates that her only memory of her grandmother was as she stood in the doorway, holding her baby brother, looking in upon the rest of the family who were stricken with the "flu".

The strain of taking care of so many proved to much for her, and a few days later, on the 12th of January, 1919 she, herself succumbed to the flu. At the time of her death she was five foot six and one-half inches tall with brown hair, gray eyes, about one-hundred fifty pounds in weight and sixty-eight years of age. Many mourned her passing her family found it hard to give her up, but somehow it seemed that she would have preferred it that way. On the 13th day of January 1919, she was buried in Lovell, Wyoming. Her mission finished; her life of service completed. She had erected a monument of Love and Mercy unto herself, and her children could truly say, of her, "such a Mother as ours is not dead, but a living Presence."

Friday, October 29, 2010


Jude Allen May
1859-1946

ChildhoodJude Allen May is the son of James May and Martha Allen. He was born the 14th of October 1859 at Bountiful, Davis, Utah. He was the second child in a family of fourteen children.
In 1861 his parents moved to Calls Fort (now called Harper) Utah. It was here that he spent his childhood days and grew to manhood. He was not able to obtain much schooling but he did enjoy reading, especially church doctrine. These he loved to read to his children and grandchildren. His father was a farmer so the boys helped with work on the farm and the many chores. He loved animals and felt they should have good care they were always fed before he ate.

RosalieIn the spring of 1881 He met Rosalie Elvira Perry. She lived at Three Mile Creek (now Perry, Utah). He rode a horse 20 miles back and forth to court her. They were married 22 Dec 1881 in the old Endowment House in Salt Lake City, by Orson Wells.
The first year they lived in Harper (Calls Fort). Here their first child, a girl, was born, but they were only permitted to keep her a few weeks before she was called home.

Rockland IdahoIn 1882 they moved to Rockland, Idaho where he took up a homestead in partnership with his brother James after 14 or 15 years. Jim sold his farm to their younger brother Andrew. Jude enjoyed farming. He built a one room log house on the farm and later added two more rooms. Here the rest of the family was born.

Move to Lovell, Wyoming
He sold his farm in Rockland, Idaho and on the 27th of September 1905. He started with his family and team and wagon to move his family to the Big Horn Basin in Wyoming. On this trip his wife Rosalie kept a daily diary of how far they traveled each day, where they spent each night and of their expenses on the way.
After arriving in Wyoming he helped with the building of the Highland Canal in Cody Country and the Lovell Canal, he also worked to help build the railroad, with his helpmate, Rosalie, by his side cooking in one of the railroad camps to help finance the building of their home.

Getting settled
Jude rented the land where the Lovell Sugar Factory now stands and in 1907 raised some of the first sugar beets in Wyoming. (The sugar factory was built on this site in 1916)
He bought the old Strong saloon and moved it to a lot on the south end of town. Ten years later they completed the brick house to the east and moved there to live for the rest of their lives.

Jobs in townAfter they moved to town he held various jobs: worked on the highway, the Brick and Tile factory, the Glass factory, and the Sugar factory. He was a member of the Town council and a Justice of the Peace.
The last job he held was riding the Globe Canal. He had a two wheeled cart and a horse named Bud. He kept all the head gates clear and open so the people of Lovell could water their gardens.

RetirementLater years he spent his time gardening, raising onions, carrots and cantaloupe which he sold to make a living for Rosalie and himself.
Rosalie and Jude spent three winters working in the Salt Lake Temple, staying at the home of Aunt Ine Peters, Rosalie's sister. This they enjoyed very much, but they were always glad for spring to come so he could get back to his land.

Surgery
In August of 1946 he was finally persuaded to go to the hospital to have cataracts removed from his eyes, which had been slowly blinding him for the past twenty years, the last three being totally blind. On August 7, 1946 the bandages were removed from his eyes. He went to the window and looked out, "OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD!"

Tribute to Grandpa MayGrandpa May lived about thirty minutes after the bandages were removed and he was able to see. The Doctor said his heart could not stand the shock of being able to see.


Grandpa May (as he was called by everyone young and old in the town of Lovell) had a great deal to do with making the town of Lovell a nice place to live and raise a family.


There was not a widow or a person in need that he didn't know about and help. He never waited to be asked or thanked.


The twenty acres where the cemetery is was given to the town of Lovell by Grandpa May.
His cheery whistle as he jogged along in his cart behind Bud, cheered many hearts. Every child in town got his turn to ride and listen to his stories besides getting their share of apples and good things he grew in his garden.


Grandpa May was an active member of the church and held many positions to numerous to mention here. He was always honorable in his dealings with men. He always said "A mans word is as good as his bond."


Very few people who lived in the town of Lovell, Wyoming will forget Grandpa & Grandma May and the wonderful heritage a loving couple can leave.

(Compiled by the children of Nellie Amelia May Grant)

Thursday, October 28, 2010


Rosalie Elvira Perry May
1859-1953

Virtuous Woman
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband can safely trust in her, so that he will have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yea, she reacheth forth her hand to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of ildeness. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31)
Thus may be summed the life of: Rosalie Elvira Perry May, born February 15, 1859 at Three-mile Creek, later called Perry, Box Elder county, Utah, daughter of Henry Elijah and Elizabeth Zabriskie Perry. The 4th of 8 children, she is the last of the original Perry family.

Pioneering Family
Her parents came to Utah with a Mormon Pioneer Handcart Company and settling in an unbroken ilderness, the family knew all the vicissitudes, heart-aches and joys of pioneering. In these surroundings Rosalie grew to young womanhood, receiving her schooling at the little pioneer school which consisted mainly of learning the three R's. However, as with many pioneers, she somehow learned the many things which go into the making of a great lady.
While stories of crossing the plains and of the Indians were being told the young girl was helping her mother and learning to weave cloth, spin yarn, strip cane to be made into molasses. After Pres. Snow organized the United Order Rosalie had the experience of living that order. When the Primary was first organized she was called to be President in Perry, although she was very young at the time.

Early LifeAs a child she was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Before her marriage she cooked and did housework for others usually receiving as pay 50 cents per week perhaps a second hand dress or pair of shoes. But she was a happy person with a pleasing appearance and personality.

Jude Allen May
When young Jude Allen May, from Harper, son of James and Martha Allen May came courting he traveled horseback, 20 miles a trip. Having won his suit, they arranged with another couple and all traveled in a spring wagon to Salt Lake City where they were married in the Old Endowment House. (Dec. 22, 1881). She brought dignity and love and special nobility to her role of wife and mother. Thus was the springtime of her life.

Rockland Idaho
A year after their marriage the Mays moved to Rockland, Idaho where they homesteaded, remaining there 23 years. Their first baby did not long remain with them, death claimed her tiny form. When Elizabeth, the second baby was about 2 years old she was lost one day and as the frantic parents searched everywhere Rosalie finally saw the baby's bright red dress in the stream near the home and rescued the little girl from drowning.

Heaven on Earth
These were the summer years with the children coming and the busy days of training them and keeping the home and assisting her husband in making a livelihood for the family. Rosalie grew up with the idea that home is one's heaven on earth and such she always tried to make her home, to make a place where her husband and children loved to be, a haven from the stress of the world, there the family worked and laughed and played and prayed together.
Often on a warm afternoon Father May would carry a rocking chair down to what the family called "The Willows" where the mother could sit with the newest baby in the shade and rest while he cut willows and fashioned whistles for the older children. Thirteen children came to bless the home three of who died in infancy. For several years she served as Primary President while still living at Rockland.

Lovell, WyomingIn 1905 when the town of Lovell was in its infancy the May family moved here to make their permanent home. Bringing their household goods and driving teams and wagons they came by way of Yellowstone National Park. In 1906-08 the railroad was being built through the basin so the Jude found work there and the Rosalie cooked for the railroad workers in order to finance the building of their home. They were both ardent church workers and also took an active part in the life of the community.

Church Membership
Rosalie’s membership in the church was an integral part of her life. She was so firm in her testimony, so sincere in the manner in which she lived the teachings of the church she was and will be an inspiration to others to emulate her example. All her life a tithe-payer, when away from home she sent it to the family to pay for her. Last Sunday a granddaughter, Mary Jane Wilkerson, gave to the Bishop her grand-mother's last tithing. She served as Treasurer in the Relief Society organization and for many years was a Relief Society Visiting Teacher. Through her regard for this work and the dignity and warm-hearted friendliness she gave to it she taught many younger women of the ward the joy and worth of it. Her religion was a workable plan. She did not speak ill of any one. She felt that since one does not know what compulsions caused another to behave in certain ways it was right to leave his judgment to God.

