Sketch of Sarah Jane Crowther Johnson

Sarah Jane Crowther and Charles Henry Johnson Family, about 1883
Maud Laurette Johnson, Sarah Jane (mother), Bessie May Johnson (baby),
Nellie Jane Johnson, Charles Henry (father), and Charles Franklin Johnson

"The Crowther's of Fountain Green, Utah"  Sketch of Sarah Jane Crowther Johnson:

             In a humble little home in Cedar City, Iron county, Utah, a little girl was born on the 19th day of October, 1856.  She was the first child born to Thomas Crowther and Jane Jewkes, Latter-day Saint parents.  Each parent had been married before and each had one living child by a former marriage.

She was given the name of Sarah Jane. Her mother was a deeply religious woman and she taught her daughter to be honest and upright, to seek companions of a high class and to look for good in every one.  Under instruction Sarah Jane grew up with fine ideals and a deep respect for culture and morality.

In 1860, the family moved to Ephraim, Sanpete county, Utah, remaining there a year, then moving to Fountain Green, same county, where they made a more permanent home.  There Sarah Jane went through the experiences of pioneer life.  There were no public schools, nothing but private instruction requiring a fee.

Sarah Jane Crowther Johnson

She took an active part in community life, taking part in singing and dramatics.  An old memory of those who knew and loved her, was when Uncle Richard Jewkes used to come through the lot, sit down on the porch and call for Sarah Jane to come and sit by him and sing “Maggie Dear.”  In those days the people of this small town used to meet quite frequently, choose side and compete in a spelling match.  Sarah Jane was considered one of the best, and was seldom spelled down.

These little social gatherings became a wonderful way of education and recreation.  They would sing their multiplication table even in their Sunday School.  When about sixteen years old, Sarah Jane met a young man by the name of Charles Henry Johnson, the son of Bishop Robert L. Johnson and Polly Ann Guymon.  This young man was born 30th of May, 1849, at Council Bluffs, Iowa.  With his parents came to Utah in 1850.  They settled in Spingville, Utah county, Utah, where they lived until 1860, when they moved to Fountain Green.  They also suffered all the hardships of pioneer life.  It has been said that happiness comes to those who go in search of it, for it was at one of the Ward socials that Charles met the lovely Sarah Jane.  It was not surprising that the pleasant smile he gave this charming girl was returned.

Charles Henry Johnson

The friendship of Charles Henry and Sarah Jane ripened into love, and they were married 27 June, 1875. To this union of Sarah Jane, and Charles Henry Johnson, was born eleven children, six boys and five girls.  All except one boy grew to reach the age of maturity.

The young couple made their first home in Fountain Green.  It was a small brick house; also a good big barn for the stock.  Love is a great miracle worker and within a short time the little brick house was transformed into a comfortable home, where the refining touch of Sarah Jane’s hand was evident.  They took a prominent part in the activities of community life in Fountain Green.  Quite frequently the Indians were on the war path; Charles, being a stalwart young man, was called on to do his part in protecting the people against the Indians.

Due to his experience in pioneering, Charles was called to fill a mission to Arizona.  The call consisted of taking his family and moving to the Tonto Basin, which was about one hundred miles northeast of the Salt River valley.  It was at this place President Brigham Young had advised the Saints to establish settlements.  Charles Henry and Sarah Jane obedient to the call, set out on this perilous journey.  It required courage, strength and resourcefulness for the young couple to drive over rough canyon roads, a four-horse team hitched to a wagon loaded with a few of their household goods, and their four children:  Nellie Jane, age eight years; Charles Franklin, age six years; Maud Laurett, age five, and Bessie May, age two years.  To set out to find a new home, Charles did heroically the work of a frontiersman, and it will remain always to his credit.

The weary but happy family arrived at Tonto Basin, and again established their second home and well it was, for within a short time after their arrival, Sarah Jane gave birth to her fourth daughter, Minnie Frances, on September 19, 1884.  As Sarah Jane and Charles got acquainted with the people, their kindness and helpfulness won for them the love and confidence of every one in the community.  For two years, Charles helped in every way possible, but owing to the poor health of Sarah Jane, he was released from this mission the 1886, and they made preparations to go back to Utah.  The hardships of the trip were borne by the family with patience and faith.  The daughters Nellie and Bessie still remember the trip back from Arizona to Utah, of meeting with the Indians who were thought to be on the war path.  As the Indians came into view, their father stopped the wagon, and asked for the old gun, which he drew up along side of him in the spring seat.  What moments of suspense for Sarah Jane and the children, and what a relief, when their father, knowing the traits, saw the Indian women and children were driving the horses with the men.  Charles called out, put the gun back.  There is never any trouble with Indians when they have their women and children along.

At Lee’s Ferry, where they crossed the Colorado river, the water was very high, the horses and wagon were taken across on the boat without any mishap.  Usually there was a fairly large charge for taking the wagon across, but on this occasion the ferry man refused to take anything from the Johnson family, but made a request that when they arrived in Utah and were able, they should contribute five dollars toward the building of the Manti Temple.  Just after the river had been crossed and the family were all on the wagon, the journey continued.  The road was so rough, one wheel struck a boulder, throwing Sarah Jane from the spring seat, breaking her wrist and bruising the baby Minnie that she was holding in her arms.  In spite of the broken wrist, the trip was continued, Sarah Jane doing most of the cooking around the camp fir.  The tired family arrived in Fountain Green, September 17, 1886.  A baby boy, Robert Ray, was born in October, 1886, but died in infancy, living six weeks.

In spit of having such hard experiences in journeying from Arizona back to Utah, Sarah Jane and Charles decided to move to Colorado, where relatives of Sarah Jane (the Crowther family) were located.  They were fortunate in exchanging their home in Arizona with Peter Cheney for a house in Sanford, Colorado.  They shipped their stock and belongings by railroad to Myers Junction just north of the San Luis valley.  The family came by train to Alamosa, Colorado, arriving in the San Luis valley in the spring of 1887.  What a time of rejoicing for Sarah Jane to meet her dear ones.  And what a warm welcome the family received from the aunts, uncles and cousins.  Before long the Johnson family were settled in their surroundings in Sanford which was to be their permanent home.  Sarah Jane’s health was much improved.  And what an interest the happy family took in the building of the new town.  Charles was a very useful man serving as a member of the Sanford Town Company and helping to survey the town and fields surrounding the town.  He purchased land and was soon busy planting a crop and garden, shrubbery and trees were also set out.

Sarah Jane Johnson

The capable hands of Sarah Jane transformed the humble little house into a home where love made every task light.  She had many accomplishments, one of which was her love for reading.  She would spend the long winter evenings reading good books, not only to her own children; but the neighbors young folks would gather at her home.  They all enjoyed to hear her read.  She learned when very young to cord and spin wool for her own, and her mother’s family.  They used to have spinning bees, where quite a number of the neighbor girls would bring their spinning wheels and spend the afternoon in helping one another.  One of the pleasant memories of one of Sarah Jane’s nephews was when Grandmother Crowther, Aunt Sarah Jane, Aunt Em Kirby, Aunt Laura Morgan, Uncle Will Crowther’s wife, Aunt Mary, Aunt May Jensen, Aunt Rozilla Mortensen, Aunt Mary Tomy, Aunt Mary Frank, and Aunt Nellie Mortensen all met quite often at someone of their homes, and have a quilting party and dew carpet rags to make carpets.  What happy times for all of the relatives to meet together as one big family.

Three more sons came to bless the Johnson home:  Ross, Gilbert, and Edgar.  Through the industry and thrift of the father and mother, they were beginning to enjoy the comforts of life.  In the fall of 1894, Charles received a call to fill a mission to the Southern States.  He accepted the call and left in December, 1894.  He was assigned to labor in the state of Mississippi.  During the father’s absence, Sarah Jane and the older children cared for the home and farm.  Love and devotion for the Gospel enabled them to make many sacrifices that their father might continue his mission.  And while he was away, the mother gave birth to a son, Renold Crowther Johnson, July, 1895.  In May, 1897, Charles received an honorable release.  He had accomplished a splendid work among the good people of Mississippi.  Many people received the Gospel, became members of the Church because of his faithful work as a missionary.  There was great rejoicing in the Johnson home when their father returned.  And although he was released from the missionary labors, he continued to work in the Church, serving as a member of the Stake board of Sunday School of the San Luis Stake, as president of the Elders’ Quorum and other Ward activities.

