"Boys, It is Time to Go to Work"

Recently I learned more about Absalom Wamsley Smith.  His photographs are distinctive and he looks like a person I would love to know more about.   "Father Smith" was husband to five wives and father of thirty-two children and served as a Patriarch in the Draper area for many years.

Absalom Wamsley Smith

Some of his ancestors apparently came from Ireland.*  The Smith family came to America before the Revolutionary War. Aaron Smith, Absalom's grandfather was likely the first white settler of West Virginia settling in Clarksburg.  

Absalom was born in June 22, 1819 in West Virginia.  While a young man, Absalom persuaded his father to allow him to go west with his sister and her husband to Quincy, Illinois, 700 miles away.  While living in Quincy, Mormons began to come from Missouri to escape persecution.  In 1839 there was a debate and Absolom Smith saw the Prophet Joseph Smith for the first time.

When he was 21 he married Amy Emily Downes on November 5, 1840.  She and her family were baptized into the LDS church, but Absolom did not join until about three years later in July of 1843 in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Amy's parents lived in Nauvoo and their new home was burned down as they held by the mob and made to watch.  Absalom was ordained a Seventy by Brother Wells in Nauvoo.   Amy was anxious to go west with the Saints, but Absalom wanted to go to Texas.  Eventually, Amy convinced her husband and they came to Utah in 1852 in the Isaac M.  Stewart Company.  They left from Council Bluffs, Iowa with about 245 individuals and 53 wagons on June 19 and arrived in Salt Lake Valley in August or September of 1852. 

Absalom and Catherine Messam Smith.

Absalom W. Smith in 1874.

They settled in Draper "Crossroads" area in what is now Highway 89 (State Street) where the road goes East to Draper and west to Riverton.   He served as a counselor to Bishop Isaac Stewart.  He eventually married four other wives (one wife only lived a short time) and raised a large family.

He built a long two story adobe house of 17 rooms, four rooms for each wife and one room for his office.  For a while he moved to Hanksville until after the Manifesto.

Absalom was a small but powerful man.  He stood five feet eight inches, but spoke with authority.
"Boys, it is time to go to work" he would say, and they went to work cheerfully.

Smith home at Draper Crossroads.

Their home and barn were on the State Road and it became a stopping place for travelers. One of the travelers ended up boarding in their home for many years as a teacher. His name was John R. Parks and students came from all around Draper to study under him.  Later he would become the President of the University of Utah.

Absalom encouraged education and many of his sons became leaders in the community.

Absalom lived true to his church and served two different six month missions.  Apparently he made trips East to haul freight back to Utah.

Absalom W. Smith about 1890

Eventually Absolom was called to serve as a patriarch in the LDS church.  He lived to be 84 and for years he used a cane to walk around his farm.   The last three months of his life he was bedridden and his children took turns sitting with him.

One daughter wrote a poem about the simple gnarled and crooked cane that reminded her of her father, "Everyone knew dear father for just what he seemed to be.  No outside show, always the same in his just simplicity."

Deseret News article of June 24, 1902.

Our family comes through the wife Mary Ann Osborne who was 22 years his junior at the time of their marriage in the Endowment House on 24 December 1864.   Absalom and Mary Ann's daughter, Delila Smith (b. Dec. 20, 1865) would later married Christian L. Jensen and become the parents of Dora Amanda Jensen (Ballegooie). 

Absalom is buried in the Draper Cemetery. Inscription reads:
"His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him,
that nature might say to all the world 'This was an honest man.'"

Absalom died 12 May 1904 and is buried in the Draper Cemetery along with many others from the Smith family.  I look forward to meeting this gentle, honest man.

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*Most of the information above came from Mabel Smith Shipley Murray, a granddaughter, who presented a paper in January 18, 1979 to the Seagull Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.  See paper in LDS Family Search.