Charity, a Way of Life
A mark of how she was held in the esteem of her associates was the title we all lovingly gave her of "Grandma May". The world was her neighbor. No one was ever turned away without receiving the comfort or help for which he hoped from her. In her book of poems is pasted these lines:

A friend is blue, a heart is sad.
Do not withhold your smile.
It may be all that's needed
To make a life worthwhile:
Grey skies grow blue, and storm clouds bright,
The sun is undefiled
And broken hearts are new again
Because somebody smiled.

Grandma May was always busy, always cheerful. Her flowers were for everyone to enjoy. Her salt rising bread was a special treat for which she was famous. She believed work a blessing and to her laziness was a sin.

Sincerity
She said sincerity is one of the most beautiful words in the language.
Also found in her book are these lines she liked:
You don't have to tell how you live each day
You don't have to say if you work or you play.
A tried, true barometer serves in the place.
However you live, it will show in your face.
The false, the deceit that you bear in your heart
Will not stay inside, where it first got a start,
For sinew and blood are a thin veil of lace;
What you wear in your heart you wear in your face.
If your life is unselfish, if for others you live,
For not what you get, but how much you can give;
If you live close to God, in his infinite grace,
You don't have to tell it, it shows in your face.

Neighbor and Friend
Once she wrote when life became hard and there was time for thought; she would get much good and comfort from these lines. She hoped this could be said of her at the close of her life and truly her life is so fulfilled:
To me honors or fame appeal not at all.
I covet no treasure or wealth manifold.
Flowers and tokens you may gladly withhold,
If only some day you can say at the end
"She was a neighbor, she was a friend".

Full Life
The autumn years were busy and full and rich, too. With the children grown and now establishing homes of their own, there was the increasing number of grandchildren to love. There was more time to devote to the church where she worked on various committees and helped in many ways. She was a member of a neighborhood quilting club. On the days when they gathered at the home to sew on a quilt how the stitches and chatter flew and here she had as much fun as anyone. The young daughters of club members often proudly displayed their hope chest quilts, showing off the beautiful stitches of "Grandma May". She had few of the conveniences and luxuries we so take for granted today, but she knew the real riches; the rich gifts of the mind and spirit.

Temple Work and gardening
The Mays spent several winters in doing temple work, and, oh, the joy they experienced in doing this great work. Each spring they returned happy in the knowledge of a service rendered, then raised their garden and prepared for the next winter and trip.

Life as a widow
Her life's companion was called to his eternal home August 7, 1946. Since then Grandma May has taken a trip to California to see the ocean, one to Arizona and four to Utah, visiting her family.

She never grew old in heart but as she once said winter does come to those of many years. So in the winter of life Grandma May was kept warmed at the hearth of her children's love. She visited one or another of her children and then when she was tired of visiting come home to Ralph and Gladys Wilkerson. Last February 15th she celebrated her 93rd birthday at the home of Oliver and Grace May, with 60 members of the family present.

Nine months ago she went to visit a daughter, Mrs. I.H. Tippetts, at Hurricane, Utah. Here she continued with her hobbies of crocheting and reading the papers and keeping up with the news of world and local affairs. It was stimulating to discuss current events with her because she was so alert and had her contributions to make.

IllnessOn December 10th a blood vessel broke in a leg resulting in a serious condition which confined her to her bed from December 13th until her death, caused by bronchitis, occurred on Monday, January 26, 1953 at 4:20 a.m. During all her illness she never complained and for each and every service she repaid with her special little smile and "Thank you".

Now her spirit transplanted... To some far fairer clime ... The angels left ajar the gate... The sweet fragrance of her soul... To waft back to us waiting... To meet again in a heavenly time.Grandma May is survived by 10 sons and daughters, Oliver C. May, Lovell; J. Hyrum May of Phoenix, Ariz.; Frank P. May, Caldwell, Idaho; Richard Morgan May, Delta, Utah; G. Allen May, Burlington; Mrs. I.H. Tippetts, Hurricane, Utah; Mrs. Nellie Grant, Layton, Utah; Mrs. W.A. Tippetts, Springville, Utah; Mrs. H.C. Tippetts, Provo, Utah;, Mrs. Ralph Wilkerson, Lovell, Wyo.; 68 grandchildren, 146 great grandchildren, 8 great, great grandchildren: A total of 233 living descendants. There are 7 sets of twins in the family; 2 grandchild sets, and 5 great grandchild sets.

There is so little we can say... So little we can do... When God had called a loved one home... Who means so much to you... When smiling eyes are closed in sleep... According to God's will... And that dear voice you loved to hear... Has suddenly grown still... But there are those who think of you... And those who always care... And who would help your heart to lift... The burden you must beat... And so this gentle message is... sincerely meant to be... A prayerful thought of fond regard... And heartfelt sympathy.
Her son Frank was unable to attend. He spent three days with her at Christmas time.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010





Wilson Ellsworth McGonagle
1862-1933

Wilson E. McGonagle, a prosperous general farmer and stock raiser of Franklin Township, has brought his farm of 155 acres into a high state of cultivation, and through his enterprising methods set a dependable example to his neighbors. He was born in Franklin Township, Harrison County, Ohio, October 10, 1862, a son of Thompson and Asenith (Vickers) McGonagle, grandson of Thomas McGonagle, and a descendant of one of the sturdy families of Scotland.

Wilson E. McGonagle received his educational training in the public schools of Deersville, Ohio. Until 1887 when he was married, Mr. McGonagle remained at home, and during that period acquired a useful fund of knowledge relative to the best methods of carrying on agricultural operations. With the exception of three years when he was away, Mr. McGonagle has lived on his present farm since 1888, and is now recognized as one of the best farmers in his neighborhood.

On September 6, 1887, Mr. McGonagle was married to Alice White, a daughter of Joseph and Mahala (Johnson) White, and their children are as follows: Jesse, who married Ada Birney, a farmer of the State of Wyoming; Harry L., who married Gladys Eslick, is engaged in farming with his father, and Melvin, who is at home. Mr. McGonagle belongs to the Deersville Methodist Episcopal Church and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. Since January, 1918, Mr. McGonagle has served as trustee of Franklin Township. For two years he was a member of the Township School Board, and four years he was assessor of Franklin Township, proving himself as capable in public office as he has always been when conducting his private affairs, and he stands very well in public esteem.

Wilson E. died Sunday evening, at 7:20 p.m., May 28, 1933 at his home of a complication of diseases, aged 70 years, 7 months and 18 days. He had been ill one year. He was a life long resident of the Deersville Vicinity. He is survived by his widow, Sarah, three sons, Jesse T. of Powell, Wyoming, Harry L. residing near Deersville, and Melvin, at home. He also leaves two granddaughters, Marie Mae and Esther Lee McGonagle, of Powell, Wyoming. Funeral services, in charge of The Clark Funeral Home, Uhrichsville, will be held at the Deersville M. E. Church (or were held at the home) on Wednesday at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. Stewart of Dennison, assisted by Rev. Ickes, followed by burial in Deersville Cemetery.

Taken from sketch on Wilson E. McGonagle page 924, Histories of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio by Eckley and Perry pub 1921, and Newspaper Clipping's of obituary.
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Wilson's granddaughter Marie remembers him as being tall and thin. She remembers him being out of the house most of the day, except when Melvin was sick, and then they were in. Melvin had pneumonia really bad, they thought they were going to lose him. Jesse asked the Dr. if he was doing all he could do. And the Dr. thought he was doing all he would be allowed to do. Jesse asked what needed to be done. One thing they did was open the window and another was to get a nurse. Both things were not something they would have allowed to happen if Jesse had not been there. But Jesse was in charge, and he took over. He helped the nurse to nurse his brother back to health. The rumor went around when he opened the window that he had taken his brother out and put him in a snow drift and packed him in snow. When Marie and her family left Ohio Marie remembers Melvin as being very thin and white and wondering if he would make it.
Wilson loved to sing. Wilson's daughter-in-law, Gladys remembers playing hymns for him and his son Jesse once when Jesse and Ada were home on a visit.

