Three scouts left Devil’s Gate to find the Martin Company, arriving at the Red Buttes camp on 28 October. (Painting by Robert T. Barrett.)
FEAR OF INDIAN ATTACKS prompted settlers on Bingham’s Lane (2nd Street, Ogden, Utah) to construct what came to be known as Bingham’s Fort. The fort was surrounded by a wall made of wooden posts, woven willows and mud as shown under construction in this painting by Farrell R. Collett.
Mary Ann Gheen (William's second wife)
Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Weber County, Utah.
Burial: Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Weber County, Utah, USA - Plot: E-3-7-1E
Find A Grave Memorial# 26051554found on findagrave.com
WILLIAM ELMER
William Elmer, son of John Elmer and Sally Peaque, was born in Norwich, Orange County, Vermont on 16 September 1820.
In the spring of 1838 William was 18 years old. William, his parents and family, one wagon and one team of horses started west. Their goal was to move close to the church.
When they had come as far as Orsen, Ohio they stopped to rest. It was most unfortunate because here is where Mother and Father contacted typhoid fever and both of them passed away. It was hard indeed to leave them behind but after a short time they took courage and again started their journey. They traveled as far as Illinois where they stayed until the year 1846.
On March 26, 1846, William married Hannah Polina Child in Lee County, Iowa. When these two young people decided to marry they found that by crossing a river into another state their marriage could be performed free of charge. Since they wished to hold on to their meager means, they crossed to the other side of the river and were married by a preacher as they stood in the back of their wagon. They settled for a time in Desmoine, Iowa. Three children were born in Iowa, they were: John Samuel, born October 13, 1847, Mark Alfred, born December 16, 1848, and William Warren, born November 23, 1850. These three children came with them into Utah on October 3, 1852.
After a short stay in Salt Lake City they came on into Ogden and settled at Binghams Fort in Weber County. Soon after their arrival a daughter Cynthia Trephenia was born. This was on December 16, 1852. Many hardships faced them at this time, food was scarce, their clothing they made from wool they combed, cleaned, and wove. They exchanged food with one another for variety with everyone, becoming well acquainted with “Flour lumpy dick”. They tried some farming but were bothered with soggy low lands which were not very productive.
Hostile Indians were a worry to them at this time. For protection a home guard was established. William was made Captain of cavalry Company A. When not on duty he often assisted others in building houses.
Another daughter was born to William and Hannah on February 13, 1854. She lived to be just three years old, dying in 1857. Another daughter Polly Ann was born December 16, 1856.
April 9, 1857, William married a second wife Mary Ann Gheen. About this time he was asked to go to Green River to help bring some of the Hand Cart Companys. He did this leaving his family to get along as best they could.
During the year of 1857 he was commissioned a Colonel by Brigham Young, who was then Governor of the State of Utah. At this time due to the trouble starting because of Johnsons Army protesting the Mormons, William was advised to take his family and move them south. He took them to Payson, Utah. They moved into a small log cabin, the only shelter available. The roof was not even completely closed in over their heads. While there Hannah gave birth to a daughter Phebe Oninda and Mary gave birth to a son, Levi James. Family history tells us that when the children were born kind neighbors placed their carpet pieces and blankets over the inadequate roof to make them more comfortable. During this same year William and Hannah's first son John Samuel passed away.
It had been said that William before leaving Ogden stored some flour away in the ground for later use. In the winter of 1859 it was considered safe for him to bring his family back to Ogden. They moved into a small adobe home east of Washington Avenue. The winter was bitter cold with five feet of snow. William located the spot where he had left the flour and dug it up. Once again they were glad for “Flour Lumpy Dick.” We are told they used this flour most sparingly making it last until spring.
Another daughter Sally Rosa Bell was born November 15, 1861 to Hannah. She died at the age of seventeen in the year 1878. At this time William was given badly needed employment on the railroad and daughter Polly Ann in her family narration wrote, “With the first money my Father earned on the railroad he bought me my first pair of real grown up shoes.” She was then 12 years old.
William was a hard worker being a man of great physical strength. He made shingles and is believed to be the first to make shingles in the Ogden area.
William’s farm land was in Marriott, Utah. Although he was always bothered by wet soggy lowlands, he did succeed in making his ground pay.
Two more children were born to William and his first wife Hannah. They were Charles Asa, born August 17, 1869, died 3 July 1870 and Hyrum Barney born Feb 11, 1871. Charles Asa lived to be 11 months old, Hyrum Barney lived to be one year old.
William Elmer was the Father of 16 children…twelve (12) of them with his first wife Hannah Palina and four (4) of them with Mary Ann Green.
For the benefit of future history let it be known and attested that these two women loved each other, they laughed together, suffered together, shared and grieved together when sorrow struck. They both loved their God and followed the principles of their gospel.
William Elmer was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Nauvoo Legion and a high priest in the church. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.
After the Manifesto it was necessary for him to be away from his family. This was hard on him. His health was failing and this proved to be one of his greatest trials. He was, however, able to spend his last years with his first wife Hannah in the small house east of Washington Avenue.
He died true to the gospel and to his maker on December 15, 1895.
Hannah was made the administrator of his property. She allocated his twenty (20) acre farm in Marriott to his two sons Levi and Heber. They and their Mother Mary Ann Gheen moved there to make their home. Hannah remained in Ogden until her death on December 22, 1897. Mary Ann passed away seven years later on April 18, 1903. It was recalled that at the death of Hannah, Mary Ann was inconsolable. She said, “She was the best friend I ever had”.
Presented by Great Granddaughter
Cynthia Grace Wilde
The above was submitted to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers by Cynthia Grace Wile in January 1968. It was noted under “Company Arrived With” Independent.