The Living Spirits of Our Departed Ancestors

Hosts of Heaven

The Living Spirits of Our Departed Ancestors

It is October 31, 2014.  Tonight my 18 month-old grandson will come to my door, dressed in costume, to beg for candy and wonder why his mom makes him wear the uncomfortable wings of this Disney character, “Buzz Lightyear”?

As I walk my dog around in North Logan, we have some pretty amazing fake graveyards showing up at our neighbor’s homes as Halloween décor.  Our friends from Switzerland tell us that Halloween is even becoming a common Swiss celebration.  I wonder why? Is it for the “free treats”, for the chance to dress up in costumes, or because we like to celebrate the paranormal?

Perhaps the elaborate costumes and spooky stories are just a way to try and connect with departed spirits? 

Costume Advertisement from Target

In my favorite movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” we meet a guardian angel who is invisible to all on earth but his assigned earthling. In this Frank Capra classic tale, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is visited by Clarence on Christmas Eve.  It is a powerful and moving script beloved by many even 60 years after its filming.

One of the favorite movies of all time!

In the popular TV series “Touched by an Angel” we saw one producer’s idea of how angels minister among the children of men. 

Popular TV series.

Halloween Day causes me to think about the spirits of my departed ancestors.  Mormons believe that spirits “from the other side of the veil” are real and that these ancestors are especially concerned about their descendants living upon the earth.

As I have come to know better the stories of the lives of my departed ancestors, they have become more “real” to me.  I would hope to actually be visited by one of them, but I haven’t…yet.

Angel Moroni from the LDS Nauvoo Temple.

In October 2008, Jeffrey R. Holland gave a classic talk to Latter-day Saints titled:  “The Ministry of Angels”  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-ministry-of-angels?lang=eng

“God knew the challenges (his children) would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them.

“But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near.

“Indeed, shortly after Adam and Eve found themselves in the lone and dreary world, an angel appeared unto them, ² who taught them the meaning of their sacrifice and the atoning role of the promised Redeemer who was to come.

“From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children.

The Angel Moroni, a messenger who appeared to Joseph Smith in the 1820's, is typically found on the spires of Mormon temples around the world.

“Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.”  (Holland)

I believe in ministering angels.  I have always loved this scripture that is one of the LDS church President Thomas S. Monson’s favorites:

“I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” D&C 84:88

For me, it is comforting to exercise faith in angels who are sent forth to deliver messages. (See Book of Mormon Alma 12:29, D&C 29:42).  Angels also "take home" the departed and greet the departed in a kind of reception (Alma 40:11-12). My mother, who is on Hospice care, will surely be escorted by family members into her "next life" and received there by her loved ones.  (See Book of Mormon Alma 40:11-12). 

One of my sisters has shared the very real experience of her father’s arms around her in a time of deep despair.

My son has strongly felt the spirit of his grandfather.

My husband has wondered if Chase ancestors have been instrumental in his generation returning  to the faith of their ancestors.

When Max Weiss departed earth life, his spirit left the room of his Salt Lake home in a way that his granddaughter, Rose Cross, noticed as very unusual.  (Recording in possession of Mark Weiss.)

Nauvoo Temple with horizontal Angel Moroni.

I have personally had very intense dreams where my angels flew in a horizontal fashion.  For that reason I love the angel weather vane originally on the top of the Nauvoo Temple.

I’m sure I could gather many other family stories to add here.

“Always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.” (Holland)

Mormon angels don't usually have wings but the concept of transporting from place to place is symbolized here by wings.

I believe in the reality of the living spirits of our departed ancestors.  I haven’t seen them, but I have felt their guidance and the presence of the member of the Godhead that Christians call “The Holy Ghost”.  

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:

“I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him.” ⁸ Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel:

“Has the day of miracles ceased?

“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. …

“For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” ⁹

Halloween is celebrated for many reasons, but I am celebrating my belief that my departed ancestors are really very much alive in another realm.  

Happy Halloween!

 I believe in times of special need, God sends “His angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close, and that His help was always very near.” (Holland)

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[For more about about Mormon beliefs regarding angels, go to Encyclopedia of Mormonism found here:  http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Angels.

