Maughan, Peter (May 7, 1811 – Apr 24, 1871)
Peter Maughan (1811-1871)
Source: http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~pmaughan/peter.htm
Used by Permission
Peter Maughan, the sixth child of William and Martha Wilson
Maughan, was born at Milton, Cumberland, England,
7 May 1811. As a youth, he worked in the lead mines at Alston, England.
He married Ruth Harrison 1 October 1831 and six children were born to them.
Peter and Ruth were baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in Alston in 1838 and were active in the branch. Sadly, Ruth
died on 26 Mar 1841, shortly after the birth of their sixth child. Following
the counsel of Brigham Young, who was on a mission in England, Peter and his children set sail on the Rochester for America, arriving 19 May 1841.
Sailing with them were seven of the nine apostles who had been serving in England. The
trip also was a sad occasion for Peter, as he had to bury his baby daughter,
Ruth, at sea.
Peter and his family went to Kirtland, Ohio
for a few weeks where he met a young widow, Mary Ann Weston Davis. When he
decided to travel to Nauvoo,
Illinois, Mrs. Davis and her
companion were in the same wagon train which allowed them to become more
acquainted. After arriving in Nauvoo, they decided they would be married on 2
Nov 1841. To them were born eight children.
In Nauvoo, Peter found work as a stonemason on the temple.
The family lived in Nauvoo for about two and a half years before Peter was sent
to Rock Island, Illinois to mine coal for the families in
Nauvoo. When trouble developed in Nauvoo and the Saints were being driven out,
the family was told to close up the mines in Rock Island and prepare to travel to the
West.
The family moved to New Diggings, Wisconsin in April of 1846 where Peter and
the two older sons worked in the lead mines. Money was very scarce and the
expense of living with such a large family and outfitting the two wagons needed
caused the family to stay in New Diggings until April of 1850. After finding
lead ore on their own property, they were able to raise the final $800 in 8
weeks and buy the needed equipment and supplies for the long trip to the Salt Lake
Valley.
They arrived in Salt
Lake City on 15 September 1850, and after resting a
week, they were sent to Tooele. Challenges and discouragement filled the next
five years. Poor soil, along with lack of water, plagues of grasshoppers, and
Indian problems made survival difficult. During this time, Peter was involved
in the government as county clerk and assessor.
In the July of 1856, Brigham Young directed Peter to lead a
party of men from Tooele to Cache
Valley for the purpose of
locating a permanent settlement. After surveying the area, the decision was
made to settle the valley; and Peter Maughan was chosen to lead the group. They
arrived at what is now called Wellsville on the 15 September 1856 and began the
development first called Maughan's Fort. The settlement of Wellsville was soon
enlarged, and other communities in the area were founded. Peter Maughan was
called as presiding bishop of Cache
Valley, overseeing the
wards and branches of the valley. In 1860, following directions from Brigham
Young, he moved his family to Logan.
He served as president of the Cache Valley Stake, as probate judge of Cache County,
and as a member of the territorial legislature. He also held the rank of
colonel in the Nauvoo Legion in Utah.
He took a third wife, Elizabeth Francis Preator, in the
Endowment House on 8 December 1866. To them were born three children. After a
vigorous and successful life, he contracted pneumonia and died on 24 April
1871. His body was buried in the Logan
cemetery.
Read More
Harris, William (Jun 8, 1836 – Jul 11, 1903) by Thomas Wheatley
From the Ancestral File Record, we find that William Harris was born to
McGee Harris and Mary (Polly) Givens on June 8, 1836 in Big Springs,
Wilson, Tennessee.
It is apparent that William Harris came with his parents to the Rocky
Mountains in the Heber C. Kimball Company of 1848. William would have
been 12 years old at the time.
William married Emmeline Whittle August 20, 1861 at age 25 in Richmand,
Cache, Utah. They were later sealed to each other in the Endowment
House December 27, 1864.
William died July 11, 1903 at the age of 67.
Reference: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanysearchresults/1,15792,4017-1-179,00.html
Referencing the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, General Files:
Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
Ancestral File Number: 1WGH-58
Read MoreWhittle, Emmeline (Mar 7, 1845 – Apr 6, 1931) by Thomas Wheatley
From the Ancestral File Record we know that Emmeline was born to Thomas
Levi Whittle and Mary Amelia (Polly) Fullmer in Nauvoo, Illinois March
7, 1845 about 8 months after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith.
The Whittle family is listed in two different companies that came to
the Rocky Mountains. Both companies left at almost the same time and
arrived at near the same time. The two companies were directed by
Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. Brigham's company left June 5, 1848
and arrived between the 20th and 24th of September 1848. Heber's
company left June 7, 1848 and arrived the 24th of September 1848.
The record states that Emmeline was 3 years old when she made the trek with her family across the plains to the Rocky Mountains.