ELMER, WILLIAM (son of John Elmer and Sally Peaque). Born September 16, 1820, Norwich, Orange county, Vermont. Came to Utah October 3, 1852.
Married Hannah Plina Child March 26, 1846, in Lee county, Iowa (daughter of Alfred B. Child and Polly Barber), who was born January 24, 1828, and came to Utah with husband. Their children: John Samuel born October 13, 1847, died; Mark Alfred born December 16, 1848, married Minnie Jost; William Warren born November 23, 1850, married Adelaide Hall; Cynthia Tryphenia born December 16, 1852, married John Q. Leavitt August 16, 1869; Hannah Plina, born February 13, 1854, died 1857; Polly Ann born December 6, 1856, married Mark Hall December 7, 1874; Sally Rosa Bell born November 16, 1861, died 1876; Sarah Josephine born April 15, 1863, married W. W. Browning; Electa Ann born January 28, 1865, married Chris. J. Brown; Charles Asa born August 17, 1869, died July 3, 1870; Hiram Barney born February 11, 1871, died May 21, 1872. Family home Ogden, Utah.
Married Mary Ann Gean April 1857, Salt Lake City (daughter of William A. Gean and Esther Ann Pierce, pioneers 1850). She was born December 29, 1832. Their children: Levi James born October 1, 1858, married Treen Louise Peterson February 20, 1895; Esther Ann born December 27, 1861, married Francis Keyes October 27, 1878; Amanda Vilate born July 5, 1863, married James Green Browning April 26, 1883; William Heber born February 13, 1869, married Inga Peterson December 20, 1899.
Lieutenant-colonel Nauvoo Legion; captain cavalry Company A. Assisted in building first railroad in Ogden, and first road in Ogden Canyon. Assisted in bringing immigrants to Utah 1856. High Priest.
This was with information sent from the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. It appears to have come from a book.
Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847-1868
This Church History site lists William Elmer as Male, 31, and coming to Utah in the Uriah Curtis Company (1852). It also states that he was Captain of First Ten.
Uriah Curtis Company William Elmer
Individual Information Birth Date: 16 September 1820 Death Date: 14 December 1894 Gender: male
Captain of First Ten Companies Uriah Curtis Company (1852)Age at departure: 31 Sources "16th Company," Deseret News [Weekly], 18 Sep. 1852, 2. Trail Excerpt Source Location •Utah Digital Newspapers Website •Church History Library, Salt Lake City "Obituary Notes," The Deseret News [Weekly], 19 Jan. 1895, 159. Source Location •Church History Library, Salt Lake City Journal History, Supp. to 1852, p. 101 New FamilySearch/Family Tree
Obituary of William Elmer
Deseret Weekly 19 January 1898
Utah Digital Newspapers Website
Ogden City, Utah, Jan 6, 1895,-Elder William Elmer, whose demise occurred December 15, 1894, joined the Church of Jesus Chrst of Latter-Day Saints in very early times. He was the son of John Elmer and Sally Peque. He ws born at Norwich, Chitiendeu County, Vermont, September 18, 1820. He with all his father's family were baptized into the Church on the 11th of July, 1835. In 1838 they removed from Vermont and settled about eight miles west of Navoo. Here they remained for eight years. when they traveled westward to Council Bluffs, where they remained four years.
On March 26, 1847 William Elmer married Miss Hannah Polina Child, daughter of Alfred B. Child and sister of Warren G. Child.
On July 8, 1852 they commenced their long overland march for Utah. They traveled in Company 16, Captain Curtis being in command. They arrived in Salt Lake City October 2nd that same year. Shortly after reaching Utah, William Elmer and his family came north and settled in Weber county, near where Bingham's Fort (now called Lynne) was built. during the fall and winter he hauled logs from the canyon and built a jog cabin, the roof of which was made of poles and dirt, and into this house he installed his family.
In the fall of 1853 the Indian troubles commenced in that part of the county, when the Saints were instructed to build a fort and gather into it for safety. This they did, and built a Spanish wall around it a good portion of which was done by William Elmer. This place was called Binghams Fort. In the winter of 1854 he suffered from a severe attack of Mountain fever, which nearly proved fatal to him. By the mercy of God he was spared, but from the effects of the sickenss he never fully recovered his normal physical strength.
During the summer of 1855 the grasshoppers raided the farms, fields and gardens. They came in countless millions--in clouds which at times darkened the upper deep. They destroyed nearly everything that was used for food for man or animals, fowl or creeping things. But by hard fighting he managed to save a little food from their ravages to feed his family. In the spring of 1856 he located in Ogden City. Late in the fall of 1856 he was called with a number of others to go back on the plains and help to bring in the hand cart companies of Saints who were blockaded by the deep snows. To this call he responded cheerfully and rendered efficient aid to the suffering emigrants.
In 1857 he was commissioned captain of calvary, company A, Nauvoo Legion, and with his men marched to Echo canyon to defend the people's rights-which were then invaded-in the "Mormon War."
In 1858 he participated in the move south. He stayed at Payson during the winter and returned to Ogden City in 1859 where he continued his residence for the remainder of his mortal career. He was subsequently commissioned major in the Nauvoo Legion, which office he held until the Legion was disorganzed by order of the Governor of Utah. The funeral, which was largely attended, was held in the Second ward meeting house. Addresses were delivered by Elders Charles F. Middleton, Bishop Robert McQuarrle, Joseph Hall and others who were intimately acquainted with him for a great number of years. All the speakers bore testimony of his great worth as a man, a citizen, a soldier, a husband and father, and a faithful Latter-day Saint. His posterity was large, seventy-eight in all to date. He had sixteen children, fifty-five grand children and seven great-grandchildren, most of whom survive him. He was of a peaceful disposition, a patient sufferer in affliction. He was upright and honest in all his dealings with his fellow men. He was formerly a Seventy, and at the time of his death was a member of the High Priest quorum.