 Angels Angels: Archangels Angels: Guardian Angels The first article discusses the nature of angels as pertaining to their ministry to people on the earth, showing that different classes perform different types of service. The second article examines a hierarchy among angels, and identifies Michael as an archangel. The last article explores the concept of guardian angels, and examines what the scriptures and the Brethren have said. It proposes the Holy Spirit as a type of guardian angel. ]

The Mysterious Frank Leslie Chase

Frank Leslie Chase

The story of Frank Leslie Chase has been difficult to reconstruct.  We only know part of his tale. Thanks to an eleven page biography written by his daughter, Josephine Chase Bradshaw, we do have enough to outline a portrait of his life. (Copy of the biography is in the possession of Cyndy Weiss.)

Frank was the oldest son of George Ogden Chase and Josephine Streeper Chase.  He was born November 8, 1865 at Chase Park in Centerville, Utah

Josephine Streeper Chase, mother of Frank Leslie Chase.

As one of the oldest children, he carried much of the responsibility for caring for the large Chase family.  Frank's daughter, Josephine wrote:  "The George O. Chase children had advantages comparable with most of the prominent families of the state.  Frank partook of the business and social life such as they were in those early days." 

George Ogden Chase, father of Frank Leslie Chase.

Josephine noted (and Claire quoted):  "He was high strung, nervous and very uncompromising in matters of injustice.  he completed the schools in Davis County and graduated as a school teacher from the University of Deseret (Now U of Utah) under Dr. Park.   He sometimes had to carry provisions for the week from Centerville to Salt Lake and do his own housekeeping to stay in school, but received his necessary credits and a contract to teach school in the town of Peterson, Morgan County, UT, 60 miles east of Salt Lake."

"Frank would engage in religious argument...and (with) his inability to keep his voice to a modulated tone in his arguments, he soon obtained a reputation of 'Doubting Thomas'.  He did not fit in so well with his sisters friends, and their busy social lives and he "resented as any boy would, the sisters" domination and soon his high temper became evident, so that his standing the the Church was not above question."

Frank took a job teaching school in Peterson and meets his future partner in life, Amelia Croft, while rooming at the Croft home.  Josephine describes her father Frank as "a meticulous young man with never a crease in his trousers and a tie that was so correct that he could not think without taking it into consideration."  He enjoyed staying the English gentleman, John Croft, and was welcomed by Emma Amelia Croft (the mother) into a loving family with eight sons and two daughters.

John Croft and Amelia Mitchell Croft, parents of Emma Amelia Croft and in-laws of Frank Leslie Chase.

"During the time he was in Enterprise, Frank regained some of his lost faith.  Frank became again a well adjusted person and greatly was this to be attributed to his growing live for Amelia (John Croft's oldest daughter).  Through all the trials of later years, her sane thinking and rock of Gibralter character, made her stick to the ship to the day of her death."

Emma Amelia Croft, wife of Frank Leslie Chase. "She would stick to the ship to the day of her death."

Emma Amelia, a faithful Latter-day Saint, desired to be married only in the "Holy Temple of God." She wrote a letter to Frank's Centerville Ward Bishop (dated Dec 16, 1891), unbeknownst to Frank, hoping to persuade the Bishop that her future spouse was indeed temple worthy.  We also have a copy of another  letter written by Frank himself (dated Nov 22, 1891).  "It is my desire to obtain a Recommend to the Temple to attend to the work for my departed brother, David, and also to take to myself a partner in life which I wish to do int he proper way and I am hoping now, Bishop that you will see the thing in the proper light and also see fit to extend as my desire.  I remain your well intentioned and earnest believer in the work in which we are engaged and ever trying to inform myself concerning my duties and the duties of every Latter-day Saint." (See full text of both letters on pages 6-7 of biography written by Josephine Chase Bradshaw).