Emmeline married William Harris on August 20, 1861 when she was 16
years old. They were married in Richmand, Cache, Utah. William and
Emmeline had 9children. All the children but Thomas Little who died at
age 14 and George who died at almost 1 year lived to adulthood.
Emmeline died April 6, 1931 at age 86 in Richmond, Cache, Utah.
References:
http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanysearchresults/1,15792,4017-1-4,00.html http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompany/0,15797,4017-1-4,00.html
http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompany/0,15797,4017-1-179,00.html
http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanysearchresults/1,15792,4017-1-179,00.html
Referencing multiple sources including archives at Church Archives,
Salt Lake City, Utah and the Family History Library, Salt Lake City,
Utah
Ancestral File Number: 19PO-ZS
Read MoreNowlin, Bryan Ward (Jul 4, 1815 – May 2, 1877) by Thomas Wheatley
From the Ancestral File we know that Bryan Ward Nowlin was born July 4,
1815 to Peyton Wade Nowlin and Margaret Phagan (Phagen) in Bedford
County, Tennessee.
Bryan married Mary Susannah Cummings in July of 1847 in Salt Lake City,
Utah which indicates that they must have been in one of the first
companies to reach Utah. Apparently Bryan and Mary traveled in the same
company across the plains to Utah. David R. Crockett lists Bryan and
Mary as traveling in the third ten company heading to Utah. (see: http://heritage.uen.org/resources/Wc8a49e4f0b2c.htm) Bryan was 32 years old and Mary was 17.
Bryan died May 2, 1877 at the age of 61. His wife Mary went on to live until 1902 at the age of 72.
One record states the following about Bryan's death:
"At the time of his death he was president of the 30th quorum of
elders. He was killed in a sawmill accident when he fell on the blade
of a saw in Bingham, Toele, UT."
(See: Alice & Presley's Genealogy Page http://mason.math.tntech.edu/newtown/d0002/g0000025.htm#I88 )
Ancestral File Number 1SD2-L9
Read MoreTanner, Thomas (Jun 28, 1807 – Jul 28, 1878) by Thomas Tanner Sr.
Thomas Tanner, Sr.
Source: http://euler.me.berkeley.edu/~kmonson/FamHist/Farnes/TTSr.html
Used by Permission
Born: June 28, 1807; Newbury, Berkshire, England
Married: Mary Cruse
Died: July 28, 1878; Toole, Toole, Utah
Immigration Date: September 17, 1853; Claudis Spencer Co.
Thomas Tanner, Sr.
I, Thomas Tanner, was born in the town of Newsbury, Berkshire, England,
June 28, 1807. I am the son of Thomas Tanner and Jamina Munford. In the
Spring of 1831, I married Mary Cruse, the daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth Cruse. We were married in the old Newbury church. By my wife
Mary Cruse we had nine children born alive–also one untimely birth
caused by my wife's catching the small pox, also one miscarriage.
Thomas our first child was born in Newbury, Berkshire, England, Aug. 9,
1831. James Mumford Tanner was born in the village of Wyfield,
Berkshire, the home of my wife's parents the 14th day of July 1833.
William was born in Newbury, Oct. 12th 1836. He died of consumption and
was buried in the western of the southern graveyard of the Old Church
burying ground Newbury, Berkshire, England, in the year 1845.
George was born in Newbury, Oct. 13th 1839. He died in Tooele and was
buried in the Tooele Cemetery. He died on the 14th of April 1872,
leaving his widow, Martha Graner, and four children, George, Thomas,
John and Elizabeth.
Ebenezer was born in Newbury, Berkshire, England, March 6th 1842.
Joseph was born in Newbury, Berkshire, England, July 7th 1844.
Alma was born in Newbury, Berkshire, England, May 7th 1847.
Mary the intended name of the girl was born in the village of Wooburn
Green, Buckenamshire, England. She died on the day of her birth, 1849,
and was buried in the Wooburn Church burying ground.
Me and my wife, Mary, were both baptized members in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints by Elder Carter of Hampstead, in the Spring
of 1843. I was ordained to the office of Elder by Elder Wm. Major Oct.
22nd 1843. We removed our family from the town of Newbury to Wooburn
Green in 1847. I baptized several persons which were organized the
Wooburn Green Branch of the London Conference consisting of eleven
members. I was ordained the President of said branch by Elder Thomas
Margetts, then President of the London Conference and Elder Thomas
Squires, the President of the Newbury Branch.
Mr. Thomas Howard, his wife and family being members of the Wooburn
Branch and about to emigrate to Council Bluffs, the winter quarters and
the gathering place of the Saints driven from Nauvoo, preparatory to
their journey to the Salt Lake Valley. He, Thomas Howard, proposed to
take our family with him and he would bear all of expenses and we all
should be as one family, all of us should share alike. We sailed from
Liverpool on board the ship "Olympus", in charge of Captain Wilson,
bound for New Orleans, America, on the fourth of March, 1851. Mr.