Wilson was a member of the Methodist Church while Sarah Alice was a member of the Christian Church since early girlhood, but when they could they would attend either church. (Re Gladys McGonagle)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010


Sarah Alice White McGonagle
1859-1948


Taken from a Newspaper Clipping, and Family Bible
Mrs. Sarah Alice McGonagle was born in Franklin Township, Harrison County, Ohio, on the 5 April 1859, the daughter of Joseph and Mahala (Johnson) White and departed this life 14 Nov 1948, aged 89 years 7 months 11 days. She was the eldest of four children: Homer and Jesse, who preceded her in death and John of Cadiz.

She was married to Wilson E. McGonagle on 6 Sep 1887 at Rev. N. Cramblett’s; the Rev. N.W. Cramblett performed the wedding. Wilson E., her husband, preceded her in death and to this union three children were born, Jesse T. McGonagle of Powell, Wyo., who married Ada Birney on the 24th of Dec 1913 in Dawson County, Nebraska by Rev. Fowler; and Harry L. of Tippecanoe R. 1, who married Gladys Eslick on June 5, 1917 at Cadiz, Ohio by Rev. A.A. Sebastain; and Melvin of the home. Two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews together with a host of friends remain to mourn her loss.

She united with the Chapel Christian Church on Weavers Run when 13 years of age. Later she transferred her membership to the Christian Church at Tappan of which she remained a member.

She had been in poor health for the past 7 years. Even though she suffered great pain she was ever patient and kind to those who ministered to her needs.

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This information was given by Marie McGonagle Grant, her granddaughter.
Sarah Alice White McGonagle was called Allie. Allie was seventeen and living at home when her father died. She was very small with a very tiny waist. When Marie was nine years old, and she and her parents lived with Grandma Mc (Allie) for two months. Marie was taller than Allie at that time.

Marie remembers her Grandmother Mac as being a very sweet and loving lady. She remembers that her Grandmother used to make sugar cookies filled with boiled raisins. Still to this day this type of cookie is Marie's favorite cookie.

Marie remembers that her Grandmother didn't spill things, she didn't make messes, and she was very neat, nothing was out of its place. She didn't tell people to pick up shoes. She did it.
Marie remembers that her Grandmother felt sad that she would never see her Grandchildren again. Marie's little sister Esther had put fingerprints on the window on the front door and Grandma Mac (Allie) would not let any one wash them off.

She loved to make poems. Her daughter-in-law Gladys McGonagle said she had a Diary full of poems she had written. But we have been unable to find the Diary. Perhaps it was sold with some of the Photo Albums. Allie made beautiful quilts. She made one for each of her two granddaughters and was making one for her foster grandson but never got it finished.
Marie remembers her Grandparent’s house. It was on a hill. They lived in the hilly part of Ohio. You would walk in the front door into the living room on the main floor and you would walk out the basement door in back. There was a small upstairs.

She remembers there being a path from Uncle Harry and Aunt Gladys McGonagle’s to her grandparents. It was about a one mile away. But if you went by road it was more like 3 miles away.

When her grandfather, Wilson E. McGonagle died, Harry and Gladys sold their farm and moved in with Grandmother (Allie). She remembers her grandparents having two phones. One phone was just for Uncle Harry. They had put up the line themselves and they didn't have to pay for that phone. The other was for everyone else.

Marie's mother said that her father, Jess, grew up on coffee, meat and bread. They would dip the bread in sop (meat juices). They didn't eat fruit. They had apricot trees but didn't like Apricots. They had a grape arbor. They had raspberries. Ada picked some for her mother-in-law, Allie and her sons Melvin and Harry thought they would not be good for her, Allie. Marie doesn't remember Allie getting sick from them. Marie remembers going to a neighbor’s, the Vickers, and she must have stayed awhile. When she left, she had walked about 1/2 mile when a man asked her if she was the McGonagle girl and where she was going. She said she was and that she was going to her grandparent’s. He told her that she had better turn around and go back the other way because she was going the wrong way. Marie wasn't sure that she believed him but turned around and sure enough she had been going the wrong way.

Monday, October 25, 2010


John Wesley Birney
1849-1910

This information was taken from three newspaper clippings.

Monday morning while J. W. Birney was picking tomatoes in his garden, eight miles northeast of town, he took a pain in his chest and went to the house to rest. Finding no relief he went to bed. He continued to grow worse and before medical aid could be summoned (in half an hour) he had quietly passed away.

It was a case of acute heart trouble. He had always been a robust man and the news of his death came as a great shock to the community.

John Wesley Birney was born in Tippecanoe, Harrison County, Ohio, October 17, 1949. Moved to Fulton, Mo., June 18, 1890 and to Dawson Co., Nebraska April 1, 1891 where he resided until God called him home at 8:50 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 1910 at the age of 60 years, 10 months and 10 days.

He was married to Miss Carrie Lee, July 11, 1878. To this union was born five daughters, four of whom survive him, one having died in infancy. He leaves a widow, four daughters, and seven grand-children to mourn his loss, besides one sister and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was converted at fourteen years of age and united with the M.E. Church. When he took up his residence in Dawson County he united with the United Evangelical church. For several years he has been a member of the Bethel Evangelical church where he was buried. When the M.E. class was organized September 28, 1902, he became a member and class leader and remained active in the Lord's work, being Sunday School superintendent or assistant and class leader until his promotion.

He was a loving husband, a kind father an esteemed neighbor and a friend to all.

He was a man who read much and the Bible was his text book. He had no Commentaries, but he had a knowledge of the work of God. As a citizen he took great interest in the affairs of his country, and his council was good both in regard to state and nation and the church.
Mr. Birney with his family have lived on a farm near Cozad, Neb., for the past 20 years and is widely known through the community in which he lived, whom to know was to love, and respect. He was a good neighbor a splendid citizen, and above all a good Christian as he was an active and willing worker in the church.

He has been a Mason for over 30 years and several years a member of Meridian Lodge No. 188 of Cozad, Nebraska. He was buried by the lodge with full Masonic honors. He was a faithful Mason, a diligent Christian and a useful intelligent citizen who will be missed by all.

His faith was firm in God, his fellowman and his community where he is remembered as an ideal man worthy of imitation. His honesty, usefulness and cheerfulness have erected to his memory a higher monument than friends could make.

His work on earth is finished and God has called him to Himself, and may we be able to bow in humble submission to God's will. The multitude of friends and neighbors of this community extend their heart felt sympathy to the bereaved and stricken widow and children in this, their time of sorrow. Funeral services were conducted in the Bethel church by the pastor, Rev. L.R. Hansberry, assisted by the former pastor, Rev. W.A. Horuaday, and the Evangelical pastor, Rev. Shaffer. The pastor preached the sermon from I Thes. 4:18-14. The funeral took place August 29th at two p.m. after which the remains were laid to rest in the Bethel cemetery under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge of Cozad.


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John's sister Isabella and husband George Johnston and family had come to Nebraska from McLean County, Illinois in the spring of 1891.They purchased a quarter section of land near Lexington, Nebraska. They came for Isabella's health. They traveled by rail with some stock and hay. George Johnston also homesteaded 80 acres northwest of Lexington (N.E. of Cozad). In order to keep it he had to build a house and live in it 6 months. This he didn't want to do. So he wrote to John Wesley Birney who had lost everything in a Rock Quarry in Ohio, and told him he could have it if he came out.

John Wesley Birney had had a Rock Quarry Business near Deersville, Ohio, with another man. Everything was going fine until one morning John went to work and found out that his partner had gone with all of the money, he had only a stone (9 1/2 long x 1 3/4 wide x 1 3/4 tall) left. Being as that was all he had left from a $10,000.00 business. They called the stone the $10,000.00 Whetstone.

The Birney's sold their good furniture to make the trip. The marble top dresser, the desk-chest of drawers and the wardrobe were their old furniture.

Information taken from Marie Grant granddaughter of John Birney and Isabelle Smith granddaughter of Isabella Birney Johnston.
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A niece of John Wesley Birney's, Mary George writes to cousin Roscoe Johnston in Feb 1964: "I remember it was like a funeral when Uncle J. W. Birney lost his money in a stone quarry and they left Tippecanoe, almost penniless, to go "out west" and start over from scratch."
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John Wesley Birney grew strawberries for a time and his daughters picked them. We have a picture of them in the field.
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Sunday, October 24, 2010


Carrie Lee Birney
1857-1930

Carrie Lee was born in Harlem Springs, Carroll County, Ohio on July 16, 1857, and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joe McKelvey of Cozad, on March 9, 1930 at the age of 72 years, 7 months and 23 days.

