Lucinda Bess Hendricks (Juel Josiah's mother)

Lucinda Bess Hendricks

 

            Lucinda Bess Hendricks was born 19 December 1842 in Greenwood New York, the seventh child of Juel Josiah and Laura Richison Bess.  The following names are of her brothers and sisters:  Oliver, James, Laura, Eliza, William, and Lurinda, which was her twin sister.  Her parents were staunch members of the L.D.S. Church, but the shadow of death visited this home and took the beloved father to another clime, and a great responsibility fell upon Laura, the mother of this small group of children.  But undaunted in her faith she began preparing to cross the trackless plains.  Trouble never came singlely.  Two of her children, James and Eliza, were kidnapped by her husband’s mother, who said she was crazy and not fit to take care of her children.  Therefore she had to have a doctor’s certificate to state she was sane before she could get her children back. 

            Laura, a very strong character surmounted all obstacles, so Lucinda crossed the plains with her family in 1848.  She was baptized a member of the Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She also receiver her endowments in the Endowment House at the age of seventeen.  Her school teachers were few.  Her school books were the Bible and Book of Mormon. 

            To assist with living expenses she embroidered buckskin gloves and various other things. 

            In a social way she partook of the activities of the young people, and many times attended banquets at the home of Brigham Young.  Later in life at the age of 23 she became the plural wife of Joseph Smith Hendricks and to that union was born eight children names as follows:  Juel, Laura L., William D., John H., Lurinda A., Asa O., Lola E, and Hyrum S.  She fought the good fight, and lived and died a true Latter-day Saint.  She was also a Relief Society worker.  Prayer was her watchword and all her troubles and sorrows were told to the Lord, and He in return gave her strength to carry on. 

            Dear Blessed Mother, I get so lonesome to see your dear face, but I know you are happy up there in you lot and place, so let us as her descendants, dare to do right, and dare to be true, and do the work she would have us do. 

            She has eight children, thirty-eight grandchildren, and number of great grand children, a few great great grandchildren. 

                                                                                    Lurinda A. Hendricks Leavitt

Sariah Fidelia Pew Hendricks - Joseph Smith Hendricks' first wife

Sariah Fidelia Pew Hendricks

            Sariah Pew was born in Jackson County Missouri on August 11, 1833.  She was the daughter of William and Caroline (Calkin) Pew.  He was a ship builder serving his apprentice – ship probably, in St. Louis, Missouri.  They heard the gospel and both joined the Church.  It seems the must have had to remain at his work, for she came on with the Saints to Jackson County, Missouri.  Their first child, Hyrum, named for Hyrum Smith who brought the Gospel to them, was born in 1831 before she left for Jackson Co.  Sariah was born a few months after she arrived at this place.  Caroline frequently heard from him for a time telling her when his time was up he would join her and the children.  However some time before his release from his contract, his letters stopped coming, and several months later his tool chest came to her.  But instead of containing his tools it was filled with trash.  Although she tried to learn something of him, she never did.  She always thought that he had been killed and robbed. 

            She went with the Saints when they were driven from Jackson Co., and again when they were mobbed and ordered to leave the state or be exterminated.  John H. Tippets and family became her friends and she traveled with them.  Many apostatized and the poor had to be helped by others.  They had gone only six miles when the wagon tire broke.  Brother Tippets and another man 70 years old walked the six miles to have it mended then back again to their wagon.  They went on and caught up with their company by dark where they had camped.  They arrived in Quincy, Illinois in April 1839. 

            Caroline went on to Nauvoo, there she lived near the Prophet Joseph.  Little Sariah now six years old and went to school in his house.  One day he took her on his knew and asked her if she knew she was born in the Garden of Eden.  He said always remember that and tell your children you were born in the Garden of Eden.  Caroline was a tailor and worked hard to support her children, the Prophet asked if he might adopt the little girl. 

            In March her friend Abby Tippets died at childbirth, the child, a son died too.

            26 September 1840, Caroline married John Tippets, their first child they named Abby Jane, who died when about 4 months old. 

            After the Prophet’s death, the Temple at Nauvoo was hurried to completion so the Saints could have their endowments.  There Caroline and J.H. Tippets received their endowment and were sealed in 1846. 