Frank is able to advance in the priesthood and obtain his temple recommend.  They are married in the Logan Temple on February 3, 1892.  Frank was 27 and Amelia 24.  It appears that Frank's father, George Ogden Chase did attend as Frank's escort however, Frank's mother, Josephine Streeper Chase, was unable to attend. (See "Josephine Diaries" in possession of Cyndy Weiss.)
 
Josephine C. Bradshaw writes:  "The Chase family chartered a railroad car to take the wedding guests from Salt Lake to Peterson (East Weber in Morgan County) for the large reception at the bride's home "which included the greater part of Morgan County and a special care of guests from Salt Lake City."
The newly weds then stayed in Enterprise for another year until a home was built in Chase Park, Centerville.

The "Farmhouse" was finished in 1893.  Frank's father-in-law, John Crofts, was a skilled carpenter and supervised the building and did much of the work.  The Croft's also helped furnish the new home with three oak bedroom sets, a dining room set of oak and many other items.  There were 3 bedrooms upstairs and one bedroom, parlor, dining room and large kitchen in this house. 

At first, Frank Leslie Chase went to work in Salt Lake for McCornick & Company bankers.
Frank and Amelia had been married for only 4 years when his mother (Josephine Streeper Chase) died (July 20 1894, age 59) and then 2 years later his father (George Ogden Chase, age 64) died (May 5, 1896).  Frank was only 31 and now responsible for the farm, two families, and his unmarried brother and sisters.  The Chase sisters convinced him to quit his banking job and come back to manage the farm. 

Later, Frank became "the postmaster of the the fourth class" and worked in an office just opposite the town store.  Apparently he played a fine game of checkers with Brother Harris and others who could spare th time when he was not dispensing service or giving out mail, writing out money orders and registering mail.  In the summers, Ella, Frank's sister, would relieve him at the post office so he could go home and run the farm. 

Claire Weiss wrote:  "My father and mother loved music--my father played the flute in the County band, and I think we had one of the first Columbia phonographs in the county.    We were among the first in the county  to have telephone, electric lights.

"My father had a mine in the mountains East of our property and he would spend time every fall up there.  He built a shanty and had a stove and bed and cooking utensils.  Some samples assayed with a small amount of gold, but the problem was how to get it down.  He also had a lab in one of the buildings on the place and he worked in the winter on perpetual motion.  He had another man who worked with him."

Frank worked hard at providing for his family and keeping up the Chase "family image".   His oldest sister, Kate, seemed to be unhappy at the way Frank took care of the Chase estate following the death of their father.  (See various stories recorded by Josephine Chase Bradshaw, page 10.)

Kate Chase, older sister of Frank Leslie Chase.

Josephine, Frank's oldest sister, wrote that from the beginning of his life, "Frank was more or less dominated by his sisters.  He was conscientious and anxious to do right, but had more of his mother's disposition" than that of his father.

By the time he was 44 Frank, and Amelia (41), had 9 children.   Amelia's father, John Croft died in 1909 at the age of 73.  

In 1911, Frank's son, David Harold Chase,  died in a hunting accident in the Centerville hills at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon.  Claire Chase (Weiss) was 11 and just two years older than her brother David.   Apparently this accidental shooting affected Frank deeply.   The funeral was "one of the largest funerals ever held in Centerville".  (See article from David County Clipper below.)

The Davis County Clipper (11-03-1911) is especially descriptive about the horse in the procession from Chase Park to the Centerville Cemetery:  "The pall bearers led the deceased boy's horse which was saddled and bridled but a large wreath was fastened to the saddle in place of a rider being in it."

David Chase, son of Frank Chase died at age 9.

In 1912, Frank joined the Progressive Party and was County Chairman.  He took his entire family to the Centerville rally and he held rallies in all parts of Davis County. 

1914 was a pivotal year.  Frank, age 49,  was injured in a car accident.  In the fall he was driving to Tooele to buy a trashing machine.  He hit a cow and was thrown from his car and tears the ligaments in his arms.  From then on he is unable to use his arms in lifting and is unable to work the farm.