She was converted at the age of 11 years and the Christ who came into her life gave her strength to meet all its conflicts.

She was united in marriage to J.W. Birney, July 11, 1878 at Tippecanoe, Ohio. To this union were born five children. One of those died in infancy. The others survive her: Mrs. Joe McKelvey, Mrs. Ed Wedge, Mrs. A.D. Johnson, all of Cozad, and Mrs. J. T. McGonagle of Powell, Wyo. There are also eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. All of her brothers and sisters preceded her to the Great Beyond.

Mr. and Mrs. Birney moved to Nebraska, April 11, 1891, and located in the neighborhood of Bethel Church, northeast of Cozad. When they moved into the neighborhood a little Sunday School was held in the Puff School house. Mr. and Mrs. Birney worked in this little Sunday School, and at last saw their dreams realized in the building of Bethel Church. And here with their neighbors, many of whom have gone to their reward, they labored for Christ and His kingdom. She was steward of this church for twenty years, and also superintendent of the Sunday School.

During sickness and death in those early days when doctors were scarce and nurses almost unknown, Mrs. Birney administered to they that needed help and many families recall the loving acts of kindness. In 1903 a cyclone passed over the Bethel neighborhood and destroyed the church and several homes. Mrs. Birney, seeing a neighbor's house destroyed, waded in water to her knees as she went to help them. And when the people felt that they could not re-build the church again, it was Mrs. Birney who went out the work.

On August 27, 1910, Mr. Birney was called to the Great Beyond, Mrs. Birney remained on the farm for three years and then, with Ada and her family went to Powell, Wyoming, where she has made her home ever since.

During her last sickness she was bedfast for six months, and during that time her faith in God was strong and she expressed herself as feeling that her work was done and that her greatest happiness was to be with those that had gone on before and to be with the Christ she had served so long. Mrs. Birney made all plans for the conducting of her funeral service and her last wishes were faithfully carried out.

Brief services were held at the home, and then the services at the church were conducted by Rev. Brewer of the Buffalo Grove church and Rev. Hagemeier of the Evangelical church. The funeral sermon was preached by Mrs. G.A. Metz, who paid splendid tribute to this beautiful character. Several selections were sung by a quartet composed by Mr. and Mrs. Alf Richey, Mrs. Bert Richey, and Geo. Logan. The Richeys had sung at the funeral of Mr. Birney twenty years before.

The floral tributes were many and beautiful, testifying to the love and esteem in which all held the deceased. Interment is in Bethel Cemetery.
Taken from a Newspaper Clipping the Cozad Local 14 Mar 1930****************
Mr. and Mrs. J.T. McGonagle received the sad news last Sunday morning of the death of her mother, Mrs. Birney, at Cozad, Nebraska. Death came to this good old lady at 5 o'clock last Sunday morning, when she had reached her seventy-third year. She was known well by many people of the Powell Valley, since she had often visited her daughter here.

Mrs. McGonagle did not go back to Cozad to attend her mother's burial, for she and Mr. McGonagle had just left there from a visit on the Friday previous, arriving back at Powell Saturday night. They had been on a 5,000 - mile eastern trip to as far as Ohio this winter. They stopped off at Cozad on the way home, and they were aware of Mrs. Birney's condition, so that the telegram that came to them Sunday morning was not such a shock as it otherwise might have been.
Taken from a Newspaper Clipping of the Powell Tribune 13 Mar 1930

