Biography of Margaret Mustard Sant

This is Ione’s Great Grandmother: The line goes Ione Sant--parents:
George Oscar Sant; Luvannah Townley--parents: George Jr. Sant
and Sarah Jane Clifford--parents: George Sant; Margaret Mustard.

George Sant Sr., Margaret Mustard (wife)

Sisters - Hannah Millington and Euphema Bain

  

Biography of Margaret Mustard Sant

Margaret Mustard, the daughter of David

and Margaret Kay Mustard, was born in Fifeshire,

Brunt Island, Scotland on March 9, 1842. Her life

history is given here in her own words.
 

      “In April, 1848, my father got the spirit of gathering

and left his native land to come to Zion to prepare a

place for my mother and me to come to. We remained

in Scotland.  Father worked in St. Louis until 1840,

when he came to Utah. He earned money and sent

for Mother and me. We came in 1852. We crossed

the sea in the ship “Ellen Maria”.  We sailed on

February 10, 1852. There were 369 other saints

in the company under command of Isaac G. Haight,

with George B. Wallace as assistant. We landed at

New Orleans April 6, after being eight weeks on the

sea in a sailing vessel. We had a severe storm of

three days and we steerage passengers were fastened

down under the hatches and not one allowed on deck

until it was over. My tenth birthday was spent on the sea.

After arriving at New Orleans, we took a steamboat

and sailed up the Mississippi River to St Louis where

we changed steamers and went up the Missouri River

to Kansas City, which took another week, thus making

two weeks to make the trip from New Orleans to Kansas

City. We remained here until the captain bought our tents

and wagons. Then the men went to Independence to buy

the oxen to convey us across the plains.”

      “While they were gone the Cholera broke out in our

camp and a great many of our company died, 63 in all.

Seth Langton’s father, mother and sister were among them.

The citizens of Kansas were greatly alarmed and took

their own teams and moved us ten miles out on the prairie.

There was a beautiful stream of water, and plenty of wood

there. A week later, the men came with the cattle, then

we prepared to take the trip across the plains during

which we passed through many hardships.”

      “A.O. Smoot was our captain and Christopher Langton

was his assistant. There were 31 wagons. This company

brought the remains of Elders Lorenso D. Barnes and

William Burten who had died in the mission field.

(Elder Barnes died in 1842 and the Prophet preached

his funeral sermon at Nauvoo). The Indians stampeded

our cattle several times. My mother walked all the way.

Many of the women had to wade the rivers, there being

no bridges in those days. The rivers crossed were the

Bag River, Little Blue Virmilian River, Platt River, Green

River, Sweetwater River, Bear River and Weber River.

Some of the landmarks seen in crossing the plains

were Fort Laramie, Fort Kearney and Fort Bridger.”

      “We were met at the mouth of the canyon by President

Brigham Young, accompanied by Captain Pitt’s band and

many citizens. They brought watermelons, and we had a

great feast and celebration. We were met at the 19^th Ward

Square by Robert Watson and taken to his house. Father

had gone to California with I.B. Nash to drive cattle, and

had arranged with Brother Watson to keep us until he returned.

      “We arrived in Salt Lake Valley September 3, 1852.

My first thoughts in seeing the valley were of thankfulness

in getting off the plains and coming to our journey’s end.

We drove oxen on our journey across the plains.

Their names were Tom and Banly.”

     “When father returned, he bought a house and lot

from a man named Tom Walker for $150.00. It was in

the 15^th ward and had corn, potatoes and other vegetables

on it.  Our first home in Utah was a two room adobe house.

Father brought a Colt’s revolver and a Bowie Knife and

belt from California which he sold for a high bed-stead,

six common chairs and a rocking chair. I was the only

child and my bed was made up on the chairs. We went

through many hardships that first winter. The first grain

threshed the first year or so was with a flail, and was out

with a scythe, raked with a hand rake, then threshed.

The food rations during the first year were bread, butter,

milk, and vegetables. We used Segos, Nettle and Mustard

Greens, as food substitutes.We pioneer women did some

weaving the first year, and I learned to spin. However,

we had brought good clothes with us from Scotland.”