The doctor who was treating Frank thought he should go to the Steven's ranch in Idaho.   Frank worked on his "mental well being" for a year in Idaho and then returned to his family, still unable to do any kind of work that required lifting.  The oldest son,  John "Jack" Howland Chase, is on his LDS mission to Hawaii.  The family hires a friend to take the loads of vegetable to town.

In 1915 Frank is somewhat improved but still can't run the farm. The farm and house were rented and the Chase family moved to Salt Lake City to 538 Lowell Avenue.  Frank was 50 and Amelia was 47 and the children are ages 6-23.

In 1916 the family moved to 168 M Street and Frank begins working as a night watchman.  In 1917 the family moved again, this time to 145 North State, a house owned by relatives.

In 1918 Jack returned from his mission and the family moves to "C" Street in the Spring.  Claire was 18 and married Simon Weiss on June 5th.  Frank, 53,  left Utah to go to work in Idaho.  Frank sent one letter telling the family that all was going well.  That was the last they heard from Frank.  Amelia was 50 years old and still had three kids in grade school.  

1921 is when the cousins go back to New Jersey to visit with their "rich" Croft cousins for 3 months.  Two of the children, Josephine (29) and Jack (25) are married in 1921 and the family moved into Miller Apartments. 

In 1922 Mother Amelia Chase (54) moved in with Claire and Simon Weiss.  George is still in grade school.

In 1924 Claire and Simon Weiss move to California to look for employment there.  (See "Dauntless, Fearless, Hopeful" blog entry.) The Chase Family moves into the Fairmont Apartments.  On Thanksgiving, Mother Amelia becomes ill and goes to the hospital.  Claire and Bea come home from California to be with their mother. Claire Weiss moves into 1363 Thornton Avenue.

1925  Amelia Croft Chase (57) leaves the hospital and comes to the Weiss home, where her daughter Claire cared for her.  Mother Amelia passed away on March 27th.  Frank Leslie Chase is unaware of his wife's death because he has been gone for seven years.  George is in high school and lives with the Weiss family while attending East High in Salt Lake City.

Emma Amelia Croft Chase died in the home of her daughter, Clairissa Dean Chase Weiss.

The following year, in 1926 the mother of Amelia Chase, Amelia Emma Mitchell Croft, dies at age 86.  (She is buried with other Croft family members in the small fenced family plot located in Enterprise, Morgan County, Utah.)

Amelia Mitchel Croft, mother-in-law of Frank Leslie Chase.

In 1933, Frank's youngest son, George, marries.  Frank Leslie dies on December 12, 1933 in Skulley Town, Texas at the age of 68 having missed 15 years of his family's life.

The Frank Leslie Chase Family in 1930's.

For 15 years the Frank Leslie Chase family struggles on without knowing what happened to their father and did their best to make ends meet.  Without the help of generous family members, including Simon S. Weiss, they would have suffered even more.  In 1933 the family received notification from someone in Skelly Town, Texas, that Frank is deceased.  Apparently he died from heart failure.

Newspaper notice about the death of Frank Leslie Chase in December 1933.

Frank's body was returned to Centerville, Utah for burial.  He was laid to rest near, but not next to, his wife's plot in the Centerville Cemetery.   Emma Amelia never knew what happened to her husband, as she died in 1925, eight years before her husband Frank's death.

The lessons from the life of Frank Leslie Chase seem to be difficult ones. Each life is a story to be written.  The Author starts each life story, but each life will write his or her own ending." (Max Lucado).

We are grateful that Frank fathered 9 children, among them, our dear Clairissa Dean Chase Weiss.   Claire was the first of Frank's children to marry (1918) and the last of the nine children to die (1991).

Clairissa Dean Chase Weiss, daughter of Frank Leslie Chase.

It is true that life's challenges help to reveal one's character and mental state.   There is no way to judge all that happened to Frank Leslie Chase.  Why did he make the choices he did? We will likely never know "the rest of" this story.  We simply remain grateful that he gave life to our ancestor Claire Chase Weiss. 