Again the Johnson  family were made happy by the birth of their eleventh child, a girl, Nina Zatell, 22 May, 1898.  The devotions of Sarah Jane to her family was manifest at all times.  She taught her girls to sew, cook and become good homemakers.

Charles was a lover of sports and was very fleet on foot, taking many prizes at holiday and fair celebrations.  This good athletic trait seems to be inherited by his sons.  His family were very proud of their father when he would ride a horse and appear as marshal of the day in town celebrations.  He was a man of good judgment, would suffer wrong rather than do wrong.  Kind and lovable, he was beloved by all who knew him.  At the age of fifty-eight years, he passed to the Great Beyond May 31, 1907.  He was buried in the Sanford cemetery.  Sarah Jane lived twelve years after Charles left her, then she too passed on 22 October, 1919.  She was buried beside her husband whom she had loved so well.

The deeds which will be remembered the longest and shine the brightest in the affection of Sarah Jane’s children and those who knew her best will be her devotion to her family and loved ones.  And in her quiet way she accomplished a work that will never be forgotten.  All of their children were good, loyal citizens of both Church and state.

Charles Franklin, their eldest son, was superintendent of M.I.A. of the Sanford Ward, also took an active part in the educational activities of Sanford.  He died 10 Nov., 1915, leaving his wife, Mary Whitney Johnson, and their young son, Frank.  She and Frank have carried on ;the work as leaders in the Mutual Improvement work.  Mary also served as counselor to the Relief Society president of the Sanford Ward, and as a Sunday School teacher.

Nellie Jane Johnson Hutchins

Nellie Jane, the eldest daughter, has taken an active part in the church, serving as a member of the Stake Board of Primary of the San Luis Stake; later as counselor in the Sanford Ward Relief Society; at the present time is holding the position as counselor in the Stake Relief Society of San Luis Stake.  Her husband, Jess C. Hutchins, served as superintendent of the Sunday School for thirteen years; as a member of the High Council of the San Luis Stake for twelve years and is a member of the High Priest’s Presidency at the present time.  Their son, Donald, filed a mission in Missouri.

Maud Laurette Johnson Reed

Maud Laurette, Sarah Jane’s second daughter, held a position of Secretary of Mutual Improvement Association of Sanford Ward; stake board member of M.I.A. San Luis Stake; was a teacher in the Sanford Ward Sunday School, also took an active part in club work, and was dearly beloved by all who knew her.  She passed away 4 January, 1942.  Her husband, John B. Reed, served as Bishop of the Sanford Ward several years, later becoming a member of the Stake Presidency.  At the present time he is serving as President of the San Luis Stake.

Bessie May Johnson Shawcroft

Besse, the third daughter, has labored in the presidency of the Primary and Relief Society organizations of the Richfield Ward, also as teacher of Sunday School and Mutual Improvement Association.  Her husband, James N. Shawcroft, filled a mission to the Northern States.  Upon his return home he served as counselor of the Bishop of Richfield Ward for twelve years and later as Bishop of Richfield Ward for twelve years and later as Bishop of the Richfield Ward for four years.  Was a member of the High Council and Patriarch of the San Luis Stake.

Minnie, the fourth daughter, also worked as the President of the Primary organization, later served as counselor to the President of the Relief Society of the Richfield Ward, taking an active part in the community affairs.  Especially was she a good cook, serving suppers each week for years for the Rotary club of La Jara, Colorado up to the time of her death, 11 Feb. 1938.  Her husband Murrill Shawcroft, assisted his wife in performing her duties.  He and their sons taking part in the social life of the Richfield Ward.

Lymon Ross, the third son of Sarah Jane, filled positions of High Council member, President of the Stake M.I.A. and as superintendent of the Richfield Sunday School.  His wife, Laura Jones Johnson also held position of President Y. L. M. I. A. and Stake President of the San Luis Stake Primary Association.  Their son, Perry, filled a mission to the Northern States.

Edgar Lawrence Johnson

Edgar, the fourth son, with his mother, Sarah Jane, performed a great work for their dead relatives in the Manti Temple.  His first wife, Dottie Dalton Johnson, helped to introduce the Bee Hive work of the Young Ladies’ M. I. A. in the San Luis Stake.  She lived only a few years after her marriage.  After her death, Edgar filled a mission to California.  Upon returning home, he married Elgiva Allen, who had filled a mission to California, but their happiness lasted only a short time as he passed away in 1932 at the age of 41 years.

Gilbert Raphael "Bert" Johnson

Gilbert, the fifth son, took part in Ward activities of the Sanford and later in the Richfield Ward.  He was a good husband, father and friend to all who knew him.  He died in 1931 at the age of 38 years, leaving his young wife, Louie Davis Johnson, and five children.  She continues to help in the different auxiliary organizations of the Richfield Ward and to encourage their children to do their part in church activities.

Renold Crowther Johnson, the tenth child, served his country in the first World War.  Upon returning home, he worked in both Stake and Ward M. I. A., served as a counselor to the Bishop of Sanford Ward for two years.  At the present time he is serving his third year as bishop of the Sanford Ward.  His first wife, Eva Jones, worked in Ward organizations up to the time of her death.  Their son, Jerome, is filling a mission in the Central States.  his second wife, Clara Rasmussen Johnson, has worked in both Stake and Ward organizations as president of the Stake Primary San Luis Stake; counselor to the Sanford Ward Primary; and a member of the Relief Society Stake board of the San Luis Stake.

Nina Zetell Johnson Coombs
with nieces, Onie & Maggie Hutchins

Nina, the youngest daughter, has held positions as counselor in the Sanford Ward Primary.  Has been a teacher in different auxiliary organizations. of the Richfield Ward.  Her husband, Roy Coombs, served his country in the first World War.  Filled a mission in the Central States, held position as president of the M. I. A. of Richfield Ward.  Thus the posterity of Sarah Jane and Charles Henry Johnson are carrying on the work begun and upheld by their noble parents.

Charles Henry and Sarah Jane Crowther JOHNSON

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Johnson&GSiman=1&GSsr=41&GScid=57545&GRid=8847937&

Herman Miller's Childhood Memories

Voris Jane Miller, LaDonna Cunningham, Richard Herman Miller, Luella Hutchins - 1923

Childhood Memories from Herman:

Herman Miller, 1937
in front of Swen Peterson's

My greatest memories are going to Grandma and Grandpa Hutchins.  We spent every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Holiday there.  They had a big old barn and all us kids had more fun  playing in it.  There was a ladder inside that went up to the loft and that was the best place to play hide-n-seek.   Out on the side of the barn was a basketball hoop.  Voris, Morris, Phil Reynolds, and I played a lot of basketball there.  Also there was an old pitcher pump; we loved to get water.  It would run into a big trough which was a hollowed out tree for the horses and cows.
I being the oldest grandson had the job of mowing Grandma’s lawn.  Every Saturday I would go over and mow it.  Grandma had nine big apple trees and they seemed to be loaded every year.  They were Whitney crabs, cherry crabs, and one was a big winter apple; boy they were good.  Grandma had us kids pick the apples; she was very particular.  We would put a ladder up into the middle of the tree and pick each apple and carefully put it in a bucket.
I loved going into their big under-ground cellar.  It was full of everything and had a lot of nice shelves in it.  It always smelled of apples and potatoes and everything looked so good.
Grandpa was the one who got Sanford’s first Flag Pole.  This had been a very much anticipated event in town.  The newspaper carried the story for several weeks; telling of the progress.  The pole stood in front of the old stone church for as long as the church was there.  It was painted white and set in a block of cement.  He brought it down from the lower La Jara Canyon on double wagons; as it was about 60 feet long.  The first pole he tried to bring out broke at “Shuller Crossing”; as the turn was too sharp.  So he went back up for a second pole.  This was quit a job.
I think of Grandpa every 4th of July.  He was a dynamite or explosive expert.  So he would set three big sticks of dynamite out in his corral.  At 4:00 a.m. as day was breaking in the east, on the 4th of July he would wake the whole town up.  The blast would shake windows all over town.  He did this as long as I can remember.  After we would get up we couldn’t wait to get down to Grandpa’s to see the three big holes it would make out in the corral.  They were so big; they would have to shovel them back in.
Also Grandpa is the reason for the big rock in the middle of the Conejos River, up above Broyles’ bridge just before you get to Fox Creek (it has Lee’s Texaco painted on it).  They had Grandpa come and dynamite the mountain when they were building the road up there.  Well the dynamite blew the big rocks off into the river and no one could move them out; or they didn’t want to try.
I remember when Dad and Grandpa run a saw mill over at Pagosa Springs.  I was just a little guy about 3 or 4 years old.  Voris and my job was to go to the river for a bucket of water.  Then Grandpa would blow the whistle for lunch.  Momma cooked for all the men.  You could never go in Momma’s house for even 5 minutes; but she wouldn’t give you something to eat.
Momma always had a big garden, her chickens, pigs and cows.  We always had plenty of eggs, bacon and pork, beef, and milk & butter.  We ground our own wheat, grew our own potatoes, onion and vegetables.  We ate good and the food was natural and a lot better for you then; as compared to all the prosperities in it now.
In the fall Dad and Grandpa would go up after wood for our fuel.  They would go up on “Pot Mountain”.  We would expect them home about 7 or 8 o’clock after dark.  But sometimes it would be 10 or 11 o’clock before we would hear the old wagons coming in; we were sure glad to see them come in.  I remember they would wear duffs to protect their arms when hauling the wood.
It would get so cold in the winter.  I remember seeing frost on Grandpa’s mustache.  He would always call it “Bitter Cold”.  At night Dad, and I’ve seen Grandpa too, whittle shaving off a big board; so they would have something to start a fire with in the morning.  The old stoves we had wouldn’t hold a fire must past 12 to 1 o’clock in the morning.  We would have frozen water in the buckets every morning.  Dad usually used coal and that held the fire about three times longer.  But I remember Ma saying, “Don’t get up until the house warms up.”  We sleep with so many covers on us that we couldn’t hardly turn over.  Now days we don’t have any idea what hard ships are, and I don’t want to have to know.  We are so lucky to live with all are modern ways; such as to just turn the heat up or down with the turn of a dial.  But those days made good strong people who were hard workers.