Saturday, October 23, 2010



Jedediah Morgan Grant
1816-1856





Jeddy’s spiritual training
Jedediah Morgan Grant was born in Union near Windsor, Broome County, New York, February 21, 1816. He was the seventh child in a family of twelve. His parents, Joshua and Athalia Howard Grant, were deeply religious, trying always to rear their children to believe in God and to develop high ideals in life. When Jedediah was a small boy, he became seriously ill and came so near dying that neighbors prepared his burial clothes, since it seemed only a matter of a short time before he would pass away. His mother, full of faith, was impressed to place his body in warm water. This treatment revived her son, and through careful nursing he was restored to health.
The family moved to Naples, Ontario County, New York. And in 1829-30 the family moved from Naples to Chatauqua. The family remained in Chatauqua for about a year.
For a short time during his youth he worked in a maple sugar plant. While he was thus engaged he heard a voice say: "Go out quickly." He hurried out and a few minutes later lightning struck the roof and demolished the building.
We have no definite knowledge of Jedediah's elementary education, but the foundation for mental pursuits and love of good books was evidently laid at an early period of life.
Converted to true church
The family left New York State and settled on the shores of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania. By this time there was a family of twelve children. While living in Erie, Pennsylvania, the gospel was brought to the door of his parents in the spring of 1832. These good people had always prayed that the Lord would lead them to the truth and with this desire in their hearts it was not difficult for them to be converted, after making a brief study of the new religion.
On March 22, 1833, Jedediah, then seventeen years of age, were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with John F. Boynton officiating. It was so cold when he came up out of the river that his clothes froze to his body. His Father, Mother and the younger children were baptized before, but the older children were allowed to make up their own minds.
Mother miraculously Healed
For some time prior to her conversion, Jedediah's mother was bedfast with rheumatism and suffered greatly, she could hardly stand to be touched. Amasa Lyman and Orson Hyde, missionaries for the Church, came to the Grant home and gave the mother a blessing, promising that her health would be restored. Many years later (1904), in speaking of this circumstance, her daughter Thedy said, "Although I was but twelve years of age at that time, I still remember how tall Elder Lyman appeared as he stood by the side of the bed telling us that the gifts of the gospel follow the believer in our day as they did in the days of the Savior. My mother requested a blessing, stating that she had faith that God could make her well. Elders Lyman and Hyde laid their hands upon her head and she was healed. She immediately got up, dressed herself, went out of doors and climbed the stairs, which were on the outside of the house, and prepared, with my help, a bed in which the elders slept that night. This impressive testimony was never forgotten by the Grant family. This room was always available whenever any Mormon missionaries visited in the vicinity of their home.
Soon after Jedediah's baptism, the family moved to Chargrin, a small town about five or six miles from Kirtland, Ohio.
Zion’s Camp
In the springtime of 1834, one year after Jedediah had joined the Church, at the age of eighteen, he was called to go with Zion's Camp on its memorable march from Ohio to Missouri. The Prophet Joseph called these men to go and assist their persecuted brethren in Jackson County, Missouri. The people living in Jackson County were very hostile to the saints, as the Prophet had announced in 1831, that "Missouri was the land which the Lord had consecrated for the gathering of his saints and the spot now called Independence is the center place." Without arguing the saints wended their way to Zion.
In the spring of 1832, there were miner disturbances such as breaking windows and burning hay stacks, but by the summer of another year the storm of hate increased. The mob was taking definite steps to rid the country of intruders. The saints promised to leave. They had many terrible experiences with mobs.
On June 19th, the members of Zion’s Camp had pitched their tents between two forks of Fishing River, in Ray County, Missouri. Five men rode into camp and announced a mob had come from Jackson County and would soon be reinforced by a hundred or more from Richmond and Clay Counties. It looked as if Zion's Camp would soon be completely annihilated. One scow lead of intruders, about forty in number, had been ferried across the river as the sun was about to set.
Divinely Protected
The camp observed a small cloud in the west. In about twenty minutes the heavens were in inky blackness, split by vivid streams of lightning. A white sheet of hailstones and rain pelted the earth. The wind hissed and a great branch broke from the trees. The scow tried to return for a second lead of men but they encountered the storm in all its fury and the man who had threatened the life of the Prophet and his brethren were drowned along with six other men. The mob left, swearing that Little Fishing River had risen thirty feet in that many minutes. Those who had ferried across the river were glad to crowd into a shanty they found or crawl under wagons or into hollow trees. The storm lasted all night. By morning they had no desire to get at "Joe Smith's Army" and were glad to return home. Jeddy endured all of the privations and sufferings experienced by that handful of valiant men and women. While the history of Zion's Camp has not been written in full and probably never will be, enough is known to show that every man who carried himself through that trying period without complaint was in reality a hero of the first order.
Mission Call
Jedediah was ordained an Elder soon after his return from his journey with Zion's Camp. On February 28, 1835, the First Quorum of the Seventy was organized and Jedediah M. Grant was ordained a member by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Immediately thereafter he was called to fill a short mission to New York State. He would probably have been surprised had he known his missionary labors were to extend, off and on, over a period of eleven years.
On the morning of May 22, 1835, in the company of Elder Harvey Stanley, he left Kirtland on his first mission to declare the everlasting Gospel. They went to Fair Port, took the steamboat to General Porter and then on to Buffalo. They then left the boat, took the Buffalo Road, traveled five miles and had breakfast at a tavern. They traveled without purse or script, as the disciples of old, asking for food and lodging in the name of the Lord. Here are a few experiences taken from the diary kept by Elder Stanley.
The second being Sunday, they received permission to hold services in a church. There were about twenty listeners who were hard hearted and impudent.
May 29th, at Bennington. Tried to get a meeting for Sunday but failed. Started next morning, found no opportunity to hold meeting, stayed at Warsaw. Tried to get a meeting there. People very hard. Gradually the attitude of the people began to change.
June 20th: Held a meeting Saturday in school house. Had a full meeting people pretty tender some believed.
A Fortnight later: Filled an appointment at four o'clock. Had a large congregation. The Lord blessed us with His spirit.
July 29th: The whole country is awakened and the Priests very mush disturbed.
Aug. 2nd: Held a meeting in school house near Willow Blackman. Had a large congregation. The Lord Blessed us. One came forward and asked for baptism. Her name was "Nancy Blackhaw." She was baptized after the meeting and confirmed the next day.
By Sept. 28th, there were ten members in the branch. By the time his mission was completed in October 1835, thirteen people had joined the church.
Jedediah returned to Kirtland in the autumn of 1835 and spent the following winter helping to complete the Kirtland Temple. He, along with every able-bodied man, gladly gave of their strength to help. With much sacrifice and hard work the temple was completed and dedicated March 27, 1836. Jedediah was privileged to take part in the most wonderful spiritual manifestations the church had known up to that time. He also was among those who received verbal instructions from the Prophet Joseph Smith relating to the duties of the members of the priesthood.
Second Mission
Two weeks after the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, April 13, 1836, Jedediah set out on his second mission to the Eastern States. This time alone. He returned to some of the same places of his first mission. For example, in Bennington, New York, he held eleven meetings. The people were friendly and gave him money to help with expenses.
He tells in the diary he kept: "The crowds were often so great the schoolhouse was not large enough to hold them, but there was still some opposition." He also wrote: "I did not want for words, for the Lord gave me his Spirit, which gave me the power of utterance, not withstanding, some of the people were very unbelieving. The Priests were stirred up. When they attended meetings, I gave them liberty for objections but I couldn't get a word out of them. As soon as I left town, they would go from house to house warning the people against going to hear me preach the false prophet, Joe Smith's gold bible."
The heckling had exactly the opposite effect on the people. Now, instead of refusing his meetings, he found it impossible to meet all their requests.
After five weeks, on June 25th, his brother Joshua and two other missionaries arrived. The brothers embraced and Jedediah commented that, "it was like a drink of cold water to a thirsty soul." Joshua remained six weeks. Meetings were held in Naples and other towns were the Grant family had lived. Jedediah joyfully wrote, "The school house cannot hold but half the people that come out in Naples." In August, Jedediah reluctantly said goodbye to his brother Joshua who left for the West.
In January, 1837, after he stopped making a day-by-day record, he wrote. "I have not given a full account of my labors for this reason. I have been so busy night and day that I have not had time to write."
In the town of Falsburg, he held sixty meetings and the people were attentive. From among them he baptized twenty-three. One of the converts was his brother, Austin Grant. The people gave him money for food, raiment and to bear his expenses home. When the weather permitted, he started home arriving in Kirtland March 13, 1837.
Third Mission
Three months later on June 6th he left for his third mission. He went east to some of the places he had been before. He then went to the Southern States where his most intensive and successful efforts were to be made. Here he labored alone. When he introduced the Gospel to this country, no Latter-Day-Saint had preached within 200 miles of Surry County, North Carolina.
The people were curious to hear the Mormon preach. They came out by the hundreds from every direction. He was invited to go East, West, North and South. When the people found he could not travel extensively on foot, they soon gave him a hundred dollars to buy him a horse and equipment suitable for traveling. Jedediah traveled as much as was possible, but still had three requests to preach where he could only fill one.
He established a small branch of the church in Patrick County, Virginia but his labors were so extensive that he didn't baptize many, but laid a foundation for a great work. He preached in courthouses and chapels, in all parts of the country and had large congregations wherever meetings were held.