The Bountiful Tabernacle and John Croft

Bountiful, Utah Tabernacle. The Bountiful Tabernacle is one of just three 19th century Mormon buildings in the world still used for weekly Sunday services.  Our ancestor, John Croft, played a part in its construction.   John Croft was a traveling Elder and later President of the Manchester Conference in 1858. Located at Main and Center streets in Bountiful, Utah, it remains an example of pioneer craftsmanship.  You can't drive by this building with its unusual spire and not think of the pioneers. John Croft worked on the Bountiful Tabernacle in 1861.  He moved to Peterson, Utah the spring of 1861, so was probably not one of the workman pictured here. It has been a landmark since it's completion in 1863. It was designed by Augustus Farnham and began in 1857.  John Croft worked on it during 1861. It was dedicated by Elder Heber C. Kimball on 14 March 1862. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.  In 2005 a new spire replaced the original. Bountiful Utah Tabernacle in earlier days. The old spires were replaced by new ones in 2005.  John was born July 16, 1836 in Primose Hill, Yorkshire, England.  His father, John, was a coachman.  An accident took his father’s life when John Jr. was only 6 years old.  His widowed mother was left with 5 children to care for.  He began working 8 hours a day in a “worsted mill” and attending school two hours a day. When he was 12 his mother died.  He lived with his eldest sister and went to work in a large tobacco factory.  He “did not use the weed”.  He attended night school and at age 17 became apprenticed to a joiner and builder.  At the end of three years he was released and went to Liverpool.  He was a natural mechanic and after a few months was appointed foreman at the firm that employed him. The Bountiful Temple sits in the background in this painting. One day as John walked the streets of London, he observed a pamphlet on the sidewalk and put it in his pocket.  Later that day on his lunch break he began to read the pamphlet and a friend leaned over and said, “Are you a  Mormon?”  John said he wasn’t.  His friend told him he was a Mormon and that the tract was one distributed by Mormon missionaries. John was taught by his co-worker and eventually baptized on June 27, 1856 at the age of twenty. His employer tried to get him to leave the Mormons.  John then moved to Manchester to work on the Exposition Building.  He labored as a traveling Elder in the Manchester Conference and on January 1, 1858 was made president of that Conference. John met his wife Amelia Mitchell in the Manchester Conference. He married Amelia Mitchell of Manchester January 8, 1860, at Heaton Norris in Manchester, England.  Amelia Mitchell Croft was a prayerful, faithful Latter-day Saint. John continued to serve as president of the Manchester Conference until released to come to Utah.  594 Mormons, many of them of members of the John’s Manchester branch, emigrated on the “Underwriter” to America leaving Liverpool on March 29 1860.  They were among many who used the Perpetual Emmigration Funds to make their trip to America and Ziion.  John and Amelia were newlyweds and about to embark on a new life together. John was a counselor to Elder James D. Ross.  The Millenial Star wrote: "The health of the Saints was generally good. Elders Ross, Taylor, and Croft speak in the highest praise of Captain J. W. Roberts, both as a skillful navigator and a gentleman." "DEPARTURE OF THE SHIP UNDERWRITER. -- The ship Underwriter, Captain Roberts, cleared on Wednesday the 28th of March, and sailed for New York on Friday the 30th. There were on board 594 souls of the Saints, under the presidency of Elder James D. Ross, assisted by his counsellors, James Taylor and John Croft. This number included 70 souls from Switzerland, and the remainder from the British Mission. Nearly the whole of this emigrating company of Saints are en route direct for Utah, the home of the Saints. God speed and bless them abundantly on their journey!" MS, 22:15 (April 14, 1860), p.234 "THE SHIP UNDERWRITER, after a prosperous voyage of thirty days, arrived at New York May 1st. During the voyage there were four marriages and four deaths. The names of the deceased are -- Frederick, the son of John and Eliza Williams, aged one year and eight months; Joseph, son of Edward and Mary Powers; Barbara Frei, aged 58 years, came form Switzerland. The health of the Saints was generally good. Elders Ross, Taylor, and Croft speak in the highest praise of Captain J. W. Roberts, both as a skillful navigator and a gentleman. The ship's company of Saints proceeded to Florence on the 3rd of May." MS, 22:21 (May 26, 1860), p.331 After 32 days they arrived in New York on May 1, 1860.  