Herman Miller and Maggie Jane Hutchins Miller

Life Story of Ane Thomasen Laursen

LIFE STORY OF ANE THOMPSEN LAURSEN
Wife of Peter Laursen
Born 22 April 1796
to Thomas Andersen and Mette Marie Madsen
written by Eva W. Proctor,
second great granddaughter
17 November 1961
     In the little town of Albet, Hjorring, Denmark, a little girl was born to Thomas Andersen and Mette Marie Madsen.  She was the first child of this young couple, and to them, the 22nd of March, 1796, was the most beautiful spring day they were to know.
     Albet was also called Vester Hassing because of its vast fields of peet, and the shipping ports nearby.  From here, the peet was shipped out to other places, where it was used to burn, making power to run factories, and to be used as we do coal.  Peet is a substance that forms in the lowlands of the Scandinavian countries, and the Island of Hjorring, Denmark is one of the richest places for this high-grade peet.  The Thomas Andersen property was noted for it, and also for its good pasture grounds.
     Ane Thomina, as she was called by family and friends, grew up with the love of her two brothers, Anders and Soren.  They learned to be grateful for their lovely home, and to be faithful to God.  With their little sister, Ane Catrine, their parents taught them that idle hands were the devil’s workshop, so they were a happy, industrious family like all the people about them.
     In the early spring of 1819, Ane met Peter Laursen from Volstrup, a town not many miles away.  He was the son of Laurs Pedersen and Maren Madsen, very good friends of her parents.  He was, indeed, a very good farmer-owning land, cattle, sheep, and many geese.  It was a quick romance, and on the 17th of May, they were married in the Lutheran church of Volstrup, Hjorring, Denmark.  They built one of the finest houses in that location, and set about the business of home building, and raising a family of six daughters, and one son.  As was the custom in Denmark, the children would add “sen” to their father’s first name.  Thus the children of Ane and Peter Laursen would be known as the Petersen children throughout their lives.
     Their first child, a little daughter, was born on July 30, 1820, and christened Maren Catrine.  How sad they were when two months and 28 days later, she died.  It was a disappointment for Ane Thomina; but the next year, another little girl was born, and they named her Mette Marie.  They treasured her so, and Maren and Anna Margarette were born three years apart.  They were overjoyed!  Even more so four years later when the one and only son was born on the April 3, 1830. There was indeed, happiness in the Petersen home now that a son had been born.  They named him Laurs Petersen.  Their joy was to be dampened in the next April, just a year later.  The yellow fever, like a thief in the night, came and took its toll in the city of Volstrup; and the Petersen family were to taste of it also.  Night and day, loving care was given, but it was too much for Mette Marie, and she died on April 26, 1831, just a sweet little girl of not quite ten years of age.  Anna Margarette was also afflicted, and she never entirely recovered until another siege came back, and she passed away on December 7, 1833.
     Now they were back to Maren 10, and Laurs 3.  Then a dear little daughter, Ane Thomina came to fill the loss in their hearts on August 16, 1833.  She was, indeed, a welcome addition, and big sister, Maren, was overjoyed.  She would hardly let this little sister out of her sight.
     A little over eight years later in March, a terrible wind storm sent father away to the shipyards to help fight the terrible tidal wave that was destroying so many valuable cargo vessels loaded with peet and other products.  Mother was left home with her little brood.  Father had been gone four days, and it was up to 18-year-old Maren, to assist when baby sister was born on the 6th day of March.  Father was so proud of his little family, and as was the custom, he took his new little daughter to the church to have her christened and named.  They chose Ane Kirstine to be her name; and she was a very welcome addition to their family.
     Maren had grown into a very lovely young lady, and was now preparing herself for marriage.  When Niels Christian Christensen came from Agersted looking for property to buy, having been sent to the Peter Laursen place with knowledge that they had land for sale, he was made very welcome.  They were, indeed, happy to talk about selling land to him.  Laurs, the only boy, now seventeen, was a great deal of help, but there was still too much property for him and father to handle alone.  Maren was needed in the home with mother, and the other little girls were much too young to go out and help in the fields.  Peter and Ane felt that Niels had been guided to their door, and especially when Maren and he became such good friends.  Early in the spring of 1827, they were married.  Father gave them property, and along with what Niels had brought, they settled down close by to make their home.  It was a great deal of help to mother and father.
     Life seemed to be going pretty well.  Maren and Niel’s four children were in and out to visit their grandparents.  They were:  Ane Marie, Hans Christen, Mareia Christena, and Ane Margaretta-the parents were very proud of them.  In the early part of December, the father, Peter Laursen became very sick.  The fever was raging again, and hardly had he been taken to his bed than he passed away.
     This seemed the end for mother.  If it hadn’t been that Laurs was going on 29 years, and was able to handle the place by himself, she could never have changed her life so completely.  The newfound church and missionaries seemed to be a great comfort to her.  So, with Ane Thoma 26, and Kirstina 17, she joined the church, and planned to leave her native Denmark and go to America, where so many of her friends had already gone.  Even against the protest of her son, Laurs, and her son-in-law, Niels, her happiness was with the church and was the very thing she wanted.  So many things had happened, and she must have a new life in this new land.  Maren and her daughters, Mareina Christena, and Margaretta were happy for this dear mother, and wished them Godspeed.
     They were three of 750 Mormons to leave England for America on the 11th day of May in 1860 on the William Tapscott vessel.  312 Scandinavian saints and 85 saints from Switzerland were on board the ship.  They were one month and five days on the water.  A Swiss family by the name of Staheli were very good singers, and their son, John, was very good at playing the horn to accompany them; their music kept everyone entertained.
     They were very happy on the 16th day of June, when they landed in New York, but still happier when they boarded the train where they were to ride to Florence, Nebraska, and join the companies going to Utah and their destination.
     Ane and her daughters brought their spinning wheels, loom, and wool carders with them from Denmark without too much trouble; but now in Florence, Nebraska, it was another problem to get them over the plans to Zion. The company to which they were assigned was the tenth and last to cross the plains by handcarts.  The captain of the company was Oscar O. Stoddard, and the company was composed of 126 persons, 22 handcarts, and three provision wagons drawn by oxen.  It was out of the question to think they could bring the loom and spinning wheels in the handcarts.  The two copper soap kettles were a different ting-they could be used for cooking, but “where there is a will, there is a way”.  Their good friends, Niels Peter Larsen, and his good wife Karen Kristine Swensen and four children had planned to joint the party with some extra wagons, and they would bring the loom and spinning wheels with them.  Ane promised the Larsens that the first material and blankets she would weave would be theirs.
     The night before they were to leave, Niels and Karen’s baby became very sick, and they were to stay in Florence until it could recover.  The party went on without them.  But the dear little one became worse, and a week later, he died.  They were very sad at losing their little son, just one year old, but they were anxious to continue their journey to Zion.  So, as soon as more families and more wagons could be prepared, they were on their way, just an independent group of saints.
     Ten days of travel had passed since the handcart company had left.  The wagons could travel much faster, but still the handcart company was about half of the way when the wagons caught up with them.  Ane Thomasen Laursen and her daughters were indeed happy to see them, and also sad that the Larsens had lost their child  Ane reminded them that “the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away”, and that someday all would be well.  She believed strongly that the little ones, and her good husband she had lost in Denmark would be joined with her and their loved ones when she could prepare a way for them in this land of Zion.
     It was in August when the party entered Immigration Canyon.  The Swiss families were thrilled with the mountains, but it was hot and dry, and they were very tired and hungry.  The relief company from Salt Lake looked very good to them when they showed up about sundown with a good supper.  After a good night’s rest, they were overjoyed the next day when they entered the Salt Lake Valley, and were greeted by their many friends who had come to Zion before them.
     Ane and her two daughters, Ane Tomina, and Ane Kirstine, joined the Larsens and others to make their home in the Utah Valley.  They arrived in Pleasant Grove on the 1st of September.  Oh, what a beautiful valley with its lakes and mountains on the west and towering peaks on the east. To these tired and weary Scandinavian saints, this beautiful little town was indeed the answer to their prayers.  It seemed that all the hardships and sadness of leaving their native land were far behind them.
     Jens Christensen Cornum and his father helped them to build a two-room adobe house just north of the cemetery.  They all worked hard to finish it before winter set in, so they could set up their looms, and be about the business of making a living.  They set about gathering wool by promising to make yard and weaving it into blankets for people.  Of course, the first to receive their blankets and material was the Larsen family, as they had been promised.
     The spinning wheel was never idle, and by the next spring, they were all caught up with their weaving and carding.  Now mother felt she could spare Ane Kristine, and she went to help the William Fletcher Reynolds family.  The mother, Anna Hawley, had died and left six children:  Ellis 14, William 12, George Washington 10, Ann Eliza 8, James Cynis 5, and Sara Elizabeth who was only 2.  They all loved her very much, and after a few months, they convinced her that she should become their mother and wife.  It didn’t take much coaxing, as she loved them too, and on the 27th of October, 1861, William Fletcher Reynolds and Ane Kristine Petersen were married.
     Ane Kristine was happy when her own little daughter, Anna Elizabeth, was born the 23rd of August, 1862, but they were all sad again when two days later, she died.  The next fall, they moved to Mt. Pleasant, San Pete County.  There, another little girl, Laura Alice was born.  She lived just one year.  The other children were very good and understanding, and Kristine was grateful for them.  Ellis, who was studying to be a nurse and doctor, was especially helpful when their family was blessed with six more children:  Clara Cornelia, Lillian Elnora, Asa Fletcher, Carlos Marion, William Ervin, and Levi William.
     In 1862, Ane Thomina married Jens Christensen (Cornum).  They were a great help and comfort to mother Ane, especially when they settled in Pleasant Grove.  They raised six loving children:  Anne Tomina, Jens Christensen, Paul Heber, Elsie Marie, Peter Elija, and Mary.  They were always close by to care for their grandmother when she needed them.  In 18990, the family moved to Sanford, Colorado, where the father, Jens Christensen Cornum obtained work.
     It was a happy day in 1875 when Ane Thomasen Laursen welcomed her granddaughter, Mareia Christena to Zion.  She had joined the church against her father’s wishes, although her dear mother, Maren Laursen Petersen, was anxious to join her own mother, daughter, and two sisters in Zion.  This dear mother never lived to see this happen; she died in the spring of 1877, and was laid to rest in Pleasant Grove, the little town she loved.
     Her granddaughter, Mareia Christena and her husband, Morituze Peter Anderson, cared for her, and she left them her home, where their first son, Andrew Alma, was born.

OBITUARY: Given by Grandson, Vaughn Miller, on March 7, 1984

Maggie Jane Hutchins Miller
on November 1, 1966
Golden Wedding

Maggie Jane Hutchins Miller

     Maggie Jane Hutchins the oldest child of Jesse Cerenus Hutchins and Nellie Jane Johnson, was born September 14, 1896, in Sanford, Colorado.  She passed away March 4, 1984, in Colorado Springs, at the age of 87.  She was preceded in death by her parents and six brothers and sisters:  Leona Cunningham, Donald Hutchins, Leola Reynolds, Bessie Christensen Terrell, Troy Hutchins, and Clair Hutchins, who died in infancy.  One sister, Louella Reynolds, survives.

     She was married to Willard Richard Miller, November 1, 1916, in Sanford, Colorado.  This marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.  To this union was born five children, all of whom survive:  Voris Jane Cornum and Richard Herman Miller of Sanford, Morris Clair Miller of La Jara, Enid Marie Lindsey of Colorado Springs, and Janice Dee Bodley of Denver.  She had 23 grandchildren, 22 survive.  She also had 60 great grandchildren, 57 surviving.

     Times were hard when Grandma was a child and she, being the oldest of the family carried quite a load of responsibility, helping her mother with the little children and household and farm chores.

Two Little Sisters,
Onie & Maggie Jane Hutchins

     Grandma didn’t start to school until she was seven years old and she was so happy to have her Uncle Ren Johnson in the same class.  They could only afford one school book between them so for three years they shared books and sat in a double desk together.  Little wonder she loved him like a brother.  Her sister Leona, or “Onie” as they called her, and her Aunt Nina Johnson, who was even younger than Maggie, also started to school at the same time.

     The girls were almost inseparable and, as they grew up, everyone called them “The Johnson Gals”.  They loved to sing, Onie and Nina Soprano and Maggie Alto.  Some of her happiest times would be after they left choir practice and sang all the way home.  She always said, “You could hear us all over town”.  How happy they were when they would take a dozen eggs to the store to exchange for groceries and find that Grandma Hutchins had put an extra egg in the bucket for them to trade for candy.

Nina Johnson, Onie & Maggie Jane Hutchins

     The girls would drive the neighboring cows to the pasture and the worst part for Maggie was when they got home about dark and she still had her cows to milk.  She always said the old kicking cow was one of the dreads of her life.

    Wash day meant scrubbing on the wash board and they always put the clothes through five waters, Onie and Maggie each with their own wash board.  Grandma Hutchins being a fair mother ,when the washing was done, would say, “Now you big girls can rest while the little girls (Ola and Bessie) do the dishes.