      “The Nauvoo Legion took part in all the celebrations

in Utah. The first bands of music I remember were

Captains Ballow’s Brass Band and Dimmock Huntington’s

Marshal Band. David McKensie was the first engraver,

while William C. Stain was the first florist. The first

doctors were Doctors Anderson, Sprague and Williams.

The first Midwives were Mrs. Hardy and Mrs. Dunkinson.”

      “In 1847-1948 City Creek separated at the Eagle Gate,

one branch went west and the other toward Main Street.

I do not know when it’s course was changed.”

     “Herbs were often used in those early days in

place of Medicine from the Doctors.”

      ‘The first celebration I remember was July 4, 1852,

while we were coming across the plains.”

“ We went through the Grasshopper War of 1854-1855.

The Grasshoppers came and ate everything green on top

of the ground, even the leaves off the trees.  The sun

was darkened for several days by the hoppers.”

     “In the spring of 1856 my father was called with

others to go on a mission to go and help settle Fort Supply

out near Fort Bridger, 110 miles east. One night we went

to bed hungry. George Barber and family were there too and

were short of food. Four of the brethren married squaws.

They were counseled to do so but very few obeyed that

counsel. We moved back to Salt Lake City in the fall and

never went back again. My mother had raised a little

garden and we got along.”

     “One little incident that I will never forget is this:

One morning father and mother were called by the

bishop of the 15^th Ward to go and get their Endowments

in the Endowment House. We had no food in the house

so they went to the Globe Bakery and got some cakes.

 I, with a neighbor’s daughter, went to Brigham’s Mill

(that now stands in Liberty Park) to buy some flour.

On the way we made up what we were to say to the miller,

though we had money to pay, he would not always let the

flour go. My companion was a young married woman

whose mother was a widow with six children. She said

to me, “You wait outside, and I will go in and tell him

that my mother is a widow with six children and I will

cry and you watch. Then when you see him giving me

some, you come in.” The plan worked all right, and we

each got one dollars worth of flour, sixteen pounds.

We then had to walk four miles home, but we were

so happy that it did not seem so long.”

      “In September 1856, there were Relief Societies

organized in the 14^th and 15^th Wards, with Phoebe

Woodruff, President of the 14^th and Mother Grange,

President of the 15^th Ward. The late companies,

the hand cart companies, were out on the plains and

the Societies were told by the President to make warm

clothing, socks and stockings, to send back. So the sisters,

young and old, went to work in earnest to prepare something

to comfort the poor souls in the mountains. In December,

1856, the last company of hand carts came in. It was Sunday,

and we were at meeting in the small tabernacle when the

word was brought to President Young. He arose saying,

“Consider yourselves dismissed. Go and minister to our

poor brothers and sisters. And you Bishops take all you

can in your wards and provide for them.” Quite a number

was taken to the 15^th ward where my mother and I used

to go and help them what little we could.”

      “I omitted to say that while crossing the plains, I was

baptized in the Platt River in June, 1852.”

      “In the summer of 1857, President Young invited all

who could to go up to Cotton Wood Canyon to spend the

24^th of July. Hundreds went. I went with a party of three

couples in a covered wagon with one yoke of oxen to draw

us over a very rough road. While in the midst of the
festivities, Abraham O. Smoot And Judsen Stoddard
came over the mountains with the message that
General Harney with two thousand troops had been
ordered to Utah, and some Artillery men.  I was one
of the number who saw these men come over the
mountains to tell President Young of the coming of
the army. The people were celebrating July 24^th.

Three large bowery’s had been made with good floors
for dancing also some songs to amuse the people. 
Ballow’s Brass Band and Dimmock Huntington’s Martial
Band, besides several fiddlers (Hop Pender,
Luts Brothers, and others) played the music.”