Howard had made a calculation of what our expenses would be and stated
to me that he was sufficiently prepared to bear them but as soon as the
vessel had set sail he signified that he had done all he could for us
and we were not to expect anything more from him. We arrived in New
Orleans in the month of April 1851, after about six weeks voyage.
Win. Howell, Thomas Smith, Thomas Bradshaw and Win. Henshaw, these were
the Presidential Committee of Saints. We came by steamer to St. Louis
about the 9th of May 1851. My wife, Mary, gave birth to her last son in
St. Louis, Sept. 24th who died on the 30th of the same month. My wife,
Mary Cruse, died in St. Louis the following month Oct. 11th 1851. They
were both buried in the St. Louis Cemetery, America.
I was married in St. Louis by Elder Gibson to Ann Newman, the daughter
of Allen and Sarah Newman whose maiden name was Sarah Cooper of South
Witham, Linconshire, England, Oct. 10th 1852. We with the first family
all left St. Louis for Utah, crossing the Missouri River on the __th of
July, arriving in Salt Lake Valley. We camped about four miles from
Salt Lake City.
My wife, Ann Newman, gave birth to her first son Valison, Sept. 17th
1853. We crossed the plains in an ox team purchased in St. Louis by
Bro. Thomas Carter and acquaintance from Newbury Branch expressly for
our journey to Salt Lake City. We brought with us from St. Louis in the
team purchased for us my wife's brother Win. Newman's widow Sister
Newman, her two sons, William and Stephen, her daughter, Sarah Ann,
Lucy Frances, a sister who emigrated from England with the family and
remained in the family until her death in Salt Lake City. Our wagon was
pretty well filled, with heavy laden and caused us much annoyance and
ill convenience. It was a very trying lesson and experience to our
family, but kind providence brought us through as is the saying "it was
by the skin of the teeth". We came in company with Henry George, David
Wigins, Thomas Atwicks, Sister Westall. They were all from the Newbury
Branch. Sister Westall, a widow, remained in Council Bluffs with her
daughter, a wife of George Canning, a tailor by trade from the town of
Newbury. They were living in Council Bluffs with her daughter. We
traveled across the plains in "Claudias Spencer's" train of about forty
wagons. We left Salt Lake City to come to Tooele City, Nov. 5th 1853.
Since that time we have continued in Tooele to date 1878.
Maroni was born in April 21st 1856.
Jemina Munford was born in Nov. 19th 1859.
Allen Newman was born in March 27th 1862.
With my wife, Ann, we received our endowments in Salt Lake City in the
fall of 1860. Both my wife's, Mary Cruse and Ann Newman, were sealed to
me by President Brigham Young. I was ordained a High Priest by
President Galasher, March 22nd 1864. My father and mother died in the
town of Newbury, Berkshire, England and were both buried in the Western
part of the south graveyard of Newbury Old Church burying ground. My
father was born in the year 1771 and was 43 years of age. My mother was
born in the year 1772 and lived till she was 70 years old. They had 13
children, eight of them died in childhood. I expect they are all
registered in the Old Newbury Church records.
Frances the oldest child was born in the year 1795 in the month of Sept.
Sarah was born in or about 1800. She died in London about the year 1827.
James was born in July 1809. He was drown off the coast of China. The
ship was homeward bound for London, the vessel sank in the night, and
all aboard perished, about the year 1828.
Hannah was born in May 1811. She with her husband and family of eleven
children were all living in London, England in the year 1860. 1 have
not heard from them or my sister Francis since that time. If I ever
have the opportunity I purpose to be baptized especially for my father
and mother, for my son William, for my sister Sarah and for my brother
James. If I cannot myself, I hope some of my children will, and also
seal my mother to her husband, my father, Thomas Tanner. I knew and
have seen my father's brothers, William and George, and also his
sisters, Francis and Hannah. William, Francis and Hannah were living in
Hampstead some few miles distant form London on the Tetenaham Court
Road. In company with mother, we paid them a visit in 1823. William had
two daughters of the oldest was named Susanah, the youngest named Anna
or Nancy. He said a little previous to our visit lost his only son,
William, who died in a decline. I don't know if Hannah ever had family.
Frances Nash was a widow, she was living with her only son who was
married and carrying on his father's trade, plumber, glarierand,
painter. George had a little homestead in West Woodhay in Hampshire
joining the County of Berkshire about four or five miles from town of
Newbury. He had two wives, his first wife had several children, none of
them lived to grow up. After her death, he married his second wife. She
had one son named Thomas, he also died in childhood. My father had a
sister by marriage her name was Smith. She had several in family all of
whose given names commenced with the letter J, all I can remember of
them was John, James, and Johannah. They lived in Newton or Berclere
Hampshire which I think was the home of my grandfather Thomas and the
birth of my Father. My Mother, Jemina Munford was born in the village
or small town of Thatcham, three miles from the town of Newbury on the
London Road, in the county of Berkshire. Some of my Mother's brothers
families live in the neighborhood or vicinity of Salthill, near
Maidenhead and Windsor in the county of Berkshire. The genealogies of
all whom I have written might be traced through the church records. In
all the parish church records in the vicinity of the birth place or the
dwelling places where they have resided previous to within about the
last thirty years the parish churches were the only places where in all
births, marriages, and deaths are strictly recorded. Since or about
that time the English law makes is imperative for every district in all
the countries to provide a public register where in all births,
marriages and deaths are strictly registered and under penalties for
neglect to do so. It would require a fee of from one shilling or up to
half a crown to get the church clerk or sexton to search the records.