     Maggie was baptized in Brother’s Pond west of town, and told of how happy she was to be a little Mormon girl.  She always loved the church, and many of her best times had to do with the twenty fourth of July celebrations and other church activities.   Any time you visited Grandma, she would talk about the church.

     In the spring of the year, many cold windy days were spent following Ren up and down the newly plowed furrows as he with a team of horses and a walking plow turned the soil.  Sometimes they would build a fire at the end of the row so that they could warm their hands.

Maggie Jane & Leola Melvina Hutchins

     Jess Hutchins was a sawmiller and bridge builder so Maggie, or “Midge” as he called her often helped him saw wood with a cross cut saw.  She spent a lot of time in the mountains at the sawmill and sometimes she would be the last of the children to come back to the valley when school started.  She knew that she wouldn’t get to go until it got so cold that they had to shut the sawmill down and she told us about how happy she was when she looked out of the tent one morning and saw snow on the ground and knew she would soon be going back to school.

     As  a young woman, she did housework, cooking, helped out when babies were born and other jobs to earn a little bit of money.

     Grandma was a popular young girl.  She always had plenty of boy friends or “beaus” as she called them.  She told of how she was helping Aunt Maud Reed hang clothes on the line one day when Bill Miller rode in with a load of hay.  Aunt Maud turned to Maggie and said, “Now Midge, when he comes out again you get on the hayrack and ride out with him.  He wouldn’t be a bad catch for you.”  Well, SHE CAUGHT HIM.  It wasn’t long till they went to her parents for consent to be married.

     So with some nice hand made items, some used furniture, a little brown bald faced horse name Jim, an open buggy painted black with red wheels, and sixty dollars in cash they began their marriage, on November 1, 1916.

Maggie and Bill Miller
at their home in Sanford

     The years that followed were busy years for Grandma Maggie, raising five children, taking care of a big garden and canning it, raising chickens and turkeys, churning butter and making bread, working in the Primary and always doing her Relief Society Teaching.

     Their early marriage was spent here in the San Luis Valley, where Daddy Bill farmed and raised livestock.  The children all grew up in Sanford and Nortonville.  They lived on the Norland Ranch, and latter bought a ranch in Alamosa.  Herman always says that Grandma was very strict.  If they got out of line very far they could look forward to the razor strap or at least a good twist of the ear.

Maggie & Bill Miller at their home in Mesa

     As the children grew older and most of them married, Grandma and Grandpa became interested in Mesa, Arizona, because of Uncle Lew Miller.  They first started going down as winter visitors for about three years and then in the fall of 1952 they packed up and permanently moved to Mesa.  The thirty years they spent there were some of the best years of their lives.  The climate was good for their health, they prospered and were able to enjoy life in ways they hadn’t been able to before.  Daddy Bill worked for the Arizona State Agriculture Department.  Grandma Maggie worked at the Southside Hospital.  Later she took a first aid course and did nursing and child care work as well as working in several school cafeterias and the Temple cafeteria.

     They loved to dance and became officers of the senior citizens group where they organized entertainment and activities.  They also did quite a bit of traveling with the group.

     They did a lot of temple work, living “in the shadow of the temple,” as Grandma always said.  Grandma was chairman of the east Mesa Stake Relief Society teachers and was such a dependable quilter that the ward made a special quilt in her honor.  Grandma loved to piece quilt blocks, she had made each grandchild a quilt for their marriage, as long as she was able.

     Daddy Bill filled a Stake Mission and Grandma did missionary work up and down the block, across the street, among her neighbors, and everywhere she went.  She wanted to make a Mormon out of everyone; she never met a stranger.  (Then he told a Vaughn and Hal story.)
     They came up from Mesa to Sanford to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary and were so proud when Sherry and Bob chose that date to be married, November 1st, 1966.

     In 1969, due to Daddy Bill’s failing health, their children advised them to come back to Sanford.  Grandma’s health was still quite good at the time and she was able to take care of Daddy Bill until the time of his death in December, 1971.

     She later returned to her home in Arizona.  Hal and Vaughn  and their families were living there at the time, and Enid and Wayne moved down soon after so she was not alone.

Maggie Jane Miller and Martin Lane

     On November 15, 1972, she married Martin Lane, a fine person whom the family all loved and respected.  It was a good marriage.  Martin was not a member of the church at the time, but Grandma of course, soon took care of that, and Martin learned to love the gospel.  Grandma stood proxy in the temple for his first wife, Edna.  Martin was always so grateful to Maggie for bringing the gospel into his life, and making it possible for he and his wife to be sealed together.  They were active in going to the temple, and they were able to do a lot of temple work for Martin’s family.

       Grandma and Martin spent several summers in Sanford and made quite a few trips to his home in Oregon.  Their marriage lasted almost nine years, when due to Martin’s health (cancer), he went to live with his daughter in California, and soon passed away on October 5, 1981.  During this time, Grandma Maggie returned to Sanford.  She was made very  comfortable at the home of Voris and Duwayne, who built a nice bedroom and bathroom especially for her.  As her health failed, she received loving care from Voris and Duwayne, as well as Debbie, who was such a blessing to her.

     Her grandchildren and other relatives were able to visit with her often, and she loved talking about the old days.  She always had a little joke to tell, and was so interesting.  She would love to set and play her little organ, and sing the hymns.  Her favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art”.   Even though she was getting up in years, she would still do her Jack-O-Lane exercises.  Not long before she passed away, she could still through her leg up over the kitchen chair, at the amusement of us all.

      Louella and Bessie stopped in to visit, and after Bessie passed away, there was just Louella and Maggie left of the whole Jess Hutchins family, the oldest and the youngest of the children.

      Herman and Morris spent a lot of time with her, and would often stop in for an hour or two.  Enid and Janice also came to see her, and she made several trips to Enid’s.  She had went to visit Enid in Colorado Springs, the middle of February.  This is were she spent her last couple of weeks.  Enid, Wayne, Ray, and Rocky were all with her, as she so quietly passed away in her sleep, on Sunday afternoon, March 4th, 1984.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSfn=maggie&GSiman=1&GScid=57545&GRid=7192108&

A Tribute to Jane and Thomas Crowther

NOTE: "Utah, Our Pioneer Heritage"
Our Pioneer Heritage Volume 4 Zion Sings , The Fountain Green Choir,   A Tribute Thomas Crowther and Jane Jewkes, sister of Samuel Jewkes the first choir leader, were married in Utah in 1855.  In 1860, they were living in a dugout near Ephraim and here Jane gave birth to a son, James Franklin.  The family moved to Fountain Green in 1861, where both parents were associated with the choir until they left the town in 1890. Not only did the parents sing, but they reared a family of musically talented children to swell the number of the choir.  Jane Jewkes Crowther had a remarkably beautiful voice.
Jane Crowther's daughter Laura had the outstanding soprano voice of the late '70's. Bone-weary Saints were refreshed on choir practice nights by the voices of Laura and her chum Em Miles, raised in sweet harmony as they strolled home through the soft summer evenings, arm in arm.

Obituary of Jane Jewkes Crowther from the Deseret News

The Manti Messenger, Friday 15 May 1896:   Jane Jewkes Crowther.   Died at Sanford, Conejos county, Colorado, Jane Jewkes Crowther, wife of Thomas Crowther, born at Kateshill Dudley, Worcestershire, England, April 2, 1832, baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints April 7, 1850 by Elder George Hill in the Tipton branch of the Birmingham conference, She emigrated to Utah in 1855 and was married to Thomas Crowther November 25th of the same year at Cedar City, Iron county, Utah.  From this place she moved with her husband in 1860 to Ephraim, Sanpete County, and in 1861 removed to Fountain Green of the same county, where she took a prominent part in the Relief Society, holding the office of first counselor to the president of that ward.  In 1890 she removed with her family to Sanford, Colorado, where she continued her labors, holding the office of second counselor to the president of the Relief Society of the San Luis Stake.   Sister Crowther was the mother of twelve children two of whom have gone before her. She leaves an aged husband, ten children, forty-nine grand children, one brother, one sister and a host of friends to mourn her loss.  She had been failing in health about eighteen months, but of late had appeared to be improving, and on May 1st was at a birthday party of one of her daughters. On the morning of May 2nd, Brother Crowther left her sleeping while he went out to feed his stock, being out about fifteen minutes, and on returning to the house found she had passed away apparently without a struggle. She had been a loving and devoted wife and mother and died in full faith of the Gospel, with the hope of a glorious resurrection.   May 4, at 10 a.m. the cortege went from the family residence to the meeting house where the services were conducted by Bishop Soren C. Berthelsen. Bishop Marcus Funk, Soren C. Berthelsen and Stake President Albert R. Smith were the speakers. The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Sanford.  From the Deseret News.