       “President Young sent men out on the plains to harass

the soldiers and prevent them from coming into Salt Lake

City. A large number were camped in Echo Canyon to

prepare a defense and prevent the soldiers from entering

the Valley. All winter the men were in the mountains

preparing breast works and other defenses for the

protection of the people. The Relief Society sisters who

could spin yarn and knit socks and mittens for the men

and boys who were out did so for their comfort. They

had a great many sewing bees, wool pickings, and

quilting bees in order to help make the men in the

mountains more comfortable. But the men had a

good time, both singing and dancing.  My father

was out there. He has told me of the stag dances

they had and the songs they sang. They were a

brave lot of men and they were not afraid of the soldiers.

 

One of the original songs sung is as follows:

      “Squaw killer Harney is on the way,

        The Mormon people for the slay,

        But if he comes we’ll have some fun

        To see him and his Jimmies run.”

 

The Chorus of another is:

      “Then let us be on hand,

        By Brigham Young to stand,

        And if our enemies do appear,

        We’ll sweep them from the land.”
 

“President Young prepared a warm reception for

the soldiers when they came. These were serious times.”

     “In the spring of 1858, President Young thought it

best for the people north of Salt Lake City to move south

of the City to be more prepared to defend themselves,

so all the people from Brigham City south left their

homes and scattered themselves, some going to one

settlement and some to another.”

      “My parents, leaving their home, moved to Lehi,

not knowing if we would ever return to see the place again.”

      “The three couples of us took tents and enough food

for four days. All had a splendid time. The news was

not given out about the soldiers coming until the bugle

called everyone to President Young’s camp to prayers.

That was done every night and morning. All went home

the next day after hearing about the soldiers.There was

no excitement. So ended the celebration of the 24^th of

July, 1857, ten years after the Pioneers entered the

Salt Lake Valley.”

      “I was working out and went south with my

employers who went in a company to Cedar City,

Iron County, Utah. Several men were sent to Salt

Lake City from Cedar City and surrounding country

to help the people move south. George Sant was sent to

help us move. On the way south, we became acquainted

and attached to each other, and he asked me to become

his wife. We were married in Cedar City On October 2,

1858, by Isaac C. Haight, who was Captain of our

company on our journey to Utah. We lived there for

two years. I did not know much about housekeeping

but soon learned to card, spin, and weave. I did lots

of this work after we came to Smithfield. We had

hardly anything to keep house with. We mixed our

bread in a wooden box, and baked it on a hot rock

in front of the fire. We had two pottery plates and

a pitcher. We often drank bran coffee without sugar

or milk. Our bed was of straw without a tick, laid down

on the floor. We had only two quilts.  Our first baby,

a girl, was born September 10, 1859, while we were

still living in the dug-out.

      “ In January, 1860, we came to Salt Lake City.

 My father had been sent on a Mission to Scotland,

and we remained with my mother who had gone back

to her home in the 15^th ward.” “In April, 1860, my

husband engaged to work for Doctor Ezra G. Williams,

and we came to Summit Creek, later named Smithfield

in honor of the first Bishop, John G. Smith. In the spring

of 1860, a good many more settlers came here from

different parts of Utah, and there was a ward organized

with John G. Smith as Bishop, and Samuel and Dudley

Merrill as counselors.”

     “The people were camped around in different places

until the Indian trouble of the 23^rd of July 1860.”

      “For God’s sake, Maggie, get up, the Indians are

killing men all around us!” This was the startling cry

that came to my ears as I was lying in my wagon nursing

my infant daughter. This was on July 23, 1860. My husband

was working for “Uncle George” (Dr. Ezra G. Williams.),

helping him build a house. But my husband at this time

was in Salt Lake City moving Dr. Williams and his

household to Smithfield. I was cooking for five men.

Our wagons and a Mr. Brunson were camped near

where the Dr. R.T. Merrill residence now stands.

They were drawn near to each other, and a brush

bowery was built over the two camps. Mr. Brunson,

his wife, and three children occupied the one wagon

and I, my husband and infant daughter, the other one.

     “On this occasion, I was lying in our wagon getting

my baby to sleep, when Mr. Brunson came running

from where he was building a house, warning us to flee

for our lives. He and his wife and children ran down

the street to the north side of the creek. I, with my baby

clasp to my breast and a blanket hastily snatched from

the bed under my arm, followed as fast as I could.