They took a train from NY to Florence Nebraska, arriving on May 8, 1860. They walked across the plains in the John D. Ross Company, 249 people, 36 wagons.   John was the captain of the guard. The young Croft family arrived in Utah September 2, 1860 with Amelia being pregnant with their first child. Amelia spoke of the pioneer trek:  “When we stopped at noon we baked a mixture of flour and water over a fire made of buffalo chips.”  When they arrived in Emigration Canyon by apostles George A. Smith, Lorenzo Snow, and Franklin D. Richards.  A few days later they arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley on September 3, 1860.  Their first son was born two and a half months later while they were at Pioneer Square on November 24, 1860.  John and Amelia resided in the Salt Lake City 8th ward for a short period.   The unusual spire are a distinctive feature of this pioneer landmark. Historical Marker at Bountiful Temple One of the oldest L.D.S. Chapels. Finest at time of erection. Augustus Farnham architect. Site dedicated Feb. 11, 1857 by Elder Lorenzo Snow. Grain was stored in stone foundation when Johnston's Army advanced. The walls are of adobe, roof timbers fastened with wooden pegs, lumber from Meeting House Hollow, Holbrook Canyon. Tower had five spires, the center spire served as a sun dial. Dedicated March 14, 1863 by Elder Heber C. Kimball, President Brigham Young presiding. Cost $60,000, Bishop John Stoker. Councilors Wm. Atkinson and Wm. H. Lee. John had been a cabinet-maker in England and so began to work as a carpenter on the Public Works.  He helped build the tithing office (once stood where the Hotel Utah-JS Memorial Building now stands), the Lion House, the impressive Walker Home (where the Newhouse Hotel now stands). John Croft worked on the Lion House after arriving in Salt Lake City in 1860. "My tabernacle also shall be with them:  yea, I will be their God and they shall be my people."  Ezekiel 37:27 John and his close friend from England, John Oliver, took the contract to build the Bountiful Utah Tabernacle.  He worked in Bountiful until the spring of 1861 when he moved to Weber Valley, settling at Weber City (now Peterson, Morgan County). The Tabernacle was completed in 1863, so we don't know how long he worked in Bountiful before his move to Peterson-Enterprise area. Note the additions on the sides of the original Tabernacle. John and Amelia Croft would become the parents of eleven children, and their daughter, Emma Amelia, would later marry Frank Leslie Chase, son of Isaac and Josephine Chase.  While living in Enterprise, John used his considerable skills to build up his farm in Morgan County.  One of his descendants drew a diagram showing all the outbuildings in 1890.  (See earlier post about "Furniture made in Paris?" John Croft might have bought this piece on a trip to Europe with his wealthy New Jersey brother and manufacturer, Howland Croft.) Once ornate Croft headstones are decaying rapidly. John and Amelia are buried in Enterprise (Morgan County) near Peterson, Utah. John Croft died October 9, 1909 in Enterprise (Morgan County) of diabetes.  He is buried with members of his family in a small family plot about 15 minutes outside of Ogden. The small Croft Family Cemetery in Enterprise is a bit difficult to find. Mark and Cyndy Weiss visit the Cemetery in 2012. Joseph Weiss honors his ancestors in 2012. For more information, see John Croft and Amelia Mitchell Croft : pioneers of 1860  Written by Alfred Russell Croft, Sr. (grandson).  Mark Weiss, great-great grandson of John Croft,  has a copy of this book.  It was digitized in 2014 and is available through the LDS Genealogical Library.  (https://familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/)