Yours truly,
Joseph Hall
Married Hannah Plina Child March 26, 1846, in Lee county, Iowa (daughter of Alfred B. Child and Polly Barber), who was born January 24, 1828, and came to Utah with husband. Their children: John Samuel born October 13, 1847, died; Mark Alfred born December 16, 1848, married Minnie Jost; William Warren born November 23, 1850, married Adelaide Hall; Cynthia Tryphenia born December 16, 1852, married John Q. Leavitt August 16, 1869; Hannah Plina, born February 13, 1854, died 1857; Polly Ann born December 6, 1856, married Mark Hall December 7, 1874; Sally Rosa Bell born November 16, 1861, died 1876; Sarah Josephine born April 15, 1863, married W. W. Browning; Electa Ann born January 28, 1865, married Chris. J. Brown; Charles Asa born August 17, 1869, died July 3, 1870; Hiram Barney born February 11, 1871, died May 21, 1872. Family home Ogden, Utah.
Married Mary Ann Gean April 1857, Salt Lake City (daughter of William A. Gean and Esther Ann Pierce, pioneers 1850). She was born December 29, 1832. Their children: Levi James born October 1, 1858, married Treen Louise Peterson February 20, 1895; Esther Ann born December 27, 1861, married Francis Keyes October 27, 1878; Amanda Vilate born July 5, 1863, married James Green Browning April 26, 1883; William Heber born February 13, 1869, married Inga Peterson December 20, 1899.
Lieutenant-colonel Nauvoo Legion; captain cavalry Company A. Assisted in building first railroad in Ogden, and first road in Ogden Canyon. Assisted in bringing immigrants to Utah 1856. High Priest.
This was with information sent from the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. It appears to have come from a book.
Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847-1868
This Church History site lists William Elmer as Male, 31, and coming to Utah in the Uriah Curtis Company (1852). It also states that he was Captain of First Ten.
Uriah Curtis Company William Elmer
Individual Information Birth Date: 16 September 1820 Death Date: 14 December 1894 Gender: male
Captain of First Ten Companies Uriah Curtis Company (1852)Age at departure: 31 Sources "16th Company," Deseret News [Weekly], 18 Sep. 1852, 2. Trail Excerpt Source Location •Utah Digital Newspapers Website •Church History Library, Salt Lake City "Obituary Notes," The Deseret News [Weekly], 19 Jan. 1895, 159. Source Location •Church History Library, Salt Lake City Journal History, Supp. to 1852, p. 101 New FamilySearch/Family Tree
Obituary of William Elmer
Deseret Weekly 19 January 1898
Utah Digital Newspapers Website
Ogden City, Utah, Jan 6, 1895,-Elder William Elmer, whose demise occurred December 15, 1894, joined the Church of Jesus Chrst of Latter-Day Saints in very early times. He was the son of John Elmer and Sally Peque. He ws born at Norwich, Chitiendeu County, Vermont, September 18, 1820. He with all his father's family were baptized into the Church on the 11th of July, 1835. In 1838 they removed from Vermont and settled about eight miles west of Navoo. Here they remained for eight years. when they traveled westward to Council Bluffs, where they remained four years.
On March 26, 1847 William Elmer married Miss Hannah Polina Child, daughter of Alfred B. Child and sister of Warren G. Child.
On July 8, 1852 they commenced their long overland march for Utah. They traveled in Company 16, Captain Curtis being in command. They arrived in Salt Lake City October 2nd that same year. Shortly after reaching Utah, William Elmer and his family came north and settled in Weber county, near where Bingham's Fort (now called Lynne) was built. during the fall and winter he hauled logs from the canyon and built a jog cabin, the roof of which was made of poles and dirt, and into this house he installed his family.
In the fall of 1853 the Indian troubles commenced in that part of the county, when the Saints were instructed to build a fort and gather into it for safety. This they did, and built a Spanish wall around it a good portion of which was done by William Elmer. This place was called Binghams Fort. In the winter of 1854 he suffered from a severe attack of Mountain fever, which nearly proved fatal to him. By the mercy of God he was spared, but from the effects of the sickenss he never fully recovered his normal physical strength.
During the summer of 1855 the grasshoppers raided the farms, fields and gardens. They came in countless millions--in clouds which at times darkened the upper deep. They destroyed nearly everything that was used for food for man or animals, fowl or creeping things. But by hard fighting he managed to save a little food from their ravages to feed his family. In the spring of 1856 he located in Ogden City. Late in the fall of 1856 he was called with a number of others to go back on the plains and help to bring in the hand cart companies of Saints who were blockaded by the deep snows. To this call he responded cheerfully and rendered efficient aid to the suffering emigrants.
In 1857 he was commissioned captain of calvary, company A, Nauvoo Legion, and with his men marched to Echo canyon to defend the people's rights-which were then invaded-in the "Mormon War."
In 1858 he participated in the move south. He stayed at Payson during the winter and returned to Ogden City in 1859 where he continued his residence for the remainder of his mortal career. He was subsequently commissioned major in the Nauvoo Legion, which office he held until the Legion was disorganzed by order of the Governor of Utah. The funeral, which was largely attended, was held in the Second ward meeting house. Addresses were delivered by Elders Charles F. Middleton, Bishop Robert McQuarrle, Joseph Hall and others who were intimately acquainted with him for a great number of years. All the speakers bore testimony of his great worth as a man, a citizen, a soldier, a husband and father, and a faithful Latter-day Saint. His posterity was large, seventy-eight in all to date. He had sixteen children, fifty-five grand children and seven great-grandchildren, most of whom survive him. He was of a peaceful disposition, a patient sufferer in affliction. He was upright and honest in all his dealings with his fellow men. He was formerly a Seventy, and at the time of his death was a member of the High Priest quorum.