I could see them running towards the only house that

had been finished in the town, located on the south side

of the block on which Freeborn Merrill now lives, owned

by John. B. Smith and a Mrs. Wamsley.  Most of the
people lived in dugouts or in wagons at that time.

      “Oh how I ran, for I could hear the men and Indians

firing at each other as I passed up the opposite side of

the creek. With only the brush and trees between them

and us, I could hear the bullets sing and spit as they hit

the trees. Fear loaned wings to my feet as I ran down

to about where the Smithfield Lumber and Hardware

Company now is. There were two logs side by side

across the creek for a foot bridge, with a pole for a hand

rail. I made straight for the house of Mrs. Wamsley

where the women and children were gathering.

Oh, what excitement: women and children were

running and screaming with fear. Men were rushing

from their work, getting guns and ammunition,

giving orders, running after the Indians. As I neared

the house there was a high tight pole fence around

the garden at the side we approached. It was between

six and eight feet high. I could not get through it and

how I ever got over it I do not know to this day.

Yet, I got into the house with the others, and soon

after the men gave orders for us to go to the dug-outs.

I, with some others, went to Ausitn Merrill’s.  He was

the father of Sarah C. Noble and Freeborn Merrill.

      “While at Mrs. Wamsley’s the men brought in

an Indian and squaw! They kept them captive tying

them to the fence. The Indians let out a war whoop,

a blood-curdling yell. The men threatened to shoot

the captive buck if they yelled again.  These Indians

were freed after the men returned from the canyon

to where the Indians had fled. But as soon as the

Indians got among the brush, the brethren had to

give up to save themselves.”

      "Two men were killed, Ira Merrill, and James Read

of Franklin, Idaho. Solomon Merrill, brother of Ira,

Samuel Cousins, and Arthur Cowan were wounded.

James Read and Arthur Cowan were camped near

the Creek when the Indians passed them, killing the

one and wounding the other. Ira Merrill was the first

one to be buried in Smithfield, and James Read was

the first one to be buried in Franklin, Idaho.  Only one

Indian was killed, their Chief, his name was Pugweema.

Several Indians were wounded. They then fled towards

the Canyon.

       “When the brethren came back they concluded to

put the wagons all together for fear of the Indians

returning to be revenged for their dead Chief who lay

in the road all night. It was a very sorrowful night,

I tell you. There was Ira dead, his brother wounded

across the right arm and bowels, and Ira’s young wife

and two fatherless children and his parents, brothers,

and sister, Sarah Noble, who can tell you a sad story

of that fearful time.”

      “We were camped all close together, four rows

of wagons, and did our cooking, such as we had, by

campfires outside of the wagons. We camped in this

way for over two weeks and the Indians did not come

back. However, the men all took turns guarding the

camp both day and night. President Young then sent

word for all the settlers to make a fort to protect

themselves. The Fort line was then laid out and all

the people moved their tents or wagons to where

they were going to build. Great care had to be taken

for fear of the Indians coming upon them unawares.

When the men went to the canyons, they went in a

company, armed, and it was the same when they

went to the field to look after their crops. When

the men get the log from the Canyons and were

ready to build, the brethren would help out one

another, first putting up one house then another.

Some of the men were good hands at building

log houses, and we were kept very busy. All the

time this was going on, the men had to stand guard

at nights. When the houses were up and the roofs on,

there were no shingles, the logs were rough and the

roof was straight willows laid close together and

covered with grass and dirt. Then windows were

covered with factory, for very few had window glass

and very few had floors--only the ground.”

      “Often at night one and another would build

campfires, a crowd would gather, and we would

listen to brother Smith sing about the Derby Ram

and a great many comic songs. Also Robert Rishburn

and his wife, Pricilla, George and Alice Done and

Nathan Smith, who lived on the Northeast corner

of the Fort, and if we were in hard circumstances,

we were happy and contented.”

       “We lived in the fort until 1864, when it was

abandoned. We then built homes on city lots and

moved out of the fort to them.”