They dare not refuse to do so–but I think they can demand a fee.
As a preface or introduction to the following writing I would say that
I expressly write what I understand to be the truth for my own special
gratification. I do not write purposely to be antagonistic to anyone
for I do not wish any of my writings to come under the observation of
any outside of my family–not because I am ashamed of what I write–for
what I understand to be truth–I write the same regardless of the
opinion, ideas or judgements of any person to my family or to anyone
else whom might chance to read what I write, I do not wish you to
accept as truth what I write because I am your father, only as you can
clearly comprehend the same to be true.
Written by Thomas Tanner, Sr., Tooele City, 1878.
Read MorePeck, Martin Horton (May 27, 1806 – Jun 17, 1884) By Vernice Peck Gold Rosenvall
Biography of Martin Horton Peck
By Vernice Peck Gold Rosenvall
Source: http://users.ev1.net/~hmltn/peck/martin_horton_peck.htm
Used by Permission
Martin Horton Peck was born May 27, 1806 at Rehoboth, Bristol Co.,
Massachusetts, the son of Ebenezer Peck and Nancy Horton. While still a
child he was taken by his parents to Vermont, where he grew to manhood.
He was known throughout his life for his physical strength, being six
feet tall and weighing 180 pounds.
The following is taken from his own diary, written about his early youth.
"When about 7 years of age my father obtained a farm in Kirby, Vermont,
and taking a load of household goods, started in company with his
brother James Peck for that place. He took me along with him as far as
his brother's who then lived in the town of Montpelier, Vermont, where
I was to stop until the next fall when my Father should bring on the
rest of his family. There I remained with my Aunt Abigail and my
cousins until the next winter when my father came after me. The summer
season following we worked on the farm and raised considerable wheat.
Father worked part of the time in a blacksmith shop on the farm. The
next season also the farm was carried on, but snow falling to the depth
of 6 or 7 inches in the month of June and it being a cold season, there
was but little raised to live on, and Father left home and went to the
town of Lyndon and worked at the blacksmithing for a man by the name of
Ezra Ide. I remained at home and was taken sick with a swelling in my
left side, which was about 3 months in gathering sufficient to be
operated upon. When it was opened it discharged so much that my life
was despaired of, and for several years I remained very weak. The next
spring following the fall, I with my Father and his family moved to
Lyndon where Father had carried on the blacksmithing business, and I
commenced at the trade about the year 1818, being then about 12 years
old. I continued to work with my father with the exception that when
work did not hurry in the shop, I would work at haying and harvesting
with different neighbors until the spring of 1824, when my father
purchased a blacksmith shop in the center of the town where he put me
to carry on the business there for him until January, 1826 when he gave
me the shop and lot and the remainder of my time which would have been
out the 27th of May.
I commenced to carry on the work for myself from the 1st of 1826. In
June following, on the 18th day, I married Susan C. Clough and
continued to work at my trade at this place until the winter of 1829
when my father-in-law, Joseph Clough, was taken ill at North Danville.
I sold out and went to take care of him, arriving there the 15th of
March, where I put up a shop and worked in it, and on the farm. I took
care of my father-in-law until he died about July 1830."
His conversion to the church came about in a very interesting manner. A
number of his neighbors were assisting him in a "house raising". He
suggested to them that in the evening when the day's work was done they
go in a body and break up a meeting which he had heard the young
Prophet Joseph Smith was holding in the nearby woods. Intending to
cause a disturbance, he found himself converted instead.
Many times after he was heard to testify that before the Prophet had
spoken five minutes he had received a thorough assurance of the
divinity of his mission, which testimony remained with him all his
life. He was baptized in 1833 by Lyman E. Johnson.
From Vermont he moved to Kirtland, Ohio. In 1836 a great apostasy
affected the church, and by 1837 had become so bitter that the lives
and property of those who remained faithful were exposed to great
danger. Many leading men, including Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and
Brigham Young found it necessary to leave Kirtland quietly and go to
Missouri where some of the Saints at that time were building Far West
and other settlements which had been designated as gathering places for
the Saints. After the departure of the Prophet, the desire to emigrate
to Missouri became general among those who had kept the faith in
Kirtland, and on March 6, 1838, the Seventies assembled in the Temple
for the purpose of devising ways for moving according to a revelation
which had been given on the subject. On March 10, it was manifested by
vision and prophecy that they should go, pitching their tents by the
way. On the following Saturday they started at noon to move south, and
in thirty minutes the whole camp was moving. It consisted of 529
people. Martin Peck and his family were among this band of faithful
Saints. They suffered many privations and hardships and much sickness.