            Sariah was baptized in the Missouri River.  Brother Tippets was a member of the Mormon Battalion and so went into Salt Lake Valley in 1847.  Then went back to Winter Quarters to brink his family.  Early in 1848, they started on the long trek across the plains.  Sariah was now about 14 years old.  She and her little brother would gather buffalo chips with which they made their camp fires when wood was not available. 

            On the way they lost two cows and three oxen.  But they were going to a home where they could live as they desired so they did not complain.  They milked the cows in the morning and put the milk in a jar.  By night there would be fresh butter for the newly made salt rising bread, this was made from a start called emptings.  Hyrum and Sariah drove an ox team and walked most all the way from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake Valley.  

            Their first home was a dug out about 10 feet into the hill on City Creek, the front built up of dirt.  During the winter they built a house and in the spring moved into it. 

            Fashion followed then and it became the style to have very small waistlines.  If a man could span his sweet hearts waist with his two hands she was the bell of the ball.  One morning when her father, Brother Tippets went to call Sariah, he found she had slept in her corset to make her waist smaller.  He cut the string it surely would have awakened her had she not fainted.  He was kind to her, as if she were his own daughter and she adored him.  They lived there eight years and there the youngest girl was born.  When she grew up she was known to all as Aunt Fin.

            Sariah was married January 4, 1857 to Joseph S. Hendricks.  He was nineteen, and she was twenty three years old.  They went to the Bath house to live, which Joseph and his mother were running.  They had three negro servants to do much of the hard work, but she always found plenty to do, much to the admiration of the servants whose names were Bill, Cad, and Chloe. 

            Their first child, a girl whom they called Lilly was born there and died in a few months.  24 September 1859 another baby girl was born to them.  Her name was Sariah Fidelia, who grew to be a wonderful woman and nurse to all far and near of the pioneer section near her home in Snake River Valley to whom she was Aunt Dea, when she was eight months old the family moved to Richmond, Utah.  Three children were born in Richmond, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Inez. 

            When they moved to Snake River Valley, James Pilant “Jake” a young man from Nebraska went with them, their home was always his home.  He became as one of the family.   

            Their food was raised on their own farms, meat, milk, butter, eggs, and vegetables, having their grain made into flour.  Fish and game were plentiful.  Sweets such as sugar and syrup’s were brought in from outside. 

            The houses were made of logs most of them with dirt roofs.  But the Hendricks’ home had board roof and two rooms.  So many of the meetings and gatherings were held in their home. 

            Nearly all her life was spent on the frontier enduring the hardships and trials of the pioneer.  But she was always patient and a faithful Latter-day Saint working in Relief Society an Primary so long as she was able.  Being of such a loveable nature, friend and mother to everyone she became known throughout the country as Aunt Rye and her husband Uncle Joe. 

            When she was about 60 years old her son’s wife died leaving a family of six children, the baby two weeks old.  She took him and his children into her home and cared for them till they were married except one, who was shot while learning a .22 rifle, and died of lock-jaw. 

            Sometime near 1915-16 they moved back to Lewiston, Utah where 16 June 1919 she passed from this stage of life.  Funeral services were held at the Lewiston First Ward.  Bishop G A Hogan presiding.  Speakers were James W. and Brigham Hendricks, nephews of the deceased, and Brigham Pond.  Each of whom spoke of the noble spirit she possessed.  She was buried in Richmond, Utah.  

Joseph Smith Hendricks

I found an old book barely holding together in my dad's collection of family history.  It has a collection of original photos and biographies.  The book was compiled by a M.F.H.K.  I don't know who that is.  I think she wrote this biography of Joseph Smith Hendricks and is his daughter.  I don't know from which wife though.  It is hand written.  Although it could also have been written by a Lurinda Hendricks Leavitt.  They have similar handwriting.  I will try to post some additional biographies found in the book as time allows.  I enjoyed reading a biography of Joseph Smith Hendricks written by his child.  

Joseph Smith Hendricks

            Joseph, second son, fifth and youngest child of James and Drusilla Dorris Hendricks, born in a moment of quiet between mob drivings and persecution, where they had stopped to raise a crop at Far West, Caldwell Co. Mo. 23 Mar. 1838.

            A rare privilege was granted this babe, when he was taken in the arms of the Prophet Joseph Smith who blessed him and gave him his own name.  What a moment of joy, this must have been to his proud parents whose love for their prophet was perhaps surpassed only by their love for the things he taught.