       “There are very very few remaining of this little

band of pioneers who lived in the fort and have passed

through these trying times and scenes. And our hearts

are cemented in friendship of good old fort days.”

       "Our furniture was of the very rudest kind.

Most of us had what was called Mormon bedsteads,

which was a hole bored in the wall at the head, another

for the foot and two sticks supported by one leg, and

boards or sticks laid across to put the bed on. Some

had tables to eat from, others had boxes. I had a dry

goods box laid on its side, which answered for a

cupboard too. Sister Done had two holes bored in

the wall and a board laid across and many a happy

hour we spent with one another. We braided straw

hats and if we could not sew them ourselves, Sister

Emily Smith would sew them for us.”

       “We had to make our cloth for the nearest store

was at Salt Lake City. Most of the people had a few

sheep, and the men would sheer them in the spring

then we washed it by the creek and when it was dry

we had wool pickings, and helped one another.

Then it had to be taken to Logan or High Creek

to be carded. We then spun it on the big wheel.

When the spindle was full we reeled it on a reel

that was two yards around and put forty threads

in a knot and ten knots in a skein, and fifteen knots

made one yard of Lindsey. When the pinning was

done and the yarn washed, we had to color it.

There was no Diamond Dyes in those days, so

we gathered the flower of Rabbit Bush for yellow,

Tag Alden bark for Black, and had to send to Salt

Lake City for Nadder root to color red, and Indigo

to color blue. Sisters Peter Sorenson, Hannah

Toolson and a Sister Betsey Anderson did most of

the weaving, except a few who had looms and did

their own. After the cloth was made we had to make

it up ourselves, as there were no dressmakers in

those days. There were many who could spin and

many who could not. The Misses Jane, Corena and

Charlotte Downs did a great deal of the spinning

for those who could not spin. Harriet Lucy and Julia

Merrill also did a good deal of spinning, too.”

      “We had to make our own soap out of the ashes

we had in the fire places. We also made our own

candles if we had tallow, for electric lights were not

even thought of in those days. We all had to carry

our own water from the Big Creek as there was no

water works at that time either. The washing was done

with the tub and washboard. Wood was used for fuel

for there was not coal either in those days. The mode

of conveyance also was different. There were very

few buggies, and the Ox team was the most popular.

The young people had dances and concerts for their

amusements. The Cotillion, Money Mustk, French Four,

Oslers Four, Scotch Reel, Roger De Coverly and others

were the dances we most enjoyed dancing. There was

very little waltzing in those days. Then we had corn

shuckings, and candy pullings, the molasses was made

from sugar cane grown on the farms. We would perhaps

have a quilting party through the day and at night the

young men would come for supper. Then they would

dance till 12 o’clock. All the lights then were the tallow

candles. The music consisted of violins. Dances in these

days began at early candle light and stopped at 12 o’clock.”

      “Thomas Richardson and William Douglas were the

first to start a store in Smithfield. That was a great blessing

to the people here.” The first mill was built by and owned

by Alonsl P. Raymond, Thomas Hilyard, and Thomas

Tarbett. The first miller was John Ahrens. The first

sawmill was built and owned by Dr. Ezra G. Williams

and his nephew, Mr. Brunson, but they did not live here

long and sold out to Brother Raymond. The Doctor

practiced while he was here and was a good, kind man.

After he left the people had to do the best they could.

Robert Bain did a great deal of good with simple

remedies and got to understand medicine. He was

a blessing to many who were sick. If there were any

bones broken or dislocated, John Story was the man

who would do all he could to make them comfortable.

Then Sister Gray in her line, was a great blessing to us

women folks, and Sister Scrowthers, too, was often

called upon the same occasions. If there were any

children ailing, we soon sent for Sister Mary Ann

Downs, for she seemed to know just what to do

and it always did good. Old Brother Daniel Collett

was very often called in sickness, as well as

Brother Noble. They were blessed with the Gift

of healing and used the gift in behalf of those who

called for them.”

      “Preston Morehead made and owned the first

molasses mill, and a tannery was built and operated

by Robert and James Meikle.”