Brief History of Jane Jewkes Crowther

Story written by Jane Crowther Anderson, a granddaughter, with additions of other genealogical facts, marked with (*), by Marilee Vannoy, a 3rd great granddaughter.

Jane Jewkes, (wife of Thomas Crowther), was born April 2, 1832, at Kateshill, Worcestershire, England.  Her mother was Jane Woodward Jewkes (born June 3, 1802, at Tipton, Stafford, England) and her father was William Jewkes (born January 5, 1794).

Jane’s parents lived in the parish of Tipton, which was only one and one half miles from the large city of Dudley.  Tipton is situated nearly in the center of an extensive and rich mining district.  The area had grown from a village to a town of over 11,500 population in the 1830’s because of the abundant 30-foot thick deposits of coal and iron-stone found under almost every acre of the area.  The mines were of superior quality, and provided employment for the people of the community.

Jane’s father was killed in a mine accident at Kateshill eight and one half months before she was born.   We do not know much about her childhood, for we have no records.  We do know that she had four older brothers: Richard, Samuel, William, and John.  We find her on the census, living with her brother, Richard, when she was six years old.

Her mother was married again soon after she was born, to a man by the name of *William Price Dunn, and had *two daughters by him:  Lydia, and Mary.  Although we never heard much about them, we know they came to America.  Lydia was married to a man by the name of Coombs, and was Postmistress at Huntington, Utah, for several years.

When Jane was *seventeen, she married a man by the name of *John Price, on *December 9, 1849, at *Saint Thomas, Dudley, Worcestershire, England.  Together they had two children: Richard and Mary Jane.  Their little son Richard, was born September 9, 1851, in *Sedgley, Staffordshire, England.  Because of her husband’s drinking problem and disposition, she left him.  Her little baby girl, Mary Jane, was born shortly after, on March 9, 1854, in *Kates Hill, Worcestershire, England; she only lived eighteen days.

Jane Jewkes was a small woman, weighing about 110 pounds, and was 5 foot 2 inches tall.  She had dark brown eyes and was a very kind, patient person.  *The following spring after she was married, she was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the 7th of April 1850, by Elder George Hill, in the Tipton Branch of the Birmingham Conference.  This was probably one of he things her husband resented.

On the 22 of April, 1855, she left the shores of England with her sister, Mary Ann, to come to Zion, traveling to America on the ship “Samuel Curling,” and bringing her three year old son, Richard, with her.  William remained in England.  John also came to America, although they lost track of him.  However, in later years when Lewis Anderson (uncle to author) was on a mission in Chicago, Illinois, he found him living there.

*Jane Price (age 23) and son Richard (age3) departed July 25, 1855, with the Charles A. Harper Company. 305 individuals and 39 wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Mormon Grove, Kansas (Near Atchison).  Captain Charles Harper rightly called his overland emigrant company "a mixed multitude from many nations"; it included French, English, Welsh, and Italians.  Some of Harper's company left England on the S. Curling. (called the Samuel Curling. in Latter-day Saint literature). Some of these travelers were Perpetual Emigration Fund (PEF) passengers (which Jane and Richard were); others paid their own fares. Arriving at New York City, they transferred to Philadelphia by steamer and then continued by rail to Pittsburgh and by steamboat (the Amazon), down the Ohio and up the Mississippi to St. Louis. Finally, up the Missouri they went on the Ben Bolt.  Several different groups of these emigrants joined Harper's company at Mormon Grove.

It was in Utah in the fall of 1855 that Jane Jewkes met Thomas Crowther; *he had traveled across the plains just six weeks before Jane and Richard had.  They were married November 25, 1855, by the President of the Stake, Isaac C Haight, in Iron County.

Thomas Crowther had lost his first wife and a baby at St Louis, Missouri.  He buried them at Mormon Grove, and after some time came on to Utah by ox team, bringing his little girl, Mary Ann, who was only four years old.  This gave them much in common, she with a little boy four years old and he with a little girl of the same age.  But exactly two months after they were married, January 25, 1856, little Richard, the son of Jane’s first marriage, passed away.  He was buried at Cedar City, Iron County, Utah.

They moved from one settlement to another in Southern Utah for a while but finally settled in Fountain Green, where most of their children were born.  Their family grew to three boys and seven girls.  They were faithful Latter-day Saints, she staying home and taking care of the children, while Thomas helped on both the St. George and Manti temples.

Vernal and Jane C. Anderson made a trip with her Father and Mother (William Orson and Mary Caroline Crowther), (brother to Sarah Jane Crowther Johnson) to Fountain Green and visited the old home site.  Their house had fallen down, except for one end, where the old fireplace stood.  William O. walked all around the place, and it was sacred ground to him.  He told of several stories of his childhood days.   He spoke of his mother’s beautiful voice, and how he loved to hear her sing.

In March 1890 Thomas and Jane left Fountain Green and moved to Sanford, Colorado, where most of their children had settled.  They purchased a lot (for three dollars and thirty-five cents) within a few blocks of the homes of all the children, and there built a little brick house where they were happy and comfortable.

They were soon put to work in the Church.  Thomas was ordained a patriarch and Jane became a counselor to Cornelia Mortensen in the Stake Relief Society.  They both served for several years.

On the morning of May 2, 1896, Thomas arose and went out to feed the chickens and milk the cow.  Thinking Jane was still asleep, he didn’t disturb her.  When he came in he could see she had never moved.  On going to her bedside, he found she had passed away in her sleep.  She was buried in the cemetery at Sanford, Colorado.

History and Stories of Thomas Crowther (1823-1898)