            Peace was not for long; in August of the same year trouble began again.  Election was the excuse this time.  The crops were nearly all destroyed, and mob violence grew.  Joseph’s father was called out in defense of some brethren who were held and beaten by the mob, and was shot 24 Oct. 1838 in the battle of Crooked River.  Again the family, with many others, was driven from the state.  The mother with her little children and almost helpless companion were compelled to move on.  Many times there was little or nothing in their house to eat, and the mother’s heart ached when her baby asked for food which she could not provide, but as many times as needed the Lord came to their rescue and in some way they were supplied with enough to carry on. 

            You have read in Grandmother Drusilla’s history how they were driven again and again until they found another brief rest in Nauvoo, The City Beautiful.  Here Joseph Smith Hendricks, no doubt, at times watched the construction of the magnificent Temple, listened to the voices of the Prophet and apostles, went into their homes, or played with their children.  A picture he always retained in his mind was of Joseph Smith riding his splendid white horse at the head of the Nauvoo Legion.  He was six years old when the Prophet and Patriarch were martyred; he very likely went with his family to join the sad procession of mourning friends as they paused for one last look at their beloved leaders.  He was with his mother in that momentous meeting when the mantle of Joseph the Prophet fell upon Brigham Young.  He saw his mother quickly stand as many others, as they softly and wondrously exclaimed, “Can it be Joseph?”  For surely it was his voice.  But it was not Joseph, and these faithful saints knew their chosen leader was Pres. Brigham Young. 

            In Feb. of 1846, this family with others of the Church was again driven from their homes, from the State of Illinois across the frozen river, and the city of Nauvoo, with its beautiful Temple in the arm of the majestic Mississippi became as the “Deserted Village.”  The inhabitants with what little of their substance they could pack in a wagon or two, once more became wanderers facing they knew not what, going they knew not where, but fulfilling prophecy as they turned their faces westward toward the Rocky Mountains, and the Desert which would ‘blossom as the rose,’ where mobs would be left behind.  Weary destitute and ill there was yet another blow to be struck by their enemies.  This time in the “Call to Arms.”  This time five hundred of their able bodied men were to leave their families’ in wagons, tents, and on the trackless prairie, to fight for their country, which they loved, but which they felt were driving them from its border.  Joseph’s father not able bodied but still a cripple from the bullet of the mob could not answer the call, which duty fell upon William, the oldest son.  This left Joseph who was about nine years old to be the main help to his mother in tending and driving the oxen, and other chores needed to travel with a wagon train.  The 4^th of October 1847 they entered the Salt Lake Valley.  Ten days later the soldier brother joined them. 

            Salt Lake Valley!  Did that nine-year-old boy dream of the adventure, the hardships, the romance and final triumph that lay ahead. 

            With William’s return they built a home within the fort wall.  Hunger stood at the door through that long hard winter.  Crops were planted in the spring, and just when they held up the promise of the harvest, came the crickets.  Joseph and Rebecca were the youngest of the Hendricks family.  Both of them would hold an end of a bed cord, dragging it over the grain, knocking the crickets off the precious wheat.  Meanwhile their father and brother brushed them from the corn to save what they could of that.  You know the story of the crickets, the despair they brought to those disheartened pioneers, and the soul-stirring miracle, the rescue by the sea gulls.  It was just another trial.  The Lord had not forgotten His people. 

            They went to the warm springs and built a house and bathhouse.  They did not remain there long. 

            Joseph and Rebecca found much pleasure in singing. 

            On the 4^th of January 1857 when Joseph was 19 years old he was married by Pres. Young to Sariah F. Pew, daughter of William and Caroline Calkins Pew. 

            In the winter and spring of the next year came Johnston army, they with the others of Salt Lake City fled southward, leaving their homes deserted and ready for the torch.  This time the promise was kept, the soldiers marched through the city and camped on the opposite side of the Jordan River, three days later they passed on to the south west and founded Camp Floyd.  The word was carried to the refugees and they returned unmolested to their homes.  Two children were born to them in Salt Lake, Lillie and Fidelia.  Lillie died in infancy. 

            Pioneers – one who goes before to prepare the way for others.  These were pioneers, and now they moved onto Cache Valley and built a home in Richmond sometime about 1860.  He acted as minuteman and scout against Indian attacks between Richmond and Franklin.  In 1864 in obedience to council and at that time practice of the Church, he married as a plural wife Lucinda Bess, daughter of Juel J. and Laura Richison Bess.  Nine children were born in these two families while in Richmond.  Three were Sariah’s, and six were Lucinda’s. 