The people in Virginia and North Carolina were very kind to him. They fed him and his horse, furnished him clothing and gave him money for his expenses to Far West, Missouri when his mission was over. His parents had moved during his absence.
Far West Missouri October 9, 1838, Jedediah started for Far West, Missouri. He was in charge of a group of converts from Virginia going to join the main body of the church. The first week in November, they reached the Missouri State line. What they saw there made them feel like turning back.
The trouble in Kirtland had become so bad that the Prophet and the Saints left and traveled to Missouri. The Prophet was in the Richmond jail. Jedediah found his brother, George D. Grant, there too. They would have been shot but General Doniphan, a friend of the Mormons, got them to stay the sentence.
Jedediah states that he arrived in Far West, November 12th. Here he saw fertile soil, black with smoke and desolation and the pure streams red with the blood of the Saints and wilderness sheltering the widows and orphans.
He joined his parents, who had settled near Far West on a large tract of ground, hoping that a peaceful home could be established in that fertile country. The hopes of the family were not to be realized, however, for during that winter mobs burned houses, destroyed other property, and murdered men, women, and children. Jedediah assisted his parents in exchanging their farm for a yoke of oxen, a wagon and a horse. Thus provided with transportation, the family started back toward the East, beginning their journey on Christmas Day, 1838. They stopped at a place called Henderson Grove. They found an abandoned cabin and moved in for the rest of the winter. Here they tapped the trees and made maple syrup. In the spring they went as far as Lafayette, Knox County, Illinois. Jedediah's brother, Nelson, lived here. He persuaded the family to stay with them for awhile. Joshua was too independent to stay with his son very long. In 1840, he settled ten miles west of his son, in Walnut Grove Township. The Country was unimproved prairie land. Joshua Grant was 82 years old but started building another home, which was to be the last for him and his wife.
Fourth Mission
After moving his parents, Jedediah hastened to Quincy to attend a conference and afterward went to Nauvoo, where he, on the first day of June, 1839, was called upon his fourth mission, again going to the Southern States. This mission was to coincide with the most extensive proselyting effort the prophet had launched up to this time when most of the twelve apostles were sent to England. Some left families with sickness and poverty.
This was the longest mission Jedediah had filled. It lasted for four years. In January 1840, he had the privilege of meeting with his brother Joshua Grant Jr. They traveled and preached extensively, having more calls than they could fill. They baptized ten within a few weeks and five more offered to be baptized. This increased their number to forty.
That was the age ... The time of Webster, Lincoln and Douglas ...when a debate constituted a popular form of entertainment. When a speaker made a name for himself, whether political or religious, people flocked to hear him.
Jedediah became an adroit scriptorian and orator. He had a ready wit and power of exhortation and his fame soon spread abroad. Those who heard him, remembered him even though they might not agree with him. This young man was something out of the ordinary. The religion he preached was new. The manner in which he presented it was strange, as he never prepared his sermon before hand but he read and stored in his mind the gospel truths.
Blank Text
People began to doubt that such a sermon could be preached. At their request, Jedediah promised to preach at a certain time, place and from a text to be chosen by them.
The meeting place was Jeffersonville, Tazewell County, Virginia. The courthouse, where the meetings were held, was filled to over-flowing. Some came to hear the young preacher’s message; some came out of curiosity and still others wished to see the young Mormon humiliated. A number of ministers, lawyers and other prominent men were present, occupying the front seats. John B. Floyd, who became Secretary of War, was in the audience for this was his home town.
Jedediah walked in the room. He was poorly dressed, for he was traveling without "purse or script." He looked about to see if there was another member of the church present, but failed to find one. Walking to the stand Elder Grant opened the meeting with a song and a prayer. The clerk appointed for the occasion handed him a paper. A hush fell over the audience. He opened the paper and found nothing. The paper was blank. Jedediah was not defeated so easily. He showed no surprise as he stepped before the platform and began. 'My friends, I am here today, according to agreement, to preach form such a text as these gentlemen might select for me. I have it here in my hand. I do not wish you to become offended at me, for I am under promise to preach from the text selected; and if anyone is to blame, you must blame those who selected it. I knew nothing of what text they would choose, but of all texts this is my favorite one. You see the paper is blank, you sectarians down there believe that out of nothing God created all things, and now you wish me to create a sermon from nothing, for this paper is blank. You believe in a God that has neither body parts nor passion. Such a God I believe to be a perfect blank, just as you find my text is. You believe in a church without prophets, apostles, evangelists, etc. Such a church would be a perfect blank, compared with the church of Christ and this agrees with my text. You have located your heaven beyond the bounds of time and space. It exists nowhere, and consequently your heaven is blank, like unto my text.' Having pointed out the inconsistencies in their religion, he contrasted them with what he had to offer in the restored Gospel and proclaimed the principles of the gospel in great power and wound up by asking, "Have I stuck to the text, and does that satisfy you?'
At the conclusion of his sermon, Mr. Floyd jumped to his feet and said. "Mr. Grant, if you are not a lawyer, you ought to be one." Then turning to the people who filled the court room he added, "Gentlemen you have listened to a wonderful discourse and with amazement. Now look at Mr. Grant's clothes. His elbows are almost out and his knees are almost through his pants. Let’s take up a collection." As he sat down, another eminent Lawyer, Joseph Stras, Esq. still living in Jeffersonville, arose and said, "I am good for one sleeve in a coat and one leg in a pair of pants, for Mr. Grant." A hat was thrust into the hands of the presiding elder of the Methodist Eastern Church in the South, who was requested to pass the hat around but replied that he would not take up a collection for a Mormon preacher. "Yes, you will!" shouted Mr. Floyd. "Pass it around!" Cried Mr. Stras and the cry was taken up and repeated by the audience, until for the sake of peace the minister had to yield. He accordingly marched around with a hat in his hand receiving contributions for Elder Grant. Enough money was contributed not only to buy him a new suit but a horse, saddle and bridle as well.
Quite a number of the people joined the church as a result of this meeting. In fact, due to his efforts, several branches of the church were organized and the people of the South loved him.
Who is Head of your Church?
"At another time Elder Grant was challenged to a discussion by a very eminent Baptist preacher named Baldwin. Brother Grant consented. The place chosen was the fine, large church of his proud and imperious antagonist. Mr. Baldwin was described as a man overbearing in his manners - 'a regular browbeater.' When the time came for the discussion the house was crowded. Umpires were chosen and everything was ready to proceed when Brother Grant arose and said: 'Mr. Baldwin, I would like to ask you a question before we proceed any farther.' 'Certainly,' said Baldwin. "Who stands at the head of your church in Southwest Virginia?' Mr. Baldwin very quickly replied, 'I do, sir; I do.' 'All right,' said Brother Grant, 'I wished to know that I had a worthy foe.' Mr. Baldwin looked a little confused for a moment and then said; 'Mr. Grant, I would like to ask you who stands at the head of your church in Southwest Virginia?' Brother Grant arose and with bowed head replied, "Jesus Christ, sir.'
"The shock was electrical. This inspired answer completely disarmed the proud foe and the humble servant of God again came out victor.
"It is said of him by those who remember him well and were most familiar with his life and ministry, that he ever impressed those who knew him with a maturity of his judgment and thoroughness of his discipline, as related to his own culture and occupations, and the perfection he had reached in the application of the principles of eternal life."
In the spring of 1842, as Jedediah bid the kind hearted people of Virginia, adieu, there were tears in their eyes. He returned to Nauvoo.
When Jedediah left Nauvoo for his mission, he left a place that was literally a wilderness. The land was mostly covered with trees and bushes and much of it was so wet it was difficult for a footman to get through and almost impossible to get through with a team. Now the city was lovely, from the encircling arms of the placid Mississippi, it rose to a hill top where the temple was being erected. Below, wide tree-shaded streets, which crossed each other at right angles, sheltered homes surrounded by lovely gardens.
Fifth Mission--Philadelphia
In June of 1843 he was called on his fifth mission and for one year was the presiding Elder over the Saints in the city of Philadelphia.
Martyrdom of the Prophet During the tragic days that immediately preceded the martyrdom, he was closely associated with the Prophet. He and Theodore Turley were the trusted messengers who carried the Prophet's last letter to Governor Ford, who was then in Carthage, stating that Joseph Smith would give him self up for trial. This occurred June 23, 1844. After the governor had read the message he would not allow Elder Grant and his companion time for rest but sent them immediately back to Nauvoo with orders to have Joseph Smith report to him the following morning not later than ten o'clock.
The brethren started on their return trip of twenty miles, but their already weary horses could not get them into Nauvoo until four o'clock the next morning. On this day, 1844, Jedediah M. Grant watched his beloved Prophet ride toward Carthage, never to return. Joseph Smith went sorrowfully but peacefully to his death. As he left, he gazed with anguished eyes at the partly built temple and then looked over his dream city that had become a realty.
Jedediah was among those that followed him to the outskirts of town. He took a long look at his beautiful farm. He knew he would never see it again.
Joseph Smith was promised full satisfaction by Governor Ford, but the following afternoon the terrible tragedy took place.
When, a few hours later, the mutilated bodies of the martyrs were borne out of town, they left a deserted city, frightening in its stillness. The Governor hurried to Nauvoo to warn the people not to make any demonstrations, but his warning was unnecessary.
Married Caroline Van Dyke
July 2, 1844, Jedediah M. Grant married Caroline Van Dyke, Bishop Newel K. Whitney officiating. On the same day he left Nauvoo, accompanied by his wife, for his sixth mission. Jedediah went to Philadelphia to resume his former position as presiding Elder.
After ten months in Philadelphia, Jedediah and his wife returned to Nauvoo to make their home. By this time there was a baby daughter, named Caroline, for her mother, but she was always called "Caddy." Upon their return to Nauvoo in May of 1845, he and his wife received their blessings in the temple.