PERSONAL HISTORY of Thomas Crowther given by himself:
         "When I was nine years old my parents sent me to school for about twelve months.  After that my father having a large family, put me to work as soon as I was able.  By this time I was able to read in the Testament without much difficulty.  But I never made a letter or figure at school.  What I know about writing or the value of figures I have picked up myself and that after a hard days work.  At eleven years of age I hired out to an old gentleman by the name of John Bradley at a place called Ditton Friers.  I stayed with him for two years and four months, and worked on his farm.  He was a good man as far as he had light and knowledge: he was a strict Methodist and taught me good moral principles that had a lasting impression on  my mind in after years.  When I left him I hired to a man by the name of Edward Hughes, at a place called Kinsely, near Bridge North.  I stayed with him two years, but did not get that religious training as I did of my former master.  For he was a worldly man.  I continued to hire out until I was twenty-two years of age, and notwithstanding the religious training that I has received in my youth it did not seem to have that impression on my mind as it does on some people; that is I could not reconcile myself in regard to what God required me to do to be saved.
I went from one sect to another but I still felt an aken void.  I seemed to be hunting something that none of the religious sect had got.  About this time I was 22 years of age when I quit farmer's service and went into Staffordshire and worked at blast furnaces, that is manufacturing of iron.  I continued to work at this business the remainder of the time I stayed in England.  When I was about 26 years of age I married a young woman by the name of Sarah Thompson.  About the time that we got married I went and paid a visit to my mother-in-law.  When for the first time my eyes beheld the Book of Mormon.  This was about 1849.  There happened to be a Mormon Elder at her home, by the name of Thomas Shelly, he presented me with a copy of the Book of Mormon which I took home with me and read it through, and truly I thought I had found the pearl of great price.  My father and mother-in-law had already been baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, and had two of their children healed in a miraculous manner.  They were both healed by the power of God, which cased quite a stir in the neighborhood.  Several joined the church there about this time, and as I stated I read the Book of Mormon through and was very much interested in the little light that I had gained through reading that precious record.  It caused me to long for more.  I was not long in hunting up the place where the Latter-day Saints held their meetings, and the first or second time I went to see them, one elder spoke in Tongues and another interpreted the Tongue.  The substance of it was, that branch should grow and prosper and many should be added to the church.  I shall never forget the sensation that came over me at that time, for I was satisfied that these men spoke by the power of God.  I saw that prophecy fulfilled to the very letter.
In the next three months there were 44 added to that branch, myself and wife included among them.  We were baptized Oct. 13th, 1850, into the Tipton Branch of the Birmingham Conference, By Elder George Hill, President of that branch.  I was ordained to the office of Priest, December 26, 1851 by Elder John Weston.  Later ordained an Elder by William George, 13 May, 1953.
About this time I met with a bad accident.  I hurt one of my shoulders so bad I could not lift my arm up.  I had faith in the power of God and his ordinances.  I went to meeting at night and took with me some oil and requested the elders to anoint my shoulder with the oil and pray to the Lord in the name of Jesus Christ to heal me, which they did and I was healed from that very moment, and went to my work the next morning to the astonishment of all my fellow workmen.  Although my should was back and blue and discolored for weeks afterward; but not to hurt me in the least.  This was the first time I has the power of God manifest upon my own body.  Previous to my hearing the Gospel I had one of my legs broken which caused me to he helpless for three months.  This was about two months after I was married.  During this time I read and reflected a great deal.  I prayed earnestly for the Lord to guide me in the right path.  I realize that it was through this circumstance that led me to investigate and embrace the Gospel.  Quite a number of years have passed since then.  I am writing from memory at this late date, thinking it would be of interest to my children after I am gone.  What I write is the Truth.
In 1853, three years after joining the Church, myself and wife agreed to save out of my wages ten shillings a week, equal to $2.50, as we had a great desire to gather with the Church in America.  We carried out our plan for six months, then by selling our furniture we had enough to pay our way to Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.  We had one little girl named Mary Ann, three and a half years old.  We lost one little boy who lived twelve weeks, named Francis.  It was the counsel for all Latter-day Saints who could pay their way to Saint Louis, Missouri, to do so, for they could get an out-fit there to cross the plains easier than they could in England.  On November 13th, 1854, we embarked on a ship, the Clara Wheeler, a sailing vessel, bound for New Orleans, Louisiana, with 420 Saints on board.  We were almost wrecked on the Irish channel for a day and night, was towed back into the river Mercy, Liverpool, and had to wait two weeks for favorable winds.  President of the Mission, Franklin D. Richards came to our ship and told us if we would fast and pray, and keep the commandments of God we should have favorable winds and a prosperous journey across the ocean.  This we did and the next day the wind turned in our favor and we started again.  In five weeks we landed in New Orleans safe in fulfillment of Apostle Richards' promise.  That was January 1st, 1855.  I was taken very sick when about two weeks out at sea and continued so till we got to fresh water.  Many doubted my recovery, but I told them I should live to get to the land of Zion.  I recovered fast when we got to fresh water.  Our fare was paid only to New Orleans.  I was weak from my illness, our money reduced to ten shillings.  While contemplating our condition I could see no other way only for us to stop at New Orleans and try and get work and earn money sufficient to take us to Saint Louis, Missouri, as distance of 1200 miles.  While leaning over the side of the vessel, a man came behind me and put his hand on my shoulder and asked me about my circumstances.  When I told him, he reached out and gave me 40 shillings, just the amount required to take us to Saint Louis.  This man was almost an entire stranger, I had seen him on the vessel but do not remember ever speaking to him before.  He gave me the money without my asking him.  he told me I could pay him back when I got able.  Which I did with the first money I got.
A steamboat was charted to take us up the Mississippi River immediately and we landed at Saint Louis, January 10th, 1855.  The next day I met a former acquaintance, one Richard Jewkes who had preceded me from the Tipton Branch.  He came and took me, my wife and child to his abode, five miles distant; a place called the Gravois.  We stayed with him as long as we remained in that part.  I dug coal and made some money.  The 4th of March, 1855, my wife gave birth to a boy baby that was dead when he was born.  Two days after, she died, and was buried at a place called the County Farm.  This was sad indeed, leaving me and the little girl to make our way to Zion.
Early in April we started on our way to cross the plains, a distance of twelve hundred miles.  I trusted in the Lord to open the way.  I met a young man, a carpenter, who was in about the same condition as myself.  We decided to build us a hand cart and try and make our way with one of the Ox team companies.  Just at this time a messenger from a Texas Company who had started across the plains, had gone 75 miles, when the Cholera broke out and several of the men died from its effect.  He was looking for teamsters, volunteers to go and drive the teams.  Myself and six others accepted the proposition to drive four yoke of steers to each wagon loaded with merchandise on consideration we got our board and what little baggage we had and the little girl taken along.  We started out for the company with a team of horses, and in two days reached them.  Edward Stevensen was sent to take charge of the train.  He was a native of Gibralter, a very fine man.  Out of the seven of us that volunteered, not one of us had ever put a yoke on an ox imagine we had a picnic.  But we soon got so we could manage them like old teamsters.
We left Mormon Grove Jun 13th, 1855, and arrived in Salt Lake City, Sept. 13th 1855.  Me and the little girl would sleep under the wagon at night.  In the day time, she would ride in the wagon just ahead of me so I could keep her in sight.  We traveled late one night in order to reach water.  As soon as we stopped for camp, at a place called Laramie, Wyoming, I unyoked my cattle and got them to feed.  I returned and assisted in getting supper, then went as usual for my little girl, but she was missing.  I roused the camp.  No one had seen her since we stopped for camp.  A diligent search was made but of no avail.  I imagined all kinds of scenes of death.  Indians getting her, wandering away to perish, and be eaten by wolves, etc.  I shall never forget the felling that came to me, though now it is 30 years  or more.  I cannot refrain from tears as that experience comes to my mind.  Most of the camp gave up the search in vain.  I could not settle or content myself, but still wandered about, when finally I found her fast asleep in some tall grass a short distance away.  You may imagine my joy in finding her.
We had to keep diligent watch all the way across the plains.  At Sweet Water a false alarm of an Indian raid gave us quite a scare.  But in all our journey we were wonderfully blessed.  At this place my wife that is dead visited me, put her arms round my neck, told me of many things I have seen come to pass since that time.  She looked so beautiful.  When I asked her of how it was in the sphere where she moved, she signified she was not at liberty to tell.  I knew she was dead, and where she was buried.  At this point I was aroused by the false alarm.
On arriving at Salt Lake City, I walked immediately to Pleasant Grove, 40 miles south, and visited my wife's parents, who had emigrated three years previous.  I stayed there and worked until the October conference, which I attended.  After that I went with Elder John Weston, former president of the
branch that I came from in England.
I left Mary Ann with her grandparents and went with this John Weston to Cedar City, Utah.  He had been requested to find two men who understood the manufacturing of iron.  Another man by the name of Thomas Gower went with us, where we found a mountain of iron ore, at which place we worked for two or three years.  But the company trying to develop this industry did not have money enough to carry on the work.  For that reason it failed.
On the 25th of November, 1855, I met a young widow by the name of Jane Jewkes, a former acquaintance in the Tipton branch.  I offered my hand in marriage to her and was accepted.  We were married by the President of the Stake, Isaac C. Haight.  My wife had emigrated the same year.  We had fairly good clothes, but nothing toward housekeeping - no money - in a country where even the necessities of life were scarce.  The grasshoppers had destroyed the crops, and food was not in the country.  The Lord's hand was manifest in our behalf.  During the famine, mushrooms grew just outside the city. People would go every morning and gather them and with a spoonful of flour to thicken them or make gravy.  We relished them and they sustained life until another harvest.  Another item of food was the homey dew that grew upon the willow.  People would gather the willows, wash them in tubs, then boil the water and make it into a syrup, which was very delicious.  They gathered barrels of it.  This was at a time when sugar or molasses could not be gotten in the country.  I have never seen it since like it came at that time.
I will now mention a manifestation I had in answer to prayer.  In the spring of 1857, a man by the name of Whittier told me I could use his oxen to plow my lot if I would bring them from the range telling me where I would find them.  I started out early the next morning in search of them, and woke fast until noon without success.  I began to get faint and weary, when I turned to one side into a cedar grove.  There I knelt down and asked the Lord in sincerity to make known to me where the cattle were.  I had not been on my knees more than two minutes when a voice said to me - they are up in Coal canyon.  This was not said in a loud voice, but in a pleasant whisper that filled my heart with a certainty that they were there.  I arose and went with a light heart about one and a half miles distant.  There I found the cattle lying down, chewing their cuds.
I mention this circumstance to show that the Lord does hear and answer prayers when we are humble and sincere.  Since then I have witnessed a similar manifestation a number of times.  In the winter of 1858 I decided I would move away from Cedar City and go to Beaver, where I could take up land.  That was a new place and plenty of land and water, a distance 52 miles north.  In the fall of 1858, I went to Beaver, took up a lot and went to work building me a house, preparatory to moving my family.  I got my house under way when I was impressed to go home- but for what reason I did not know.  It was sadly against my will, for I wanted to complete my house.  I had a presentment that I was needed at home.  We had no means of communication - mail only once a month, so there was no way of sending or receiving a message.  Next morning about nine o'clock I started for home, with a yoke of cattle and a wagon.  I traveled 30 miles that day and camped at a place called Paragonah or Red Creek.  I turned my cattle out and got my supper and went to ved but could not sleep.  Something seemed to urge me to get up and go on, but I reasoned with myself like this: the cattle are tired and I cannot possible go on tonight.  But the impression grew stronger, so I got up, got my cattle hitched to the wagon and started, traveling all night, arriving home at eight o'clock a.m.  I had traveled 52 miles in 23 hours.
I found my wife very sick.  The neighbors did not think she could live.  At the time when the impression came to me to get up and go on the evening before, they thought she was dead.  When I found her in this condition, I understood why I was so impressed to go home.  I mention this to show that we have guardian Angels, and that they do oft times manifest things that we should do, and also warning us against many dangers, if we would give heed to the whisperings of the still, small voice."
        By 1887 seven of their children had moved to Colorado, so they came to the valley to visit and spend the Christmas holidays with them.  In 1890 Thomas and his wife, Jane, moved to Sanford, Colorado, where he built a brick home and they were very comfortable and contented.
       In 1896 Thomas was ordained Stake Patriarch by Heber J. Grant and John Henry Smith.  Three months later his wife died; that fall he moved into the home of his son, W. O. Crowther, where he lived until his death in 1898.