Yours truly,
Joseph Hall
found on ancestry.com
Flour Lumpy Dick
A "dick" is simply a boiled pudding, and this dish is kin to the infamous "spotted dick." There is no doubt that, even with vigorous stirring of the flour during it addition and cooking, this dish indeed would be lumpy. While the dish is associated with Mormons in San Bernardino, it is a traditional English dish of the poor. To boiling water slowly add white flour until it reaches the consistency of mush; add a pinch of salt. Serve either hot or cold with milk and sugar.
Lumpy Dick
3 qt. rich milk6 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
3 cups cream
Heat milk to boiling - stir continuously
Mix flour, salt, and cream to pie dough consistency
add by handfuls to hot milk until it thickens.
Stir constantly.
Dish up in bowls, sprinkle with sugar,
serve with milk. Delicious!
All Sons of the Utah Pioneers-Utah, Pioneer Companies
Name: William Elmer
Age: 32
Captain: U. Curtis
Arrival: 01 October 1852
Comments: 1 wagon, 1 hors
Found on ancestry.com
William Elmer
William Elmer was a Lieutenant-Colonel Nauvoo Legion; Captain cavalry Company A. Assisted in bringing railroad in Ogden and first road in Ogden canyon. Assisted in bringing immigrants to Utah 1856. High Priest. Came to Utah 3 October 1852.
"Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah" by Frank Esshom
Known rescuers of the Willie, Martin, Hodgett, Hunt Pioneer Emigrating Companies of 1856
Elmer, William (36)
http://tellmystorytoo.com/
Polly Ann Elmer was born December 6, 1856 in Ogden, Utah. Just before that time her father William Elmer was called by President Brigham Young to go back as far as the Sweet River (beyond Evanston) and meet the Handcart Company. Because of the deep snow and severe cold weather, they had been delayed and were suffering from hunger and cold. This made it necessary for provisions and clothing to be taken to them before they could continue their journey into Salt Lake City. Because he was called at this time, he (grandfather) had to leave his home that he was building before it was completed. It was in this home with no roof on the house that my grandmother was born. At the time there was three feet of snow on the ground and it was still snowing. Making it necessary to hold quilts over the bed to keep the snow off. In the spring of 1858 President Brigham Young ordered the Saints to move south for safety from Johnson’s Army. She (Polly Ann) lived in Payson, Utah with her parents until the fall of the same year when they moved back to Ogden. Here on the same acre of ground that he had build his home, William Elmer cleared away trees and brush, and planted vegetables such as potatoes, squash, etc. The wheat and other grains as a rule were raised on five acre farms at that time.
It was impossible then for the children here to obtain much education, but Polly Ann attended school until she was forced to work at home on account of the continued illness of her mother. Her duties at home as well as that of her other sisters consisted of everything pertaining to home. She also carded wool, spun the yarn with the aid of the spinning wheel, and out of the material made her own clothes. In the year of 1868, her father worked on the railroad grade to bring the first railroad into Ogden. For this he received money for pay and was able to buy her for the first time a pair of shoes made out of leather. She was then twelve years old.
Found on FamilySearch.org.
Written Polly Elizabeth Taylor (Roghaar).
WILLIAM ELMER 1820-1894
William Elmer was born at Norwich, Orange County, Vermont, on 16 September 1820. His father was John Elmer and his mother, Sally (Sarah) Peak (Peaque). He had four brothers and four sisters. He was born and reared on a farm.
In the spring of 1838, in company with his parents and family, started west by horse team there being no railroads. They came as far as Oeron, Ohio where they stopped to rest. While here his mother and brother, Samuel, died of Typhoid fever. It took a lot of courage to continue on their journey. They finally reached Adams County, Illinois late in the fall. Here they stopped for the winter, took up a piece of ground and started to build a log cabin. As soon as the walls were up and the roof on, the father and sons went out to work as their supplies were running low. While they were away, the cabin with all their possessions burned to the ground. They managed to find work enough to buy more clothes and live through the winter. In the spring, William=s father, John, married the widow of Semore Bronson who had three small children. They all went to live at her home. In 1843 they sold out and moved to Lee County, Iowa where they took up a farm again.
On 26 March 1846 William married Hannah Polina Child of Lee County. Their first child, John Samuel was born 13 October 1847. They then moved to Council Bluffs and took up another farm. Mark Alfred was born here.
William's father, John, persuaded him to take his wife, Hannah, and return to Des Moines to get some of his other children who had stayed behind. Myron Barber Child, Hannah's brother and wife, Emeline Elmer Child, accompanied them. It was a hard long trip with the babies. They all traveled in one wagon with two horses. They had to keep the horses tied to the wagon every night on account of the Indians. They were able to bring the rest of the family back with them the following spring. Another son, William Warren, was born soon after their return.
In the spring of 1852 they crossed the plains by ox team with two yokes cows hitched in the lead. They arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley 3 October 1852. After resting a few days they moved on to Bingham Fort near Ogden. The country was covered with sagebrush, scrub oak and willows with a saw mill and a grist mill run by water from Ogden River. These had been built by the first pioneers five years before. The Indians were hostile at this time. Warren helped build the fort to protect the families and took his turn standing guard at night. He brought timber out of the mountains to build a house, giving half of the logs to the mill for sawing his half. Wooden pins were used as there were no nails.
They suffered many trials, losses and depredation. He took up farming and had his first crop destroyed by grass hoppers. They lived almost entirely on gleaning and digging roots and killing some of their cattle for food. "When the Home Guards were established, he was made Captain of Cavalry Company A and later on was commissioned Colonel by the Governor of Utah; holding this office until the company disbanded.