He was a man of great faith and witnessed many remarkable healings. The
following is taken from a little book called "Early Scenes in Church
History", one of a series of books published in the early days of the
Church called the "Faith Promoting Series".
"Brother Martin H. Peck, of Salt Lake City, relates a series of cases
of healing that occurred in his family and under his administration.
He joined the Church in Vermont, in 1833, and about two years later,
while on a visit to a place about nine miles from where he lived, he
received word from his wife at home that their child was lying at the
point of death, and she desired him to come home immediately, and bring
an Elder with him. He was not more surprised at knowing of his son's
dangerous condition, than of the faith in the ordinances of the Gospel
which his wife manifested, by wanting an Elder to lay hands on the
child; for she had not then joined the Church, or manifested much
interest in the Gospel. He was therefore, almost as much pleased on his
wife's account, as he was pained on account of his child, on receiving
the news.
Taking Elder James Snow with him, he hastened home, and found the
little fellow lying helpless and in a very low condition, in his
Mother's arms. Brother Peck only held the office of a Priest at the
time, so Elder Snow administered to the child alone, and while doing so
the little fellow dozed off into a quiet slumber and when he awoke he
was as well as he ever had been.
Soon after, Brother Peck was taken ill, and to all appearances seemed
about to die. He even lost his sight, and was in the greatest agony,
but Elder John Badger was called in and rebuked the disease, and
blessed him and he was healed immediately. On describing his symptoms
afterward to a friend who was an experienced physician, he was assured
that this was an extreme case, and it was doubtful if medical skill
could have saved him.
Near the same time his son, Joseph, was troubled with a couple of
swellings on the glands of his neck, which threatened to choke him.
After various remedies had been tried without avail, a physician was
consulted, who declared the boy could not live long if they continued
to grow, and recommended that a surgical operation be performed to
remove them, although that, he admitted, would be very dangerous.
Brother Peck concluded not to act upon his advice, and sent for some
Elders instead, and had them anoint and lay hands upon him. The result
was that in a few days the swellings had completely disappeared.
From Vermont, Brother Peck removed to Ohio, and while there, a great
deal of sickness prevailed, and many deaths occurred in his
neighborhood. The doctors seemed to be entirely baffled in their
efforts to cope with the disease. Among others stricken down was
Brother Peck's son, William. He lay unconscious all day, with his eyes
turned back in his head, and apparently in a dying condition. A number
of neighbors called to see him and urged Brother Peck to send for a
doctor. He told them, however, that he could not have much confidence
in the doctor's skill after seeing the children which they attended die
off, as they had done, like rotten sheep. He preferred to have nothing
to do with them, nor did he feel like administering to the boy while
unbelievers were in the house. His wife happened to be away from home,
and he felt confident that when she returned, their united faith would
result in obtaining a blessing from the Almighty. Some of the neighbors
stayed with the boy all day, and doubtless thought Brother Peck an
unfeeling wretch, as he would not send for a doctor. On the return of
Sister Peck, she, too, refused to have a physician and so the neighbors
left in disgust. As soon as they had done so the parents called
mightily upon the Lord to spare their child's life and Brother Peck
rebuked the disease and he was healed instantly. But a few days elapsed
when their son James was taken suddenly very ill, and a neighbor
hastened to Brother Peck's Blacksmith Shop to inform him if something
were not done immediately for his relief, he would die. He, also,
offered his services to wait upon him. Brother Peck thanked him for his
kindness, but declined accepting the offer. On reaching his home and
seeing the condition of the child, which was truly alarming, he and his
wife referred the case to the Lord, with the same result as in the
previous case.
There was a doctor by the name of Harvey Tate, living neighbor to
Brother Peck in Ohio, who became somewhat interested in the doctrines
of the Latter-day Saints, and for the purpose of learning more
concerning them, made a visit to his house.
While he was there Brother Peck's son, James, was brought home with a
broken arm, cause by his falling from a tree. The fracture was about
three inches above the wrist joint, and so complete that his arm formed
a right angle at the place where it was broken. The doctor set and
bandaged it and the boy was put to bed. The pain was so great, however,
that he could scarcely endure it, and after the doctor had left he
begged his Father to "Bless" him, saying he knew that would cure him.
Brother Peck accordingly administered to him, and the pain immediately
ceased. He slept well during the night, and on getting up the next
morning played about with his fellows as if nothing had ever been the
matter with his arm, not even having it in a sling. The next day he was
sent to the doctor's to show him his arm. When he entered his house,
the doctor noticed to his surprise that the boy took hold of a chair
with his lame hand and lifted it forward to sit down upon. Taking the
little fellow by the hand, he then asked him if he had any pain in his
arm or hand, and the boy answered frankly that he had none whatever.