            Sometime near 1877 they made their way northward and built a home in Swan Lake Idaho, where two more children were born to Lucinda.  Here also in these first years a real siege of sickness fell upon these homes.  First Lola died.  A little later Libbee had typhoid fever, Inez and Laura were suffering with diphtheria, Juel and Will were also ill.  One winter day for about three hours, Laura lay so quiet, it seemed she must surely have passed from this life.  But she aroused and told her mother she had been in the other world, and that she had seen her relatives on the other side.  She told what a beautiful world it was and she wanted to go back, at her Mother’s protest she replied that she must go at once, she and Inez too.  Early in December they both joined those on the other side. 

            For a while Joseph drove freight teams, then contracted the building of railroads up through Idaho into Montana.  They were working with large groups of men.  He was a member of the High Council when he was in Swan Lake and Oxford. 

            Then came word that the rich Snake River Valley held a promise of prosperity and bright future – to those who would brave the hardships and struggle to subdue the wilderness. 

            Pioneers?  Yes the pioneer spirit arose to meet this challenge.  And once again these families loaded their goods into wagons and moved farther to the north, homesteading farms and making the sage country beautiful with fields of waving grain and hay.  They called their new home Marysville, a valley between the North Fork of the Snake and Fall River guarded on the east by the lofty and inspiring Teton Peaks. 

            To build homes in this wild untamed country meant work, hard work, long hours of work, but with it came the joy of achievement and a task well done.  Trees were cut and brought in to build houses.  Tall heavy sage brush thick sweet scented buck brush was cleared that the fields might be plowed and planted, these roots were large and tough, but they worked together undaunted men, women, and children, as little by little the sage gave way to growing crops.  Homes were enlarged, and fences built.  They were not fences of steel and wire at first, but high leaning pole fences picturesque and practical.  Canals were dug to sustain the thirsting crops.  The main one was the Brady Canal, for years it seemed all the time that what could be spared from the farms was given to this work.  Men with teams and scrapers digging deep to build this main artery of the network which is the lifeline of the country.  A dug way was made down to Warm River, where Joseph and others had a sawmill from which building materials were supplied to build up this new country.  A place for school and worship was soon needed.  At first gatherings could be held in the homes, but before long these were inadequate. 

            Water was hauled from the rivers in barrels and covered with clean canvas held in place by the hoop.  Lights were coal oil lamps, and sometimes candles.  Winter roads were often bad and travel dangerous.  One might start in what seemed ample time to reach his destination, but if a blizzard came up or a horse slipped off the road many hours might be consumed in going but a little way. 

            They pioneered not only temporally but also in spiritual affairs as they built up the ward adding one organization then another, each one doing his bit were it little or much.  Joseph was councilor to Bishop James H. Wilson for many years. 

            The social side of this growing community was not neglected.  There were home talent plays, Magic Lantern pictures, dances, surprise parties, and on the 24^th of July almost the entire community would take a vacation camping and fishing in the hills on Warm River or Big or Lower Falls on the Snake River.

            Another annual event was the Hendricks Family Reunion, where most everyone for miles was invited.  Joseph would lead in the merriment with singing and dancing.  Some of the old songs were “Hard Times”, “Fall River Valley”, and “Nelly Gray”, “After the Ball”, and “The Nauvoo Song”, but I think the most loved of all was “Come, Come ye Saints” and “Small Wonder,” as he would tell the stories of what we now call Church History, not as he had read them, but as he had seen them, lived them, and played a part in their making.  He would tell them with such fervor and conviction that his hearers, adult and children alike, would thrill with the spirit of his testimony.  Was it a factor in making you love the gospel and the history of our people as it was to me?

            He led in the dancing too, usually in the Virginia Reel, not the wild frolic we have made of it, but sedate and stately – I wish you could have seen them dance, you who did not.

            Joseph had the gift of healing, through the power of the Priesthood.  Sometime near 1914 they moved to Lewiston, Utah where he lost his wife Sariah in 1919.  He passed from this stage of life in 1922 in Tremonton, Utah at the home of his granddaughter.  Lucinda joined them about tree years later.  Not enough can be said of the sterling character of these Pioneer parents of ours.  And we are proud to be their children.