He helped build many public buildings and roads, the first road through Ogden Canyon and the first railroad into Ogden, always donating his means freely. He was ambitious and industrious, rising at half past four in the morning and retiring at half past eight in the evening. He was a man of few words, strictly moral, honest and upright in all his dealing. He had a robust constitution and great physical strength, measured five feet nine inches and his average weight was 150 pounds. His sterling integrity and commanding respect especially qualified him for Marshall of the Day, which position he held with honor and dignity through many celebrations.
He was one that was called to take his team and go with others to meet the handcart company in November 1856. It was so cold many had their hands and feet frozen and nearly starved to death, but they managed to come through alive. He was also called to go out to meet Johnson's Army in 1857. Then he was compelled to leave his home and what little he had to go South in 1858, taking the Turner family with them as they were pursued by the enemy at the time of the Morrisite War. They buried flour and other provisions which came in very good when they were able to return home once more. His entire farm was washed away by the Ogden and Weber Rivers at Marriott, losing all he had again.
He was a faithful member of the LDS church and suffered many trials for his religious sake. He was one of those persecuted for polygamy, spending three years in the underground. It was a great trial for him in his old age and his health began to fail, causing him to suffer for several years before his death 14 December 1894. He was buried in the City Cemetery at Ogden, Utah. He was the father of sixteen children, 12 by Hannah his first wife, and four by Mary Ann Gheen, his second wife who he married 6 march 1856.
Found on FamilySearch.org (contributed by WellsAnnette1 3 March 2018)
Added to the above in "Histories of the ancestors of Joseph Parker and Minnie Mae Elmer Parker (found on FamilySearch.org).
William Warren Elmer was born at Norwich, Orange, Vermont 16 September 1820. His father was John Elmer and his mother Sally Peague/Peake. He had four brothers and four sisters. He was born and reared on a farm. In the spring of 1838, in company with his parents and family, they all started west by horse team. They came as far as Oreon, Ohio where they stopped to rest. While here his mother died of typhoid fever. It took courage to continue on their journey, but they went on and reached Adams County, Illinois late in that fall. Here they stopped for the winter, took up a piece of ground and started to build a log cabin. As soon as the walls were up and the roof on, the father and sons went out to work as their supplies were running low. While away, the cabin with all their possessions burned to the ground. They managed to find work enough to buy more clothes and live through the winter.
In the spring of 1839 William’s father, John, married the widow of Semore Bronson, Harriet Gould Bronson, who had three small children. The family went to live at her home. In the year of 1843 they sold out and moved to Lee County, Iowa where they took up a farm again. They lived just a few miles from Nauvoo and William was a Captain in the Nauvoo Legion.
When William was 26 years of age he married Hannah Polina Child of Lee County, 26 March 1846. Their first child, John Samuel, was born 13 October 1847. They then moved to Council Bluffs and took up another farm. Their second son Mark Alfred was born 16 December 1848.
In the spring of 1859 William’s father, John, persuaded him to take his wife Hannah and return to Des Moines to get some of his other children who had stayed behind. . . .(since William was 29 and next to the youngest they were all older than he). Myron child, Hannah’s brother and his wife accompanied them. It was a long, hard trip with the babies. They all traveled in one wagon with two horses. They had to keep the horses tied to the wagon every night on account of the Indians. They were able to bring the rest of the family back with them the next spring.
Another son, William Warren was born that year, 22 November 1850. William worked for 50 cents a day and Hannah took in two boarders at a dollar a week that they might save money for the trip to Utah.
In the spring of 1852 they crossed the plains by ox team with two yoke of oxen hitched in the lead. They arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley, 3 October 1852. After resting a few days they moved on to Harrisville, near Ogden. The country was covered with sage brush, scrub oak and willows with a few scattered houses. The Indians were very hostile at this time. William helped build Bingham’s Fort (located west of Wall Avenue and 2nd Street in Ogden) to protect the families and took his turn nights standing guard. He brought timber out of the mountains to build a house, giving half of the logs to the mill for sawing his half. (The saw mill was owned by Lorin Farr) Wooden pins were used as there were no nails.
They suffered many trials, losses and depredations. William took up land to farm and had his first crop destroyed by grasshoppers. They lived almost entirely on gleanings and digging roots and killing some of their cattle for food. In the spring of 1856 they moved into Ogden where there were a few more people. They took up ground on the Bench, built a house and raised a fine garden, and William kept the farm in Harrisville. The next spring they sold the farm and bought fifteen acres in Marriott close to the Weber River. They cleared the land and planted ten acres of wheat, corn, potatoes, etc., and raised a good crop.
When the Home Guard was established he was made Captain of the Cavalry, Company A, and later on was appointed a non-commissioned Colonel by the Governor of Utah: holding this office until the company disbanded.
On 6 March 1856, he took a second wife, Mary Ann Gheen. Hannah received her kindly and shared what little they had. Mary Ann Gheen was born 29 December 1832 at East National County Pennsylvania. She came to Utah with her parents, with an ox team in 1850. When she was nine years old, she suffered Infantile Paralysis in her right side. Her right arm was made helpless. It grew in length but never developed. In this condition she married and reared four children.
In November 1856 William was one that was called to take his team and go with others to meet the Hand Cart companies. It was so cold that many had hands and feet frozen and nearly starved to death but they managed to come through alive. He was also called to go out to meet Johnson’s Army, in 1857.