The doctor bent his fingers and saw that he had free use of them, then
examined his hand and wrist and saw that there was no sign of swelling,
and declared that it was the power of God which had healed the broken
limb, for nothing else could have done it in so short of time. This
incident probably influenced Dr. Tate in favor of the Latter-day
Saints, as he soon afterwards joined the Church. He was baptized by
Elder John E. Page, and ordained an Elder, and for some time was quite
a faithful and efficient member, but he subsequently lost the faith. He
had abundant evidence, however, while he remained in the Church, that
the power of God was with the Saints, as he saw it manifested on
several occasions so plainly that he could not deny it; but he may have
been like some others of whom it has been said that they joined the
Church through seeing a miracle performed and apostatized because they
could not see one every day.
On one occasion, he and Elder Peck were called upon to go a distance of
ten miles to see a sister in the Church, who was thought to be dying.
They traveled with all possible speed, and on arriving at the place,
found the woman in a very critical condition. The doctor, although used
to scenes of sickness, allowed Brother Peck to take the lead in
directing what should be done for the relief of the patient, and he
proposed to anoint and lay hands upon her. They accordingly did so, and
she was healed immediately and arose and prepared supper for them.
While returning home the doctor remarked jocularly that the experience
of that evening presented a new phase in his medical practice. He had
never taken that course before to cure patients, nor was he in the
habit of going that distance to visit them without charging for it.
While journeying to Missouri with the "Kirtland Company", Brother
Peck's son, Edwin, had his leg accidentally run over by a heavily
loaded wagon on a very hard road. When he was picked up, the limb
appeared to be flattened as if almost crushed to a pulp, and the flesh
was laid open. Brother Peck had seen the power of God manifested so
many times, and he had such confidence in the Almighty hearing and
answering his prayers, that he never thought of summoning a surgeon,
but immediately administered to the boy, and then placed him in the
wagon. In an hour afterwards he examined his leg and found that it was
entirely well, the only sign of the injury left being a slight scar
which had the dry and scaly appearance of an old sore, long since
healed up. The place was not even discolored. There were numbers of
witnesses to this miracle, many of whom are living today."
At one time a mob was going to attack Martin H. Peck and because of his
faith, courage and physical strength he was able to say, "Go ahead, but
some of you will receive as a result a mark, which you will carry with
you all the rest of your life". The mob decided to leave him alone.
On Thursday, September 4, 1838, the "Kirtland Camp" arrived in
Adam-ondi-Ahman, Davis County, Missouri. "This is a day," writes the
Prophet, "long to be remembered by that part of the church called the
Kirtland Camp #1". They arrived there at the time the persecutions were
raging against the saints in Missouri and about a month later the whole
Mormon population including the Saints from Kirtland were forced by the
mob to vacate Adam-ondi-Ahman and go to Far West. (This information
found on pages 593 to 603 Church Encyclopedia Book #1).
Martin Peck having already known what it was to have his home
destroyed, possessions stolen and his life endangered, was now once
again compelled to leave with the Saints and seek a new home. Here
again at Far West the mob forced them to leave, and this time they left
for Illinois.
Under the leadership of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young a large tract of
swampy land along the banks of the Mississippi was bought. The
beautiful city of Nauvoo was built here. The Saints drained the land to
make it healthful and before long lovely homes were built along wide
streets. To have built so beautiful a city by a people who had been
robbed until they were almost penniless in so short a time was truly a
miracle. When work was commenced on the beautiful Nauvoo Temple, Martin
Peck gave many hours of his time as well as his means. He came to
Nauvoo in the fall of 1842.
His first wife, Susan Caroline Clough, whom he married June 18, 1827,
at Danville, Vermont, died in Nauvoo November 6, 1843. She had been the
mother of seven children, all born during the persecution and migration
of the Church. These children were Edwin M., born at Lyndon, Vermont;
Joseph A., James F., William P., born at Danville, Vermont; Eugene H.,
born at Kirtland, Ohio; and Hyrum and Henry, twins born at West Milton,
Ohio. The last three children died in infancy.
He was ordained a High Priest on February 18, 1844.
He married his second wife, Mary Thorn, in Nauvoo, Illinois, on March
30, 1844. She was the mother of five children and helped raise the
children of the first wife. Her children were Hezekiah H., born in the
City of Joseph; and the following born in Salt Lake City: Susan, Mary
Anna, Sarah E. and Horton T. The last two died as infants.
During the early persecution of the Church Martin Peck was called on a
mission to the States to help organize branches of the Church. He was
especially instrumental in organizing the branch at West Milton, Ohio.