Ordained first President of the Seventy
On December 2, 1845, when twenty-nine years of age, he was ordained and set apart as one of the first Seven Presidents of the Seventy, by President Brigham Young. This same year he was also set apart as an ordinance worker in the Nauvoo Temple.
The people of Nauvoo soon found they would be forced to flee to the Rocky Mountains for safety. So preparations were started. They hauled timber and started building wagons, making harnesses, clothing and getting camping equipment together.
People from all parts of the country flocked to Nauvoo to purchase houses and farms that were sold extremely low.
Forced from Nauvoo
The mob was to allow the Saints until spring to prepare. They became worse until on Feb. 11th and 12th; a long line of covered wagons poured out of Nauvoo in a steady stream and crossed the Mississippi on the ice. There were four hundred families in all. Among them were Jedediah and his wife Caroline, and little daughter, Caddie. Jedediah M. Grant left Nauvoo for the Rocky Mountains in February of 1846.
After crossing the Mississippi to Montrose, they proceeded to Sugar Creek, about seven miles distant. They traveled to Mosquito Creek, Iowa. Here a council meeting was held in a small grove. They were required to build a ferry boat to cross the river. Many of the Saints volunteered their services. The ferry was finished the following day. July 12th at Cutler's Park Colonel Thomas L. Kane arrived among the Saints. He came to assist in mustering in the Mormon Battalion into the service of the United States.
While at Jedediah's camp the young Colonel was quite ill. He never forgot the kindness shown him there. On the 18th of Sept. Alanson Eldredge, Albert P. Rockwell, Jedediah M. Grant and Ezra Chase, were appointed to locate winter quarters for the saints. They decided upon a site three miles from Cutler's Park. It was on a high plateau overlooking the Missouri River. It is now Florence, Nebraska.
"Winter Quarters"
"Winter Quarters" --- What deep emotions that name evokes in the hearts of true Latter-day Saints. The winter of 1846-47, it is as if the angel of death himself penned the day-by-day record. How the grim reaper mowed them down --- six hundred in all.
During this winter Elder Grant was requested by Brigham Young to return to the East for another short mission to communicate with Colonel Kane. While there he secured the material for a very large United States flag, which later floated over Salt Lake City for several years.
While he was away, his wife Caroline welcomed her second little daughter, May 19th 1847 at Winter Quarters. For some time after the birth of this child the mother was in very delicate health, but, even so, the journey to the valley of the Great Salt Lake was begun one month later.
About the middle of April, the first camp of Israel left on their journey west.
On the 18th of June shortly after Jedediah returned from the East, the second group of pioneers departed west. Caroline, with her month old baby in her arms and two year old Caddie, courageously climbed into her covered wagon.
Captain of one hundred wagons
Jedediah was appointed captain of one hundred wagons. He was the third. Certain requirements applied to those intending to make the trek such as: Three hundred pounds of bread stuff for each person and enough grain to last every family for eighteen months.
Leaving Winter Quarters, they traveled to a point on the Elkhorn River. Here they waited for the others to come. They erected a liberty pole on which a white banner floated, "as a signal of peace to all the nations."
On June 19th, in Jedediah's hundred, the first tragedy occurred. An Indian shot Brother Weatherly through the hip and bowels. He died the following day.
The roads were in such condition that only about ten to fifteen miles could be traveled each day. The wagons were drawn principally by oxen, but horses, cows, sheep, and chickens were also taken along. The cattle fed on the grass that the country afforded, and the men, women and children lived on the provisions that were carried in the wagons. Sometimes the food was extremely meager.
This company, like most of the others, suffered much annoyance from loss of cattle stolen by the Indians, also because of scarcity of water, and from general exposure, but faith and courage were not lacking. Sister Eliza R. Snow, who was one of the company, wrote as follows: "Many were the moon and starlight evenings when, as we circled the blazing fire and sang songs of praise to Him who knows the secrets of all hearts, the sound of our united voices reverberated from hill to hill and, echoing through the silent expanse, seemed to fill the vast concave above, while the glory of God seemed to rest on all around."
The Journal History for June 22nd gives a stirring picture of the entire camp as they moved out in orderly formation beside the Platt River. At 8 o'clock a.m., the signal for starting was given by the ringing of the Temple bell. The order of traveling was as follows: the first fifty of the first hundred took the lead. The second fifty formed a line to the right. Next to those two lines came the Charles C. Rich Company with the cannons, the skiff and the Temple Bell in the lead. The second formed to the right like the first fifty, making five lines. Each company followed in line.
Some of the Captains felt it was only fair that different companies take the lead, as those in the rear were late arriving at the campground in the evenings, and also the dust was bad. This was soon settled. The decided that the hundred in the front would travel in the rear the next day, thus travel in turns a week at a time.
On July 1st, Kinyon Kellog, age six and Robert Gardner, age five, were run over by wagons crossing the river. The boys were administered to and soon seemed on their way to recovery. On July 3rd, they took up their march at 8 a.m. Before noon the companies came to a muddy creek. The brethren cut grass and threw it in the creek and by this means they were able to cross.
July 4th the camps held a meeting. It was decided that each fifty in each hundred would travel by themselves and from separate camps. Also each fifty would herd their own stock.
July 6th the first hundred left and were followed by the second and third. Feed was good at this point, but the ground was covered with salt-petre. Some of the cattle got sick. John Taylor, in reporting to the First Presidency said, "I have never known in all my experience so little sickness and so few deaths among so many people in the same space of time." Of the six or seven deaths that did occur, three were in Captain Grants hundred.
Jedediah's wife Caroline endured the trek as best she could. Her health grew steadily worse. She tried to keep up her courage for her husband’s sake.
The ingenious pioneer post office was boards or bleached buffalo skulls on which messages were inscribed. Jedediah himself was fortunate enough to bring one into camp. It was dated May 9th on it was written: "All well -- feed bad -- are only 30 miles from Winter Quarters."
President Taylor cautioned the Saints to eat sparingly. They had nothing to depend on but their bread stuffs. They should weigh out a certain quantity of food for each day.
July 10th, hunting party was organized. They returned successful bringing to camp four buffalo, two dear, and one antelope. They were divided among the Saints.
Mountain sheep were later killed for food and once a bear was killed and divided among Captain Grant's company. With their out-of-door appetites it was eaten with relish.
About the middle of July, the travelers were in country of hordes of buffalo. On Saturday July 17th during the night, the cattle broke out of the corral in Jedediah's hundred, and in the morning, twenty yoke were gone. This delayed the companies. Captain Grant's hundred were twenty miles behind. The others could not go on without them and so they sent out men to search for the lost cattle. Two days later they were still missing. It was decided to take five yoke of oxen from each hundred and loan them to Captain Grant's Company. They were to be returned to the owners at the end of the journey. On July 24th Captain Grant's Company had moved up and they were altogether again.
Brother Grant had a kind feeling towards the Indians. Once about a hundred Indians came to their camp. As a token of peace they carried an American Flag. The camp prepared a feast for the Indians and gave them some presents. They returned the following day to trade beads, moccasins, etc., for bread and other articles. The brethren, returning the visit, traded horses, cattle and bought buffalo robes which were soon to be needed.
Aug 2nd Ezra Taft Benson was sent back with a company of horsemen to meet the Saints to tell them the first group had arrived in Salt Lake. Jedediah sent a letter back to Salt Lake with Brother Phineas Young: "My wife's health has continued to be very bad. She feels the need of the prayers and faith of those who have influence with the most high. She wishes to be remembered in your prayers."
Aug 23rd Company camped on the banks of the Sweetwater. Each camp has lost many of their cattle. This slowed down their travel. At this time Captain Grant's Company were at their lowest ebb. The Crow Indians had stolen 8 of their oxen. President Young came back to visit the Saints. His presence gave them new courage to carry on. Jedediah greeted him with tears in his eyes as six days previous on Sep 2nd in the evening, his four and a half month old baby daughter, Margaret, died of cholera. She was buried the next morning before the company moved on. His wife was so sick she was not expected to recover. The sorrow-stricken parents cheered each other as best they could and went bravely forward.
At South pass they noted that the water now ran West instead of East. They knew they were getting near their destination.
The weather was cold. They were now in the mountains. On Sep 14th Grant's hundred, which was still last, "was given permission to break up into companies of ten in order to continue the journey in greater comfort.
Sep 19th Twenty wagons came into Salt Lake. The first of the company to arrive.
Later as Caroline's health partially returned she walked each day for a little while beside the wagon. But as the company entered the upper stretches of Echo Canyon, Rocky Mountain fever attacked her weakened body.
Sep 22nd Sister Caroline Grant passed away at her company on Bear river. Some teams from Salt Lake were started back to help the Saints in the last camp.
Sep 23rd The weather was cold, ice an inch thick. We crossed eight times and traveled over the worst roads yet.
Sep 27th The second fifty of the first hundred arrived. This company had carried the cannon 54 days across the plains. They sent some teams back to help the other companies across the mountains.
Sep 28th More teams arrived in Salt Lake Valley.
It was Sep 29th 1847 that Jedediah M. Grant, driving the wagon himself that bore the remains of his wife into the Salt Lake Valley, came sadly to his destination. He had hurried ahead to keep a promise he had made to his wife that she would be buried in the valley.
Not for a moment did he let his sorrow interfere with his duty to those under his supervision. The very day of her funeral he headed eastward to help his company. Arriving in the valley, all his possessions were those in his covered wagon.
Returned for Baby’s body
True to a promise he made his wife before her death, Jedediah, accompanied by Joseph Bates Noble, began his return to the Sweet Water River only three days after his arrival in the valley to bring the body of little Margret to Salt Lake City, that she might rest in the valley by the side of her mother. These brethren, however, were to find that the grave had been robbed by the wolves. Of this sorrowful incident Brother Noble Writes:
"As we sat there alone at night by our little campfire in the very heart of the Rockies, after meditating in silence for some time, Brother Jedediah turned and requested Brother Bates sing a hymn or two. After a number had been sung, Jedediah said, 'Now sing God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform." As we finished:
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his works in vain:
God is his own interpreter
And he will make it plain.
Brother Grant sat with bowed had for some time, then he looked up and glowing with his former inspiration which I had not seen upon him for some time, declared in a firm voice, 'Bates, God has made it plain. The joy of Paradise where my wife and baby are together seems to be upon me tonight. For some wise purpose they have been released from the earth struggles into which you and I are plunged. They are many, many times happier than we can possibly be here. This camping ground should be the saddest of all sad places to me, but this night it seems to be close under heaven.' As Jedediah spoke, there vibrated in my bosom a feeling that comes only under the inspiration of God. Then we knelt in prayer, Brother Grant being mouth. It seemed to me that no human soul could have listened to his words and doubted that he talked to his Father in Heaven; doubted that the gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored and that Joseph Smith had been divinely chosen; doubted that Caroline and Margret were with their Heavenly Father in Celestial Glory."
Home in Salt Lake City
Jedediah Grant was given a lot in the Wilford Woodruff block. It measured 165 feet in width 365 feet in length. Here he built a home. ZCMI later built their store on this lot. It still stands.
They decided to build homes for the Saints instead of living in wagons during the winter. They also decide to build a stockade fort to keep out the Indians.
The winter of 1847-48, was mild, grass was abundant, flocks and herds thrived. They were able to till the earth most of the winter. But the winter of 1848-49 was very different. The coldest part of the winter was the 5th of February, the mercury falling 33 degrees below freezing. Violent and contrary winds were frequent. Snow so deep that wood was hard to find and cattle became so poor it was hard for them to pull the wood that could be found.
In the early part of February an inventory was taken of bread-stuffs. It was reported that there was about three-fourths of a pound per day for each meal, until the fifth of July.
Plural Marriage The 11th of February, 1849, one year after the death of his wife, Jedediah accepted the doctrine of plural marriage and married Susan Noble and Rosetta Robison at the home of Joseph Bates Noble. Both of these young women had crossed the plains in the same company as Caroline. They had known and loved her and were glad to mother her daughter.
Militia
The people of the land of Deseret began to organize a militia and in May of that year they were glad to report the completion. But by no means in that short space of time was it at once perfected. The old name of the "Nauvoo Legion" was very endeared to so many that were now members of the militia. However the name was now changed to The Militia of the State of Deseret.
Elder Grant was elected to serve as Brigadier-General of the first brigade of the Nauvoo Legion, and was later promoted to the major-general-ship of the First Division which military office he held until the time of his death. He was a very efficient officer. He was valiant, energetic and just. In the difficulties with the Indians at that time he manifested considerable skill, and was always regarded as eminently jealous of the right of the red men as well as the safety of the whites. January 19, 1851, Jedediah M. Grant was elected the first mayor of Salt Lake City, a position he held until his death.
On the organization of the territory of Utah, certain officials from the capital came to Utah. Finding the situation in Utah not to their liking they returned to the east after a few months with a report which grossly miss-represented the people of the Salt Lake Valley and made some outrageous charges against them.
Representative to Washington D.C.
In 1851, at the request of President Young, Jedediah M. Grant went to Washington, D.C., for the purpose of counteracting the misrepresentations of Chief Justice Brocchus who had maliciously stated that he was forced to leave Utah because of the "lawless acts and seditious tendencies of Brigham Young and the majority of the people.
“With the support of Thomas L. Kane, staunch friend of the Latter-day Saints, Elder Grant with his quick wit and incisive statements was largely successful in his mission. Mayor Grant was called to go to Philadelphia and New York, for the purpose of correcting the untrue stories of the "runaway judges," as the official came to be known. With his fighting spirit he thoroughly enjoyed the assignment. The letters he wrote to the New York Herald and addressed to James Gordon Bennett, its editor, which one writer said "entitled him to a place in front ranks of home literature."
In this letter he introduced many pingent proverbs such as the following: "While the grass grows the cows starve; while congress is taking its months to do the work of a day, the verdict of the public goes against us, and we stand substantially convicted of anything and everything that any or every kind of black-guard can make up a lie about. Laws catch flies and let hornets go free."
There was humor to relieve the grim earnestness of the letters, as when he wrote; "No solemn, sanctimonious face I pull, nor think I'm pious when I'm bilious!" Sometimes there was a chip on my shoulder attitude "I have stood up for my Country in more ways than one that I don't condescend to mention."
In answer to an accusation that Mormons were unpatriotic he wrote: "I have read the constitution of the United States, Article 4, Section 2, Clause 1. He that wants me to answer whether or not I am not as good an American as he is shall step out like a man and insult me to my face." He was described as "being always smiling when he was not angry, but when he was in anger, no man would care to face him." These letters had quite an effect on the thinking of the people in the east at that time and as a result of these letters the "report" fell flat the runaway officials never recovered from the wholesome exposure of their conduct.
He was Speaker of the Territorial House of Representatives, 1853-1855.
Apostle
On April 7, 1854, he was ordained an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was set apart as second counselor to President Brigham Young, in which calling he served two years up until his death.
Four more wives and nine children
From 1851 to his death in 1856 Jedediah's life was full. He married four more women. Had six sons, one son by each of his six wives and had two daughters, and adopted a son.
In spring of 1851 he adopts with Susan 12 year old John McKeachie and renames him Lewis McKeachie Grant
9 Oct 1853 a son Jedediah Morgan is born to him and Rosetta Robinson
17 Oct 1853 a son Joseph Hyrum is born to him and Susan Noble
On 15 Dec 1853 he marries Sarah Ann Thurston
On 17 Feb 1854 he marries Louisa Marie Goulay Grant widow of his brother Joshua Grant Jr.
On 16 Aug 1854 he married Maryette Kesler
On 27 Apr 1855 a son George Smith is born to him and Sarah Ann Thurston.
On 19 Sep 1855 a daughter Susan Vilate is born to him and Susan
On 27 Nov 1855 a daughter Rosetta Henrietta is born to him and Rosetta.
On 29 Nov 1855 he marries Rachel Ridgway Ivins.
19 Apr 1856 a son Joshua Frederick is born to him and Louisa.
15 Oct 1856 a son Brigham Frederick is born to him and Maryette.
22 Nov 1856 a son Heber Jeddy is born to him and Rachel.
Jedediah led a very active life. He enjoyed socials held by the Church and those he attended as Mayor of the city. He led a strenuous life -- many times attending three meetings during the same afternoon and evening -- he exhausted his physical strength and collapsed.
It is recorded that "his work in the Reformation, which he conducted almost with the fervency of a crusader, had brought out all his potential powers and apparently there was a great future for him in the Church - but it was not to be so."
Illnesses
His spirit went joyfully to join those of his family and friends who had gone before him. Because of his great zeal to promote the spiritual welfare of his people he had worn him self out. He contracted a severe cold which rapidly developed into pneumonia and on Monday, December 1, 1856, his valiant spirit departed this life. He was forty years old. He died in the home he had built, which stood where Z.C.M.I. now stands, on Main Street in Salt Lake City. His son, Heber J. Grant, was then only nine days old.
Near death experiences
Two nights in succession before the death of Jedediah M. Grant he was permitted to visit the spirit world. Telling of his experience to those about him, he said, "I saw the order of righteous men and women, beheld them organized in their several grades, and there appeared to be no obstruction to my vision. I looked to see whether there was any disorder, but there was none. I saw the righteous gathered together and there were no wicked spirits among them." The people he saw were organized into family groups in perfect harmony. He saw his wife Caroline. She was the first person who came to him; she looked very beautiful; she had their child Margret in her arms, and said: "Here is our little Margret, the wolves did not harm her."
He said that in some of the families there he saw a lack for they would not be permitted to come and dwell together, because they had not honored their calling here on earth. Brother Grant said that the Lord gave Solomon wisdom and poured gold and silver into his hand, that he might display his skill and ability and said that the temple erected by Solomon was much inferior to the most ordinary building he saw in the spirit world. Brother Grant told of flowers and trees and spacious buildings and of his great desire to be permitted to remain. He felt extremely sorrowful at having to leave so beautiful a place and return to the earth. He later said: "I looked upon my body with loathing but was obliged to enter it again."
Funeral
On December 4, his funeral was held in the Old Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. At nine o'clock, the day of the funeral, stores in the city were closed and remained so until after the services. Many of them had their doors draped in black. Flags were flown at half-mast and crepe was sewn at the ends of the colors. Officers of the city council wore badges of crepe on their left arm for thirty days in respect for the departed.
The funeral was scheduled for ten o'clock, but the ceremonies of the morning took so long it was ten minutes to twelve when President Young arose to address the vast audience. Another speaker was Heber C. Kimball. Among other things, President Young said: "Some men would have to live to be a hundred years of age to be as ripe in the things of God as was Brother Grant; as was the spirit which inhabited this deserted earthly tabernacle. There are but few that can ripen for the glory, the immortality that is prepared for the faithful; for receiving all that was purchased for them by the Son of God, but very few can receive what Brother Grant has received in his lifetime. He has been in the Church upward of twenty years, and was a man that would live, comparatively speaking, a hundred years in that time.
Jedediah M. Grant was buried in the City Cemetery at Salt Lake City, Utah, aged forty years and nine months.

This information was taken from a story written by Sadie Grant Pack and Susie Grant Mann in 1936 printed in Our Pioneer Heritage Unpublished Pioneer Stories pages 193-199, and a History written by a great granddaughter of Rosetta Robinson Grant, and a History written by a great-great granddaughter Sally Grant for a seminary report.