In 1858 he was compelled to leave his home and what little he had and go south taking the Turner family with them as they were pursued by the enemy at the time of the Johnson’s Army entering the valley to arrest the polygamists. They buried flour and other provisions which came in good stead when they were able to return home. Mary Ann’s first child, Levi James, was born in Payson on 1 October 1858. When they came back his entire farm at Marriott was washed away from flooding of the Weber River, so once again, they lost everything.
William helped build many public buildings and roads. He helped build the first road through Ogden Canyon and the first railroad into Ogden. He was ambitious and industrious. He arose at half-past four in the morning and retired at half-past eight in the evening. A man of few words, strictly moral, honest and upright in all his dealings, and donated his time and means freely. He had a robust constitution and great physical strength. He measured five feet nine inches tall, and his average weight was 150 pounds. His sterling integrity, commanding appearance, especially qualified him for “Marshall of the Day” which position he held with honor and dignity at many celebrations.
Polly Ann said her father bought her her first pair of grown up shoes in 1868 when she was twelve years old with money he had earned working on the railroad and she never forgot the thrill of having real store shoes.
William loved the Gospel and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was a High Priest, and suffered many trials for his religion. He was one of those persecuted for polygamy, spending three years in the underground. It was a great trial for him in his old age and his health began to fail. He suffered for several years before his death 15 December 1894. He was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Weber, Utah.
Hannah’s brother, Myron Barber child, was an interpreter for the Indians and could speak several Indian dialects. William was seen with him so much that the Indians called him Pee-a-sup, or Red blanket. He rode a large white horse and wore a red and blue cape and could be seen for a long distance. He was always kind to the Indians and they respected him. What he said was law to them and he settled many quarrels and disputes which might have ended in bloodshed but for this respect.
He was the father of 16 children, twelve by Hannah, his first wife and four by Mary Ann Gheen.
William and Hannah’s children are 1, John Samuel born 13 October 1847, died; 2, Mark Alfred born 16 December 1848, married Minnie Jost; 3, William Warren born 23 November 1850, married Adelaide Hall; 4. Cynthia Tryphenia born 16 December 1852, married John Q. Leavitt 16 August 1869; 5, Hannah Plina born 12 February 1854, died 1857; 6, Polly Anna born 6 December 1856, married M. D. Taylor 27 December 1875; 7, Phebe Arinda born 19 September 1858, married Mark Hall 7 December 1874; 8, Sally Rosa Bell born 16 November 1861, died 1878; 9. Sarah Josephine born 15 April 1863, married W.W. Browning; 10, Electa Ann born 28 January 1865, married Christ J. Brown; 11, Charles Asa born 17 August 1869, died 7 July 1870; 12, Hiram Barney born 11 February 1871, died 21 May 1872.
William and Mary Ann’s children are 1, Levi James born 1 October 1858, married Treen Louise Peterson 20 February 1895; 2, Esther Ann born 27 December 1861, married Francis Keyes 27 October 1878; 3, Amanda Vilate born 5 July 1862, married James Green Browning 26 April 1883; 4, William Heber born 13 February 1869, married Inga Peterson 20 December 1899.
History edited by Dorothy Toone Cook, 2008. Taken from information from “Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah,” published in 1913, and edited by Frank Esshom. Histories from the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Library, Salt Lake City, Utah turned in by: LaRue N. Whiteley, Cynthia Grace Wilde, Rhea B. Cazier, Louise B. Stock.
EARLY MORMON MISSIONARIES
William Elmer
Eastern States
October 1871-March 1871
Age Called: 51
United States
Set Apart: 16 October 1870
Arrived At Home: 28 March 1871
Mission type: Proselytizing
Marital Status: Plurally Married
Priesthood office: Seventy
Quorum: 38th
Called From: Ogden, Weber, Utah Territory, United States
Set apart by: C C Rich
Found on FamilySearch.org (contributed by lanaerasmussen1 11 February 2018)
Polly Ann Elmer was born December 6, 1856 in Ogden, Utah. Just before that time her father William Elmer was called by President Brigham Young to go back as far as the Sweet River (beyond Evanston) and meet the Handcart Company. Because of the deep snow and severe cold weather, they had been delayed and were suffering from hunger and cold. This made it necessary for provisions and clothing to be taken to them before they could continue their journey into Salt Lake City. Because he was called at this time, he (grandfather) had to leave his home that he was building before it was completed. It was in this home with no roof on the house that my grandmother was born. At the time there was three feet of snow on the ground and it was still snowing. Making it necessary to hold quilts over the bed to keep the snow off. In the spring of 1858 President Brigham Young ordered the Saints to move south for safety from Johnson’s Army. She (Polly Ann) lived in Payson, Utah with her parents until the fall of the same year when they moved back to Ogden. Here on the same acre of ground that he had build his home, William Elmer cleared away trees and brush, and planted vegetables such as potatoes, squash, etc. The wheat and other grains as a rule were raised on five acre farms at that time.
It was impossible then for the children here to obtain much education, but Polly Ann attended school until she was forced to work at home on account of the continued illness of her mother. Her duties at home as well as that of her other sisters consisted of everything pertaining to home. She also carded wool, spun the yarn with the aid of the spinning wheel, and out of the material made her own clothes. In the year of 1868, her father worked on the railroad grade to bring the first railroad into Ogden. For this he received money for pay and was able to buy her for the first time a pair of shoes made out of leather. She was then twelve years old.
Found on FamilySearch.org.
Written Polly Elizabeth Taylor (Roghaar).
WILLIAM ELMER 1820-1894
William Elmer was born at Norwich, Orange County, Vermont, on 16 September 1820. His father was John Elmer and his mother, Sally (Sarah) Peak (Peaque). He had four brothers and four sisters. He was born and reared on a farm.