After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith when the body of the
Church met to decide who would be the next President, Martin Peck was
present at the 2:00 p.m. meeting August 8, 1844, when the mantle of
Joseph fell upon Brigham Young. In the book, "Essentials in Church
History" Brother Joseph Fielding Smith says this about the meeting.
"At the appointed time a great multitude of Saints assembled. The
various quorums of the Priesthood were arranged in order before the
stand, and after the opening exercises President Brigham Young
addressed the congregation. He spoke with great power and the people
were convinced that the authority and power of presidency was with the
apostles. When he arose to speak the people were greatly astonished,
for President Young stood transfigured before them and they beheld the
Prophet Joseph Smith and heard his voice as naturally as ever they did
when he was living. It was a manifestation to the Saints that they
might recognize the correct authority."
This was an added testimony to Martin Peck who remained steadfast in the faith all his days.
Having some musical ability, he became a member of the Nauvoo Legion
Brass Band. He played the clarinet well but his singing ability was
poor, although he often made attempts at singing his favorite song,
"How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord". He always had to finish
the song by whistling. At the laying of the capstone of the Nauvoo
Temple, May 24, 1845, the Band played during the exercises.
Because of still further persecution the Saints left the beautiful city
of Nauvoo for the Rocky Mountains. Here they hoped to find a place
where they could worship God and raise their families without
interference. When the first company of Saints left, Martin Peck was
called to stay at Winter Quarters. By profession he was a blacksmith
and his services were needed to make ready the outfits of the early
companies.
He left for the Salt Lake Valley in 1848, coming in Heber C. Kimball's
Company, 2nd Division, 3rd Co. Heber C. Kimball at this time was first
Counselor to Brigham Young and Leader of the Second Division.
On June 6, 1848 as Martin Peck's own group approached the Heber C.
Kimball Co. they caused much excitement, for the Company had just a
short time before been attacked by Indians. They were soon assured by
the scouts that this was a group of Saints. During their attack by the
Indians one of the members of the Heber C. Kimball Company, Brother
Thomas Ricks had met with a very serious accident, and was lying on a
blanket under a wagon. Dr. Bernhisel, who was traveling in the same
Company of Saints had examined him and found that he was wounded by
three large buck shots having penetrated the small part of his back.
The doctors dressed his wounds but it was generally believed that he
could not long survive, that his life was only a matter of moments.
Martin H. Peck, being told of this, walked over to the man and taking
him by the hand said, "Do you have faith to be healed?" The man
replied, "I am pretty sorely hurt, brother, but I have faith it will be
as you say." At that, Brother Peck said, "I command you to arise in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to finish your work here
upon the earth." He arose immediately and came with the Saints to the
valley and lived a long and useful life.
At Fort Laramie, on July 24, 1848, a son was born to his third wife,
Arlytia Carter, whom he had married January 20, 1846. They named him
Lucius Augustus. She was the mother of four children and crossed the
plains with the second wife and her family as well as the children of
the first wife. Arlytia Carter's other children were: Martin Horton,
Arlytia Carter and Emily C., all born in Salt Lake. The last two died
as infants. The mother died June 4, 1854 in Salt Lake City.
Martin Peck arrived in the valley, September 24, 1848 and made his home
in the 17th Ward, building the second house built outside of the Fort
on city lots. It stood on the Southwest corner of First North and First
West. This home was a landmark of the city for many years, and well
remembered by many for the good times that were enjoyed there. As early
as December 24, 1849, we find an account of a dance being held at the
Martin H. Peck home. Many remember a bake oven in the back yard which
was used to cook food for parties, entertainments and dances.
His fame as a blacksmith was widespread throughout the intermountain
territory. As a young man he would get up at four in the morning and
make the horseshoes and nails for the day's work. In the fall of 1849
gold dust had been brought to the valley by the Mormon Battalion boys
and coins were made at the Deseret Mint in denominations from $2.50 to
$20.00, and since they were for local use only they had no resemblance
of United States coins. Martin H. Peck forged the drop hammer for these
coins. In "Heart Throbs of the West", compiled by Kate B. Carter we
read, "This coin was of perfect workmanship, unexcelled by the federal
mint."
Martin Peck was the second blacksmith in Salt Lake City, a man named
McBride being the first. In the History of Brigham Young we find the
following: "Fall 1859 the 1st Annual Fair was held in the storehouse of
the Tithing Office at Provo. A very respectable display of agriculture,
art and manufactures were exhibited to the credit of Utah Territory.
Among the exhibits were an ax and a razor made by Martin H. Peck." His
father, Ebenezer Peck, was a neighbor to Mr. Fairbanks and Mr. Morse,
and the original idea for weighing scales which later was adopted by
Fairbanks Morse and Co., one of the leading manufacturers of computing
scales, was first of all suggested by Ebenezer Peck.
On June 28, 1854, a special General Conference was held in the
Tabernacle at which time Martin Peck was called to go on a mission to
the Eastern States to accompany John Taylor. His son, Edwin, also went
on this mission.