Additional Crowther History:  About the year 1850 a number of Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went to England.  Those that went to Shropshire made many converts.  Among them were three brothers and a cousin, Thomas, Francis, Richard and George Crowther.  All four emigrated to the US of America.  The sole purpose for making their home with the Saints of God, called Mormons.  Francis came in 1852 and died on the plains on his way to Utah.  Thomas came in 1855, Richard in 1864 and George in 1857. These two brothers and cousin chose Fountain Green, Utah, as the place to make their home, where they lived and reared their families, for thirty years.  Then Thomas moved to the San Luis Valley, Colorado where he and his family helped to make settlements.  Richard moved his families to Southern Utah and later moved to Logan, Utah, with one family where he died.  George remained at Fountain Green until his death.


"The Mormons 100 Years in the San Luis Valley of Colorado" pages 175-176
       Most of the Crowthers in the San Luis Valley are descendants of Thomas Crowther, born March 12, 1823, in Easthope, Shropshire, England.  Thomas went to a formal school for only 12 months at the age of 9.  After this he studied and learned on his own, and was proud to be able to study the Testament.
       After he quit school to go to work he worked for over 2 years for John Bradley, a strict Methodist, who sent Thomas to church regularly.  After that he did not get any religious training from anyone he worked for.  However he seemed to have a hunger that no religion would satisfy.
       As a grown man he worked at blast furnaces manufacturing iron.  When 26, he married Sarah Thomason; it was in the parents' home that he first saw the Book of Mormon and heard the Mormon Elders.  He knew at once that he had found the Pearl of Great Price.  He and his wife were baptized October 13, 1850.  A few months later he had a serious accident, hurting his shoulder so severely he couldn't even lift his arm.  He called on the Elders to anoint and bless him, and was able to return to work the next morning to the astonishment of his fellow workmen.
       In 1853, he and his wife started saving to go to Zion.  They were able to save what amounted to $2.50 a week..  In 6 months, by selling their furniture and everything they had, they were able to pay their way to New Orleans.  At this time they had one little girl, Mary Ann,, 3 1/2 years old, but had lost little Francis, who only lived 12 weeks.  They boarded ship November 13, 1854, and landed in New Orleans 5 weeks later, having been delayed by storms.  They stayed there to earn money to go on to St. Louis.  While there, his wife gave birth to a little boy who was born dead.  Two days later she also died, leaving Thomas and Mary Ann to continue their journey to Zion alone.
       Thomas hired out as a driver for a wagon on a wagon train.  Seven men were hired to fill vacancies, none of whom had ever put a yoke on an ox before, and the oxen were all wild Texas cattle.  They had quite a picnic, but very soon learned to manage.
Thomas tells the following story in his own words:
"Me and the little girl would sleep under the wagon at night, in the daytime she would ride in the wagon just ahead of me so I could keep her in sight.  We traveled late one night in order to reach water.  As soon as we stopped for camp at a place called Laramie, Wyoming.  I unyoked my cattle and got them to feed.  I returned and assisted in getting supper, then went as usual for my little girl, but she was missing.  I roused the camp.  No one had seen her since we stopped for camp.  A diligent search was made but of no avail.  I imagined all kinds of scenes of death:  Indians getting her, wandering away to perish, and being eaten by wolves, etc.  I shall never forget the feeling that came to me, though now it is thirty years or more.  I cannot refrain from tears as that experience comes to my mind.  Most of the camp gave up the search in vain.  I could not settle or content myself, but still wandered about, when finally I found her fast asleep in some tall grass a short distance away.  You can imagine my joy in finding her."
They had many interesting experiences, both hard and faith promoting, but finally arrived in Salt Lake City.  A few months later Thomas met and married Jane Jewkes, a widow with one little boy.  They lived in Beaver, the Ephraim, but finally settled in Fountain Green, and there had a large family.
       By 1887 seven of their children had moved to Colorado, so they came to the valley to visit and spend the Christmas holidays with them.  In 1890 Thomas and his wife moved to Sanford, Colorado, where he built a brick home and they were very comfortable and contented.
       In 1896 Thomas was ordained Stake Patriarch by Heber J. Grant and John Henry Smith.  Three months later his wife died; that fall he moved into the home of his son, W. O. Crowther, where he lived until his death in 1898.


"Utah, Our Pioneer Heritage"
Our Pioneer Heritage Volume 4 Zion Sings The Fountain Green Choir A Tribute Thomas Crowther and Jane Jewkes, sister of Samuel Jewkes the first choir leader, were married in Utah in 1855.  In 1860, they were living in a dug-out near Ephraim and here Jane gave birth to a son, James Franklin.  The family moved to Fountain Green in 1861, where both parents were associated with the choir until they left the town in 1890. Not only did the parents sing, but they reared a family of musically talented children to swell the number of the choir.  Thomas Crowther was English and never lost his accent, dropping the h's to the end.  To him, after the dug-out, Fountain Green was "Eaven."  In time, he became the famous seconder of motions. Harmon Curtis, a local rhymester, wrote: "T for Tom Crowther; he got the good notion; He's always on hand to second the motion." Mr. Crowther was in ill health for a number of years but made his presence felt in spite of the fact.  Jane Jewkes Crowther had a remarkably beautiful voice.