In the spring of 1838, in company with his parents and family, started west by horse team there being no railroads. They came as far as Oeron, Ohio where they stopped to rest. While here his mother and brother, Samuel, died of Typhoid fever. It took a lot of courage to continue on their journey. They finally reached Adams County, Illinois late in the fall. Here they stopped for the winter, took up a piece of ground and started to build a log cabin. As soon as the walls were up and the roof on, the father and sons went out to work as their supplies were running low. While they were away, the cabin with all their possessions burned to the ground. They managed to find work enough to buy more clothes and live through the winter. In the spring, William=s father, John, married the widow of Semore Bronson who had three small children. They all went to live at her home. In 1843 they sold out and moved to Lee County, Iowa where they took up a farm again.
On 26 March 1846 William married Hannah Polina Child of Lee County. Their first child, John Samuel was born 13 October 1847. They then moved to Council Bluffs and took up another farm. Mark Alfred was born here.
William's father, John, persuaded him to take his wife, Hannah, and return to Des Moines to get some of his other children who had stayed behind. Myron Barber Child, Hannah's brother and wife, Emeline Elmer Child, accompanied them. It was a hard long trip with the babies. They all traveled in one wagon with two horses. They had to keep the horses tied to the wagon every night on account of the Indians. They were able to bring the rest of the family back with them the following spring. Another son, William Warren, was born soon after their return.
In the spring of 1852 they crossed the plains by ox team with two yokes cows hitched in the lead. They arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley 3 October 1852. After resting a few days they moved on to Bingham Fort near Ogden. The country was covered with sagebrush, scrub oak and willows with a saw mill and a grist mill run by water from Ogden River. These had been built by the first pioneers five years before. The Indians were hostile at this time. Warren helped build the fort to protect the families and took his turn standing guard at night. He brought timber out of the mountains to build a house, giving half of the logs to the mill for sawing his half. Wooden pins were used as there were no nails.
They suffered many trials, losses and depredation. He took up farming and had his first crop destroyed by grass hoppers. They lived almost entirely on gleaning and digging roots and killing some of their cattle for food. "When the Home Guards were established, he was made Captain of Cavalry Company A and later on was commissioned Colonel by the Governor of Utah; holding this office until the company disbanded.
He helped build many public buildings and roads, the first road through Ogden Canyon and the first railroad into Ogden, always donating his means freely. He was ambitious and industrious, rising at half past four in the morning and retiring at half past eight in the evening. He was a man of few words, strictly moral, honest and upright in all his dealing. He had a robust constitution and great physical strength, measured five feet nine inches and his average weight was 150 pounds. His sterling integrity and commanding respect especially qualified him for Marshall of the Day, which position he held with honor and dignity through many celebrations.
He was one that was called to take his team and go with others to meet the handcart company in November 1856. It was so cold many had their hands and feet frozen and nearly starved to death, but they managed to come through alive. He was also called to go out to meet Johnson's Army in 1857. Then he was compelled to leave his home and what little he had to go South in 1858, taking the Turner family with them as they were pursued by the enemy at the time of the Morrisite War. They buried flour and other provisions which came in very good when they were able to return home once more. His entire farm was washed away by the Ogden and Weber Rivers at Marriott, losing all he had again.
He was a faithful member of the LDS church and suffered many trials for his religious sake. He was one of those persecuted for polygamy, spending three years in the underground. It was a great trial for him in his old age and his health began to fail, causing him to suffer for several years before his death 14 December 1894. He was buried in the City Cemetery at Ogden, Utah. He was the father of sixteen children, 12 by Hannah his first wife, and four by Mary Ann Gheen, his second wife who he married 6 march 1856.
Found on FamilySearch.org (contributed by WellsAnnette1 3 March 2018)
Added to the above in "Histories of the ancestors of Joseph Parker and Minnie Mae Elmer Parker (found on FamilySearch.org).
William Warren Elmer was born at Norwich, Orange, Vermont 16 September 1820. His father was John Elmer and his mother Sally Peague/Peake. He had four brothers and four sisters. He was born and reared on a farm. In the spring of 1838, in company with his parents and family, they all started west by horse team. They came as far as Oreon, Ohio where they stopped to rest. While here his mother died of typhoid fever. It took courage to continue on their journey, but they went on and reached Adams County, Illinois late in that fall. Here they stopped for the winter, took up a piece of ground and started to build a log cabin. As soon as the walls were up and the roof on, the father and sons went out to work as their supplies were running low. While away, the cabin with all their possessions burned to the ground. They managed to find work enough to buy more clothes and live through the winter.
In the spring of 1839 William’s father, John, married the widow of Semore Bronson, Harriet Gould Bronson, who had three small children. The family went to live at her home. In the year of 1843 they sold out and moved to Lee County, Iowa where they took up a farm again. They lived just a few miles from Nauvoo and William was a Captain in the Nauvoo Legion.
When William was 26 years of age he married Hannah Polina Child of Lee County, 26 March 1846. Their first child, John Samuel, was born 13 October 1847. They then moved to Council Bluffs and took up another farm. Their second son Mark Alfred was born 16 December 1848.
In the spring of 1859 William’s father, John, persuaded him to take his wife Hannah and return to Des Moines to get some of his other children who had stayed behind. . . .(since William was 29 and next to the youngest they were all older than he). Myron child, Hannah’s brother and his wife accompanied them. It was a long, hard trip with the babies. They all traveled in one wagon with two horses. They had to keep the horses tied to the wagon every night on account of the Indians. They were able to bring the rest of the family back with them the next spring.
Another son, William Warren was born that year, 22 November 1850. William worked for 50 cents a day and Hannah took in two boarders at a dollar a week that they might save money for the trip to Utah.