In his diary written during this period tells of visiting many
relatives living in this mission, this being the place where he was
born and spent his early childhood.
He was successful in baptizing some of them into the Church. Also he
tells of making many fine razors and giving them to friends and
relatives. He returned from this mission on the 30th of December, 1855,
along with his son Edwin. They were in good health and spirits and had
not been molested by the Indians on their return trip. They brought
with them some mail from the East, which was very welcome.
Upon his return to the Valley he was sustained as Second Counselor to
Bishop Thomas Callister, who was the second Bishop of the 17th Ward.
This was on August 26, 1856.
On February 22, 1857, he was called to go with the First Presidency to
the Salmon River Valley Mission. This mission had been opened for a
number of years but had not been very successful because of trouble
with Indians. This trip was made to determine the real conditions of
the mission. They left April 24, 1857. All of the 1st Presidency, some
of the twelve apostles and about 100 other brethren and sisters went in
the party, going 381 miles from Salt Lake City. The headquarters of the
mission was at Ft. Lemhi, near the present site of Salmon City, Idaho.
This mission was discontinued soon after. Nothing pleased the Indians
more than to get a scalp of a Mormon. From a journal written during
this visit we find the following: "We saw a grave being dug for an
Indian. His two squaws were present with their hair cut off and blood
running down their legs from wounds made by themselves. They were
weeping bitterly." The party returned to Salt Lake City May 26, 1857.
When Johnston's Army came to Utah in July, 1857, Martin Peck left with
his families for Provo, along with the rest of the Saints. He had
married a fourth wife, Charlotte Amelia Van Orden, December 2, 1851,
who was the mother of my grandfather, Everett Peck. He was only a baby
when they left for Provo, having been born April 6th of the same year.
This wife had seven children. They were Arthur, Everett Van Orden,
David Horton, Dorr, Charlotte Amelia, Cyril and Heber, who died Lewis
and Edith.
In 1862 Martin Peck was called to go to Hoytsville in East Weber
Canyon. He settled along a creek they called Peck's Creek but later
called Cotton Wood Creek. His wife Charlotte Amelia and family went
with him. He was sent there by Brigham Young to recondition the ox
teams after their long journey across the plains and mountains. It is
said that so many Saints were coming west at that time that it kept ten
men busy putting new shoes on the oxen and fixing broken wagon wheels.
One of the pleasures Martin Peck had during this time was making "raw
hide whips" and showing the emigrants how to "crack" them. Many of the
emigrants, especially the Scandinavian people, had never seen such
whips. Two of his children, Charlotte Amelia and Cyril, were born there.
This settlement of Hoytsville was at that time called Unionville, a
name which was suggested at a Priesthood meeting as a compliment to the
early settlers who seemed to be well united in all their undertakings.
Martin Peck stayed on the East Weber for seven years, returning to the
city in 1869. He served for the second time as a counselor in the 17th
Ward, being sustained May 12, 1870, as First Counselor to Bishop Nathan
Davis, the third Bishop of the Ward.
In the fall of 1883 he was ordained a Patriarch.
An important civic position with which his name will be identified by
old residents was that of Territorial "Sealer of Weights and Measures",
also City and County Sealer, a position which he held for many years.
It is said that the scales were so perfected that he could weigh a hair
of the head; also, that the writing on a piece of paper would throw his
scales off balance.
He died in Salt Lake City June 17, 1884, survived by three wives,
fifteen sons and five daughters and a large number of grandchildren.
The following is an account of his death and funeral as found in the
Deseret News: "June 17, 1884 — Brother Martin Horton Peck of the 17th
Ward, an aged and respected citizen, died at noon today. He has been
afflicted for some time with cancer in the face, and has been confined
to his home for several months, the latter part of the time in a very
precarious condition. His death is a grateful relief from much
suffering.
"He was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, May 27, 1806, and joined the
Church at an early date. At the time of his death and for a number of
years previous he held the office of Territorial Sealer of Weights and
Measures, and was universally regarded as an honest and upright man,
and a faithful Latter-Day Saint. Peace be to his ashes. The funeral
will be held at 12:30 tomorrow afternoon."
"June 19, 1884, — The 17th Ward was filled yesterday afternoon with
the relatives and sympathizing friends of the family of Father M. H.
Peck, whose funeral was solemnized at 12:30. The opening prayer was
offered by Elder George B. Wallace and the choir was led by Brother
John Lewis.
"The speakers were President Angus M. Cannon, Bishop L.G. Hardy and
R.T. Burton; Elders John Pack, G.B. Wallace, Nathan Davis and Bishop
John Tingey."
"All the brethren united in testifying of the integrity, uprightness
and peaceable disposition of the deceased, of his good works on earth
and his reward in Heaven. Elder George Reynolds dismissed the assembly
by prayer, and the remains were then taken to their last resting place."