      “Before the meeting house was built, we used

to hold our meetings in Brother Austin Merrill’s

house and stood where his son Freeborn’s house

now stands. The first log meeting house was built

just outside of James Thornley’s gate. It was also

used as a school house with Charles Wright as

the teacher.”

       “There were three blacksmith shops owned by

Daniel Collett, Brother Chambers and Brother Kellsey.

Brother Robert Thornley was our local butcher.”

        “I would like to tell you now of an incident that

happened in the spring of 1862 that nearly brought on

another Indian trouble, and which caused the men to

stand guard for weeks. One morning Joseph Watts

went for his cattle that were east of the Fort….

(This is where the story ends. on Pg 11. Stacey and I

are searching to find the rest of the History.  When we do,

I’ll post the rest of the personal history of Margaret Mustard)

John Henry Hendricks and wife Clara Wahlen

John Henry was Juel Josiah's youngest brother.  This is one of the last biographies I have in the book I found.

John H. and Clara (Wahlen) Hendricks

John H. Hendricks, son of Joseph S. and Lucinda (Bess) Hendricks was born 29 Sept. 1873 Richmond, Utah. He came to Idaho when a boy of 16.  He met Clara Wahlen at Nelson Dairy where she was working, it was at Black Springs,  what is now called the Fish Hatchery.  She was born 13 March 1876 at Bern Switzerland, daughter of Karl and Anna Barber (Ashbacker) Wahlen.

            They were married when she was nineteen and he 21 at Marysville 1 April 1895 by Thomas E. Gooch, the first couple married at Marysville.  In October of that year they went by wagon and team to Logan there had their Endowment and were sealed 16 October 1895 in the Logan Temple.  They were four days on the way camping, the first night at Blackfood, 2^nd at Portneuf Canyon, then at Lewiston.  This was right after an Indian uprising and some white men had been killed a few days before and the Indians were on the prowl at night, they could hear them yelling and riding around both nights.  Clara said she was nearly frightened to death.  They came back to Marysville where they made their home all their married life except for a period of nine years when they moved to Mt. Glen, Oregon. 

            There were only about nine or ten families living in Marysville when they went there.  Father and his brothers worked at the sawmill at Warm River and hauled lumber to St. Anthony for about fifteen years.  We helped make the Marysville canal.  Clara took the children and moved up in the timber with him.  They were three years making the canal. 

            He homesteaded the Big Falls up about Bear Gulch, which he later sold.  He always liked to fish and hunt and live in the hills.  He was a stage couch driver in the Yellowstone Park eleven summers.  He likes music and dancing. 

            Clara was very active in Church work.  She worked in primary and Relief Society, and in genealogical work.  She was a good neighbor, in very deed, was always the first to be there when help was needed.  I guess she attended over a hundred births, acting as nurse or midwife many times without the help of a doctor.  She is the mother of nine children, thirty-six grandchildren, and six great grand children.  She died quite suddenly and quietly, 20 November 1942. 

            They were great pioneers, joining in with all civic projects like building the Ward House and other community projects. 

                                                                                                Veda Hendricks Kidd

Clara Wahlen Hendricks

            Clara Wahlen Hendricks was born in Bern Switzerland and was about 17 or 18 months old when she came with her parents to America.  They came straight to Utah as they and previously sent four of their sons over with the Elders, one of whom was Karl G. Maeser.

            Her parents were very poor, her father obtained work in a sawmill in Paradise, Utah.  Then they moved to Logan where he worked in a Taylor shop and in the Temple.  When Clara was about 8 years old they went to Rexburg, Idaho with the early pioneers who first settled there.  There she grew up working at whatever she could get to do, washing dishes at the Hotel, doing housework in the homes, and went to the school at Ricks Academy where it was first established.  Her parents were still paying for their fare over the ocean, so they all worked and saved to help.  The mother made yeast for the town, did washings and sewing with Clara and her sister helping.  Clara had two sisters Fronica, who was named for the ship on which they sailed, and Annie who died of scarlet fever when she was 6 or 7 years old.  They lived the gospel for which they left their native land, and always paid an honest tithing.  

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.