In the spring of 1852 they crossed the plains by ox team with two yoke of oxen hitched in the lead. They arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley, 3 October 1852. After resting a few days they moved on to Harrisville, near Ogden. The country was covered with sage brush, scrub oak and willows with a few scattered houses. The Indians were very hostile at this time. William helped build Bingham’s Fort (located west of Wall Avenue and 2nd Street in Ogden) to protect the families and took his turn nights standing guard. He brought timber out of the mountains to build a house, giving half of the logs to the mill for sawing his half. (The saw mill was owned by Lorin Farr) Wooden pins were used as there were no nails.
They suffered many trials, losses and depredations. William took up land to farm and had his first crop destroyed by grasshoppers. They lived almost entirely on gleanings and digging roots and killing some of their cattle for food. In the spring of 1856 they moved into Ogden where there were a few more people. They took up ground on the Bench, built a house and raised a fine garden, and William kept the farm in Harrisville. The next spring they sold the farm and bought fifteen acres in Marriott close to the Weber River. They cleared the land and planted ten acres of wheat, corn, potatoes, etc., and raised a good crop.
When the Home Guard was established he was made Captain of the Cavalry, Company A, and later on was appointed a non-commissioned Colonel by the Governor of Utah: holding this office until the company disbanded.
On 6 March 1856, he took a second wife, Mary Ann Gheen. Hannah received her kindly and shared what little they had. Mary Ann Gheen was born 29 December 1832 at East National County Pennsylvania. She came to Utah with her parents, with an ox team in 1850. When she was nine years old, she suffered Infantile Paralysis in her right side. Her right arm was made helpless. It grew in length but never developed. In this condition she married and reared four children.
In November 1856 William was one that was called to take his team and go with others to meet the Hand Cart companies. It was so cold that many had hands and feet frozen and nearly starved to death but they managed to come through alive. He was also called to go out to meet Johnson’s Army, in 1857.
In 1858 he was compelled to leave his home and what little he had and go south taking the Turner family with them as they were pursued by the enemy at the time of the Johnson’s Army entering the valley to arrest the polygamists. They buried flour and other provisions which came in good stead when they were able to return home. Mary Ann’s first child, Levi James, was born in Payson on 1 October 1858. When they came back his entire farm at Marriott was washed away from flooding of the Weber River, so once again, they lost everything.
William helped build many public buildings and roads. He helped build the first road through Ogden Canyon and the first railroad into Ogden. He was ambitious and industrious. He arose at half-past four in the morning and retired at half-past eight in the evening. A man of few words, strictly moral, honest and upright in all his dealings, and donated his time and means freely. He had a robust constitution and great physical strength. He measured five feet nine inches tall, and his average weight was 150 pounds. His sterling integrity, commanding appearance, especially qualified him for “Marshall of the Day” which position he held with honor and dignity at many celebrations.
Polly Ann said her father bought her her first pair of grown up shoes in 1868 when she was twelve years old with money he had earned working on the railroad and she never forgot the thrill of having real store shoes.
William loved the Gospel and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was a High Priest, and suffered many trials for his religion. He was one of those persecuted for polygamy, spending three years in the underground. It was a great trial for him in his old age and his health began to fail. He suffered for several years before his death 15 December 1894. He was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Weber, Utah.
Hannah’s brother, Myron Barber child, was an interpreter for the Indians and could speak several Indian dialects. William was seen with him so much that the Indians called him Pee-a-sup, or Red blanket. He rode a large white horse and wore a red and blue cape and could be seen for a long distance. He was always kind to the Indians and they respected him. What he said was law to them and he settled many quarrels and disputes which might have ended in bloodshed but for this respect.
He was the father of 16 children, twelve by Hannah, his first wife and four by Mary Ann Gheen.
William and Hannah’s children are 1, John Samuel born 13 October 1847, died; 2, Mark Alfred born 16 December 1848, married Minnie Jost; 3, William Warren born 23 November 1850, married Adelaide Hall; 4. Cynthia Tryphenia born 16 December 1852, married John Q. Leavitt 16 August 1869; 5, Hannah Plina born 12 February 1854, died 1857; 6, Polly Anna born 6 December 1856, married M. D. Taylor 27 December 1875; 7, Phebe Arinda born 19 September 1858, married Mark Hall 7 December 1874; 8, Sally Rosa Bell born 16 November 1861, died 1878; 9. Sarah Josephine born 15 April 1863, married W.W. Browning; 10, Electa Ann born 28 January 1865, married Christ J. Brown; 11, Charles Asa born 17 August 1869, died 7 July 1870; 12, Hiram Barney born 11 February 1871, died 21 May 1872.
William and Mary Ann’s children are 1, Levi James born 1 October 1858, married Treen Louise Peterson 20 February 1895; 2, Esther Ann born 27 December 1861, married Francis Keyes 27 October 1878; 3, Amanda Vilate born 5 July 1862, married James Green Browning 26 April 1883; 4, William Heber born 13 February 1869, married Inga Peterson 20 December 1899.
History edited by Dorothy Toone Cook, 2008. Taken from information from “Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah,” published in 1913, and edited by Frank Esshom. Histories from the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Library, Salt Lake City, Utah turned in by: LaRue N. Whiteley, Cynthia Grace Wilde, Rhea B. Cazier, Louise B. Stock.
EARLY MORMON MISSIONARIES
William Elmer
Eastern States
October 1871-March 1871
Age Called: 51
United States
Set Apart: 16 October 1870
Arrived At Home: 28 March 1871
Mission type: Proselytizing
Marital Status: Plurally Married
Priesthood office: Seventy
Quorum: 38th
Called From: Ogden, Weber, Utah Territory, United States
Set apart by: C C Rich
Found on FamilySearch.org (contributed by lanaerasmussen1 11 February 2018)
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